Chipotle opens restaurant in Kuwait, its first in Middle East The Mexican-style food chain’s entry into the Middle East comes as Western brands in the region deal with the effects of Gaza war-related boycotts. Kuwait
Azerbaijan detains Iranian boat for alleged drug smuggling The incident has added to tense ties between Iran and Azerbaijan, in part due to the Baku’s ties to Israel and Tehran's support to Armenia. Iran
New attacks near US bases in Iraq, Syria threaten uneasy detente The Pentagon seemed to downplay the first new attacks on US troops in Syria and Iraq since February, as Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah militia distanced itself from responsibility. Iraq
Blinken hints at US move to restrict aid to Israeli military unit The United States is expected to invoke a decades-old law to restrict military assistance to Netzah Yehuda, an Israeli military unit accused of gross human rights violations. Israel
Pentagon confirms talks to withdraw US troops from Niger Washington failed to reach a compromise with junta leaders in Niamey, as Russia continues to make gains across the Sahel. North Africa
9% spike in Mideast military spending driven by Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey Military spending in the region increased by its largest percentage in a decade, in part due to the Gaza war, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Saudi Arabia
Oman LNG deal spree continues with France's TotalEnergies The French energy major is also working on the Marsa project in Oman, which it claims is the first LNG bunkering hub in the Middle East. Oman
Dubai's record rainfall spotlights Gulf’s troubled relation with water The Gulf’s longterm love–hate relationship with water lies behind a year and a half's worth of rain that fell on Dubai in 24 hours. It includes climate change-induced shifting rainfall patterns, groundwater extractions and unsustainable consumption. United Arab Emirates
Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah denies resuming attacks on US bases Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah denied on Monday it had resumed attacks on US bases after two apparent barrages threatened to break a fragile detente that had held since February. Iraq
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