Trending Middle East

Years-long Gaza ceasefire is on the table, and Lebanon drops banking secrecy

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.

Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood and earthquake shakes Istanbul

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.

Lebanon seeks damages and Israel kills Islamic Group leader

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 dies and US strikes on Yemen intensify

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.

Iran-US talks hailed for progress, and opposition to Syria's Al Shara in Iraq

Talks between Iran and the US on Tehran's nuclear programme are gaining momentum. Iraqi politicians are trying to keep Syrian president Ahmed Al Shara from the Arab Summit next month. For a second year in a row, Christians in Gaza observed Easter Sunday in mourning.

 

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

 

'Unlikely is possible', says Oman as US-Iran nuclear talks progress in Rome

 

Iraqi MPs try to block Syria’s Al Shara from Arab Summit in Baghdad

 

Death and destruction overshadow joy of Easter in Gaza

 

This episode features Mina AlDroubi, Senior Foreign Reporter; and Sinan Mahmoud, Iraq Correspondent.

Iraq's path to recovery and high-tech medicine in the UAE

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.

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

 

Iraq finally crossed bridge from violence to influence, country’s top UN official says

 

EU anti-Muslim hatred official says states must combat online abuse

 

Personalised medicine a step closer as 800,000 Emiratis contribute to genome programme

 

This episode features Lizzie Porter and Chris Maxwell.

Framework for Iran nuclear talks and France-Algeria tensions

Talks between the US and Iran this week will create a framework to discuss Tehran's nuclear programme. Tensions between Algeria and France have flared up this week amid tit-for-tat diplomat expulsions. Egypt’s finance minister has presented an ambitious national budget to parliament, proposing record spending, tax increases and subsidy cuts.

 

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

 

US and Iran to ‘chart path forward' in second round of talks, American official says

 

Tension between Algeria and France flares up amid tit-for-tat expulsions

 

This episode features Aveen Karim, Sunniva Rose and Kamal Tabikha.

Jordan foils 'plot' against kingdom and Israeli medics refuse to serve

Jordan said on Tuesday it thwarted plots that threatened its national security, detaining 16 people on charges that included manufacturing and importing rockets illegally and the possession of explosives. Israeli medics are refusing to serve in Gaza. Judicial officials in Turkey have rejected an appeal seeking the release of former Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu pending the outcome of his corruption trial.

 

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

 

Jordan arrests 16 over drone and missile 'plot' against kingdom

 

Israeli medics refuse to serve in Gaza in anger over war aims

 

Turkish court rejects appeal seeking release of former Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu

 

This episode features Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent; and Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent.

Lebanon under US pressure and EU boosts aid to Palestine

Lebanese sources have told The National the government is under pressure from the US and other foreign officials to replace Hezbollah-linked security staff. The European Union is upping its financial aid to Palestine. A second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran will be held in Rome.

 

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

 

Lebanon under pressure from US and other foreign officials to replace Hezbollah-linked security staff

 

EU to boost financial support for Palestinian Authority for 'good governance'

 

Rome to host second round of US-Iran nuclear talks

 

This episode features Jamie Prentis, Beirut correspondent; and Sunniva Rose, correspondent.

Iran and US plan further talks, and Al Shara visits UAE

Iran and the US are set to hold a second round of nuclear deal talks next week. Syria's President Ahmad Al Shara visited the UAE on Sunday. Lebanon marks 50 years since the start of its civil war this week.

 

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

 

'Constructive' Iran-US talks in Oman draw regional optimism

 

Syrian leader Al Shara expected to visit UAE

 

Lebanon haunted by civil war’s aftermath, 50 years on

 

Lebanon’s civil war: The feud that never ended

 

This episode features Nada AlTaher, Senior Foreign Correspondent.