What's behind rare intra-Palestinian clashes in West Bank The rare clash between the Palestinian Authority and local Palestinians came amid increased Israeli security raids in the territory. Palestine
Lebanon: arrest of standup comedian Nour Hajjar sparks fears despite release Beirut already undergoing economic and political paralysis, was struck this week by arrest of a standup comic who joked about Lebanon's army and offended religious figures five years ago. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Saudi sovereign wealth fund invests in US mixed martial arts league The new area of sports investment follows major Saudi investments in golf and soccer. Gulf
UAE’s non-oil trade hits record $340B in first half of 2023 Trade is set to increase after the BRICS bloc of major developing economies announced last week that the United Arab Emirates was among the list of countries invited to join the group. United Arab Emirates
Israeli rabbi, convicted sex offender, asks Ukraine to lift visa ban The notorious Rabbi Eliezer Berland, convicted in Israel of sex offenses, is trying to get Ukrainian authorities to lift a three-year travel ban and allow himself and his followers to perform their traditional pilgrimage to Uman. Israel
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran give BRICS economic boost, but won’t rival US leadership Tangible economic benefits may be some distance away, experts say, but the symbolic benefit is joining an alliance separate from, or opposed to, Western interests. Iran
Israel’s Netanyahu thanks Saudi Arabia for plane landing amid normalization push A plane carrying Israelis made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The United States has been pushing for normalization between the two countries, but the kingdom remains publicly committed to Palestinian statehood as a pre-condition. Israel
US naval diplomacy reaches Turkey in latest sign of rapprochement The US Navy's largest aircraft carrier arrived in Antalya several days before President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin in Sochi. Turkey
Sudan’s Burhan heads to Egypt amid ongoing conflict The Egypt-Sudan relationship is politically and economically important for both countries, and the visit is Burhan’s first since fighting began in Sudan in April. Egypt
Raisi says revival of nuclear deal not Iran's priority Talks to restore the 2015 accord have been in a state of impasse for 18 months, as both Iran and the United States appear to be increasingly reluctant for a breakthrough. Iran
Republican says Congress 'kept in dark' as Iran envoy saga develops Congressional Republicans are furious after the Tehran Times published a letter purportedly from the State Department discussing the suspension of Malley’s security clearance. Iran
Egypt to drill 35 gas wells by 2025 as BP invests The energy giant pledged $3.5 billion in investment into gas exploration in Egypt over the next three years. Egypt
