Disabled Gazans compete in basketball tournament Disabled Gazan basketball players are competing in a fifth annual tournament put on by the Palestinian Paralympic Committee and other organizations. Culture
Sources: Taliban move helped US keep Afghans off Kabul airfield last week The original plan to secure Kabul airport took the presence of Afghan security forces for granted, a US official said. United States
Iran authorities embarrassed by hacked CCTV prison videos The hacked videos that show various moments of abuse continue to trickle in and have drawn a rare apology from the country's top prison official. Iran
Turkey strikes PKK targets in Iraq's Kurdistan region Turkey has bombed suspected hideouts of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party in Iraqi Kurdistan, reportedly destroying ammunition depots, caves and other hideouts. Turkey
How far might Turkey, UAE reach in fence-mending bid? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's reception of the UAE national security adviser has raised the prospect of a reset in acrimonious bilateral ties. Turkey
Iran’s new foreign minister seen as 'first fully fledged Khameneist' in post Not only was Iran's new foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, hand-picked by the supreme leader, he is also seen as being a true follower of Ali Khamenei's philosophy. By Ali Hashem In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict
Iraq under pressure to open borders for Shiite pilgrims despite pandemic While the Iraqi government attempts to prevent the spread of the delta variant from Iran, there is internal and external pressure to open its borders for Shiite pilgrims to visit the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf. Iraq
Israel lowers booster age to 30 as COVID-19 cases top 1 million Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, Israel is encouraging a third booster shot for pregnant women, health care workers, teachers and people over 30. Israel
Iran, Hezbollah, Lebanon top Bennett's agenda with Biden Israel fears that Iran and Hezbollah will take advantage of the economic and political crisis in Lebanon to tighten their hold on the country. Israel
Palestinian cabinet reshuffle on hold The Palestinian leadership appears to have backtracked at the last moment from its planned cabinet reshuffling after news leaked that the changes were superficial at best. Palestine
Egypt’s top religious authority opens TikTok account Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta has created an account on TikTok to reach a wider and younger generation in a move that is being criticized by many in Egypt. Egypt
Israel seizes tons of chocolate it claims is being used to fund Hamas Israel has confiscated 23 tons of chocolate bars on their way to the Gaza Strip. Palestine
'Part-time marriage' provokes controversy in Egypt A lawyer proposes “part-time marriage” as a way to marry off thousands of divorced and unmarried women in Egypt. Egypt
Syrian jihadist group expands control in areas outside Idlib The government run by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib imposed more measures to isolate its areas of influence in northwestern Syria. Syria
Tunisia fears losing doctors as nation counts cost of COVID surge Tunisia’s catastrophic third wave of infections this summer has exhausted doctors. Poor working conditions and lack of respite is driving doctors overseas, as medical chiefs warn of dangerous shortages of staff to fight a fourth wave. North Africa
Oman lifts ban on vaccinated travelers from 18 countries Oman is loosening restrictions on travel amid a decline in COVID-19 cases across the Gulf country. Oman
