The Muslim World
Analysis: Stakes rise as Iran can fuel 'several' atom bombs | AP News
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has enough highly enriched uranium to build “several” nuclear weapons if it chooses, the United Nations' top nuclear official is now warning. But diplomatic efforts aimed at again limiting its atomic program seem more unlikely than ever before as Tehran arms Russia in its war on Ukraine and as unrest shakes the Islamic Republic.
Top prosecutor orders release of Beirut port blast detainees | AP News
Top prosecutor orders release of Beirut port blast detainees
Pakistani rupee plummets as markets adjust to removal of unofficial controls | Reuters
The Pakistani rupee fell 9.6% against the dollar on Thursday, central bank data showed - the biggest one-day drop in over two decades - in a slump that may persuade the International Monetary Fund to resume lending to the country.
Analysis
Analysis: Erdogan thrusts NATO expansion issue into Turkey's tense election campaign | Reuters
Two provocative incidents in Stockholm this month have energised Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan ahead of tight elections and dimmed Sweden and Finland's hopes of joining NATO before the summer, diplomats, analysts and opposition politicians say.
Secular Winter
Israel’s Judicial Reforms Could Strengthen Religion’s Role in Public Life - WSJ
The moves would allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conservative allies to pass laws granting ultra-Orthodox Jews a legal exemption from military service and permitting gender segregation in public spaces.
Blackstone's earnings fall 41% as assets sales slump | Reuters
Higher interest rates, inflation, recession worries and geopolitical tensions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict have prevented private equity firms like Blackstone from selling assets for top dollar.
General News
Fauci Leaves a Broken Agency for His Successor | Opinion
After 54 years at the NIH, tomorrow marks Dr. Anthony Fauci's last day as NIAID director.
Finance and Economy
Wall Street edges higher after reports on economy, earnings | AP News
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are ticking higher on Wall Street Thursday following reports suggesting the economy and corporate profits may be doing better than feared. The S&P 500 was 0.5% higher in midday trading after an earlier gain nearly double that size briefly vanished.
Quds Matters
Israeli Raid in West Bank Leaves Nine Palestinians Dead - WSJ
A firefight between militants and Israeli security forces during an Israeli raid in the West Bank left nine Palestinians dead, according to Palestinian health officials.
Extreme Israeli group takes root in US with fundraising bid | AP News
JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli group raising funds for Jewish extremists convicted in some of the country’s most notorious hate crimes is collecting tax-exempt donations from Americans, according to findings by The Associated Press and the Israeli investigative platform Shomrim.
Palestinians Say They Will End Coordination With Israel After West Bank Raid - WSJ
The U.S. criticized Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to sever security ties after nine died in a firefight, urging the two sides to work together more closely.
The Lizard's Lair
The AP Interview: Pope says homosexuality not a crime | AP News
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.