Nine bodies unearthed in Latakia mass grave, one of dozens found in post-Assad Syria As part of the efforts by new Syrian authorities to bring justice to victims of the Assad regime, dozens of mass graves containing thousands of bodies — believed to be victims of former regime forces — have been discovered across Syria. Syria
Turkey blocks Instagram account of leading LGBTQ+ group Kaos GL The ban targeting the group, a leading LGBTQ+ organization, follows earlier bans affecting its website and X account. Turkey
Turkey arrests youth delegate over Council of Europe address: What to know The youth activist’s arrest adds to Ankara’s growing isolation as Turkey faces suspension from Europe’s top human rights body. Turkey
Fears mount over fate of missing Turkmen dissidents in Turkey The pair vanished after being released from a Turkish deportation center, prompting concerns they were abducted or secretly returned to Turkmenistan. Turkey
World Cup migrant workers still detained in Qatar: report The Guardian has confirmed that three migrant workers from Pakistan and India arrested in January after their World Cup-related contracts were terminated remain in detention to this day. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Iran, Belgium complete prisoner swap mediated by Oman Belgian national Olivier Vandecasteele was released from prison in Iran in an Oman-mediated exchange deal. Iran
Syria's Assad accuses France of 'hysteria' for calling to put him on trial Damascus is furious after French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said she thinks Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should stand trial for his role in the Syrian war. Syria
Hamas upholds executions against three Palestinian ‘collaborators’ in Gaza Rights organizations have repeatedly condemned Hamas for issuing and carrying out death sentences without the approval of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
New EU sanctions on Iran target Basij, judiciary after executions The foreign ministers of the European Union have adopted an eighth round of sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities responsible for serious breaches of human rights. Iran
Antisemitism skyrockets on Twitter as Israel's requests go ignored With the number of antisemitic posts on social media on the rise, Israel’s Foreign Ministry focuses on tracing such dangerous trends and battling them on the platforms they are published on. Israel
Turkey’s new parliament: 50 shades of nationalism, conservatism Turkey has ended up with the most nationalist and conservative parliament in its modern history, and where women, LGBT groups will face an uphill battle. Turkey
Iran hangs 3 protesters in Isfahan as executions soar Iran rebuffed calls by rights groups to prevent the execution of three protesters who were reportedly forced into confessions. Iran
Elon Musk defends ‘antisemitic' tweets on George Soros after Israeli criticism Israel's Foreign Ministry accused the Twitter owner of encouraging antisemitic posts on the social media platform. Israel
Analysis Meet Italy’s Luigi Di Maio, EU’s first envoy for Gulf region Not everyone in Italy and France is welcoming the nomination of former Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio as the European Union's new envoy to the Gulf region. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Israeli FM in Sweden, applauds move to blacklist Iran's IRGC Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has turned a new page in bilateral relations with Sweden, hoping to cooperate on economic opportunities as well as battle antisemitism and the Iranian regime. Israel
Lebanon: Death of citizen in UAE custody sparks controversy The death of a Lebanese businessman in the custody of UAE authorities risks further straining relations between the two countries. Legacy: Gulf
