Who is Abdulrahman Alfozan, Saudi national charged in bugging OpenAI meetings? The Saudi national who was arrested for allegedly planting a covert listening device at OpenAI’s offices has extensive experience working at leading technology companies in the US and serves as a venture partner at a Saudi venture capital firm. Saudi Arabia
Explainer PKK pulls out of Metina in northern Iraq amid Turkey peace process The withdrawal comes as the peace process between Turkey and the militant group gains momentum alongside increasing security cooperation between Ankara and Baghdad. Turkey
Erdogan aide named suspect in Turkey financial scandal Former AKP deputy chairwoman Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya is facing allegations of being linked to a market manipulation scandal. Turkey
Culture Syria's Kurds, Arabs find common cause in battle for language rights As Kurdish students protest language restrictions, unexpected alliances are emerging between Syria’s Kurds and Arabs. Syria
US sanctions 4 ICC officials over Israel case The sanctions against four of the court's officials come as Israel prepares for a military offensive in Gaza City. Israel
Turkey blocks Instagram account of leading LGBTQ+ group Kaos GL The ban targeting the group, a leading LGBTQ+ organization, follows earlier bans affecting its website and X account. Turkey
Jordan to resume conscription in 2026, call up 6,000 men: What to know In 2026, 6,000 men born in 2007 will be drafted for a three-month training program. Jordan
UAE police arrest three suspects in attempted $25M diamond heist Three men were arrested after attempting to smuggle a 21.25-carat pink diamond from Dubai, now a major global diamond hub. United Arab Emirates
UN: Syria's March violence saw ‘likely’ war crimes by Damascus, Assad remnants The United Nations noted deliberate targeting of Alawite civilians in its report on the killings along the Syrian coast and called on the government to expand its efforts in taking steps toward accountability. Syria
Turkey detains 30 as government crackdown on opposition deepens: What to know Detainees include officials from Istanbul and Antalya municipalities and their family members as part of an ongoing corruption investigation into the Republican People’s Party (CHP) that critics say is politically motivated. Turkey
Egypt holds second Senate vote as pro-Sisi parties dominate: What to know The Senate elections, dominated by pro-Sisi government parties, feature fewer party list and individual candidates compared to elections held in 2020. Egypt
Jordan summons suspects accused of holding Muslim Brotherhood assets: What to know The Hashemite Kingdom has taken a number of legal actions against the Islamist organization since banning them in April. Jordan
Iran executions double to 625 as parliament mulls harsher espionage penalties The United Nations said executions so far this year stand at 625, at the least, more than double the number for the same period last year. Iran
UNIFIL patrol in southern Lebanon comes under attack: What to know A group of men blocked a UNIFIL patrol in southern Lebanon, citing the absence of a Lebanese army escort, leading to brief clashes in the latest incident involving local residents and the UN peacekeeping mission. Lebanon
US sanctions UN official overseeing Palestinian rights The sanctions come on the heels of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with President Donald Trump. United States
Jordan targets charities for alleged Muslim Brotherhood ties: What to know Jordan banned the Muslim Brotherhood in April and arrested some senior members of the related Islamic Action Front last month. Jordan
