Activists protest referral of civilians to Egypt's emergency courts Egypt’s Supreme State Security Prosecution referred a number of imprisoned human rights lawyers and prominent political activists before an emergency court offering no means of appeal against the issued rulings and sentences. Egypt
Fatwa banning trade of flour for bread stirs anger in Gaza A controversial fatwa has been overruled after it forbade the exchange of flour for bread at local bakeries in Gaza, where power cuts make it difficult to bake at home. Palestine
Turkey tells Syrian opposition forces to increase military readiness The timing and extent of the anticipated operation against Syrian Kurdish forces are still uncertain and will likely depend on Ankara’s weighing of tradeoffs with Washington and Moscow. Syria
Israel unruffled by reports of alleged spy ring in Turkey Israeli sources say that Jerusalem bears no connection to the alleged spy network Turkey said it had exposed last week. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Intel: Turkey’s Erdogan wants to talk F-35 dispute with Biden in Rome After boasting about future defense ties with Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he's hopeful the United States will sell Turkey more F-16s. Turkey
24 put to death in Syria over wildfires Syria experienced deadly forest fires this year and last alongside other Middle Eastern, North African and Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea. News Brief
Israel advances controversial legislation to battle crime in Arab society Despite surging violence within the Israeli-Arab population, elements within the coalition and in the opposition object a proposed law amendment that would allow police to carry out house searches without a prior court warrant. Israel
Global finance watchdog adds Turkey to grey list Amid high inflation, widespread youth unemployment and deepening poverty, the country's economic situation is looking increasingly grim Turkey
Israel announces plan to admit vaccinated tourists Under the plan, which requires approval from the Cabinet, tourists who received their second vaccine dose or booster shot in the last six months are eligible for entry into Israel. Israel
Iran tests drones amid simmering tensions with Azerbaijan The exercise was held at a time of intensifying hostile rhetoric between Tehran and Baku, as Russia continues its cautious position in between. Iran
Kuwait to ease virus restrictions The Gulf state places strict restrictions on unvaccinated people despite low case counts and a low vaccination rate. News Brief
Erdogan slams Western envoys who urged philanthropist's release Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned a joint statement issued by the United States and nine other countries that called on Ankara to end its four-year detention of Osman Kavala. Turkey
Houthi authorities report deaths near Saudi border The Saudi-led coalition also said it struck military targets in the capital Sanaa related to drone attacks on the kingdom. Gulf
Northeast Syria thanks Catalan Parliament for recognition There has long been a degree of solidarity between supporters of Kurdish autonomy and Catalan nationalists. News Brief
15 spies for Israel's Mossad arrested, reports Turkish press Turkey's Sabah newspaper reported that a 15-member spy network was arrested on Oct. 15 in an operation carried out across four Turkish provinces. Turkey
Is Ankara capitulating to or allowing lira’s depreciation? Turkey’s central bank shocks financial markets with a bigger-than-expected rate cut, overriding concerns over the slump of the Turkish lira and its bruising impact on the economy. Turkey
