Iran denies having military base in Yemen The Saudi-led coalition claimed it bombed a secret facility used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Yemen. News Brief
Bennett urges Blinken to end Iran talks over 'nuclear blackmail' Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called for an "immediate cessation of negotiations" in Vienna. Israel
Erdogan appoints champion of low interest rates as new finance minister Nureddin Nebati, who has fiercely defended the president’s low rate policies, has replaced Lutfi Elvan as Turkey's finance minister. Turkey
Shiite leaders gather in Baghdad to break political deadlock In order to break the political deadlock resulting from Iraq's recent elections, Shiite leaders gathered to find a solution to forming the next government. Iraq
Omicron variant sickens Israeli coalition With two cases of the Omicron variant detected in Israel, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is confronted with an array of political problems. Israel
Israel wants Erdogan to act on Hamas For Jerusalem, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's intentions for better relations need to be backed up with actions. Israel
Gazans prepare more protests of Hamas policies Activists are preparing to stage new popular demonstrations across the Gaza Strip, blaming Hamas’ governance for high prices and increasing unemployment. Palestine
UN says Iran advances nuclear enrichment amid Vienna talks Iran's latest violation of the 2015 nuclear agreement comes three days into a resumption of long-stalled negotiations in Vienna aimed at reviving the deal. Iran
Historic Cairo regains its ancient glory The Egyptian government is reviving Historic Cairo to make a unique tourist attraction. Egypt
UAE detects first case of Omicron variant Saudi Arabia also reported a case of the new variant of COVID-19. News Brief
Tel Aviv named most expensive city in the world Rising real estate prices and the strength of Israel’s currency contributed to the unaffordability of Israel’s largest city, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. News Brief
Lebanon announces curfew for unvaccinated amid Omicron concerns For three weeks beginning Dec. 17, those without at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose or a recent negative PCR test will be subject to a curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Lebanon
Turkish Central Bank intervenes to curb 'unhealthy' lira losses Amid a sharp slide in the nation’s currency, the Turkish Central Bank announced it would intervene in markets and sell foreign exchange reserves Wednesday to stem volatility in the Turkish lira. Turkey
Italian parliament panel implicates Egyptian security in Regeni murder An Italian parliament panel has accused Egyptian officials of murdering Giulio Regeni in Cairo in 2016 while he was researching Egyptian labor unions. News Brief
Iranian forces, Taliban clash over Afghan 'border misunderstanding' Iranian media denied reports that several Iranian border checkpoints fell to the Taliban on Wednesday. Iran
Egypt reveals new drones at Cairo defense expo Cairo is hosting the Egypt Defense Expo (EDEX) through Thursday. Egypt
