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
US repatriates Algerian prisoner from Guantanamo Said bin Brahim bin Umran Bakush was first detained in Pakistan in 2002. Washington Pulse
Timeline: Kais Saied's crackdown in Tunisia, from suspending parliament to arresting Ghannouchi Tunisian President Kais Saied has been steadily consolidating power since 2021 when he dismissed parliament in a move widely described as a coup. He is now cracking down further on his Islamist political opponents. Tunisia
Moody’s downgrades Israel’s credit outlook Despite calls by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, Moody's has changed Israel's credit outlook from "positive" to "stable." Israel
Moldova court doubles prison sentence of pro-Russia politician hiding in Israel A Moldovan appeals court has upheld the conviction of Israeli-Moldovan Ilan Shor and doubled his sentence for fraud and breach of trust. Israel
Israel’s Netanyahu falls in polls, could abandon judicial overhaul Pressured by security threats, bad polls and criticism from the White House, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tries saving whatever is left to save of his status. Israel
South Africa to appeal UAE ruling against extradition of Gupta brothers The UAE said on April 7 that South Africa's extradition request did not meet legal documentation standards and that the two brothers wanted for money laundering and fraud would be released from custody. Legacy: Gulf
US, UK target Israeli-Russian oligarch Abramovich enablers with more sanctions The Western allies announced new sanctions against financial fixers for Roman Abramovich and fellow Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, for their financial support of and close ties to President Vladimir Putin. Israel
Israel's Ben-Gvir's push for a National Guard could give him own militia Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's plans for a National Guard under his command has its origins in the 2021 communal violence between Jews and Arabs, but the security establishment is not on board. Israel
Three Assad advisers indicted in France for Syria war crimes Sending a strong signal to the Assad regime, a French court decided to indict three senior intelligence advisers for crimes against humanity and war crimes. Syria
Israeli Supreme Court rules against eviction of east Jerusalem family Israel's top court has ended a 32-year battle, ruling that the Jewish National Fund cannot evict the Palestinian Sumarin family from their home in the Silwan neighborhood of Jerusalem. Israel
Analysis Israel’s Netanyahu has made himself persona non grata in Washington The conciliatory phone call between Blinken and Cohen could not hide the growing rift and even crisis developing between Jerusalem and the Biden administration. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Sacked Israeli defense chief may apologize as Netanyahu meets replacements Israelis are outraged by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for speaking up against his judicial reform efforts. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
