Assad-era Law Still Threatens Syria's Civil Society
Bashar Assad may be gone from Syria, but one of the more damaging laws that existed throughout his family's rule over the country lives on. Law No.
Middle East
How Far Will Tehran Go for a Deal?
The Iranian regime is hoping for a way out of its current security predicament, as its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepares to hold direct talks with US President Donald Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, in Oman on Friday.
Abu Dhabi Talks Yield POW Swap; Negotiations to Resume
Skip next section Over 1,100 Kyiv apartment blocks to have no heating this winter: mayor February 5, 2026 Over 1,100 Kyiv apartment blocks to have no heating this winter: mayor Ukraine is suffering through one of its coldest winters in yearsImage: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images More than 1,100 apartment blocks in the Ukrainian capital cannot be
US and Iran to Meet in Oman on Friday
Iranian and US officials confirmed on Wednesday that a meeting between their countries would be held in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on Friday. Earlier Wednesday, a report surfaced that negotiations between the sides were falling apart over disagreements about the format and venue, raising doubts about the talks' fate.
Monitors: Gaza Death Toll Hard to Deny
Casualties in war are often disputed by opposing sides and counting true numbers is challenging. Yet after years of disputing the number of casualties reported by the Gaza health authorities since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have now reportedly concurred with estimates that 71,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Iran's Environmental Collapse Deepens Political Crisis
Iranians are running out of water and choking on some of the world's worst air pollution, environmental crises that critics say exemplify the failures fueling anger at the country's theocratic regime.
Iran Signals Willingness for Conditional Nuclear Talks with the U.S.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that he'd instructed his foreign minister to "pursue fair and equitable negotiations" with the United States on some kind of nuclear accord to succeed the one President Donald Trump canceled in his first term.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos and Force in Tehran Protests
Mass protests, a deepening economic crisis and a tense military standoff with the US have strained Iranian officials' hold on the Islamic Republic in recent weeks. As clashes between demonstrators and security forces grew deadly in early January, authorities imposed a sweeping communications blackout, making real-time verification of events and reported deaths nearly impossible.
Germany and Saudi Arabia Deepen Energy and Tech Partnership
Skip next section German union calls for nationwide transport strikes on Monday February 1, 2026 German union calls for nationwide transport strikes on Monday German commuters are set to face heavy disruptions on Monday, as a leading Cerdi trade union has called for strikes across most of the country's public transportation network.
Syrians Return Jewish Property: Aleppo Synagogues Handover
Syrian-American cantor Henry Hamra at the Central Synagogue of Aleppo, once the center of a thriving Jewish community in the northern Syrian city. The Syrian government transferred control of Jewish sites in December to Hamra's Jewish heritage organization.
Inside Jared Kushner's New Gaza Reconstruction Plan
Jared Kushner speaks after the signing of a Board of Peace charter during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 22.
Deadly Bondi Beach Attack Highlights Surge in Australian Antisemitism
A mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia follows a wave of antisemitic incidents in the country over the last two years.