Syria opens trial of Wassim al-Assad, cousin of ousted president: What we know The trial follows another session in the case against Atef Najib, also a cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, as Syrian authorities continue prosecuting figures linked to the former regime and its remnants. Syria
Analysis As Trump admin drops Halkbank case, S-400 last big hurdle in US-Turkey ties The move eases a key source of friction with Turkey ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally Hungary’s parliament voted to remain in the International Criminal Court, reversing a planned withdrawal and marking a shift in Budapest’s approach to Israel and the EU. Israel
Majority in Turkey rejects court ruling ousting CHP’s Ozel, poll shows A new poll shows a majority in Turkey rejects the court ruling that ousted main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel. Turkey
Analysis Iran tightens wartime crackdown across Kurdish, Baluch ethnic regions By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Honor killings against women increase in southeast Syrian city Civil activists protested the lack of judiciary against domestic violence and honor killings, launching the hashtag “Our blood is on your hands” and calling on the government to consider honor killings as a crime to prevent the death of more women. Syria
Women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul to stand trial in Saudi Arabia Loujain al-Hathloul will appear in a Saudi court Wednesday more than two years after she was first detained in a crackdown on human rights defenders. Saudi Arabia
Family appeals conviction in Lockerbie bombing in Scottish court A lawyer for the family of the late Libyan intelligence officer Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, convicted in the 1988 plane bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, argues there was insufficient evidence to convict him. Libya
Egypt to dismiss public servants with alleged ties to Muslim Brotherhood Egypt’s parliament has approved controversial new amendments to a law allowing the dismissal of public servants with alleged ties to terrorist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood. Originals
Bulgarian court sentences two men in bus bombing that killed Israelis Bulgaria said that two dual citizens of Lebanon were responsible for the Black Sea attack that targeted Israeli tourists in 2012; Hezbollah has denied involvement. Israel
The Netherlands takes first step in holding Syria’s torturers to account The Dutch Foreign Ministry says it will hold Syria responsible for "gross human rights violations" in a process that could make its way to the UN's International Court of Justice. Syria
Egypt’s presidency clashes with religious institutions over verbal divorce Calls for new legislation in Egypt to annul verbal divorce, namely by President Abel Fattah al-Sisi, raise the ire of Al-Azhar and other religious institutions already at odds with the president. Egypt
Netanyahu’s Likud vs. Israel’s judicial system For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin the time has come for a last, decisive duel against the High Court. Israel
Residents of this Egyptian village forced to leave their homes Forced evacuation and a security campaign targeted the residents of Sayadeen village in Alexandria governorate in northern Egypt. Egypt
Israeli-Arab society torn over LGBTQ legislation The vote over a bill banning gay "conversion therapy" stirred a real conflict within Israeli-Arab politics and society. Israel
Egypt seeks extradition of Sisi's 'pain in Spain' Madrid is looking into the case of Egyptian construction contractor Mohamed Ali at the Egyptian authorities' official request that the Spanish authorities extradite him for fraud offenses. Egypt
Israeli top model Bar Refaeli found guilty in tax evasion case The international supermodel is a controversial person in Israel due to her avoidance of mandatory military service, as well as the trial. Israel
