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
Israeli forces kill Palestinian boy in West Bank A Palestinian teenager was killed during a night raid amid increasing tensions in the West Bank, signaling more instability and clashes to come, while President Abbas arrives in Egypt for a tripartite summit. Palestine
European Parliament set to debate Iran as members push for IRGC designation More than 100 EU Parliament members are calling on the European Commission and EU member states to add Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to their terror lists and increase sanctions on Tehran. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Israel faces internal threat in Netanyahu’s judicial reforms After warning from Israel’s top opposition leaders, President of the Supreme Court Esther Hayut warns that the Netanyahu government judicial reform could crush Israel’s democracy. Israel
'I do...I'm done': Divorce spikes among Syrian refugee women in Germany The transition to their new lives in Germany has led some Syrian women to end their marriages away from the prying eyes of their home communities. Syria
Cheers, jeers as Amir Ohana becomes Israel's first LGBTQ Knesset speaker Ultra-Orthodox Knesset members are being criticized by their religious leadership for voting in favor of appointing openly gay Amir Ohana as Knesset speaker. Israel
Family of Palestinian activist appeals to ICC to probe death One and a half years after his death, the family of Palestinian political and opposition activist Niza Banat filed the first complaint against the Palestinian Authority before the International Criminal Court, accusing the security services of killing Banat. Palestine
Cancer-stricken Palestinian detainee dies in Israeli custody Nasser Abu Hamid, jailed by Israel since 2002, died on Tuesday morning following a battle with cancer. Palestinian rights groups accuse Israel of negligence. Palestine
Expulsion of French-Palestinian detainee 'clouds' relations with Israel, diplomats say The French Foreign Ministry criticized Israel for deporting French-Palestinian lawyer Salah Hamouri, shortly after ending his nine-months’ administrative detention, and without letting him appeal the expulsion. Israel
The Takeaway: Tunisia's Saied visits US, days before controversial elections Plus, Iran is expelled from a United Nations women's rights body and Morocco's underdog team is knocked out of the World Cup. Tunisia
Turkey's government wants refund for movie following LGBTQ controversy The move is widely seen as a fresh episode of the culture war the government has been waging against the country’s artistic scene over critical opinions and queer content. Turkey
Analysis At Biden's first Africa summit, US plays catch-up to China The three-day summit will bring together African leaders from across the continent, including several with problematic rights records. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iraq's Sadr takes aim at LGBTQ community Leader of the Sadrist movement Muqtada al-Sadr made the headlines again in Iraq by announcing his opposition to homosexuality, several months into his withdrawal from the political process. Iraq
