Japanese grand piano, gifted to Arafat in 1997, plays on in Gaza The Yamaha grand piano that Japan gave to the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 1997 returns to make music again after being exposed to three devastating wars. Culture
Arab-Israeli hospital project raises controversy Arab-Israeli parties from the opposition and the coalition disagree over a bill designed to establish a new hospital in the city of Sakhnin. Israel
Attack on Syrian prison holding Iraqi Islamic State captives raises concerns Local forces backed by coalition air support reportedly prevented an attack on a prison housing thousands of Islamic State operatives in northeastern Syria under Kurdish-led administration. Iraq
Military tightens grip on Sudan The Sudanese military is increasing its repression of demonstrations calling for a civil state. Egypt
Expensive private schools become many Syrian students' only option As public schools struggle to accommodate an increasing number of students, thousands of students in the Aleppo area are being pushed into private schools. Syria
IRGC Syria commander removed 'upon request from Assad' The future of Iran’s presence in Syria seems to be dividing the Syrian leadership. Syria
Dubai Airshow 2021 kicks off with expectations of big deals The rise in attacks around the region in recent years using drones pushed the sales of UAV technologies in the Middle East to reach $1.5 billion over the last five years. Gulf
Russia begins restoration of Arc of Triumph in Syria's Palmyra Russia has begun the restoration of the Arch of Triumph, one of the historical landmarks in Palmyra, in cooperation with UNESCO. Syria
Palestinian family gives Ottoman treasure to Turkish ambassador After having kept it for 104 years, a Palestinian family handed over to the Turkish ambassador to the Palestinian territories a pouch containing the Turkish and Palestinian flags and old banknotes left by an Ottoman officer who was going to World War I. Culture
New platform to monitor digital rights violations in Palestine "7or" will collect, document and take action on restrictions facing Palestinian content. Palestine
Israel, Egypt to increase military presence along Egypt's Rafah border Egypt and Israel sign an agreement allowing increased military presence in Egypt's Rafah border area, a move that analysts say is a win-win for the two neighbors. Egypt
Media freedom in Tunisia stirs wide debate The closure by the Independent High Authority for Audiovisual Communication of four media institutions, under the pretext of benefiting from the influence of some parties and political figures for broadcasting without regularizing their situation, has stirred wide controversy and growing concern about the fate of media institutions in Tunisia. North Africa
Families of Lebanese arrested for Beirut blast demand their release Several customs and port officials have been arrested and held in prison in relation to the deadly explosion, but nobody has been convicted. News Brief
World powers warn Libya election obstructors could face sanctions World leaders gathered in Paris on Friday for a high-level conference aimed at ensuring Libya's elections go ahead as planned. Libya
Mansour Abbas’s star turn rattles Israeli politics Also: Syrian Kurdish leader not worried — yet — about Turkish invasion (exclusive). Israel
US Rep. Ilhan Omar moves to block $650 million Saudi arms sale If passed by the Senate, the joint resolution would block the sale of 280 air-to-air missiles to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
