Middle East crises loom in background as NATO leaders gather in Washington While this year's summit is expected to focus largely on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran's military support for Russia and Turkey's strategic balancing act with Moscow are expected to weigh on NATO leaders gathered in Washington. Washington Pulse
US, Israel hold second virtual meeting on Rafah Biden administration officials have denied offering to green-light an Israeli invasion of Rafah if Israel holds off on retaliating against Iran. Washington Pulse
One year on Sudan’s war: 14,700 killed, 8.6M displaced, 4.9M face starvation As the war in Sudan enters its second year, the humanitarian situation is worsening by the day with no prospects of an imminent end of the hostilities. North Africa Pulse
State Department staffer resigns over Biden's handling of Gaza Annelle Sheline is the second State Department official to publicly resign since Oct. 7, citing the erosion of US credibility on human rights in the Middle East as a result of the war. Washington Pulse
Senators call for release of 'unjustly imprisoned' women in Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia Democratic lawmakers condemn four Middle Eastern states for the politically motivated imprisonment of a number of women and call for the prisoners' release. Washington Pulse
Restoration of Virgin Mary Monastery in southern Egypt sparks controversy The Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church is on the defensive after tiles were placed over the traditional flooring at a historic monastery in Assiut governorate. Culture
Senate advances repeal of 2002 Iraq war authorization Biden administration officials are in discussions with lawmakers about revising the 2001 authorization for use of military force. Washington Pulse
UAE sends more medical aid to Tunisia to fight virus The Emirati shipment followed the Tunisian president dismissing parliament and the prime minister last month in what critics have called a coup. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Iran again denies involvement in Gulf maritime incident The British military said a bitumen tanker off the coast of the UAE experienced a "potential hijacking," prompting a denial from Iran. Israel and the UK also blamed Iran for a drone attack last week that killed two crew members on an oil tanker. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Saudi Aramco denies rumors it will produce bitcoins The Saudi state-owned oil company said reports it will engage in the process of creating cryptocurrency are "false." DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Republican senator's hold on US funding to Palestinian territories remains in place A spokesperson for Sen. Jim Risch said the hold will stay as long as the Palestinian Authority continues what has been called the "pay for slay" program, while senators have also introduced a bill opposing the Biden administration's funds for Palestinian refugees. Washington Pulse
Senator urges aid freeze to Egypt amid human rights abuses Sen. Chris Murphy urged the Biden administration not to bypass US law with this year's military aid package to Cairo. Washington Pulse
Oil prices fall after OPEC+ raises production limits The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus Russia agreed to increase production limits for some member states Sunday following a demand by the United Arab Emirates. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Egypt plans another Pharaonic parade, this time in Luxor After the success of the Pharaohs' Golden Parade, Egypt is preparing for the grand reopening of the Great Processional Way in Luxor. Culture
Houthis unmoved so far by US diplomacy to end Yemen war State Department spokesperson says Biden Administration 'beyond fed up' with Houthi attacks. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
