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
US expands Iran campaign with strikes on oil tankers Airstrikes on Iranian oil tankers mark a subtle tactical pivot after months of periodic bombardment targeting IRGC military infrastructure failed to shut down the IRGC’s attacks in Hormuz. Iran
Iran vows continued military action amid renewed hostilities with US Iran responded to US attacks with a wave of drone and missile strikes against countries across the region, raising fears of a return to war. Iran
Xi makes first Egypt visit in decade as Cairo gets caught in US-China AI row China's Huawei last month submitted a bid to build advanced AI data centers and supply more than 2,000 AI chips for Egyptian government systems. Egypt
Analysis Israel favors status quo as tensions in Iran's leadership fuel escalation risk By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: China-Middle East UAE rivals China in Africa A UAE-based resource investment firm on Monday broke ground on a major solar plant in the Central African Republic that aims to power over 300,000 households once operational By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Iran to launch missile drill as Araghchi signals conditional IAEA cooperation Ahead of a missile exercise planned for Thursday, Iran’s foreign minister said that the return of IAEA inspectors will be possible should it be approved by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Iran
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
Nine bodies unearthed in Latakia mass grave, one of dozens found in post-Assad Syria As part of the efforts by new Syrian authorities to bring justice to victims of the Assad regime, dozens of mass graves containing thousands of bodies — believed to be victims of former regime forces — have been discovered across Syria. Syria
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
Israel calls up 60,000 reservists as Egypt floats Hamas disarmament plan Egypt is reportedly offering to hold Hamas' arms while a deal to end the war is hammered out. Israel
US raid kills senior ISIS official near Syria's border with Turkey The US raid killed a senior ISIS official believed to be next in line for the group’s top leadership role, a US official said. Syria
Yemen: Flash floods injure 10+ in Aden as climate toll mounts Yemen has experienced deadly flooding in recent years, further impacting the ongoing displacement crisis in the country. Yemen
NATO summit to be held in Turkey next year, alliance says Brussels' announcement comes as the Trump administration and Erdogan's government have continued to stake out common ground on stabilizing Syria and the southern Caucasus region. Turkey
Somaliland fumes over Turkish envoy's meeting with rebel figure: What to know As diplomatic tensions flare between Ankara and Hargeisa after a Turkish envoy met a rebel figure in Mogadishu, Ankara is downplaying the encounter as circumstantial. Somalia
Analysis Syria state media's Kurdish-language launch: tactical move or real shift? SANA's foray into the Kurdish language is largely symbolic and part of Damascus’ efforts to project an image of compromise amid tense negotiations. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Lebanon PM in Jordan as Beirut pushes Hezbollah disarmament, Iran’s influence wanes Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam headed to Jordan following a similar visit by President Joseph Aoun two months ago, as the two countries seek deeper ties. Lebanon