Israel Continues Military Offensive in Rafah After ICJ Order

President Trump will welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House to discuss negotiations for a cease-fire with Hamas, Iran's nuclear ambitions, arms shipments, and potential normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia. Despite their close ties, they may disagree on confronting Iran and ending the war in Gaza. Trump wants to see all hostages released and a grand bargain with Saudi Arabia, while Netanyahu may seek to delay moving to a permanent cease-fire....

In 2024, Dubai South attracted 415 new companies, retaining 94% of existing ones, bringing the total operating companies to 4,044. Significant achievements included 500,000 sq ft of office space leased, completion of Phase 1 of The Pulse Beachfront, and the opening of GEMS Founders School. The Logistics District celebrated milestones, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub signed agreements with prominent aviation players, reinforcing Dubai South's pivotal role in supporting economic diversification and future growth...

Percussionist Bahjat Antaki performed with Syria's national symphony orchestra at the Damascus opera house, marking the first classical concert since President Bashar al-Assad's ouster. The concert aimed to showcase the resilience of Syria's arts community amidst years of war, with works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Syrian composers. Despite concerns about the future under Islamist leadership, attendees expressed hope for a brighter future and a return to the Syria they love. Full Article

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New intelligence indicates that Iran may be pursuing a faster route to developing an atomic weapon, despite signals of negotiation from Iran's new president. The intelligence was collected during the Biden administration and relayed to Trump's national security team, warning of Iran's potential to turn their nuclear fuel stockpile into a weapon within months. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to discuss this evidence with Trump, as Iran remains at the nuclear threshold and continues...

A car bomb in Manbij, Syria killed 15 agricultural workers, with no claims of responsibility. The city has seen ongoing violence between US-backed and Turkish-backed groups since December. The attack highlights the challenges facing new interim president Ahmed al-Shara in creating a unified transitional government amidst continued violence and resistance from armed factions. Full Article