Algeria pulls Sky News Arabia accreditation amid UAE rift: What to know Algeria severed diplomatic ties with the UAE, which owns Sky News Arabia through Abu Dhabi-based International Media Investments, last Thursday. Algeria
Iraq sentences kidnapper of US journalist Shelly Kittleson to 15 years: What to know The first sentencing in relation to Shelly Kittleson’s abduction comes as Iraq moves to rein in Iran-backed militias. Iraq
Israel tightens election safeguards as public distrust surges: What to know Israelis have lost trust in the government and in its ability or willingness to conduct free and fair elections. Israel
Culture Turkish standup comic detained after act calling Erdogan 'dictator' goes viral Comedian Deniz Goktas’ arrest comes as Ankara intensifies prosecutions against opposition figures, journalists, artists and critics ahead of a major NATO summit. Turkey
Journalist who investigated Erdogan’s son jailed on 'disinformation' charges in Turkey Human rights organizations warn Ari’s detention signals a broader campaign against journalists probing government corruption and elite networks. Turkey
Analysis Iran’s longest-ever internet blackout leaves 99% offline: What to know Facing a historic internet blackout, Iranians are locked in a struggle with authorities to find loopholes to get around this communications crackdown, leading to "shutdowns within a shutdown." By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Qatar-based Al Jazeera commentators go dark on social media: What to know Saeed Ziad, who offered a pro-Iran perspective on the war, has not posted on X in days, and the account of Fatima al-Smadi was deleted, though their exact status is not known. Qatar
Israeli-Russian journalist removed from Netanyahu’s US flight: What to know Israeli-Russian journalist Nick Kolyohin was removed from the official Israeli Wing of Zion plane just before its departure for Washington, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump. Israel
Washington Post cuts 30% of staff, guts foreign desk, Mideast team: What to know Foreign correspondents from the Post have extensively covered wars in Gaza, Ukraine and other global conflict zones. United States
‘Save the Post’: Washington Post journalists urge Bezos to protect foreign desk The Post maintains one of the most extensive overseas reporting networks among US newspapers, including Middle East bureaus in Istanbul, Cairo and Dubai. United States
Iran blackout enters 12th day as filtered internet reveals crackdown Nearly 4,000 people have been killed in the protests in Iran, as videos emerging amid limited access to internet show the scale of the crackdown launched by security forces. Iran
Turkey sentences journalist over 4 years in jail for threatening Erdogan Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altayli was sentenced to over four years in prison in a trial government critics say aimed at silencing one of Turkey's most influential journalists and intended to intimidate journalists nationwide. Turkey
Sudan bans UAE's Sky News Arabia following el-Fasher coverage The ban follows a controversial Sky News Arabia report from el-Fasher, where the network’s journalist was seen engaging with an RSF member just weeks after the group captured the city amid allegations of massacres and war crimes. Sudan
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
Egypt holds second Senate vote as pro-Sisi parties dominate: What to know The Senate elections, dominated by pro-Sisi government parties, feature fewer party list and individual candidates compared to elections held in 2020. Egypt
Turkey’s Sozcu TV forced off air in latest crackdown on opposition: What to know As Istanbul's mayor remains jailed, pressure mounts on opposition-aligned media to soften their criticism, analysts say. Turkey
