Congress revives bid to pull US out of Yemen war The Democratic-held House is taking another stab at ending US support for the Saudi coalition’s war against Yemen’s Houthis. Saudi Arabia
Survey: Displaced Iraqis experiencing job losses, food shortages amid pandemic The survey by the International Rescue Committee is the latest proof of economic hardship in Iraq as it grapples with a steep jump in COVID-19 cases. Iraq
Rights group: Detainees in overcrowded Yemen prison at risk of COVID-19 Prisoners at an overcrowded detention center in Aden face serious health risks, Human Rights Watch says in a report. Yemen
Has China gained an edge on the US in the Gulf? China has upped the ante, but the United States holds the winning hand; Oman weighs risks and benefits of Gulf bailout; will migrant workers return to GCC? Gulf
Turkish court hears case to convert Hagia Sophia into mosque Long a subject of political discourse in Turkey, a court will issue a verdict within 15 days on whether Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia, currently a museum, can be converted into a mosque. Turkey
Palestinian Authority to pay civil servants half their monthly wages amid cash crunch Faced with a worsening financial crisis, the Palestinian Authority has slashed the salaries of its public sector employees. Palestine
OPEC continues oil export cuts in June Global oil prices continue to hold up relative to earlier in the year as oil-producing countries in the Middle East struggle economically. Gulf
Iran confirms ‘incident’ at nuclear site A third fire has struck Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment plant in one week. Iran
Complaints of torture on rise in Turkey's Kurdish southeast The Turkish government no longer sees the need to conceal torture, especially of Kurdish women in the southeast of the country. Turkey
Vatican summons Israel, US ambassadors over West Bank annexation The Vatican's secretary of state met with US Ambassador Callista Gingrich and Israeli Ambassador Oren David on Tuesday. Israel
As annexation deadline passes, Jordan feels relieved but remains vigilant Even though the controversial Israeli annexation plan appears to be on hold for now, Jordan is careful not to let down its guard. Jordan
Counter-Terrorism forces take greater role in Iraq Iraq’s US-trained Counter-Terrorism Services have taken on a more prominent role in operations in recent weeks under the new government. Iraq
Ethiopian refugees caught in middle of Nile dam row between Cairo, Addis Ababa Ethiopian refugees in Egypt worry that their situation will decline further due to the Nile dam row between their host and home country. Egypt
Egypt inaugurates iconic Baron Palace amid renewed interest in Heliopolis heritage The exotic Baron Palace, inspired by Hindu architecture, in Cairo’s Heliopolis district was inaugurated after years of renovation works, with the aim to become a new tourist destination. Egypt
Crackdown on Egypt’s front-line health care workers continues Egyptian doctors are outraged by authorities’ handling of medical personnel after a number of doctors were arrested and others were criticized. Egypt
Cairo marks anniversary of revolution by jailing journalists Egypt has been passing the days leading up to the anniversary of the military coup that toppled President Mohammed Morsi with a clampdown reminiscent of 2013. Egypt