Feature Trump's aid freeze forces war-battered Syrian hospitals to halt services As Syria emerges from its grueling civil war, the doctors who survived the regime’s deliberate bombardment of medical facilities are confronting a new threat: the suspension of American aid. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis US aid freeze threatens Sudan’s lifeline as USAID support hangs in balance As the Trump administration dissolves the US' largest aid agency, Sudan, embroiled in conflict and a humanitarian crisis, could soon suffer the consequences. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Tens of thousands flee Jabalia after Israel sends more troops to northern Gaza The Israeli military's push into northern Gaza has killed at least 770 Palestinians, according to Gaza's government office, and has caused tens of thousands to flee the Jabalia area. Palestine
Lebanon evacuates Beirut hospital as Israeli strikes expand Lebanon on Monday evacuated its Sahel Hospital after the Israeli military alleged that Hezbollah stores cash and gold amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in a bunker beneath it. Lebanon
Hospital-acquired infection kills 15 infants in Tunisia Outrage flared in Tunisia when 15 infants died at a state-run hospital after they were given formula later found to contain bacteria. Tunisia
Veganism wins hearts, minds in meat-loving Istanbul Vegan shops are springing up across Istanbul, and many curious Turks are learning to make revamp their traditional meat, egg and dairy-based dishes. Turkey
Israel’s cannabis revolution Israel has authorized the sale of medical cannibas in pharmacies and is experimenting with fines and community service in lieu of jail time for recreational users. Israel
Patients left without medicine amid Turkey’s economic woes Turkey's economic turmoil, coupled with restrictive government regulations, has led pharmaceutical companies to curb supplies, with 20% of patients returning empty-handed from drugstores, according to sector representatives. Turkey
Are Metro suicides sign that Egyptians are losing hope? A spate of metro suicides in Egypt has been a wake-up call for the authorities, alerting them to the growing discontent in the country. Egypt
Children no longer need to leave Gaza for cancer treatment Cancer patients welcome a new cancer ward in Gaza and hope it will ease the travel pains of hundreds of Palestinian child patients and their families. Palestine
Tunisian documentary smashes taboos with gay love story Nasreddine Shili’s hyperreal documentary takes a tender look at homosexuality, poverty and drug use in Tunis slums. Tunisia
Humor helps Egyptians let off steam during potato crisis Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's comments about youth obesity and a potato shortage at a recent youth conference have unleashed a wave of sarcasm on social media, giving disaffected Egyptians an opportunity to vent their frustration with the rising cost of living. Egypt
IDF commander seeks help for traumatized soldiers A veteran Israeli commander is helping raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder and raise money to allow some of his former soldiers to obtain treatment for the PTSD they suffer as a result of the 2014 war in Gaza. Palestine
US warns Lebanon that Hezbollah Cabinet pick would cross ‘red line’ The Trump administration might take limited measures that are not likely to alter the fundamentals of US policy in Lebanon should Hezbollah get the Health Ministry in the new Cabinet formation. Lebanon
Medicine shortages leaving Turks desperate for help Patients who depend on pharmaceutical imports for the treatment of cancer and other chronic illnesses suffer as the government fails to reach a price agreement with suppliers. Turkey
Israeli and Palestinian civil defense teams join hands to save lives The Israeli and Palestinian civil defense agencies have more regularly been conducting joint first-responder exercises for handling traffic accidents after a horrendous collision on the West Bank last October, and they also cooperate in exercises to develop regional responses to natural disasters. Palestine
