Trending Middle East

Syrians in the city of Deraa, where the 2011 uprising began, celebrated after a court sentenced Bashar Al Assad to death in absentia. Damascus also sentences his brother Maher, security official Atif Najib and other officials on charges of murder and torture.

The Yemeni government says that six people have been killed in a Houthi missile attack on a cargo ship in the Red Sea. The Iran-backed group has also claimed an attack on a Saudi ship carrying military equipment.

In the Strait of Hormuz, shipping has fallen to just seven commodity vessels in a day, down from a 10-day average of about 12. Traffic had recovered in June as hopes of a US-Iran deal grew, but has fallen sharply since talks broke down.

Lebanon’s parliament has approved a law to abolish the death penalty, making it the first country in the Middle East to end capital punishment. The move formalises a moratorium that has been in place since 2004.

In the UAE, businesses including cafes, restaurants and hotels will soon have to start paying an annual fee to play copyrighted music. The Ministry of Economy said 10 per cent of the money collected will go to a fund that supports musicians.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

US President Donald Trump secretly switched planes in Turkey last month during the Nato summit after US intelligence identified a credible Iranian assassination threat, according to a new report by The Washington Post. The White House did not disclose the switch publicly, raising questions about transparency.

Sources have told The National that the Houthis are seeking to widen the Yemen conflict to take on a more powerful regional role in support of Iran and maximise leverage.

In Syria, the return of more than 400 Kurdish families to the country's north-east was marred by reports of attacks on their convoy. The process was part of an agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the state and facilitate the return of displaced residents.

Meanwhile, Lebanon and the World Bank have signed a $150 million loan deal to help modernise the country’s digital infrastructure and make government services easier to access.

And in the UAE, Indian visitors can now get free entry visas when visiting Abu Dhabi as part of the emirate's drive to encourage tourism.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans

US President Donald Trump said inflation in Iran is starting to force the hand of the country’s rulers, and he believes that could benefit the US. It comes as the US military blockade puts more pressure on Tehran.

In Yemen, three civilians were among seven people killed in the latest Houthi attack on Mokha port. The Iran-backed rebel group has also claimed an earlier drone attack on a Saudi Aramco refinery in Jazan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, has rejected a 15-point proposal to advance Mr Trump's Gaza peace plan. Speaking during a cabinet meeting, he said the Israeli military would not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed.

Syria and Russia have agreed to transform two Russian military bases into joint training and rehabilitation centres, marking a significant shift since the Assad government was toppled.

In Dublin, alleged crime boss Daniel Kinahan has appeared in an Irish court after being extradited from the UAE.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Houthi attacks injure 11 civilians in southern Saudi Arabia and kill dozens of government troops in Yemen, as Riyadh pledges to strengthen security co-operation with regional allies.

We also examine Tehran’s push for sanctions relief in exchange for toll-free shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with Pakistan expressing hope that progress on maritime routes could pave the way for renewed US-Iran peace talks. We also look at a deadly bus explosion near Damascus.

And Dubai Customs foils a sophisticated attempt to smuggle 24-carat gold through the city's international airport, while the UAE introduces new excise tax rules for vape liquids that are to take effect next month.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah threatens a US-mediated framework aimed at ending the conflict in southern Lebanon, as Israeli strikes and forced displacement orders raise concerns over the future of negotiations.

We also look at growing hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with US, Iranian and regional mediators reporting progress on a proposed agreement. Oil prices fall below $80 a barrel as markets react to the prospect of easing supply disruptions, while gold climbs to a seven-week high.

And Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah is set to complete his move to Turkish side Trabzonspor, while Dubai unveils a $22 million project to transform its historic Creek into a major night-time destination.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, President Donald Trump says the US and Iran are holding “very good discussions” but warns Tehran it will face severe consequences if it walks away from a potential deal, while Iranian officials accuse Washington’s threats of slowing progress. We also examine a proposal for a new shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz as mediators from Qatar, Oman and Pakistan continue diplomatic efforts.

Pressure is also growing on Fifa president Gianni Infantino after Jordan’s football chief accused him of “blackmail” and several European associations withdrew support for his re-election.

And the UAE’s non-oil private sector expands at its fastest pace in four months, while Dubai’s population rebounds after declining during the height of the Iran war.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, US President Donald Trump says Iran is facing its "last chance" to reach a deal, while Tehran warns American forces would be at serious risk if Washington maintains its blockade of Iranian ports.

We also look at Qatar's diplomatic push to ease regional tensions through talks with Gulf leaders, while flights remain disrupted between the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait amid the instability in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, we take a look at Mubadala's commitment to invest $170 billion in the US across sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors and energy.

And the UAE is preparing for several days of rain, hail and strong winds, as authorities issue weather warnings. The National Centre of Meteorology says it has carried out 110 cloud-seeding operations so far this year.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, US President Donald Trump says new negotiations with Iran will begin after he halted a planned military strike.

Diplomacy is expected to focus first on reopening the Strait of Hormuz before addressing Tehran’s nuclear programme.

We also look at falling oil prices as markets react to renewed hopes for diplomacy.

We examine a magnitude-5.6 earthquake near Suez, Egypt that was felt across several countries in the eastern Mediterranean.

In this episode, we also find out more about the UAE becoming only the second country to approve a new daily pill to treat high cholesterol.

We explore Dubai reporting a 12 per cent drop in public transport journeys during the first half of the year, with the Iran war affecting tourism and commuting patterns across the emirate.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, US President Donald Trump announces that the Gaza Board of Peace has secured an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas.

We also look at Saudi Arabia’s proposal for a 43-country maritime coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea, Bab Al Mandeb strait and Gulf of Aden, amid escalating regional security threats.

Plus, European football's governing body Uefa threatens to boycott Fifa competitions over plans to sell stakes in its tournaments to private investors.

Meanwhile, the UAE abolishes 15 business fees as part of financial market reforms and Abu Dhabi announces new supermarket rules to move unhealthy food away from entrances, checkouts and other prominent areas from the start of next year.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the US launches a new wave of strikes across Iran after attacks on its military bases in the region.

We examine the aftermath of joint US-Saudi strikes in Iraq, as Iran-backed groups threaten retaliation.

We also look at a fire at Egypt’s Damietta gas terminal, where two vessels were damaged and authorities are investigating the cause, and a US-Saudi consortium’s plans for a $5 billion oil refinery and export base in the Gulf.

And the UAE launches an Dh11.5 million Water Aid campaign to expand access to drinking water and shaded areas for outdoor workers during the summer.

Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.