Israel settlement expansion risks escalation in Hebron Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s November 28 visit to the Tomb of the Patriarchs has highlighted a seemingly pro-settler approach to government policies in the already tense city. Palestine
Hundreds of offerings to Egyptian fertility goddess uncovered at Luxor A team of Polish archaeologists working at the temple of the goddess Hathor in Luxor has discovered hundreds of artifacts that were once used as offerings to the ancient Egyptian gods of love and fertility. Culture
Egypt trains marriage registrars to investigate divorces The Justice Ministry and Dar al-Iftaa organized training sessions for marriage registrars to investigate cases of verbal divorce before its official authentication in a bid to reduce the high divorce rates. Egypt
Sweeping legal reforms aim to maintain UAE's competitive edge The new amendments will add more flexibility to a wide range of economic sectors and industries, reaffirming the UAE’s standing as a leading business hub. Gulf
Syrian Olympic Committee takes China's side against US China is facing increased scrutiny in the sports world ahead of the Winter Olympics it is hosting next year, including calls to boycott the games and concern about female tennis star Peng Shuai. News Brief
Turkish police arrest alleged members of far-left organization Lawyers have accused Turkish authorities of unjustly detaining people for alleged Revolutionary Peoples’ Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) links. News Brief
UAE signs $19 billion fighter jet deal with France The sale of Dassault Rafale jets and Caracal helicopters marks Paris' largest foreign military sale to date. United Arab Emirates
US State Department phones reportedly hacked with Israeli-made spyware The apparent hack targeted US diplomats based in Uganda or officials whose work focused on the country. Israel
How feasible is Raisi’s economic roadmap for Iran? The ministry of finance's new set of economic goals and timelines outlines lofty ambitions but ignores the current limits that sanctions place on Iran's international trade. Iran
EU urged to sanction Israeli cyberfirm NSO Group Dozens of human rights groups called on the European Union to place the controversial cybersurveillance firm on its global sanctions list. Israel
Israel weighs options, timing of possible military strike on Iran Despite deadlock in Vienna, expert/technical talks may have a faint pulse. Israel
Lebanon's information minister resigns amid Gulf row George Kordahi's resignation comes a day before French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia. Lebanon
Israel’s LGBTQ community faces #MeToo scandals Senior people within the Israeli LGBTQ community are suspected of sexual relations with or sexual assaults on minors. Israel
Can Turkey help in Ukraine crisis? Moscow is likely to welcome a Turkish mediation effort if it serves to restrain Ukraine from a military adventure. Turkey
Islamic State targets peshmerga in Iraq’s disputed Diyala and Makhmour A recent string of attacks on Iraq’s Kurdistan Region peshmerga forces have raised concern over how effective long-discussed coordination with the central government is in the country’s flashpoint disputed territories. Iraq
Sudan-Ethiopia border dispute deepens internal chaos for both The Ethiopia-Sudan border conflict has hit the headlines once again, with their armed forces renewing bloody clashes at a time when the two countries are going through unprecedented internal turmoil. Egypt
