Middle East crises loom in background as NATO leaders gather in Washington While this year's summit is expected to focus largely on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran's military support for Russia and Turkey's strategic balancing act with Moscow are expected to weigh on NATO leaders gathered in Washington. Washington Pulse
US, Israel hold second virtual meeting on Rafah Biden administration officials have denied offering to green-light an Israeli invasion of Rafah if Israel holds off on retaliating against Iran. Washington Pulse
One year on Sudan’s war: 14,700 killed, 8.6M displaced, 4.9M face starvation As the war in Sudan enters its second year, the humanitarian situation is worsening by the day with no prospects of an imminent end of the hostilities. North Africa Pulse
State Department staffer resigns over Biden's handling of Gaza Annelle Sheline is the second State Department official to publicly resign since Oct. 7, citing the erosion of US credibility on human rights in the Middle East as a result of the war. Washington Pulse
New archaeological discovery in St. Hilarion Monastery In cooperation with Palestinian experts, a French antiquities mission found graves dating back to the Byzantine era at the site of St. Hilarion in the western Gaza Strip. Palestine
Cairo backs Riyadh's Green Middle East initiative Egypt has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s Green Middle East initiative to restore green spaces and fight climate change. Egypt
Egypt announces discovery of major archaeological city in Luxor Egypt announced the discovery of an ancient city in Luxor in southern Egypt dating back 3,000 years. It is believed to be the second-most important archaeological discovery since Tutankhamun’s tomb. Egypt
Ancient South Sinai city of Saint Catherine to get facelift Egypt has begun implementing the first phase of a project to develop the city of Saint Catherine in South Sinai and promote tourism in the area. Egypt
Curse or no curse, Cairo's mummy parade goes smoothly Cairo's procession of royal mummies roused national pride among Egyptians, though observers warned that disturbing the dead may have unleashed the "curse of the pharaohs." Egypt
War over economic routes heats up in Syria Syria’s economic collapse is stoking the struggle over commercial routes between government-held areas and US- and Turkish-backed enclaves, fueling also disagreements on humanitarian aid. Turkey
The lost Jewish surnames of Cairo An extensive list of the surnames of the Jewish families who lived in Cairo has been published, helping tell stories across generations. Egypt
Kuwait maintains curfew amid frustration with lockdown A Kuwaiti court has upheld the curfew imposed from March 7 to April 8. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Breakthrough in domestic workers' return to Kuwait Kuwaitis are eager to welcome back domestic workers as some coronavirus restrictions are lifted. Kuwait
Riyadh lights up with citywide art festival Saudi Arabia's first annual Noor Riyadh art festival has brightened Riyadh with light-based installations across the city. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Libyan women make history in new government Although Libya's Government of National Unity breaks ground by naming women as justice and foreign ministers, women are still underrepresented in the interim Cabinet. North Africa Pulse
House committee votes to repeal Iraq war military authorization The resolution will next head to the full House for a vote. Bipartisan support for repealing the authorization pertaining to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq gained steam following the February US airstrikes in Syria, which the president approved without consulting Congress. Iraq