Yazidis react to Sinjar accord amid growing KRG-PKK tensions in Iraq A security agreement reached earlier this month between the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Region on the disputed territory of Sinjar has sparked both praise and criticism as tensions rise between the KRG and the PKK. Iraq
Ghana signs joint airline deal with Egypt, bypassing Ethiopia EgyptAir has signed an agreement with Ghana to create a national airline after a similar deal with Ethiopian Airlines fell through. Egypt
Palestinian president stacks Jerusalem branch with loyalists The selection of members loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Fatah movement’s Jerusalem branch raised the ire of other Fatah leaders who called to review the selection process. Palestine
Israel to start human trials of coronavirus vaccine next week The first phase of the trial will test 80 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55. Israel
Boycotts of French goods launched in Kuwait, Qatar over prophet cartoons Following controversial comments made by France's president, calls are growing in Muslim countries for boycotts of French goods. Kuwait
Guatemala designates Hezbollah a terrorist organization The United States praised the Latin American country's decision as it tries to get more states to designate the Iran-backed Lebanese group terrorists. Lebanon
Intel: Sudan's Ministerial Council weighs in on Israel normalization Sudan's leaders anticipate economic benefits from the agreement, which is opposed by opposition parties. Israel
Erdogan distracts from plummeting lira with call to boycott France Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused France’s Emmanuel Macron of pandering to anti-Muslim "fascists" in a desperate bid to bolster his electoral fortunes ahead of presidential elections in 2022, yet many would agree that Erdogan’s anti-Western tirades are designed to divert attention from his country’s mounting economic woes. Turkey
Talks on Nile River dam to resume on Tuesday The African Union-led talks begin amid continued tensions Sudan and Egypt have with Ethiopia over the massive hydroelectric dam. Negotiations have been on hold since August. Egypt
Russian strikes kill dozens of Turkey-backed rebels in Syria's Idlib The strikes on Monday reportedly targeted a training camp run by the Failaq al-Sham group. Syria
Australia condemns intrusive search of women before Qatar Airways flight Authorities in Doha reportedly searched women's private parts without consent after an abandoned newborn was discovered before a flight to Sydney. Qatar
Turkey’s ruling party blunders at youth outreach The Turkish government's recent attempts to reach out to the country's youth reveal that the generation gap is growing — and might be unbridgeable. Turkey
Iran investigates case of man killed in police custody Investigators have opened a case against a police officer who pepper-sprayed and tased a man who died on the way to the hospital. Iran
Gantz, Netanyahu split again over US F-35 sale to UAE Defense Minister Benny Gantz accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of withholding knowledge of US-Emirates negotiations on the sale of F-35 stealth jets. United Arab Emirates
Erdogan goes on offense against European leaders in defense of lslam Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken up the cause of Islam in the West, further damaging Turkey's ties with Europe. Turkey
Turkey’s gold rush whets appetite of gold-mining companies Turkey is eager to boost gold production amid surging demand for the precious metal despite a growing movement against the environmental damage caused by the industry. Turkey