Trump travel ban 2.0: Assessing the impact on Mideast nations Trump’s new decision excludes Syria and Iraq, both of which were part of his previous ban issued during his first term in 2017. Syria
Saudi Arabia releases Iranian cleric who criticized Hajj: What to know Iran-Saudi Arabia relations have improved in recent years, including in Hajj-related cooperation, though tensions remain over Iran’s regional policies. Saudi Arabia
Gaza ceasefire seen imminent as Witkoff finalizes Hamas-Israel deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told relatives of hostages held in Gaza that he accepts the recent proposal by American envoy Steve Witkoff, which is expected to secure the release of 10 abductees and establish a two-month ceasefire in Gaza. Israel
Rise in antisemitism in US, Europe preceded Washington shooting: What to know In the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia, the number and severity of antisemitic incidents continue to rise. Israel
Pope Francis, voice for Middle East peace and first to visit Gulf, dies at 88 By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Human Rights Watch staffer hacked with Pegasus spyware A digital forensic analysis determined phones belonging Lama Fakih, HRW’s crisis and conflict director, were hacked between April and August 2021. News Brief
House Democrats press Blinken on military aid to Egypt In a letter to the US secretary of state, lawmakers described Egypt's "pervasive and systemic violations of human rights." Egypt
Turkish court jails journalist over proverb that 'insulted' Erdogan TV media figure Sedef Kabas is the latest among tens of thousands to be investigated over insulting the president during Erdogan's time in office. Turkey
Islamic State prison break reinforces value of US military protection for Syria's Kurds ‘Cubs of Caliphate’ are among 700 boys held in Islamic State prison, as Syrian Kurdish forces keep up the battle to retake control Syria
Democrats urge Biden to overhaul drone strike policy Democratic lawmakers called on Biden to bring US counterterrorism policy in line with international law. News Brief
Human rights in spotlight as Egypt's revolution anniversary nears In the run-up to the anniversary of the January 25 revolution that led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's comments on human rights at a youth forum in Sharm El Sheikh are met with a backlash from activists on social media. Egypt
Calls across political spectrum to probe Israel Police Pegasus spyware misuse Knesset members from across the political spectrum are calling for an official probe over publications that police had used the spyware Pegasus to hack phones of citizens without prior court order. Israel
Child labor assumes fatal proportions in Egypt The latest drowning of eight working children in the Nile Delta is opening deep wounds in Egypt and renewing debate about child labor. Egypt
BBC Turkish staff strike over pay Workers at the BBC's Istanbul bureau are taking action after the corporation denied a salary increase in line with inflation. Turkey
El Salvador journalists reportedly targeted by Pegasus spyware A cyber watchdog report found the phones of at least 35 journalists and activists in the Latin American country were infected with the controversial Pegasus spyware. Israel
Northern Syria health care plagued by issues as UN extends cross-border aid A US-based group of doctors conducted a detailed assessment of the region’s health sector in both Kurdish and rebel territory. Syria
UN experts urge Iran to halt execution of juvenile offender Hossein Shahbazi was 17 when he was arrested for fatally stabbing a classmate and was sentenced to death in a trial that reportedly relied on torture-tainted confessions. Iran
