Iraq holds its first census in nearly 40 years

Members of Syria's small Christian community in Latakia are living in fear following attacks that killed over 1,000 mostly Alawite civilians. Christians report feeling unprotected and targeted in the violence, with many considering migration as their only option. Despite efforts to reassure minorities, such as Christians, the ongoing conflict and uncertainty about the future continue to instill deep fears and anxiety among residents. Full Article

The UAE GDP grew by 3.8% in the first nine months of 2024, reaching AED 1.322 trillion, driven by non-oil sector expansion. Efforts towards economic diversification have led to a surge in industries like transport, construction, finance, and hospitality, contributing to the overall growth and positioning the UAE as a global economic hub with a goal to increase GDP to AED 3 trillion in the next decade. The country's strategic initiatives, robust financial policies, and...

Under President Trump's plan, the United States would govern Gaza and expel its residents, while the Arab plan suggests Palestinian technocrats run the territory within a wider Palestinian state. Various Israeli proposals range from ceding control to blocking Palestinian statehood or occupying the entire territory. Despite numerous postwar proposals, Israel and Hamas remain at an impasse over Gaza's future, raising the risk of renewed conflict as negotiations continue with Egypt, Qatar, and the United States...

Immigration officers arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of protests at Columbia University against Israel's war in Gaza, following President Trump's deportation threat to foreign pro-Palestinian student demonstrators. Khalil, a prominent figure in the protest movement, was detained for his activities aligned with Hamas, prompting DHS action in support of Trump's anti-Semitism executive orders. Columbia University faced scrutiny for reports of ICE accessing campus buildings, leading to a $400 million federal grant cut for allegedly failing...

Israel's energy minister announced the immediate cutoff of electricity to Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas during cease-fire talks, aiming to secure the release of hostages and prevent Hamas from remaining in power. Despite existing restrictions on electricity supply to Gaza, the decision led to the disconnection of a wastewater treatment plant previously operating on Israeli power. Negotiations are ongoing in Qatar with U.S. officials involved, as Israel and Hamas work towards a comprehensive...

Syrian security forces fired gunshots in the air to disperse rival protests in response to clashes between pro-government demonstrators and those mourning dead civilians after reported mass killings of Alawites. Activists had organized a silent protest in Damascus to mourn the victims, resulting in confrontations with counter-protesters chanting anti-Alawite slogans. The violence escalated, with hundreds killed in attacks targeting the Alawite minority, clashes between security forces and pro-Assad fighters, and the fiercest violence since rebels...