Trending Middle East

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.

UAE accuses Sudan of false claims and markets react to Trump tariff pause

The UAE has accused Sudan’s army of lodging false allegations at the International Court of Justice. Stocks in Asia posted the biggest jump in two years after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on some of the drastic tariffs he put in place earlier this month. French President Emmanuel Macron has said his country plans to recognise a Palestinian state within months.

 

UAE accuses Sudan army of exploiting World Court to 'distract from own atrocities'

 

UAE says Sudan army's ICJ application is 'cynical publicity stunt'

 

Asian and European stocks join US relief rally after Trump tariff pause

 

Emmanuel Macron says France could recognise Palestinian state in June

 

This episode features Vanessa Ghanem, Arab Affairs Editor; and Sarmad Khan, Company & Markets Editor.

Iraq sets election date and US-Russia embassy talks take place

Iraq has set the date for national parliamentary elections this year. The US and Russia are meeting in Istanbul for embassy talks. The number of millionaires living in Dubai has doubled in the past decade, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing wealth hubs.

 

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

 

Iraq to hold parliamentary elections on November 11

 

US and Russian officials to meet for second round of embassy talks in Istanbul

 

A UK tax rate of 67% makes Dubai move the obvious choice for the non-domiciled

 

This episode features Sinan Mahmoud, Iraq Correspondent; Lizzie Porter, Turkey Correspondent, and Tariq Tahir, Senior Investigations Correspondent.

Iran and US to engage in nuclear talks, as Trump and Netanyahu discuss hostage hopes

Iran says it is set to engage in indirect talks with the US over the possibility of a nuclear deal. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said new negotiations were under way that are intended to secure the release of more hostages from Gaza. The US military campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels is likely to become more intense.

 

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

 

Oman steps in again to mediate between US and Iran

 

Timeline: Diplomacy and confrontation over Iran's nuclear programme

 

Trump-Netanyahu meeting shows Israel at mercy of US whims

 

US campaign against Houthis about to get worse, Hegseth says

 

This episode features Mohamad Ali Harisi, foreign editor, Aveen Karim, assistant foreign editor, and Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent.

Decline in global market continues, and France condemns Gaza displacement

The global stock market rout deepened on Monday as it reacted to US President Donald Trump’s new blanket tariffs. France is “strongly opposed” to any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Iran-backed factions in Iraq could be ready to disarm ahead of potential nuclear talks between Iran and the US.

 

On this episode of Trending Middle East:

 

Middle East markets tumble after sharp fall in Asia amid tariff chaos

 

Oil sinks as Saudi Arabia slashes prices ahead of Opec+ output boost

 

Egypt and France elevate ties to strategic partnership during Macron visit to Cairo

 

Iran-backed factions in Iraq discuss future roles amid pressure to disarm

 

This episode features Shweta Jain, Assistant Business Editor; and Kamal Tabikha, Foreign Correspondent.