Suspected Israeli airstrikes hit factory on Syrian coast The attack was the first since a missile from Syria landed near an Israeli nuclear reactor last month. News Brief
Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief meets with Syrian counterpart in Damascus The meeting takes place during the first official visit to Damascus by Saudi Arabia since 2012. Saudi Arabia
After Netanyahu's failure, Lapid tapped to form Israeli government After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's failure, President Reuven Rivlin has handed the mandate for composing the government to Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid. Israel
Iran's president claims sanctions will soon be lifted President Hassan Rouhani has vowed to fulfill his promise to remove sanctions during the final months of his administration. Iran
Christians upset as Egyptian government ignores Easter Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly did not declare Easter an official holiday, upsetting many Egyptian Christians and human rights organizations. Egypt
Egypt, UAE boost security cooperation in Chad, Sahel In the wake of the killing of Chadian President Idriss Deby at the hands of rebel groups, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt agreed on the need to boost cooperation to preserve the stability and security of the Sahel region, while also seeking to counter Turkey's influence. Egypt
Israel flies medical aid to India An Israeli plane loaded with medical aid arrived to India this morning and others will soon follow. Israel
Ethiopian PM accuses Egypt, Sudan of backing unrest in western region The Ethiopian Prime Minister called out his neighbors for fueling the recent round of violence in Ethiopia's western Benishangul-Gumuz region where the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is located. Egypt
House Republicans call for review of John Kerry's security clearance Republicans on the House Oversight Committee responded to a report that Kerry provided Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif information on Israel's operations in Syria, but Kerry has denied this ever happened. United States
UN rights experts call on Iran to release jailed filmmaker The experts said Iran's denial of adequate medical care to Mohammad Nourizad may amount to torture. Iran
Saudi oil company Aramco reports profit increase for start of 2021 The Saudi state-owned oil company's profits went up 30% due to the improved global economy amid the continued COVID-19 pandemic, according to its CEO. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Egypt confirms $4.75 bn fighter jet deal with France Human rights groups slammed the deal, which is backed by French government loans. Egypt
IRGC officer killed by Kurdish fighters in skirmish The Iran-Iraq border has recently witnessed a fresh uptick in cross-border attacks by Kurdish armed groups fighting for autonomy. Iran
Swiss diplomat falls to her death in Iranian capital The unidentified diplomat was a top official at the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. News Brief
Tensions between Morocco, Polisario Front remain after leader's killing Polisario Front Police Chief Addah al-Bendir was murdered. And much like the long-simmering dispute between the Front and Morocco, nothing about his death is clear. North Africa
Iraq scolds Turkey over latest anti-PKK offensive in Iraqi Kurdistan Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar visited a military base in northern Iraq to supervise Turkish operations against PKK militants, drawing anger from Baghdad. Turkey
