Cyberattacks in UAE up 250% during pandemic, Emirati cyber chief says Emirati cybersecurity chief Mohamed al-Kuwaiti said his country is experiencing a “cyber pandemic.” United Arab Emirates
Child recruitment casts shadow over Syrian Kurds' push for global legitimacy Failed efforts to secure the return of a recent spate of Kurdish youth recruited to fight in northeast Syria shows the delicate path the region's autonomous administration must navigate in its relations with the PKK. Syria
Rita Ora apologizes after breaking quarantine following Cairo concert The British singer threw herself a birthday party in London upon her return. There are disputed reports Egyptian President Sisi was at her private performance in the Egyptian capital. Egypt
Facing EU sanctions threat, Erdogan calls for dialogue once more Ahead of a European Council summit in which EU leaders will discuss sanctions on Ankara this week over energy prospecting activities in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated calls for dialogue, urging bloc members not be swayed by Greek and Cypriot agendas. Turkey
France won’t condition weapons sales to Egypt on human rights, Macron says French President Emmanuel Macron also said he spoke "frankly" about human rights with his Egyptian counterpart. Egypt
Slovenia designates Hezbollah as terrorist organization Slovenia has followed other European states in designating Hezbollah as a terror group, including both its political and its military wings. Lebanon
Why Gaza should have more female taxi drivers A Palestinian mother of five has broken all norms and traditions in the Gaza Strip by becoming the first female taxi driver in the besieged enclave. Originals
Iraqi government considers sales tax to relieve budget crisis Iraq is mulling the possibility of imposing a sales tax amid concerns over the consequences of such a move on Iraqis already struggling in a down economy. Iraq
European powers call Iran’s enrichment plans 'deeply worrying' The governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom expressed concerns over Iran's reported plan to install additional centrifuges at its Natanz nuclear facility. Iran
Iran claims scientist was assassinated via satellite Commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have said that Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed by use of satellite and face recognition. Iran
Israeli FM responds to Saudi critique with renewed calls for dialogue with Palestinians Ahead of President-elect Joe Biden assuming office, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi multiplies his calls upon the Palestinian leadership to return to the negotiating table. Israel
Jordan’s 2021 budget is a harbinger of worse things to come The Jordanian government approved the 2021 draft budget law, which suggests an even tougher and more unstable year for Jordanians, who are witnessing a growing economic crisis worsened by the coronavirus pandemic. Jordan
Egypt begins dismissing imams based on Brotherhood ties Some legal experts are questioning the Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments’ decision to dismiss a number of imams across Egypt over their ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
Syrian opposition retracts decision on electoral committee Against a wave of criticism by the Syrian opposition, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces backtracked on its decision to form a national elections commission. Syria
Egypt, Iraq deepen defense ties Egypt and Iraq are expanding defense industry ties in a sign of deepening engagement among Cairo, Baghdad and Amman. Egypt
Are there signs of thaw in Turkish-Saudi relations? A phone call between the Turkish and Saudi leaders generated hopes for thawing of relations between Ankara and Riyadh, but significant roadblocks must be removed to end bellicose affairs. Saudi Arabia