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
Senators seek answers on US review of Shireen Abu Akleh's death Senators Van Hollen, Leahy, Murphy and Durbin said the US review “hardly constitutes an independent investigation into the overall circumstances of her killing.” Israel
Europe’s top court reprimands Turkey for jailing philanthropist Today’s decision by Europe's top rights court on Osman Kavala, who has kept behind bars for four and a half years in pre-detention and sentenced to life, inches Turkey closer to suspension of its voting rights or even membership in the Council of Europe. Turkey
Israeli court rejects cap on Ukrainian refugees This week, Israel’s Supreme Court struck down the cap imposed by the Interior Ministry on the number of Ukrainian refugees allowed into the country. Israel
Israel elected president of International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for 2025 2025 is an important time for Israel to assume the IHRA presidency as the world will mark 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Israel
Kurdish journalists in southeast Turkey still uncharged after week in jail Colleagues of 20 detained journalists say they believe their arrests are tied to Turkey’s planned military operation against Syrian Kurdish militants. Turkey
Biden to meet with Saudi crown prince in July visit The president is expected to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah following a visit to Israel and the West Bank, a senior administration official said. Gulf
Rights groups say Iranian prisoners face finger amputations The eight men are expected to have their fingers amputated using a guillotine machine soon, Amnesty International reports. Iran
Knesset speaker participates, addresses gay pride parade in Jerusalem Knesset speaker Micky Levy participated today at the gay pride parade in Jerusalem, condemning death threats that were sent earlier this week to an organizer of the parade and several legislators. Israel
Iran calls exodus of Black staffers from Biden White House 'systematic racial discrimination' Iran has criticized the treatment of Black Americans before, but the Islamic Republic has its own issues with discrimination against Kurds, Arabs, Jews and others. Iran
Hunger strikes by prisoners continue in Egypt A number of political activists in Egyptian prisons have been on a hunger strike for several days to protest their denial of basic rights, at a time the president has called for a national dialogue with opponents. Egypt
Teenage Syrian refugees in Lebanon find cricket a welcome distraction Cricket is emerging as a tool for social transformation and improving Syrian refugees’ education. Lebanon
Turkey’s Alevis to open their houses of worship to LGBTQ funerals Turkey’s major Alevi organizations announce they will open their houses of worship to LGBTQ individuals in support of equal funeral rights. Turkey
