Israel pauses interest rate hikes, first time in a year The Bank of Israel signaled it could raise rates in the future, as inflation remains above the target range. Israel
Analysis Chaos at Israel's parliament as Netanyahu pushes judicial overhaul Ahead of the Knesset vote on the clause canceling the power of the Supreme Court to abolish unreasonable decisions or appointments, demonstrators are gathering outside and inside Israel's parliament. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
In Moscow, Russia's Lavrov welcomes Gulf states' rapprochement with Iran Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia and GCC countries will expand their cooperation together in areas of economic trade, defense, security, energy and politics. Gulf
In Iraq and Algeria, TotalEnergies signs major deals The deal between Iraq and TotalEnergies has been delayed for years and aims to help Iraq fix its longstanding power issues. Iraq
US confirms Iran’s IRGC seized tanker smuggling fuel in Gulf The seizure by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps came just a day the US Navy thwarted attempts by Iran's navy to seize two commercial tankers in the Gulf of Oman. Gulf
UAE sees higher Chinese car sales as China faces decline at home China relied on overseas markets to maintain 56% of its vehicle sales in June, and the Middle East is a hot spot. United Arab Emirates
Can Iran balance dependence on China with economic openness on India? The International North-South Transport Corridor project has become a matter of urgency for Russia, India and Iran, as it would help Moscow and Tehran develop new markets and evade sanctions. Iran
Turkey greenlights Sweden's NATO membership ahead of critical summit Turkey’s president has suggested that Ankara’s stalled membership talks with the European Union be revived in exchange for greenlighting Sweden’s NATO accession to the ahead of a key summit in Vilnius. Turkey
Russia asks Turkey for 'clarification' over Ukraine's Azov prisoner release Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also implicitly criticizes Turkey’s sale of Bayraktar drones to Ukraine. Turkey
Turkey says talks with China, Russia, South Korea underway for new nuclear plants Turkey's energy minister also said his country was in talks with France for the independent oversight of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Mersin which is being built by Russia's Rosatom. Turkey