The Muslim World
As Blinken visits, top Saudi diplomat says kingdom seeks US nuclear aid but 'others' also bidding | AP News
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister says that while the kingdom would welcome U.S. aid in building its civilian nuclear program, there are also "others that are bidding.” Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke after meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who wrapped up a two-day visit to the kingdom. He was responding to a question about recent news reports that Saudi Arabia is asking for U.S. aid in building its nuclear program in exchange for establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. Prince Faisal did not link the two issues, but said normalization would have “limited benefits” without “finding a pathway to peace for the Palestinian people.”
IMF says Lebanon needs urgent economic reforms to stop deepening crisis | Reuters
Lebanon must take urgent action on comprehensive economic reforms to avoid "irreversible consequences" for its economy, the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday.
Iran unveils what it calls a hypersonic missile able to beat air defenses amid tensions with US | AP News
Iran is claiming that it's created a hypersonic missile capable of traveling at 15 times the speed of sound. The announcement comes as tensions are high with the United States over Tehran's nuclear program. Iran's state television reported that the missile — called Fattah, or “Conqueror” — has a range of up to 1,400 kilometers, which is about 870 miles. The report also claimed it could pass through any regional missile defense system, though it offered no evidence to support the claim. The TV broadcast what appeared to be a model of the missile being unveiled by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, a hard-line paramilitary organization in the Islamic Republic, before President Ebrahim Raisi.
Turkish lira stabilises after heavy selloff | Reuters
A sharp selloff in Turkey's lira slowed on Thursday, when it slipped only 0.8% compared with a 7.2% plunge the day before, as traders said it was nearing more "normal" levels ahead of the expected appointment of a new central bank governor.
Pakistan's Imran Khan gets bail on murder charges - lawyer | Reuters
Pakistan's ousted former prime minister Imran Khan secured bail on Thursday from the Islamabad High Court over new murder charges, meaning he cannot be rearrested in connection with those charges for the next 14 days, his lawyer said.
Most Gulf markets gain on rising oil prices but focus turns to Fed | Reuters
Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Thursday amid rising oil prices but the gains were limited after a surprise interest rate hike by Bank of Canada brought back fears that U.S. rates could stay higher for longer.
Secular Winter
Flashpoint in Israel: Divide between religious and secular Jews heats up under Netanyahu’s rule | AP News
Tensions have been rising between Israel’s religious and secular Jews since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government took office last December. With ultra-Orthodox parties now wielding unprecedented power — and playing a key role in a contentious plan to overhaul the legal system — they are aggravating concerns among secular Israelis that the character and future of their country is under threat. The ultra-Orthodox managed to win generous subsidies for their communities in the government’s latest budget. Secular Jews say the system is unfair, while the ultra-Orthodox say they are victims of incitement.
Tens of thousands join Tel Aviv Pride parade, celebrating gains and wary of Israeli government | AP News
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Tens of thousands of people on Thursday marched in Tel Aviv’s Pride parade — an annual celebration that turns the city’s seaside promenade into a boisterous festival of rainbow flags, pounding music and colorful costumes.
Quds Matters
In Jerusalem's contested Old City, shrinking Armenian community fears displacement after land deal | AP News
JERUSALEM (AP) — A real estate deal in Jerusalem's Old City, at the epicenter of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has sent the historic Armenian community there into a panic as residents search for answers about the feared loss of their homes to a mysterious investor.
UN commission accuses Israel of taking aim at Palestinian human rights groups | AP News
JERUSALEM (AP) — Investigators commissioned by the U.N.’s top human rights body on Thursday accused Israel of “delegitimizing and silencing civil society” by outlawing Palestinian human rights groups and labeling their members as “terrorists.”