Former Assad official sentenced to 60 years in US for torture Samir Ousman Alsheikh was convicted by a jury in March of three counts of torture, one count of conspiracy to commit torture, visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud. Syria
Turkey's Erdogan to run for 'final' third term in 2028, adviser says If Turkey's parliament votes to move the next election up during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s second term, he could constitutionally run for third. Turkey
After gun found in lake, French police probe link to 2012 Iraqi family murder A recently discovered Luger pistol may have been used in the mysterious 2012 killing of the al-Hilli family near the Alpine town of Chevaline in eastern France. Iraq
Top European court says Kavala case exposes erosion of judicial independence in Turkey Europe's top human rights court has renewed its call for Turkey to immediately release jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala, saying his imprisonment reflects a broader “systemic problem” over independence and impartiality of the judiciary. Turkey
Syria's Assad accuses France of 'hysteria' for calling to put him on trial Damascus is furious after French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said she thinks Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should stand trial for his role in the Syrian war. Syria
Israel hands over Jordanian MP to home authorities Israel agreed to release Jordanian parliamentarian Imad al-Adwan and send him back home, as long as Jordan pledged to continue investigation against him on suspicion of multiple smuggling incidents. Israel
Palestinian Khader Adnan dies in Israeli jail after 87-day hunger strike Rockets were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip after Palestinian Khader Adnan died on hunger strike in Israel's Nitzan prison. Israel
Israeli court extends detention of Jordanian lawmaker The decision of the Israeli court to extend the detention of Jordanian parliamentarian Imad al-Adwan could signal that the affair could take time to be resolved. Israel
McCarthy to invite Israel's Netanyahu to Washington if Biden doesn't In his first abroad as speaker of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy criticized President Joe Biden for not yet inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. Israel
Analysis Israel’s Netanyahu sinks in polls as Gantz, Bennett jockey to replace him Public opinion indicates the life expectancy of Israel’s current government could shorten, with former Defense Minister Benny Gantz and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vying to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Analysis Israel's Netanyahu backed into corner as far-right demonstration backfires A new poll shows a dramatic decline in support for the governing coalition as competing protests in Israel contribute to the chaos. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Belgium looking into Iran's request for prisoner swap Belgium and Iran seemingly advance toward a prisoner exchange deal, though Brussels is warning that contrary to Tehran’s statements this could take time. Iran
Germany scrambles to stop Iran from executing dual citizen After a top Iranian court upheld the death sentence of dual citizen Jamshid Sharmahd, German Foreign Minister Annalean Baerbock says Berlin is making every possible effort to stop the execution. Iran
EU slaps Captagon sanctions on relatives of Syria's Assad The European Union adopted new restrictive measures today against Syrian individuals and entities accused of trafficking narcotics and supporting the oppressive Syrian government. Syria
Israel arrests Jordanian MP accused of smuggling weapons to West Bank Jordanian parliamentarian Imad al-Adwan was arrested by Israeli police at the Alenby Bridge crossing point on Saturday on suspicion of smuggling weapons and gold into the West Bank, Jordanian news outlets reported. Israel
Who is May Golan, Israel's self-styled 'racist' considered for NY consul general? The Likud party confirmed Minister without portfolio May Golan, known for her strong support of the judicial overhaul, was proposed the much-coveted position of consul general in New York. Israel
