After Jordan, Emirates also furious with Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not only managed to get into a diplomatic row with Jordan, he also succeeded in angering the Emiratis. Israel
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
Lawsuit filed to close pro-Kurdish party after lawmaker stripped of parliamentary seat Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party deputy known to focus on human rights abuses, was stripped of his parliament seat and a lawsuit was filed to close the party March 17. Turkey
Netanyahu courts Arab voters as 'Abu Yair' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted a new strategy for the Arab public: cynically rebranding himself as "Abu Yair." Israel
Gaza farmers destroyed flowers amid lockdown The state of emergency imposed on the Gaza Strip due to the coronavirus pandemic has not spared the flower cultivation sector. Palestine
NGO: Most refugees in Lebanon lack soap after refugee tests positive for coronavirus The International Rescue Committee's survey was released after a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon tested positive for the virus. Palestine
Cairo-Beijing ties strong amid surge of anti-China sentiment in Egypt Egyptian-Chinese relations appear to be unshaken after an Egyptian lawyer filed a lawsuit against China for damages due to the coronavirus. Egypt
New US restrictions on WHO, Houthis lead to COVID-19 puzzle in Yemen While the Donald Trump administration is considering increasing its COVID-19 support for Yemen after slashing millions in aid, its new restrictions on the World Health Organization poses significant logistical challenges. Yemen
Turks mark major holiday under virus lockdown A four-day curfew has Turkey locked down as health workers battle an outbreak that has now exceeded 100,000 cases. Turkey
Israel rebuffs EU over criticizing West Bank annexation goal Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz took issue with EU foreign representative Josep Borrell warning against possible annexationist policies of a new Israeli government despite his not obtaining the backing of all European Union states. Palestine
Iran summons Swiss ambassador, threatens US warships over Trump tweet Iran has summoned the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, who represents US interests, over recent escalations in the Gulf. Iran
Iraq's health system meets the challenge of coronavirus Coronavirus inflections in Iraq are decreasing, prompting the government to gradually ease the curfew and lockdown. Iraq
New joint UAE airline venture receives permission to fly amid coronavirus downturn Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, an independent partnership between Air Arabia and Etihad, received its air operating license on April 23. United Arab Emirates
Intel: Trump calls on Qatar to work toward resolving Gulf dispute President Donald Trump has asked Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to take steps to resolve the ongoing dispute with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, which blockaded Qatar in 2017. Gulf
Turkey’s S-400 delay is about more than just the economy and COVID-19 Turkey’s deepening economic woes are widely seen as the prime reason behind its decision to delay the activation of the Russian S-400 systems. But an array of other factors have been at play that are forcing Ankara to think twice. Turkey
Kurds shoot down celebratory gunfire after coronavirus victory in Iraqi province Several people were injured by celebratory gunfire after the Iraqi Kurdish province of Duhok declared itself free from the coronavirus. Iraqi-Kurdistan