Trending Middle East

Israel is on the offensive in a move it claims it made on behalf of the Druze in Syria. The UAE says it has thwarted a plot to smuggle weapons and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces, which is fighting a bloody civil war against paramilitaries. It’s been just over 100 days of an unprecedented Israeli invasion of Jenin’s refugee camp in the West Bank.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

Israel carried out warning strike on 'extremists' preparing to attack Druze in Syria, Netanyahu says

Palestinian Authority shake-up faces widespread disdain in West Bank

This episode features Hadya Al Alawi, assistant foreign editor; Ali Al Shouk, senior news reporter; and Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent.

Tension flared in Damascus after the latest in a string of attacks on minority groups. The UN accused both Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing widespread atrocities against civilians. The UAE has launched a major humanitarian project serving sub-Saharan Africa over the next five years.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

UAE pledges $125m in drive to prevent 300,000 childbirth deaths in Africa

UN experts' report accuses Sudan’s warring parties of atrocities against civilians

At least 12 killed in militant attack on Druze suburb of Damascus

This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent; Vanessa Ghanem, Arab Affairs Editor; and Sarah Forster, National Editor.

The International Court of Justice is hearing a case against Israel this week. Israel's military struck Beirut’s southern suburbs at the weekend. Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara has rejected a Kurdish call for federalism in a post-Assad government.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

ICJ hears Israel using starvation as weapon in Gaza crisis

Israel strikes Beirut for third time since ceasefire

Al Shara rejects Kurdish demands for federalism in Syria

This episode features Jamie Prentis, Beirut correspondent, Sunniva Rose, Europe correspondent, and Aveen Karim, assistant foreign editor.

Trump: free passage through the Suez Canal for American ships. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed a close aide as the first Deputy President of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. US and Iranian officials are scheduled to meet next week for a fourth round of nuclear talks.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

Egyptians reject Trump's demand for free Suez Canal passage

Palestinian President Abbas appoints aide as deputy and potential successor

US and Iran agree to meet next week for fourth round of nuclear talks

Death toll reaches 28 as fires burn after blast at Iran's Bandar Abbas port

This episode features Kamal Tabikha, Cairo Correspondent; and Nada AlTaher, Senior Foreign Reporter.

Hamas and Israeli negotiators are engaged in what have been called “serious” talks in Cairo on a potential ceasefire in Gaza. Tension is flaring between India and Pakistan; India has now suspended visa services to Pakistanis with immediate effect. The Lebanese parliament has approved a law aimed at removing banking secrecy in the country.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

Lebanese parliament approves law lifting banking secrecy

India revokes visas for Pakistanis in major escalation after terror killings

No shots, no shield: Israeli blockade leaves Gaza's children defenceless against polio

This episode features Hadya Al Alawi, Assistant Foreign Editor; and Jamie Prentis, Beirut Correspondent.

Jordanian authorities have banned the Muslim Brotherhood a week after members of the group were accused of being involved in an armed plot against the state.

An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude struck Istanbul on Wednesday.

The UAE is renewing calls for the protection of emergency workers in Gaza, after its field hospital in the strip sustained damage from Israeli attacks.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Jordan bans activities of Muslim Brotherhood and closes offices, says interior minister

Turkey earthquake: Magnitude-6.2 tremor hits Istanbul

UAE field hospital in Gaza hit by bomb shrapnel

This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent; Lizzie Porter, Turkey Correspondent; and Ali Al Shouk, Senior News Reporter.

foreign courts in relation to the country’s largest financial scandal. The Israeli military launched a drone strike on Lebanon, a rare attack outside the country’s south since a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect in November. Iran will offer major opportunities for foreign companies if Washington and Tehran secure a deal on the country’s nuclear programme and wide-ranging sanctions are lifted.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Lebanon could seek $1bn in damages in foreign courts over country’s largest financial scandal

Israeli strike on Lebanon kills senior Islamic Group official

Iran holds 'significant potential' for foreign firms if nuclear deal struck, business leaders say

This episode features Nada Maucourant Atallah, foreign correspondent, and Lizzie Porter, Turkey correspondent.

Pope Francis has died at his residence in the Vatican. US air strikes on Sanaa killed at least 12 people and wounded 30 overnight into Monday. Adnoc has signed new supply agreements with Chinese companies.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

The lasting legacy of Pope Francis in the Middle East

President Sheikh Mohamed pays tribute after death of Pope Francis

US air strikes on Sanaa kill at least 12, Yemen's Houthis say

Adnoc signs UAE's largest LNG supply agreement with China

This episode features The National's Editor-in-Chief, Mina Al-Oraibi.

Iraq is finally crossing the bridge from violence to influence, the country’s top UN official has said. EU officials are working to combat rising anti-Muslim sentiment, a senior anti-discrimination official told The National. The UAE has gathered the genetic data of more than 800,000 Emiratis in a major advance in diagnosing conditions at an early stage.