Islamic State escalates violence across Baghdad Belt Terrorist attacks increase as Iraq continues government formation process. Iraq
Blinken: Iran nuclear talks reach 'decisive moment' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Geneva on Friday that the window is closing for negotiators in Vienna to reach a deal. Iran
Libyan Central Bank to begin reunification process There were two parallel central banks during the Libyan civil war controlled by the country’s rival factions.
Islamic State wipes out entire army outpost in Iraq’s Diyala The latest major Islamic State attack in Iraq left 11 dead, including soldiers and their commanding officer, at an army outpost in a restive area northeast of Baghdad. Iraq
US Treasury sanctions Hezbollah financial network in Lebanon A US Treasury official says the department is targeting Hezbollah's "misuse of the international financial system" to raise funds for terrorism. Lebanon
Ripple effects from drone sales force Turkey to move Ethiopian embassy Turkey was forced to relocate its Ethiopian embassy to Kenya after increasing threat out of its involvement in the country’s clashes with the Tigray rebels by supplying combat drones to Addis Ababa. Turkey
Can Israeli gas bridge Turkey-Israel rift? The dimming prospects of the EastMed pipeline project offer Turkey an opportunity to mend fences with Israel and break its isolation in the energy rivalry in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Fire breaks out at Kuwaiti petroleum coke plant It is unclear if the fire, which has been brought under control, will have an effect on energy prices in the Gulf state. News Brief
Iraqi army boots PKK-linked leader’s statue from Sinjar, arrests fighters The Iraqi army has arrested several fighters from a PKK-linked Yazidi faction operating in Sinjar as part of an attempt to get them to abide by an accord signed in 2020 for greater stability and security. Iraq
Saudi-led airstrikes kill more than 70 in Yemen, rescue workers say Women and children died in a series of coalition airstrikes on Friday that targeted a migrant holding center in Sadaa and a telecom hub in Hodeidah, aid agencies said. Yemen
Islamic State stages Syria prison break, kills 11 soldiers in Iraq The Islamic State attacked an Iraqi army barracks and a prison holding jihadists in Kurdish-run northeast Syria overnight. Iraq
UN adopts historic Israeli-sponsored resolution to combat Holocaust denial Israeli leaders expressed satisfaction over the UN General Assembly approving an Israeli-initiated resolution against Holocaust denial. Israel
Israel points finger at Iran for Houthi attack on UAE Israel is worried about the international community's lack of reaction to the Houthi drone attack on the Emirates, surely orchestrated by Iran. Israel
Egypt endeavors to turn Suez Canal green The Suez Canal Authority announced a plan to shift the Suez Canal into an eco-friendly canal that relies on renewable energy to preserve the environment and encourage environmentally friendly ships. Egypt
Prison housing Iraqi, Syrian IS inmates attacked in Syria Detention facilities under US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces were hit by a major attack attempting to free the thousands within. Iraq