Italy’s Meloni hosts Abbas amid EU Palestinian statehood push: What we know During his three-day visit to Italy, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Pope Leo XIV and is reportedly set to meet with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Palestine
Analysis UK chases elusive GCC trade deal that could boost exports, economic links A new charm offensive at Saudi Arabia's flagship investment conference has fueled optimism that a UK-GCC trade pact, under negotiation since 2022, could soon be completed. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Pentagon’s top general to visit Gaza monitoring center in Israel US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine is expected to head to Israel with plans to meet top US and allied military officials involved in postwar efforts to stabilize Gaza. Palestine
Culture From viral fame to fine craft: Dubai Chocolate finds new life in London Melt Chocolates in London hosts 80-minute workshops twice a week to teach participants how to make the popular sweet treat. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Turkish Cypriot polls: Winner not Ankara’s pick but can aid Turkey By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
How Iran's protests could impact foreign policy Critical comments from France and Germany about the Iranian protests could further accelerate the dismantling of the Iran nuclear deal. Israel
Can EU's fear of terrorists give Turkey clout in ocean drilling? Following his threats to flood Europe with Syrian refugees, the Turkish president is now trying to use Islamic State suspects as leverage. Syria
Palestinians await presidential decree to hold general elections The PA’s call for general elections seems to have gained traction in Palestine, especially with Hamas' approval for them to be held. Qatar
Egypt conducts joint drills with Greece, Cyprus amid Turkey tensions The naval forces of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus conducted joint military exercises in the Mediterranean amid tensions with Turkey over its drilling activities in the area. Egypt
Top Netanyahu donors’ West Bank winery seeks Trump’s help fighting EU The Psagot winery has hired a former US ambassador to the EU to lobby against “settlement” labeling regulations. Israel
Erdogan defies international outcry over Syria incursion Turkey has faced a barrage of recrimination for launching a military operation against Syrian Kurdish militants, but its president vows to maintain the “struggle for survival,” even as the death toll mounts and a humanitarian crisis looms. Syria
Is Turkey able to handle influx of Islamic State prisoners? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey can take custody of Islamic State prisoners at a time when every other country avoids the repatriation of their own citizens. But there are serious questions as to whether Turkey can handle the situation. Iraq
Is Erdogan resettlement plan for Syrian refugees really viable? The Turkish president's proposal to build refugee settlements in the safe zone has already revitalized the Turkish construction industry. Neither refugees nor the Kurds are pleased, and the international community has lashed out at the plan. Syria
SDF, coalition crack down on IS remnants in Syria US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces are dismantling Islamic State cells as the terrorist group still has a presence in northern and eastern Syria despite its declared defeat earlier this year. Iraq
Palestinian school to produce anti-corruption experts The Palestinian Anti-Corruption Academy plans to launch next year to train Palestinians with skills to curb corruption. Palestine
UN nuclear watchdog confirms Iran installing advanced centrifuges The IAEA has confirmed Iran’s third step of reducing its limitations on nuclear research and development under the JCPOA. Iran
Syrians ready to flee to Turkey as soon as border opens Syrians recently protested in Idlib, calling on Turkey to open a humanitarian corridor so they can escape the government shelling. Syria
