Turkey’s independent journalists stand against so-called disinformation bill 

The new bill in parliament aims to bring further restrictions on freedom of expression online and on social media as elections approach, experts say.  

Turkey

Analysis

Explainer: India BJP Party spokesperson's comments on prophet spark backlash

The comments have drawn attention to anti-Muslim statements among some BJP officials, while sparking social media reactions on all sides.

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Kurds in Sweden on edge as Turkey presses government to ditch them in exchange for NATO membership

As Sweden’s government survived a non-confidence vote today, its fate was tied to Kurdish lawmaker and former guerrilla Amineh Kakabaveh.

Turkey

Iran warns IAEA against resolution

Iran has threatened to reduce its cooperation with the IAEA if a resolution is written against it.

Iran

Israeli defense minister pushes security cooperation, trade in India

Defense Minister Benny Gantz's twice-postponed trip to India that finally took place last week.

Israel

Israel’s Gur Hassidic leader picks next Knesset representative

With Knesset member Yaakov Litzman stepping down as parliamentary head of the Gur Hassidic sect, its rabbi has picked his successor.

Israel

Palestinian flag raises controversy in Israeli universities

Right-wing Knesset members are advancing a bill that would prevent universities and other state-funded institutions from flying the Palestinian flag.

Israel

Trench divides Syrian armed groups in Idib

The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is digging a trench to isolate its stronghold in Idlib from the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army-held areas in Aleppo countryside, which will escalate the humanitarian crisis and increase the suffering of millions of Syrian displaced in northwestern Syria.

Syria

Sudan military coup leaders tighten grip ahead of dialogue with civilians

The leaders of the coup in Sudan are gearing up for direct talks with civilians for the first time since their seizure of power about eight months ago, a few days after lifting the state of emergency in the country.

Sudan

Lebanon's opposition lawmakers start work in chaotic first session

In their first session, Lebanon's newly elected opposition legislators found themselves immediately swamped in the quagmire of Lebanese politics.

Lebanon

Iraqi border guards shoot down parasail in drug bust

The operator may have fled to Kuwait as Iraq’s drug war rages on.

Iraq

Israel’s government faces survival test with settlement bill

Announcing that the renewal of regulations on Israeli civil law in West Bank settlements is a test for the coalition's viability, Justice Minister Gideon Saar pushes his own government into a dangerous political spiral.

Israel