Dubai-based airline Emirates cuts jobs again Emirates has resumed regular passenger flights, but the carrier had to reduce the size of its workforce concurrent with its reduced operations, a spokesperson said. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran’s debt-ridden international broadcasters face closure Iran’s state-funded international TV channels, including Press TV, could soon be taken off the air due to accumulated debt amid the country’s cash reserve crisis. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish Foreign Ministry rejects Libya cease-fire Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu dismissed an Egypt-brokered cease-fire in Libya, as Tripoli forces pursue an offensive on Sirte after a string of victories. By Diego Cupolo
Rocket hits Baghdad as US-Iraq dialogue set to launch In order to reorganize the relationship between the two countries in various aspects, Iraq and the United States are negotiating over a new strategic agreement. By Ali Mamouri
In Israel, German foreign minister expresses concern over annexation plan On a short visit to Israel, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed concern over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s annexation plan and called upon the government to return to the two-state solution. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Kurdistan Region parliament in Iraq closes after COVID-19 cases Some members and staff were found to have COVID-19 after tests as the virus spreads quickly throughout the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. By Al-Monitor Staff
Basra, the richest city in Iraq with little water to drink Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources is preparing a plan to solve the water crisis in Basra, which has been one of the most prominent issues successive governments have failed to address. By Azhar Al-Ruabie
Egyptian expats wary as Kuwaiti MPs propose bill to reduce foreign workers As Kuwait’s parliament gears up to discuss a draft law that, if enacted, would reduce the number of foreign workers, Egyptians in the small Gulf country fear they will have to go back to Egypt where the economy has been badly hit by the coronavirus crisis. By Menna A. Farouk
Israel's 'Silicon Valley' to further fragment East Jerusalem Israel is preparing to begin work on a project known as "Silicon Wadi" in Jerusalem in what locals perceive as another move to alter the city’s demographic makeup and infrastructure. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Israeli knitting project empowers Bedouin, Syrian women Israeli luxury brand IOTA offers high-quality knitted objects and furniture, while empowering Israeli, Bedouin and Syrian women. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Four injured in US military transport plane crash at Iraq’s Camp Taji An Air Force C-130 Hercules struck a wall, damaging the aircraft and causing a fire onboard. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraq sees slight drop in new COVID-19 cases after days with more than 1,000 The spread of the virus continues at an alarming rate in Iraq, particularly in Baghdad and Sulaimaniyah. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Intel: Trump’s Iran policy coordinator previews additional prisoner talks President Donald Trump’s Iran policy coordinator hinted today at ongoing negotiations with Tehran to secure the release of additional American prisoners following the release of Navy veteran Michael White last week. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Israel’s top court strikes settlement Regulation Law Israel’s High Court ordered the state to cancel the Regulation Law that enables to retroactively legalize settlement homes built on private Palestinian lands. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Bahrain releases human rights activist Nabeel Rajab from prison Rajab's release came just days before the four-year anniversary of his arrest. By Al-Monitor Staff
Palestinians say they were not informed of second virus aid flight from UAE to Israel The second-ever direct flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel took place today, but Palestinians say they were not informed of the aid delivery. By Al-Monitor Staff