Iran doubles down, rolls out tougher hijab punishments The new set of orders appear to be a message to protesters that the Islamic Republic is making no retreats in the face of months-long nationwide protests. Iran
Breaking | Last Updated: January 10, 2023, 9:54 am US Navy seizes load of rifles smuggled from Iran to Yemen Navy officials say the sea drones deployed by the Fifth Fleet's experimental Task Force 59 are contributing to their ability to monitor Middle Eastern waterways, but won't credit the units with enabling any specific seizures just yet. Gulf
Egypt’s inflation increases into 2023 Central bank interventions have so far been unable to stem the tide of inflation, and Egypt is also contending with the devaluation of the Egyptian pound. Egypt
Warnings sound as Israel’s Ben-Gvir toughens up on Palestinian prisoners Newly appointed National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is following through on his electoral agenda of ending the privileges of Palestinian security prisoners, and alarm bells are already ringing. Israel
Ukrainian, Russian commissioners to meet in Turkey Ukrainian and Russian representatives will meet in Turkey this week for talks on humanitarian issues including a potential prisoner swap. Turkey
Lebanon's Riad Salameh probe tops visit of European investigators A European delegation is conducting an investigation into Lebanon’s banking system and the port explosion in the hope of providing some answers. Lebanon
Qatar and Chevron sign major petrochemical deal The move follows QatarEnergy’s gas deals last year with China and Germany. Gulf
'Death to Khamenei' slogan to be allowed on Facebook, Meta says Meta’s decision came amid ongoing anti-government protests in Iran, and contrasts with its ruling on calls for Russian president Putin’s death. Iran
Suicide rates on rise in Iran as economic conditions grow more dire Amid a rapidly deteriorating economic situation in Iran, news reports says that some workers are taking their own lives due to poverty. Iran
Egypt, facing economic crunch, restricts non-essential travel for government The decision is the latest in a series of measures Egyptian public and private financial institutions are taking in an attempt to cope with the economic crisis. Egypt
Will Kurds’ choice to field own candidate benefit Erdogan or Turkey’s opposition? Turkey’s major pro-Kurdish opposition party has announced it will field its own candidate in a move sure to have a profound impact on the presidential race, but in which direction? Turkey
