Investigation into Beirut Port blast resumes after over 14 months of suspension

The judicial investigator, who has resumed work after a hiatus of over a year, has charged Lebanon’s top prosecutor in connection with the blast

Iranian prosecutor general indicates suspension of ‘morality police’

While Montazeri confirmed that operations of the morality police are currently over, there is no indication that they have been permanently dissolved

Erdogan announces reopening shipment lanes from Ukrainian ports, despite Russian suspension

Despite Russian objections, Ukraine, the UN and Turkey agreed to implement the Black Sea grain deal with a transit plan for 16 ships

Fourth suspension of Beirut blast probe as Bitar sued for bias

The judge has 18 lawsuits against him for alleged bias

Qatar, Bahrain set to resume flights

Prior to the suspension of flights in 2017, Doha and Manama launched up to 93 flights a week between the two states

Saudi king plays peacemaker, invites Qatari, Syrian leaders to Arab League summit

As a prominent sponsor of the war in Syria since 2011, Qatar is among a few outlier states in West Asia that oppose normalization

Jordanian airstrikes in Syria kill ‘major’ drug trafficker

According to reports, the Jordanian airstrikes killed well-known Syrian drug trafficker Marai al-Ramthan along with seven others, including his wife and children, near Daraa

Syria officially welcomed back into Arab League

The return of Damascus to the Arab body is reportedly dependent on a number of conditions, including elections and the safe return of refugees

Arab League chief says Syria on cusp of rejoining organization

According to Aboul Gheit, there is a 'very good' possibility that the Arab League will reinstate Syria's membership at the Riyadh summit in May

Syrian foreign minister arrives on official Algeria visit

The minister's visit will last for three days and is part of his tour to several Arab countries, including Tunisia and Iraq, in an effort to restore diplomatic ties

Jordan, Saudi Arabia propose joint peace plan to end Syrian conflict: Report

The plan is set to be proposed during a meeting of regional foreign ministers in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Friday afternoon

Erbil, Baghdad reach preliminary agreement on oil export dispute

A prolonged halt on Kurdish oil exports could greatly damage the economy of the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan region

From hostility to normalization: The ebbs and flows of Sudan-Israel relations

Sudan's relations with Israel have vacillated between periods of hostility and outreach. Today, Khartoum's leaders view these ties as a means to gain international legitimacy, while Tel Aviv aims to eliminate Khartoum as a haven for pro-Iran and Palestinian resistance factions.

Jordanian FM calls on international community to oppose hate speech against Palestinians

On the same day, the Jordanian parliament voted to expel the Israeli ambassador from the kingdom over Smotrich's incendiary statements

Israeli official under fire for violating Jordan peace treaty, anti-Palestinian tirade

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed 'there is no such thing as a Palestinian people' during a speech commemorating a far-right figure in Paris

Syrian sanctions relief: An ‘American trick’

The temporary lifting of Washington's sanctions on earthquake-stricken and war-torn Syria is 'misleading' at best, and stands in the way of relief efforts.

France 24 sacks Arab correspondents under pressure from pro-Israel monitor

While evidence of antisemitism was only found for one of the journalists, the other three were expressing support for the Palestinian cause and resistance

An Egyptian plan for Syria: ‘Arab forces’ on the border and Iran out

Arab states pursuing reconciliation with Syria aim to achieve what was unachievable during the war: Breaking Syria's alliances and placing Arab troops on Syrian soil.

Lebanon’s caretaker PM steps in to protect banks charged with money laundering

The Association of Banks in Lebanon announced that, thanks to Mikati's overstepping of his authority, they would 'temporarily suspend' a strike that has helped decimate the value of the lira

UAE calls off UN vote on Israeli settlements under US ‘pressure’

Last week, the UAE put forward a draft UN resolution condemning Israel’s illegal expansion of settlements

Delegation from UK Labour party reaffirms support for Israel

The show of support by the traditionally left-wing British party for Israel's far-right administration comes at a time of renewed tensions in the occupied territories

Syria under the American whip: Sanctions that kill

The western sanctions weapon is not new to Syria, but since 2019 it has become a lethal one, destroying entire Syrian sectors and killing its people.

Washington pressures PA to accept ‘security plan’ to reclaim Jenin: Report

This US-proposed plan involves the creation of a ‘special Palestinian force’ to counter the resistance in Jenin

UK supreme court considering legality of arms sales to Saudi Arabia

CAAT launched a lawsuit against the UK government in 2020, accusing it of contributing to violations of international law throughout Saudi Arabia's war on Yemen

Iran, Russia integrate banking systems

52 Iranian and 106 Russian banks integrated their interbank communication and transfer systems for trade and financial operations

Israeli jets bombard Gaza one day after Jenin massacre

Israel claimed to have targeted a rocket-making facility under the Maghazi refugee camp, as well as ‘one of the most significant’ Hamas bases

US worried about ‘security situation’ in occupied territories ahead of Blinken’s visit

This weekend, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will be traveling to Egypt, followed by a visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories early next week

US pressure compromises Beirut port blast investigation

After over a year of suspension, a sudden resumption of the investigation resulted in an unprecedented decision to release all suspects involved in the explosion

Europe’s gas emergency: A continent hostage to seller prices

Europe’s reliance on Russian gas imports has been upended by sanctions against Moscow. With few options for practical alternatives, the continent will remain energy-dependent and financially-vulnerable regardless of who it imports from.

Four NGOs stop operating in Afghanistan following ban of female employees

The suspension of some of the aid organizations that millions of Afghans access comes at a time when more than half the population relies on humanitarian aid