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
More bad news for Turkey's EU accession bid The European Union's most recent report on the state of Turkey's bid to join the bloc appears to confirm the view of many analysts that the current process is riddled with hypocrisy and is not beneficial to either party. Turkey
EU's critical report on Turkey draws criticism itself Turkey has an oddly mild reaction to a bruising report from the European Commission. Turkey
Erdogan vows to continue global manhunt for Gulen affiliates Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told supporters that his government will not stop pursuing those it claims are responsible for the 2016 failed coup attempt despite criticism and anger over unauthorized seizures of individuals and their forced repatriation to Turkey. Turkey
The EU’s plans to save Gaza European diplomats say that the European Union is now preparing a set of proposed moves to calm down tensions in the Gaza Strip and avoid a violent Palestinian outbreak at the end of President Mahmoud Abbas' era. Palestine
Does Israel need France more than France needs Israel? Meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu preferred to focus on common battles rather than preserving the nuclear deal with Iran, the main mission for Le Drian's visit. Israel
Latest Turkey-EU talks end with no progress The latest high-level attempt to normalize Turkish-EU ties has again failed to produce any results as both sides are steadfast in their demands. Turkey
Iran rejects French FM's call to curb missile program The French foreign minister seemingly failed to persuade Iranian officials to negotiate over their country’s missile program. Iran
Upcoming summit unlikely to restart Turkey’s EU progress For pragmatic considerations, the European Union could offer a new kind of partnership for Turkey to keep it tethered to Europe without making it a full member. Turkey
Europe starts preparing Mideast peace initiative The one-sided decision by the United States to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem in May opens the way for a European Mideast peace initiative. Palestine
Turkey wants to criminalize adultery Upon instructions from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Justice Ministry is working on new legislation outlawing adultery. Turkey
Europe wants Egypt to drop death penalty The European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the Egyptian government's use of the death penalty, but authorities seem unlikely to comply. Egypt
Will EU propose new Mideast initiative? The European Union hopes that minor additions to the Iran nuclear deal might pave the way for greater dialogue with the Trump administration on Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Palestine
