Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa forms cmte., monitor Palestinian groups

US President Donald Trump embarked on a "historic" Middle East tour, focusing on urgent diplomacy regarding Gaza and Iran, alongside significant business deals, with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. Amidst the backdrop of the Gaza war, a US-Israeli hostage was released just before his departure, and Trump expressed hopes for further progress in negotiations, including a potential summit concerning the Ukraine war. The trip underscores the Gulf states' geopolitical importance and Trump's...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President Donald Trump regarding the imminent release of Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander from Gaza. Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Trump's assistance and indicated that negotiations would resume in Doha, emphasizing that these discussions would occur "under fire." Trump described Hamas' commitment to release Alexander as a "step taken in good faith," potentially paving the way for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid access, and signaling his ongoing support for Israel...

Israel has requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to dismiss arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, arguing they are invalid while the court reassesses its jurisdiction. The ICC previously found "reasonable grounds" for war crimes related to the Gaza conflict, prompting significant backlash from Israel and its allies. Israel contends that maintaining the warrants during the jurisdictional review violates fundamental human rights and undermines the court's legitimacy. Full...

Saada Arbane, a 31-year-old woman who lost her voice during the Algerian civil war, is suing author Kamel Daoud for allegedly plagiarizing her life in his novel "Houris," which features a character whose throat is slit by an Islamist. Arbane claims the book closely mirrors her personal experiences shared in therapy sessions with Daoud's wife, Aicha Dahdouh, leading to feelings of betrayal and violation of her privacy. Daoud denies the allegations, asserting the story is...

On Monday, hundreds of Palestinian Red Crescent staff protested in Ramallah against the deaths of medical workers in Gaza during the ongoing conflict, marking World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. The Red Crescent reported that 48 of their staff have been killed since October 7, 2023, including 30 while on duty, alongside a total of about 1,400 humanitarian workers lost in Gaza. The demonstration featured symbolic white shrouds for the deceased and called for...

SummaryAzerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone call to discuss enhancing their strategic cooperation and addressing regional security challenges. They reviewed the progress of their partnership and explored opportunities for collaboration across political, economic, trade, energy, and tourism sectors, while also exchanging views on regional and international security. Both ministers expressed satisfaction with their growing partnership and reiterated mutual support on international platforms, addressing various...