Why did Saudi soccer league suspend Cristiano Ronaldo? Ronaldo’s time in Riyadh has been successful, but the Saudi Pro League is facing some challenges after luring many star players to the kingdom in 2023. Gulf
Qatar to pump nearly $11B into French start-ups, funds until 2030 The new investments will target key areas, including the aerospace, energy, semiconductor, artificial intelligence, digital, health, hospitality and cultural sectors. Qatar
Turkey receives US draft letter approving F-16 sale The submission of the acceptance and offer letters marks a new turn in the Turkish bid, which has been pending since 2021. Turkey
Iran’s Raisi to make first visit to Algeria in 14 years as Africa ties grow Algeria has maintained friendly ties with Iran as Tehran faces growing Western isolation. Iran
Meet Farah Dakhlallah, NATO's first spokesperson of Arab descent A British-Lebanese citizen, Dakhlallah will make history this Friday as NATO's first spokesperson from the region, which could boost the alliance's outreach to the Arab-speaking world. Lebanon
Turkish strike kills 3 members of Kurdish-allied Christian force in northeast Syria Wednesday's drone strikes are in line with Turkey’s ongoing campaign to degrade and destroy the SDF and the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in northeast Syria. Turkey
Analysis US Navy faces down Houthi attacks as Washington signals open-ended effort Saudi Arabia has restricted the US military from launching strikes in Yemen via Saudi airspace, leaving an aging US Navy aircraft carrier to shoulder the campaign in the Red Sea. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
New Egyptian company to raise expat funds gets $100m seed investment The project is designed to bring in much-needed foreign currency into the North African country, which is going through its worst economic crisis in more than half a century. Egypt
Lavrov to visit Turkey as Erdogan seeks new Black Sea mechanism with Russia The Turkish president unveiled the efforts to set up a new safety regulation ahead of the top Russian diplomat’s visit. Turkey
