Egypt seeks land route with Jordan, Iraq to boost trade Egypt recently announced a deal between Jordan and Iraq for the establishment of a land route connecting the three countries, in a bid to boost economic and trade relations between them. Egypt
Pope urges Iraqis 'not to give up' as historic pilgrimage ends Pope Francis spent the final day of his historic trip to Iraq visiting areas in which the country’s Christian minority has traditionally had a sizeable presence and the capital of the Kurdish region, to which many have fled amid improved but still fragile security. Iraq
Pope Francis, Iraq's Ayatollah Sistani call for unity in historic meeting For the first time in history, the pope has visited the Shiite holy city of Najaf and met with top Shiite cleric Ali Sistani. Iraq
Ultra-Orthodox furious over Israeli top court’s ruling on conversions Ultra-Orthodox parties announced that they will not join any coalition unless it cancels recognition of progressive Judaism conversions. Israel
Gantz informs Biden administration of updated Israeli plans to strike Iran Israel's defense minster joins other officials in subtle warning to Washington over Iran nuclear talks. Israel
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it thwarted plane hijacking The perpetrator attempted to land the plane in a Gulf country, Iranian media reported the corps as saying. Many details surrounding the incident are unknown. Iran
At least 10 fuel porters, protesters killed in Iran's southeast: UN Last month, Iranian security forces reportedly fired on group of people transporting fuel across the Iranian border with Pakistan. Iran
Kuwait’s new government takes charge following latest showdown with parliament A new Cabinet is sworn in to address economic and COVID-related challenges. Kuwait
Lebanon's Salameh threatens to sue Bloomberg over sanctions report Bloomberg reported on Thursday that the United States is considering sanctions on Lebanon’s central bank chief, Riad Salameh. Business
Pope's pilgrimage to Iraq and land of Abraham begins The first-ever papal visit to Iraq starts as Pope Francis lands in Baghdad. Iraq
US Embassy in Baghdad warns of attacks from 'Iran-supported groups' in Iraq The announcement follows several attacks on the US military in the country as well as retaliatory strikes on Iraqi militias by the United States. Iraq
Online ‘auctions’ of Yazidi captives speak of ongoing Islamic State activity in Turkey The rescue of a 7-year-old Yazidi captive in Ankara raises questions about how hard Turkey is trying to tackle Islamic State militants in the country. Iraq
Iran to present 'concrete plan of action' for nuclear talks, Zarif says Iran's foreign minister shot down comments by a senior politician who said Tehran would negotiate if the United States promises sanctions relief within a year. U.S.
Saudi-led coalition downs 6 armed drones launched by Houthis The spate of attacks comes a day after the Houthis claimed a missile attack on a Saudi oil facility in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia
Libyan interim government formation stumbles on bribery allegations Before even taking office, Libya’s interim government could soon be hit with a bribery scandal as the UN experts panel prepares to publish its findings. Libya