Jordan
King says Jordan committed to political, media pluralism; directs government to review access to information bill | Jordan Times
AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to political and media pluralism, adding that the Kingdom was never an oppressive country and will never be one, and its history is testament to that.
The Muslim World
Egypt, Jordan and Palestinian president slam Israel, say it's fueling violence against Palestinians | AP News
The leaders of Egypt and Jordan, and the Palestinian president have slammed Israel, saying it was fueling chaos and violence in east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank as bloodshed surges between Israel and Palestinians.
Islamic State group still has thousands in Syria and Iraq and poses Afghan threat, UN experts say | AP News
U.N. experts say the Islamic State group still commands between 5,000 and 7,000 members across its former stronghold in Syria and Iraq and its fighters pose the most serious terrorist threat in Afghanistan today.
Militia clashes in Libyan capital have killed 45, in city's most intense bout of violence this year | AP News
Medical authorities say the toll of people killed during clashes between rival militias in Libya’s capital Tripoli has jumped to at least 45.
Niger's neighbors running out of options as defense chiefs meet to discuss potential military force | AP News
Analysts say regional countries are facing a crisis of legitimacy as they run out of options and time to restore democratic rule in Niger after soldiers ousted the president last month.
Russian raid off Turkey's coast tests Erdogan's resolve | Reuters
Russia's raid on a ship just off Turkey's coast brings the fallout from the Ukraine war to another NATO frontier and raises the stakes as Ankara seeks to coax Moscow back to a grain-export deal that would restore some calm to the Black Sea.
Saudi crown prince meets Iran's foreign minister as relations thaw | Reuters
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Friday in the highest-level talks since the countries reconciled in March after years of bitter rivalry that destabilised the region.
Secular Winter
The Taliban believe their rule is open-ended and don't plan to lift the ban on female education | AP News
The chief Taliban spokesman says the Taliban view their rule of Afghanistan as open-ended, drawing legitimacy from Islamic law and facing no significant threat.
Pakistan arrests 129 Muslims after mob attacks on churches and homes of minority Christians | AP News
Police in eastern Pakistan arrested 129 Muslims overnight after a Muslim mob angered over an alleged desecration of the Quran attacked churches and homes of minority Christians, prompting authorities to summon soldiers to restore order.
Finance and Economy
BRICS nations to meet in South Africa seeking to blunt Western dominance | Reuters
Putin will not join leaders from Brazil, India, China and South Africa.
Quds Matters
As Israeli settlements thrive, Palestinian taps run dry. The water crisis reflects a broader battle | AP News
Across the dusty villages of the occupied West Bank, where Israeli water pipes don’t reach, Palestinians say they can't get enough water to wash their clothes — let alone irrigate their farms.