130 migrants feared dead in shipwreck off Libyan coast A volunteer rescue group searched the Mediterranean waters but found no survivors. Libya
Turkish talk of reconciliation angers Armenians on 106th anniversary of genocide Turkey has warned the United States that President Joe Biden's expected characterization of the mass killings of the Ottoman Armenians in 1915 as a genocide will derail Turkish-Armenian reconciliation and further damage US-Turkish ties. Armenians say there is no reconciliation process to speak of. Turkey
Court case against priest evokes bitter memories for Turkey’s Assyrians Turkey’s tiny Assyrian community views a jail term handed to an Assyrian priest on “terrorism charges” as an official strong-arming tactic, while Assyrians around the world call for dismissal of the case. Turkey
Fighting between Syria's Kurdish forces, pro-Assad militia enters fourth day CENTCOM commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said the United States is "prepared to assist" the Kurdish-led forces to de-escalate clashes. Syria
Houthis claim drone attack on Aramco site, Saudi air base The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted drones fired at southern Saudi Arabia but did not confirm an attack on the Aramco oil facility. Yemen
Baghdad airport hit in latest Iraq rocket strike, no injuries The strike follows a drone attack on a coalition site at Erbil Air Base last week. Iraq
Egypt, Russia agree to resume flights to Red Sea resorts Russia suspended flights to Egypt in 2015 after the Islamic State brought down a Russian airline over the Sinai peninsula. News Brief
Riots in Jerusalem become diplomatic crisis The US Embassy in Israel expressed concern about escalating tensions in Jerusalem between Jews and Arabs. Israel
Syrian missile exposes Israel’s fragility The Israeli military is concerned by the failure to intercept a long-range missile fired from Syria. Israel
Security chaos prevails in FSA-controlled town of north Syria Assassinations and attacks are on the rise in the Syrian city of al-Bab controlled by the Free Syrian Army, and the perpetrators remain unknown. Syria
Russia, Iran again promote alternative to Suez Canal Russia and Iran are back to promoting the International North-South Transport Corridor as an alternative future option to the Suez Canal after a giant container ship went aground in the canal last month, disrupting global trade traffic for a week. Egypt
Iranian military leader threatens Israel following missile strike from Syria The new deputy commander of Iran's elite Quds Force claimed Israel will soon "collapse" as Iranian-Israeli tensions continue to rise. Iran
Senate Republicans: condition aid to Palestinian refugee agency on reforms A group of 21 senators called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to tie funding to UNRWA, the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, to "much-needed and meaningful reforms." Palestine
Protests by Jews and Arabs continue in Jerusalem Both communities have attacked each other during violent protests in the holy city this week. News Brief
US-Turkey relations to be tested by possible Armenian genocide recognition US President Joe Biden is reportedly preparing to recognize the 1915 mass killings of Armenians as genocide Saturday in a move that could further strain troubled US-Turkey relations. Turkey
Iranian forces seize weapons shipment in southwest The area near the Iraqi border is the site of economic misery and separatist activity from Arab groups. News Brief
