Archives for August, 2024

The Israeli city of Haifa is home to an oil refinery, a commercial port, and an oil storage facility

'It's scary': Israeli frontline city in dark over port blast risks

Agence France-Presse

Visitors tour the site in the Saqqara necropolis south of Cairo, where archaeologists unearthed two human and animal embalming workshops, as well as two tombs, on May 27, 2023. The head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, told reporters the embalming workshops, where humans and animals were mummified, "date back to the 30th dynasty" which reigned around 2,400 years ago. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

CT scans reveal mysteries of ancient Egypt's 'Screaming Woman' mummy

Al-Monitor interviewed Cairo University radiology professor Sahar Saleem on her high-tech research into this unique mummy.

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

Hamas rejects 'new' Gaza truce conditions as Biden says deal closer than ever

Agence France-Presse

Asawar Mustafa fled the deadly violence of the war raging in her home country of Sudan, eventually arriving in Libya where she became a car mechanic

'I wanted the job': Sudanese woman defies Libya patriarchy as mechanic

Agence France-Presse

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Rashid Meredov, Turkmenistan foreign minister, at Cankaya Presidential Palace on Aug. 13, 2024.

Analysis

Turkey, Turkmenistan inch closer to sending natural gas to Europe

As the diplomatic traffic between Ankara and Ashgabat speeds up, so does the prospect for plans to import Turkmen gas to Europe, according to experts.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

A child affected by monkeypox sits on his father's legs while receiving treatment in the Central African Republic on October 18, 2018.

Egypt ups precautions as WHO declares mpox emergency

An outbreak of mpox, also known as monkeypox, in parts of Africa, is forcing Egypt to take early precautions.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) walks with France's Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Stephane Sejourne ahead of their meeting in Beirut on August 15, 2024, amid regional tensions during the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

French FM to visit Israel after Lebanon amid efforts to thwart all-out war

After meeting with Lebanese leaders in Beirut, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne continues on to Israel in a bid to prevent the outbreak of a regional war.

A man checks apples at a market in Ashkelon on Jan. 8, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the nearby Gaza Strip.

Israel's vegetable prices soar as Turkey, Jordan ties strain: What we know

On May 2, the Turkish Trade Ministry suspended all trade with Israel “until humanitarian aid is allowed into the Gaza Strip without restrictions.”

Gantry cranes are seen behind signage for ports operator DP World at an entrance to the Port Botany compound in Sydney on Nov. 13, 2023.

UAE port operator DP World's profits fall 60% amid Yemen's Houthi Red Sea attacks

The Dubai-based logistics firm reported $265 million in profit for the first half of 2024 ending June 30, down from $651 million the same time last year.

United Arab Emirates

LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran says IRGC member killed in coalition strike in Syria

Iranian news outlets blamed the IRGC member’s death on “coalition forces,” but did not offer further details.

Jewish worshippers pray at Joseph's Tomb as hundreds of faithful mark the anniversary of the biblical Joseph's death, Nablus, West Bank, July 4, 2011.

Hundreds of Israeli pilgrims pray at Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus

Joseph's Tomb in Nablus has often been the site of violent conflicts between Palestinians and Israelis.

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati (R) meets with France's Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne in Beirut

French foreign minister says Gaza truce 'necessary' for regional peace

Agence France-Presse

Abbas heads the Fatah Palestinian movement, a rival to Hamas

Abbas tells Turkish parliament he will go to Gaza

Agence France-Presse

OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Pessimism prevails as Gaza cease-fire talks resume in Doha

Negotiators are meeting in Doha for what the Biden administration has described as “final stage” Gaza cease-fire talks. But with Hamas refusing to participate and Israel driving a hard bargain, is there any reason for optimism?

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

A young Palestinian who works with his father at the morgue at the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza stands next to the bodies of people killed in the fighting who have yet to be identified

40,000 and counting: the struggle to keep track of Gaza deaths

Agence France-Presse

Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, displaced Palestinians return to Bani Suhayla and neighboring towns east of Khan Younis following reports of Israeli forces withdrawing from the area in the southern Gaza, July 30, 2024.

Gaza cease-fire talks begin in Doha without Hamas

Israeli, American, Egyptian and Qatari representatives are meeting Thursday for another push to finalize a deal to halt the Hamas-Israel war.