New Islamic State leader reportedly caught in Turkey Islamic State leader Abu Hasan al-Hashemi al-Qurashi has been reportedly arrested in Istanbul, but the news has not yet been independently confirmed. Turkey
Iran urges UN to condemn colonel's 'terrorist assassination' In a letter, Iran obliquely blamed Israel for the killing, the last in a chain of similar attacks that Tehran has vowed to avenge. Iran
Egyptian dance music in 'Moon Knight' hooks global promoters The Egyptian musical genre mahraganat's debut in Marvel’s hit series "Moon Knight" has led to international record deals. Egypt
Despite rumors of alternative coalition, no Gantz-Netanyahu deal yet in Israel Though communication has warmed between opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, a new government under their partnership is still a distant possibility. Israel
Egyptian army changes strategy in war against terrorism in Sinai The Egyptian army has recently made public statements about its operations against militants in the Sinai Peninsula, pointing to a shift in its strategy that had been reliant on local tribes, while refraining from publicly speaking about the battles. Egypt
Analysis The Takeaway: Are protests an incentive for Iran to close nuclear deal? Israel’s shadow war with Iran; Gulf shifts to mass transportation; Turkey and Egypt reset ties; Israel targets Jenin camp; Hamas takes student council elections in West Bank. By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn
Jordanian official says Captagon seizures on track to double this year The drug is being smuggled from Syria. Jordan
Iran nuclear deal’s future a ‘huge question mark,’ US negotiator says US Special Envoy for Iran Rob Malley told lawmakers that prospects for a renewed agreement with Tehran were "at best, tenuous." Iran
Iraq’s Kurdish parties struggle to unite amid deep divisions The main parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have met at a high level amidst divisions and difficulties to form the government many months after the elections. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Renowned Iraqi poet Muzaffar al-Nawab dies The death of revered Iraqi poet Muzaffar al-Nawab, has stirred controversy in the Iraqi street between the admirers of his poetry and the critics of his alleged 'immoral' stances. Iraq
