Black Gaza artists fight racism with music Black Palestinians in the Gaza Strip still suffer racism, but the artistic community has a musical response. By Taghreed Ali
Egypt reclaims land for new port city, but environmental concerns loom Egypt is constructing a new port city near Alexandria by reclaiming land from the Mediterranean Sea, but the project has sparked fears over negative environmental impacts. By Amr Emam
5 killed by stray bullets from soccer celebration in war-ravaged Yemen Yemen's winning West Asian Junior Cup 2021 has brought rare joy to all Yemenis, but the joy is mixed with sorrow at civilian casualties from celebratory stray bullets. By Naseh Shaker
Egypt resumes hunt for Nefertiti’s tomb amid historical debate Egypt’s archaeological team, led by famed Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, resumed on Dec. 9 the hunt for Queen Nefertiti’s tomb in the west bank of Luxor, after years of debate over her burial site. By Ahmed Gomaa
Egypt ready to pump gas to Lebanon While Syria says the Arab Gas Pipeline on its territory is set and ready, Egypt announces that it is ready to export natural gas to Lebanon in the first quarter of 2022. By Rasha Mahmoud
Egypt, Turkey compete for military foothold in Kenya Egypt and Turkey are vying for presence in Kenya, with both countries seeking to consolidate their relations at all economic, technological and industrial levels with the African country. By Khalid Hassan
US-Palestinian economic ties resume after 5 years Palestinians have reluctantly agreed to give the economic track a chance after it became obvious that there was no movement expected on the political track. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Israel to allow Gazan Christians into Bethlehem for Christmas Israeli announced that about 500 permits will be available to Gaza's 1,000 Christians to enter Israel and the West Bank for Christmas celebrations. By Entsar Abu Jahal
Erdogan shakes up foreign policy in response to economic crisis Turkey's Central Bank rate cut hasn’t stopped the lira’s free fall, as Turkey announces an initiative for rapprochement with Armenia. By Week in Review
Elon Musk talks space travel with Turkey’s Erdogan The tech mogul reportedly said it was an "honor" to talk to the Turkish president about cooperation on space technology. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Many hurdles remain for Turkey-Armenia reconciliation As normalization with Armenia remains crucial for Turkey’s broader regional aspirations, there are still major political and psychological stumbling blocks before the process. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Eight dead after flooding in Iraqi Kurdistan A heavy rainstorm hit the regional capital of Erbil. By Al-Monitor Staff
Vienna talks to pause after 'good progress,' Iran negotiator says Iran's top negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani said "good progress" was made during talks this week. By Al-Monitor Staff
Ukraine to decide soon on opening embassy in Jerusalem Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk says the decision to open an office of the embassy to Jerusalem is probably a matter of months. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Egypt monitors Sudan's struggles to form transitional government Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has yet to achieve consensus on a new road map for a transfer of power for the transitional phase since the military actions in October By Baher al-Kady
Ultra-Orthodox anti-vaxxers threaten leading Israeli rabbi When the Grand Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky called on his followers to vaccinate children, vaccine opponents within the ultra-Orthodox community turned against him. By Israel Hershkovitz