Culture Israeli, Turkish stars named to NBA All-Star World team: What to know Deni Avdija and Alperen Sengun are making their first appearances in the premier basketball league’s all-star game as the sport’s profile in the Middle East grows. Israel
Arab Israeli leaders call for state of emergency after 5 killed in 12-hour crime wave Arab Israeli society has suffered from high rates of violence for more than two decades. Israel
Meet Fahad Al-Saif, PIF exec and Saudi Arabia's new investment minister Saif previously led investment strategy at the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund and has held senior roles at the Saudi Awwal Bank and HSBC Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Iran fires TV director over 'Death to Khamenei' blunder: What to know Iranian authorities have stepped up their crackdown on journalists who covered the recent anti-regime protests. Iran
Saudi Arabia names new investment minister as Vision 2030 funding lags The leadership change comes as slowing megaprojects and weak foreign inflows expose gaps in the kingdom’s ambitious economic overhaul. Saudi Arabia
Exclusive Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push New transit arrangement via Georgia cuts re-export costs, marking accelerating normalization between Ankara and Yerevan amid broader US-led peace efforts. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Movies can change the world, but not politically, says Berlin Film Festival juror Wim Wenders Reuters
US military pulls out of Syria’s Al-Tanf garrison in major shift Initially established as an outpost for US special operators to disrupt the Islamic State's control of the Syria-Iraq border, the base evolved into a key node for the Pentagon's efforts to monitor Iran's expanding military activity in the Levant. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Turkey’s foreign minister says the US and Iran showing flexibility on nuclear deal, FT reports Reuters
