Egypt withdraws from FIFA online friendlies Two Egyptian soccer players have withdrawn from the FIFA eNations StayAndPlay Friendlies, over Israel’s participation. Egypt
Women protest spike in domestic violence as locked-down Israel simmers In nationwide demonstrations over the last few days, Israeli women are demanding help with the spike violence against women during the COVID-19 crisis. Israel
Intel: US to withdraw Patriot missile systems from Saudi Arabia The Pentagon is set to pull Patriot missile defense systems from Saudi Arabia amid internal pressure to transfer military assets to counter China. Saudi Arabia
Uber lays off 40% of Cairo office, largest in Middle East The layoffs come amid global cuts as the coronavirus pandemic sees revenues drop. Egypt
Trump blasts Republicans who voted for Iran war powers bill as Senate fails to override veto President Donald Trump laid into some of his close Senate allies for siding with Democrats on an Iran war powers bill even as Congress failed to override his veto. Saudi Arabia
British-Australian academic held in Iranian prison reportedly attempts suicide Kylie Moore-Gilbert is among the many foreigners held in Iran's notorious Evin prison on espionage charges. Iran
US grants Iraq summer break from Iran electricity sanctions The Trump administration’s reprieve for Iraq from US sanctions on Iranian electricity imports will extend through September. Originals
Kurdish and coalition forces target Islamic State in eastern Syria The operation comes at a time of recent IS attacks in Syria and Iraq. Iraq
Meet Iraq’s new Cabinet Most of new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's Cabinet members are technocrats with long histories of working in their areas of expertise, with no or little affiliation with political parties. Iraq
Turkey throttles water as pandemic looms over northeast Syria Western nongovernmental organizations confirm that the water supply from the Alok pumping station has been repeatedly interrupted since the Turkish offensive. Syria
Netanyahu’s future coalition, without the settlers? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu got the recommendation of 72 Knesset members for him to form and lead Israel’s next government, but the list does not include the signatures of his allies from the Yamina party. Palestine
With virus numbers low, Turkey turns to ailing lira Nearly 83,000 people in Turkey have recovered from the novel coronavirus but as the government touts its success on the public health front, another fire has ignited: a record low in the lira as foreign investors flee. Turkey
New police unit to enforce Saudi Arabia’s latest virus restrictions The country's Interior Ministry also announced a new round of hefty fines for quarantine violators. Saudi Arabia
Qatar Airways seeks billions in loans The Gulf carrier that has continued to fly during the pandemic crisis previously announced it was cutting jobs. Qatar
Intel: US renews waiver for Iraq to import Iranian electricity after Kadhimi forms government The Donald Trump administration on Wednesday announced that the United States will renew a sanctions waiver for Iraq to continue importing Iranian electricity shortly after Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi managed to form a new government following months of political gridlock. Iraq