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
The EU, headed by France and Germany, could replace US on Mideast With US President Donald Trump largely working solo on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the EU is preparing its own initiative, which might be launched next fall. Israel
Turkey, EU can't seem to walk away from each other The fact that Turkey sits on the most strategic real estate in the world ensures that the EU can’t put its ties with Ankara at risk, regardless of objections to Turkey's politics. Turkey
New clashes likely between Turkey, Europe Controversy follows Turkey's president wherever he goes. Next stop: Europe. Turkey
What are European Union’s plans if Trump fails on Mideast peace? If US President Donald Trump fails to advance his Middle East conference initiative, the European Union will advance its own initiative for a third Paris conference. Palestine
Turkey's diplomatic relations with Europe take a nosedive Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is fast ending the European dream following a weekend of serious disputes with the Dutch government over a pro-referendum rally in Rotterdam by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Turkey
The real reason behind thaw in EU-Egypt tensions Throughout 2016, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hosted high-level delegations from at least 17 European states including Germany, France and Britain, reflecting a notable improvement in Egyptian-European relations. Egypt
What EU shift in financial support policy means for Gaza The European Union contribution of 30 million euros to pay the salaries of Palestinian Authority civil servants in the Gaza Strip will be used to support families in need, which has angered Palestinians. Palestine
The EU giveth, Israel taketh away in West Bank The European Union keeps funding projects in the West Bank's Area C, and Israel keeps demolishing them. Palestine
Controversy flares over opening of EU office in Iran Iran's Foreign Ministry has sparked confusion in sending mixed signals about the government's position on opening an EU office in Tehran. Iran
