No plans to increase troops at Kabul airport as deadline looms, Pentagon says Evacuation flights peaked over the past 24 hours, but security fears are growing amid Taliban warning. Washington Pulse
Turkey's plans to mandate PCR tests for education, entertainment spark backlash Voices from both conservatives and liberals rise as the Turkish government slaps obligatory PCR tests on teachers and school staff to allay fears of a new wave of COVID-19 as schools resume in-person education. Turkey
Syrian jihadis hail Taliban ‘conquest’ despite their own effort to rebrand The Taliban's rapid takeover of Afghanistan was widely welcomed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which offered sweets in the streets of Idlib. Syria
Israeli strikes on Gaza towers may amount to war crimes, HRW says During the 11-day conflict with Hamas, Israeli airstrikes destroyed five high-rise towers in Gaza City that the Israeli military said were used by the militants. Israel
Water crisis puts 12 million at risk in Syria, Iraq, aid groups say Higher temperatures, drought and record low rainfall levels are depriving millions of people of drinking and agricultural water. Syria
Iran to move away from nuclear-centered foreign policy Iran’s likely new foreign minister will not be as focused on the nuclear deal as was his predecessor. Iran
Egypt closes Gaza's Rafah crossing after weekend clashes Beginning Monday, the Egyptian-controlled border crossing with Gaza will be closed in both directions, a Hamas spokesperson said. Egypt
Israel-Gaza border heats up despite agreement on Qatari aid The day after Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced an agreement had been reached on getting Qatari aid into Gaza, Palestinians stormed the security fence and seriously wounded an Israeli soldier. Israel
New vaccination campaign targets Arab-Israelis Arab legislators, community leaders and also the government are joining forces in promoting coronavirus vaccinations for the Arab-Israeli public. Israel
Egypt announces plan to address climate change following heat wave Egypt is devising a strategic national plan to address climate change amid a heat wave that swept through the country recently. Egypt
Turkish army on lookout for tunnels in northern Idlib Turkish forces have been leading security campaigns on the border with Syria, where they were able to destroy a number of tunnels used to smuggle people from Syria into Turkey. Syria
Hamas, Islamic Jihad reject Human Rights Watch report on conduct of war Palestinian resistance factions dispute charge of "indiscriminate attacks" on Israeli civilians. Palestine
Egypt promotes yacht tourism after dip from COVID-pandemic Egypt is promoting yacht tourism due to the economic returns it brings to the state, as the Delta variant picks up. Culture
Gaza’s astronomy fans gaze longingly at heavens Gaza's astronomy enthusiasts lament that the siege on the Gaza Strip prevents them from establishing quality laboratories and traveling abroad for educational events. Culture
Gaza man builds race car with rudimentary tools Despite the stifling blockade on the Gaza Strip, a man from Gaza managed to manufacture a single-seat sand race car in his small shop using rudimentary tools and secondhand spare parts. Palestine
Egypt positioned to become desalination pioneer Egypt is considering bids from international companies to take on seawater desalination projects that would increase its water resources and address the negative effects of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
