Middle East crises loom in background as NATO leaders gather in Washington While this year's summit is expected to focus largely on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran's military support for Russia and Turkey's strategic balancing act with Moscow are expected to weigh on NATO leaders gathered in Washington. Washington Pulse
US, Israel hold second virtual meeting on Rafah Biden administration officials have denied offering to green-light an Israeli invasion of Rafah if Israel holds off on retaliating against Iran. Washington Pulse
One year on Sudan’s war: 14,700 killed, 8.6M displaced, 4.9M face starvation As the war in Sudan enters its second year, the humanitarian situation is worsening by the day with no prospects of an imminent end of the hostilities. North Africa Pulse
State Department staffer resigns over Biden's handling of Gaza Annelle Sheline is the second State Department official to publicly resign since Oct. 7, citing the erosion of US credibility on human rights in the Middle East as a result of the war. Washington Pulse
Saudi Arabia warns of ‘oil spot’ near aging tanker off Yemen's coast UN officials have described the FSO Safer, an aging vessel that contains 1.14 million barrels of light crude oil, as a ticking time bomb. Saudi Arabia
US Senator grills State Department official on potential F-35 sale to UAE Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Robert Menendez said the possible sale of the advanced fighter jet to the United Arab Emirates could undermine Israel's military superiority in the region. Originals
Intel: US push to get Sudan to recognize Israel faces setback Sudan's government is asking for $3 billion in emergency economic aid Israel
Saudi Arabia to allow limited umrah pilgrimage beginning Oct. 4 After a seven-month suspension, Saudi Arabia will allow Muslim pilgrims to perform umrah in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Russia to pursue military cooperation with Iran once arms embargo expires Iran's foreign minister, who mocked US efforts to renew the embargo, is headed to Moscow Thursday. Russia
Saudis ready for kingdom’s first women’s soccer league Saudi female soccer players are eagerly waiting for Saudi Arabia’s first women’s soccer league to be launched in October, after being delayed for months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Libya to resume oil production at facilities without militia, Wagner fighters Tripoli's parliament says it is not on board with a deal struck with with Hifter's son in Russia last week. Libya
UAE-Israel film collaboration latest in surge of normalization deals On the heels of last week's normalization agreement, the new film deal joins a growing list of collaboration efforts between the partners. Originals
Trump awards rare honor to emir of Kuwait At press briefing after meeting a Kuwaiti delegation, US President Donald Trump said that "seven or eight countries" may be in line for normalization with Israel. Originals
Qatar Airways resumes Amman flights Jordan reopened its airport to international flights this month after delays related to COVID-19. Originals
'Cuties' spurs calls by Egyptian authorities to censor Netflix There have been increasing calls in Egypt to censor certain Netflix content, while art critics believe it would be difficult to censor the work of the global network. Egypt
Israeli and Emirati diamond exchanges sign 'collaboration agreement' Diamond exchanges in Israel and the UAE plan to open offices in each other's countries following the signing of the Abraham Accords this week. Originals