Egypt weighs role as mediator in Sudan crisis Egypt announced its support for the UN initiative to resolve the political crisis in Sudan and called for the quick formation of a government. By Mohamed Saied
Erdogan accused of criminalizing opposition ahead of critical polls A controversial probe into the opposition-led Istanbul municipality might be the prelude of a campaign to criminalize and sideline Erdogan’s potential opponents in the upcoming presidential race, critics say. By Sibel Hurtas
Iraq: Woman, child injured in rocket attack on US Embassy Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby reiterated that the United States reserves the right to retaliate for such attacks. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israeli ultra-Orthodox leaders push for children to get vaccinated Surprisingly, the ultra-Orthodox sector is now at the forefront of the campaign to vaccinate children against the coronavirus. By Israel Hershkovitz
4,000-year-old stone board game discovered at Oman excavation site Archaelogists said the board game appeared similar to other games played during the Bronze Age. By Al-Monitor Staff
Saudi Arabia increases number of mineral production factories The Saudi government is seeking more investment for the mining of minerals in the country as part of its economic diversification plans. By Al-Monitor Staff
Khamenei website posts animation of Trump targeted in strike The video was released in line with renewed threats from Iran’s hard-line establishment against a hit list of former US officials involved in the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish teen suicide revives secular-pious debate The debate over the place of Islam in public life remains among the most contentious in Turkey. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
UN experts urge Iran to halt execution of juvenile offender Hossein Shahbazi was 17 when he was arrested for fatally stabbing a classmate and was sentenced to death in a trial that reportedly relied on torture-tainted confessions. By Al-Monitor Staff
Northern Syria health care plagued by issues as UN extends cross-border aid A US-based group of doctors conducted a detailed assessment of the region’s health sector in both Kurdish and rebel territory. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
2 Israeli soldiers killed by friendly fire The incident comes less than a week after two Israeli pilots were killed in a helicopter crash off Haifa. By Al-Monitor Staff
El Salvador journalists reportedly targeted by Pegasus spyware A cyber watchdog report found the phones of at least 35 journalists and activists in the Latin American country were infected with the controversial Pegasus spyware. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel’s coalition in crisis over tree planting in Bedouin areas The crisis within the coalition over a forestation project on lands used by Bedouin communities in the Negev has won Israel’s opposition some victories in the Knesset. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Qatar International Islamic Bank retains A credit rating from Moody's The leading Islamic bank’s head said the rating reflects its ability to withstand the COVID-19 pandemic. By Al-Monitor Staff
German court convicts ex-Syrian officer of crimes against humanity Anwar Raslan is the highest-ranking former Syrian government official to be tried for crimes committed in Syria's civil war. By Al-Monitor Staff