Explainer: What is behind Iraq's Central Bank shuffle and what is next? The economic crisis in Iraq as a result of the ongoing rise in the value of the US dollar against the dinar resulted in the prime minister sacking the heads of the Central Bank of Iraq and the Trade Bank of Iraq. Iraq
Church blaze kills two in Turkey's Istanbul A blaze at an Istanbul church left two dead and two others injured, heavily damaging the historical building. Turkey
CIA director in Egypt after Libya and Ukraine, meets Sisi The Egyptian president met on Monday with the CIA director as the two held talks discussing various bilateral, regional and international issues. Egypt
Lebanon's blast investigator charges former PM Diab, senior security officials Among those charged are Prosecutor General Ghassan Oweidat, the head of Lebanon's domestic intelligence agency Major General Abbas Ibrahim, former army commander Jean Kahwaji, and other current and former security and judicial officials. Lebanon
Analysis Gulf logistics ambitions skirt net-zero carbon emissions goals The Gulf states are expanding their transportation networks and logistics hubs, which would seem to threaten their stated goals reducing carbon emissions. By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Algeria-Italy energy ties strengthen with emission reduction deal Italy’s Eni and Algeria’s Sonatrach pledged to work together on carbon capture, green hydrogen and more during Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s official visit to Algeria. The North African country is exporting more gas to Europe in response to the Ukraine war. North Africa
US, Israel kick off largest ever military exercise as Iran nuclear talks falter As Iran turns to Russia for advanced fighter jets, the race is on to ensure the United States can actually stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon — and to dissuade the new Israeli government from acting unilaterally. Israel
Iraq's soccer team celebrates with militia leaders after Gulf Cup victory The team held up a photo of militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed by a US drone strike in 2020. Iraq
Once-banned, Saudi women's soccer team wins big as Riyadh woos FIFA A Saudi women's soccer team that was unthinkable a decade ago is now winning championships, but Australia and New Zealand have lodged a complaint to FIFA over the kingdom's reported sponsorship of upcoming tournament. Gulf
'Bring us home': American held in Iran ends weeklong hunger strike “Don't let President Biden leave us in this abyss of misery,” Siamak Namazi said in a letter penned from prison. Iran
