US says cease-fire talks in 'final stage' as Hamas taps Sinwar to be new leader The nomination of Gaza Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as head of the organization's political bureau does not mean that the door of cease-fire and hostage release negotiations is closed. Israel
Saudi Aramco CEO predicts 1.6-2M bpd oil demand rise after sharp price fall The bullish perspective follows the price of Brent crude falling amid the global stock downturn and coincides with Aramco buying a more than $700 million stake in a Saudi energy complex. Saudi Arabia
Travelers scramble as airlines cut flights amid fear of Iran-Israel war Germany's Lufthansa extended a suspension of services to Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Amman and Erbil to Aug. 13. Lebanon
Turkey says PKK attack kills Turkish soldier in northern Iraq The attack comes at a time when Turkey has intensified its offensive against the militant group in an effort to clear the PKK from the Iraq-Turkey border areas and establish up to a 40-kilometer-deep (24 miles) security zone in northern Iraq. Turkey
US mounts diplomatic blitz to contain Iranian attack The Biden administration is urging Iran to temper its retaliation against Israel for the assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. Iran
Analysis France struggles to find its footing, play role in Lebanon-Israel crisis French President Emmanuel Macron has multiplied his contact with Middle Eastern leaders, trying to prevent escalation in the region, but so far, has not sent his foreign minister to Beirut. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
