Turkey’s lira sinks further as currency protection scheme changes Banks are upset with a Central Bank plan to move depositors’ savings out of accounts designed to protect the lira’s value. Turkey
Kurds suffer as Iraq, Turkey fail to restart oil flow ahead of Turkish FM's Baghdad visit As Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to meet in Baghdad with Iraqi leaders, disrupted oil flows, water and cooperation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party are expected to top the agenda. Iraq
Saudi Arabia's SRMG invests in music streamer Anghami, Spotify’s Middle East rival Beirut-founded Anghami is the most popular music streaming platform in the MENA region, with 120 million registered users, up from 75 million in 2021. Saudi Arabia
Iran unveils new armed drone, defying pressure over shipments to Russia With a range of over 1,200 miles, Mohajer 10 is the latest from a family of drones that Russia is believed to have imported from Iran to use in its war on Ukraine. Iran
Syrian soldier injured by suspected Israeli airstrikes near Damascus Israel is regularly accused of striking Syrian and Iranian military targets in the country. The latest attack comes amid especially high tensions between Israel and Iran. Syria
Arab Israelis protest as crime soars, development funds stay frozen Israeli Arab localities warn that if they do not receive much-needed funds for development, education and city cleaning, they will not open schools once the summer vacation is over. Israel
Ukrainian ambassador threatens to block Israeli pilgrims from Uman Ukraine's ambassador to Israel has warned Israel that if it does not stop turning away Ukrainians, Kyiv will close its doors to Israeli pilgrims to the city of Uman. Israel
Analysis Israel's ruling right hunts for scapegoats in West Bank attacks Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had attacked his opponents for not doing enough against Palestinian terrorism, but his own government is now failing to curb a wave of attacks in the West Bank. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Lebanon rolls out waste management project For years, Lebanon's trash has been burned in open dumps, with dangerous environmental and health effects. Lebanon
Protests continue in Syrian government territory Rare anti-government demonstrations are ongoing in southern Syria's Suwayda over the dismal economic situation in the country. Syria
Dubai airport surpasses pre-pandemic passenger traffic in first half of 2023 Dubai International Airport welcomed 41.6 million passengers in the first half of the year, which was “just over 100% compared to traffic recorded during the first six months of 2019,” stated the airport authority in a press release. Gulf
Energy exploration begins in Lebanon’s offshore field Gas exploration plans in Lebanon’s Mediterranean waters have progressed since the country reached a maritime border deal with Israel last year. Lebanon
