Pope Francis, voice for Middle East peace and first to visit Gulf, dies at 88 Pope Francis died on Monday after serving as pontiff for 11 years, advocating for human rights and inclusion in the Middle East and beyond. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Oscar-winning Palestinian director freed from Israeli detention after night in custody Hamdan Ballal, a co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land," was assaulted by Israeli settlers and later detained by Israeli forces in the West Bank as the Israeli army continues its raids in the Palestinian territory. Palestine
Hearing delayed after Lebanese doctor with US visa deported: What to know A Lebanese citizen is the latest in a string of detentions, visa revocations and deportations conducted by the Trump administration. United States
Kuwait revokes citizenship of 464 as restrictions tighten under new emir Over 35,000 Kuwaitis have lost their citizenship since the government enforced amendments to its citizenship law in September of last year. Kuwait
Analysis Can Hamas defy Trump's ultimatum as Gaza ceasefire teeters? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis US aid freeze threatens Sudan’s lifeline as USAID support hangs in balance By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
EU, UK slap new sanctions on Iran's IRGC leadership Shortly after the British Foreign Ministry announced more sanctions against Iranian officials, the European Union added its own new sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities. Iran
Iran committed 'horrific acts of torture' against detained children says Amnesty The London-based organization says Iranian intelligence and security forces used brutal torture methods against children as young as 12 who were arrested in the crackdown on the country’s protests. Iran
Israelis Zoom to Utah in search of civil marriage Since civil marriage does not exist in Israel, mixed-faith couples and people who do not want a religious marriage are now opting for online weddings performed in the US state of Utah. Israel
Israelis block roads as Netanyahu rejects judicial overhaul compromise Rallies across Israel continue for the 10th week in a row against the government’s judicial overhaul plan, after the coalition rejected a compromise suggested by the president. Israel
Biden administration budget would slash Tunisia’s economic aid The State Department’s latest budget calls for steep cuts to US economic aid to several countries in the Middle East while largely sustaining military aid. Tunisia
Iran lashes out at France as efforts to release French prisoners stall Tehran is blaming Paris' unhelpful attitude and 'interventionism' as efforts to release six French people detained in the country drag on. Iran
MidEast freedom rankings: Syria worst, Tunisia in decline, says Freedom House Syria remains to be the least and Israel the best performing country when it comes civil and political freedoms while the biggest one-year decline has been observed in Tunisia. Turkey
Protesters in Israel block roads, Haifa marine port on 'Day of Disruption' Thousands of people are protesting against the government’s judicial overhaul plan, blocking highways, Haifa port and entrances to airport terminals. Israel
EU, UK sanction Iran, Taliban entities on International Women's Day Marking International Women’s Day, the European Union and the British government each decided to sanction individuals and entities for violating human rights, particularly sexual and gender-based violence. Iran
Protests across Iran as schoolgirl poisonings spread nationwide The chain of suspected poisoning attacks on girls' schools continued unabated, prompting furious Iranians to chant against authorities who are scrambling for answers. Iran
US slaps visa sanction on Syrian military officer over Tadamon massacre The State Department hit Amjad Yousef and his family with visa bans for his alleged involvement in the 2013 killing of 41 unarmed Syrian civilians. Syria
Lebanon's LGBTQ community faces digital exploitation, blackmail Lebanon's LGBTQ community is being targeted through social media platforms and dating apps, and the perpetrators are acting with impunity. Lebanon
