Syria opens trial of Wassim al-Assad, cousin of ousted president: What we know The trial follows another session in the case against Atef Najib, also a cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, as Syrian authorities continue prosecuting figures linked to the former regime and its remnants. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US-Iran technical talks set to resume next week Hormuz tolls and frozen funds pose early tests for Iran deal; Iran's generals intensify anti-US rhetoric; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Trump insists no Hormuz tolls as Iran, US make conflicting claims Iran has said it wants to charge "maritime service fees" in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Analysis Why Iran's generals are intensifying anti-US rhetoric amid negotiations Leading figures within Iran's military and security establishment have framed the memorandum with Washington not as an end point but as a conditional arrangement tied to battlefield realities. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Sudan-Ethiopia conflict escalates over disputed border The killing of seven Sudanese soldiers and one civilian in Ethiopian territory and an attack in the disputed Al Fashaga also takes place as the third filling of the giant Nile dam nears. North Africa
Hamas heads multi-faction effort to challenge Palestinian Authority Various major Palestinian factions are working together on a new platform to challenge Fatah's dominance of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Palestine
Israeli Arab Muslim party aspires to be part of the next new coalition Having made history as the first Arab party to be part of the coalition, Muslim Ra’am says it hopes to be part of whatever coalition will be established after the Nov. 1 elections. Israel
Egypt ready to help with Gaza Marine natural gas field Palestnian officials claim the project has been complicated by Israel, which controls the coastal waters off Gaza. Egypt
Syrian forces crack down on Islamic State in Syrian desert The Syrian government forces are waging a revenge war against the Islamic State in the Syrian desert amid escalating attacks. Syria
Nile dispute absent from first peace conference led by China to settle conflicts in Horn of Africa China avoided the controversial GERD dispute between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia during the first peace conference held in Addis Ababa to settle the disputes plaguing the Horn of Africa. Egypt
Sudan extradites wanted Muslim Brotherhood affiliates to Egypt Sudan has handed over to Egypt several men wanted for their alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
Egypt's opposition steps up demands for release of prisoners ahead of national dialogue With Egypt's proposed national dialogue set to open in the coming days, opposition figures are stepping up demands for the release of political detainees. Egypt
Hamas accuses Palestinian Authority of torturing, abusing political prisoners Accusations have resurfaced against security forces in the West Bank, blaming them for using torture in their prisons and detention centers against detainees for political reasons. Palestine
Turkish opposition seeks to challenge Erdogan at his own game Turkey’s opposition, which has long failed to put up a coherent attitude to the government’s foreign policy, is now turning to a hawkish rhetoric that Erdogan himself might envy. Turkey
Not so fast: Erdogan still holds cards on NATO bids by Sweden, Finland If conditions are not met, Turkey's president says it is "out of the question" that the Turkish parliament will take up Sweden and Finland's NATO membership issue; avoiding a further US-Turkish meltdown; is Syria invasion on hold? Turkey
Netanyahu wishes new Israeli premier 'security quiet' before elections Newly seated Prime Minister Yair Lapid has only four months to make a name for himself before the Nov. 1 elections in Israel, and opposition head is sure to make it as difficult as possible. Israel