Archives for August, 2024

Hamburg

Iranian police close German Embassy school in latest row with Berlin

Iranian authorities shut down a German language school on Tuesday in a move widely seen as retaliation for Berlin banning the Hamburg Islamic Center in July.

In scorching weather, a boy walks through a puddle of sewage water surrounded by mounds of garbage and rubble in Jabalia, northern Gaza -- health workers say diseases are spreading

Gaza engineer harnesses sunlight to make saltwater drinkable

Agence France-Presse

JACQUELYN MARTIN/AFP via Getty Images

Blinken meets with Egypt's Sisi as Philadelphi Corridor remains sticking point in Gaza talks

Cairo will host a new round of talks this week to secure an agreement on a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tours the region to mobilize support.

BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s Central Bank keeps interest rates at 50% as inflation cools

The bank signaled it was ready for further hikes in case of significant deterioration in the inflation outlook.

Yahya al-Sinwar (C), Gaza Strip chief of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, waves to supporters during a rally marking the 35th anniversary of the group's foundation, in Gaza City on December 14, 2022. Hamas will end talks on securing a prisoner exchange with Israel unless there is progress soon, the militant group's leader in the Gaza Strip said on December 14. Since Israel's 2014 invasion of the Gaza Strip, the Islamist group has held the bodies of Israeli soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, altho

Analysis

As Netanyahu hedges, Hamas' Sinwar undecided between deal or regional war

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived closer to the moment of truth where he must decide for or against a deal for the release of the hostages held by Hamas and a cease-fire in Gaza.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israel recovers bodies of six hostages taken alive to Gaza on Oct. 7

The bodies of six hostages were recovered by the Israeli military and Shin Bet troops from a tunnel in Khan Younis.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in on his ninth Middle East tour since the start of the Israel-Hamas war

Blinken presses Hamas to back Gaza truce but sees gaps with Israel

Agence France-Presse

The campaigns of presidential candidate Donald Trump and his Democratic Party rival Kamala Harris have both said they have been targeted by cyber attacks

US says Iran responsible for Trump campaign hack

Agence France-Presse

Palestinian flags flutter in the wind, shops display signs in both Arabic and English, and posters call for demonstrations against steadfast US military support of Israel

Ahead of Democratic convention, anger in Chicago's 'Little Palestine'

Agence France-Presse

Fire sweeps over the Marjayoun plain in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel after being hit by Israeli shelling on August 16, 2024, amid the ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters.

Israel intensifies Lebanon strikes, kills Hezbollah commander, hits warehouse

Israel struck Hezbollah weapons in the Bekaa Valley, causing large explosions amid fears of an all-out war.

The skyline of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 28, 2014, is seen at night in this aerial photograph from a helicopter.

Analysis

With new investment law, Saudi Arabia looks to reassure foreign investors

Riyadh looks to incentivize investors to participate in the diversification of its economy, as its Vision 2030 deadline looms nearer.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Police special forces patrol in front of the Israeli Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, on Sept. 21, 2016.

Turkey: Arab Israeli killed, two others wounded in shooting in Istanbul

Turkish authorities are looking for three suspects in the attack, which is believed to have stemmed from a financial dispute.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to members of the press at David Kempinski Hotel in Tel Aviv on Aug. 19, 2024.

US calls for Hamas to accept cease-fire proposal now backed by Israel

The top US diplomat visited Israel days after the United States put forward a so-called bridging proposal in the cease-fire negotiations.

Libya central bank governor

Analysis

Libya: Behind abduction and failed central bank coup in Tripoli

The bank's head of information technology was abducted on Sunday morning but returned hours later.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Pro-Palestine protesters march ahead of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 18, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Pro-Palestinian voices protest and participate in DNC in Chicago

Protesters from across the country are in Chicago for the DNC, demanding an end to aid for Israel as Vice President Harris and the Democratic Party grapple with how to handle the Gaza war.

PKK tunnel

Exclusive

From mountaintops to underground: PKK responds to Turkey’s drones

Serdar Yektas, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Workers Party's armed wing, told Al-Monitor that Turkey’s use of its home-manufactured drones has drastically changed the nature of the conflict between them.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture