Air quality a concern in Beirut following explosion The American University of Beirut said air quality has returned to normal following the explosion of ammonium nitrate on Tuesday that killed around 150 and injured thousands. By Al-Monitor Staff
Health workers in Syrian camp for ISIS families test positive for COVID-19 Humanitarians warn that poor conditions in the camp put it at great risk for an outbreak of the virus. These are the first known cases there. By Al-Monitor Staff
Beirut redoubles rescue efforts; patients continue to surge to exhausted hospitals As rescue efforts continue in Beirut following Tuesday's explosion, a wave of new patients seek care at damaged, overworked hospitals. By Joe Snell
US military delivers humanitarian aid to Lebanon in wake of Beirut explosion The US military is sending three aircraft loads of food, water and medical supplies to Beirut. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
South Africa calls Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia back to negotiating table on dam talks After Sudan and Egypt announced they were suspending talks, the African Union chair urged all three parties to resume discussions. By Al-Monitor Staff
US top diplomat for Iran Brian Hook steps down Hook was a key figure in the Trump administration's pressure campaign against Iran. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey to use 'all available' tools as currency plunges Turkey’s Central Bank says it's ready to use “all available instruments” to calm the market as the Turkish lira drops to new depths, and an interest rate hike is one of the most obvious. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Etihad Airways reports massive decrease in passenger flights The number of passengers served and passenger flight revenues went down for the Abu Dhabi-based airline in the second quarter of 2020. By Al-Monitor Staff
In Beirut visit, France’s Macron promises reform in 'new political pact' The French president said he would meet with Lebanon's political elite to propose a series of reforms that would ensure aid does not go to waste. By Al-Monitor Staff
Journalists in Yemen attacked ‘from all quarters,’ UN rights chief says Since the beginning of April, the United Nations has documented an abduction, a killing and a number of physical attacks and threats against journalists operating in war-torn Yemen. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel prepares to resume air travel in mid-August Israel’s coronavirus cabinet has decided to reopen Israeli skies on Aug. 16. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
IRGC says Iran to ‘mobilize’ to help Lebanon after blast Iranian officials and media have offered condolences after the explosion that rocked Beirut. By Al-Monitor Staff
No quick fix for Iraq's electricity crisis Previous Iraqi governments' failure to solve the electricity crisis was one of the reasons for the popular protests. By Omar Sattar
Israel struggles to reach out to Lebanon after blast Not all Israelis were pleased with Tel Aviv's gesture of solidarity with Lebanon, with quite a few saying that lighting the city hall up like the Lebanese flag went too far. By Mordechai Goldman
Ethiopia angered by Egypt’s alleged plan to establish military base in Somaliland Egypt has reportedly discussed with the Somaliland government Cairo’s suggestion to establish a military facility in the country, raising the anger of Ethiopia. By Alaa Omran
Al-Madaq: A new virtual archive documenting Cairo’s history An Egyptian historian created a website that reviews the history of Cairo through several historical maps, texts and photographs. By A correspondent in Egypt