Arab-Israeli city takes battle against violence into its own hands Tired of rising violence and police helplessness, the municipality of Umm al-Fahm presents its own plan to combat crime and decrease social tensions. Israel
Economic meltdown drives some Lebanese to collect recyclables for a living Lebanon’s increasing poverty and lack of jobs drive desperate people to live off of selling collected recycled materials in kilos to scrapyards, shops and manufacturers. Lebanon
Is Turkey isolating Azaz from rest of Syrian territory? The Turkish-backed Free Syria Army in the northern countryside of Aleppo denies building a wall to isolate Azaz and claims that the wall is aimed at protecting the road between Azaz and Afrin from attacks by Kurdish forces and Syrian regime forces. Syria
Sheikh Jarrah Palestinian residents take turns guarding their homes Tensions have escalated in the east Jerusalem neighborhood. Palestine
How Egypt’s jasmine village became global flower producer Residents of the Egyptian village of Shubra Beloula are kept busy by the laborious work of collecting jasmine flowers for export around the world. Egypt
Photographer explores vibrant cultures of Libya A Libyan photographer has made it her mission to share the country's people and stories with the world. North Africa
More of ancient Egypt’s largest mortuary temple uncovered New archaeological discoveries have revealed secrets in the temple of Amenhotep III in Luxor. Egypt
Qatar to fund gas and electricity to Gaza power plant The announcement constituted the latest example of Qatari support to the Palestinian enclave. Palestine
Islamic State escalates violence across Baghdad Belt Terrorist attacks increase as Iraq continues government formation process. Iraq
Blinken: Iran nuclear talks reach 'decisive moment' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Geneva on Friday that the window is closing for negotiators in Vienna to reach a deal. Iran
Libyan Central Bank to begin reunification process There were two parallel central banks during the Libyan civil war controlled by the country’s rival factions. By Al-Monitor Staff
Islamic State wipes out entire army outpost in Iraq’s Diyala The latest major Islamic State attack in Iraq left 11 dead, including soldiers and their commanding officer, at an army outpost in a restive area northeast of Baghdad. Iraq
US Treasury sanctions Hezbollah financial network in Lebanon A US Treasury official says the department is targeting Hezbollah's "misuse of the international financial system" to raise funds for terrorism. Lebanon
Ripple effects from drone sales force Turkey to move Ethiopian embassy Turkey was forced to relocate its Ethiopian embassy to Kenya after increasing threat out of its involvement in the country’s clashes with the Tigray rebels by supplying combat drones to Addis Ababa. Turkey
Can Israeli gas bridge Turkey-Israel rift? The dimming prospects of the EastMed pipeline project offer Turkey an opportunity to mend fences with Israel and break its isolation in the energy rivalry in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
