US presses Turkey to lift opposition to Sweden's NATO bid as summit nears US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said the administration wants to see Sweden's inclusion in the Western military alliance "as soon as possible." Turkey
UN experts urge Saudi Arabia to release two women detained over tweets In a report, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention condemned the use of a vague counterterrorism law against rights activists in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Iran boasts to OPEC of growing crude sales despite sanctions Iran's top energy official told oil-exporting nations that the Islamic Republic is in good shape bypassing sanctions to sell its lifeline product as he advertised an attractive investment market in his country. Iran
Analysis Morocco's agricultural independence to get boost from green ammonia plant The project by the state-owned company in Tarfaya will help the North African country meet the domestic demand for the compound, which is a crucial ingredient in nitrate fertilizers. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Turkey's Erdogan ups pressure on US, Sweden ahead of NATO summit Turning up the heat before his critical meeting with the Swedish premier on Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his country’s stiff demands from Stockholm. Turkey
Turkey raises taxes up to 20% on basic goods as deficit, inflation linger The move follows changes to Turkey’s monetary policy and a new cabinet following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s reelection. Turkey
Turkey's Erdogan revs up diplomacy with focus on Syria, Gulf funds After the president's reelection, Turkish diplomacy has found a new impetus in cementing ties with the Arab world, driven in part by Ankara’s hopes of attracting Gulf funds to prop up its ailing economy. Turkey
Arab users flock to Meta's Threads as it takes on Twitter Threads has seen a variety of new users from the Middle East since its launch Wednesday including influencers and even heads of state. Gulf
Analysis Israeli security chiefs helpless as government ignores settler violence Heads of the security agencies fear that without a clear backing of the government to fight Jewish nationalist attacks, settler violence against Palestinian villages would only increase. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Elizabeth Tsurkov’s sister says she took 'precautions' in Iraq before abduction Emma Tsurkov said she immediately contacted Israeli authorities after not hearing back from her sister in March, and she confirmed that the Russian government is involved in the negotiations to free the Israeli-Russian researcher. Israel
