Greece, France sign fighter jet deal amid tensions with Turkey Athens' roughly $3 billion purchase of 18 Rafale fighter jets comes as Greek officials meet Turkish counterparts for exploratory talks to resolve disputes. Turkey
Criminal violence escalates among Arab communities in Israel Violence is escalating among Arab communities in Israel, with no prospect for Israeli authorities stepping in to keep the peace. Palestine
Intel: CENTCOM chief tours Mideast in first trip under Biden administration Gen. Kenneth McKenzie is scheduled to stop in Israel later this week as the Joe Biden administration seeks strategic dialogue to build on the Abraham Accords. Israel
10 years on, Tunisians protest government, corruption The government ordered a total lockdown on Jan. 14. What should have been a celebration of 10 years of democracy turned into a clampdown under the pretext of COVID-19 sanitary measures. The country exploded in angry revolt with running battles with police in the burning nighttime streets of popular neighborhoods across Tunisia. Originals
Israel bans flights amid virus surge Israel is also experiencing violent clashes over virus restrictions as well as relative success in administering coronavirus vaccines. Israel
Missing Turkish worker follows similar pattern of forced disappearances Human rights experts consider the involuntary disappearance of opposition activists at the hands of the state to be "sheer lawlessness." Originals
UN-led Syria Constitution talks resume in Geneva Representatives from the Syrian government, opposition and civil society are meeting this week to discuss the “basic principles” of a future Syrian charter. Syria
Hi-tech rivalry between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh heats up Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman is sparing no effort to lure business from the IT and other sectors in Abu Dhabi to the kingdom. Originals
Iran demands answers from Indonesia over seized oil tanker Indonesia seized an Iranian fuel tanker on Sunday, accusing the vessel of failing to respond to radio calls and disabling its identification system. Iran
Israel extradites Australian woman accused of child abuse Australian authorities sought the extradition of former teacher Malka Leifer for several years. Israel
Iranian lawmaker under fire for slapping traffic cop Iran's judiciary is set to look into a case involving a parliamentarian under investigation for slapping a traffic police officer. Originals
Iraq's reform budget heads to parliament Parliament is debating the 2021 budget, which is the first budget drafted based on the White Paper for economic reform. Iraq
Israel’s Cabinet approves diplomatic relations with Morocco The agreement calls for "diplomatic, peaceful and friendly relations" between the two governments. Israel
Israel opens embassy in Abu Dhabi Ambassador Eytan Na’eh arrived yesterday to Abu Dhabi, officially opening Israel’s first embassy to the United Arab Emirates. Israel
Turkey faces mysterious jihadi enemies in Idlib Turkish forces continue to expand their presence around the key M4 highway in Idlib as attacks by new groups fuel uncertainties in the rebel-held region. Syria
Uproar after scholar bans excavation of Egyptian mummies As Egypt carries out intensive excavation works, leading to major discoveries in recent months, an Egyptian Al-Azhar scholar stirred a heated debate after stating that displaying mummies is against Islam. Egypt
