Iraq records first omicron cases Five cases were confirmed in Dohuk province and an unknown number of infections were recorded among foreign diplomats in Baghdad. Iraq
Palestinian killed in West Bank shooting Israeli and Palestinian officials offered different accounts of the incident, which occurred amid of high tensions in the Palestinian territory. News Brief
UN accuses Syria of failing to answer for chemical weapons program The UN's top disarmament official said Syria's full disclosure was "essential" to resolving outstanding issues. Syria
Netherlands cuts funding to Palestinian group blacklisted by Israel The decision came despite the fact that a Dutch government audit determined the Union of Agricultural Work Committees had no "organizational ties" to a Palestinian terrorist group. Israel
Iran claims new missiles forced Israel to halt threats The spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said newly unveiled Iranian ballistic missiles pushed Israel back from threatening the Islamic Republic with a military strike. Iran
Rights groups, world politicians urge release of student protesters in Turkey European parliamentarians and rights groups are calling for Turkey to end the detention of two students behind bars for three months for protesting the government-appointed rector of Bogazici University. Turkey
Mideast airlines halt flights to Kazakhstan amid unrest Flydubai and Air Arabia have cancelled flights to Almaty as violent anti-government protests roil Kazakhstan’s largest city. United Arab Emirates
Electricity law connects Bedouin homes to Israel’s power grid Approved yesterday by the Knesset, the new electricity law will enable connecting Bedouin homes constructed without permits to the country’s power and water grids. Israel
Coalition hits back at Iran-backed groups A sharp uptick in drone and rocket attacks allegedly by Iran-backed groups have targeted bases housing US-led coalition forces in both Syria and Iraq as part of a push to force all US troops to leave the region. Iraq
Babil massacre increases demand to reform Iraqi security forces Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi refers to the "heartbreaking massacre" and reinforces his commitment to security reform after 20 family members are killed based on specious charges. Iraq
Attacks on US in Iraq meant to send ‘harsh’ message — without spilling blood On the anniversary of the death of former IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani and with the resumption of the nuclear talks in Vienna, Iran stakes out a hard line. Iraq
Egyptian revives 5,000-year-old martial art Cairo is working to revive interest in the 5,000-year-old marital art of tahteeb, which soldiers practiced to train for war. Culture
Islamic State ramps up activities in eastern Syria Islamic State is applying Sharia rules in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor and imposing taxes on residents by force of arms. Syria
Gantz, King Abdullah discuss regional stability Clearly it is no coincidence that Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz met in Amman with Jordanian King Abdullah one week only after hosting in his Rosh Ha’ayin home Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Israel
Ancient Kurdish rain ritual revived in Syria as drought continues Kurdish farmers in the countryside of Qamishli revive an ancient ritual called Ziwa, or the Bride of the Rain, to invoke rain after seasons of drought. Syria
The Takeaway: Iraq’s elections: What comes next? Updates from our correspondents in Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Egypt and New York; Multimedia reporting on Kurds, Tel Aviv, Egypt and Sharjah! Iraq
