Trending Middle East

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.

Middle East markets slump and conflict continues in Sudan

The US and the Middle East are bracing for another week of uncertainty after US President Donald Trump's new tariffs took effect.

 

Conflict in Sudan is threatening to move the civil war to Sudan’s previously unscathed north.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called Israel’s detention of two UK Members of Parliament “unacceptable”.

 

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

 

Power cuts in Khartoum and northern Sudan after attack on hydroelectric dam

 

Israel's detention of two British MPs 'unacceptable', London says

 

Middle East stocks sink to lowest level since 2020 on back of Trump tariffs and oil drag

 

This episode features Hamza Hendawi, Foreign Correspondent.

Israel's new Gaza corridor and Hungary's ICC exit

Hundreds of thousands of Gazans are seeking shelter after one of the biggest mass displacements of the war. Hungary is leaving the International Criminal Court. Gulf Co-operation Council countries were largely spared from US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday.

 

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

 

Israel plans new corridor to break up southern Gaza

 

Hungary to withdraw from International Criminal Court as Netanyahu visits

 

What is the ICC? International Criminal Court at heart of Israel-Gaza showdown

 

Gulf economies avoid harshest Trump tariffs but do not escape unscathed

 

Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs explained

 

This episode features Thomas Helm, reporting from Jerusalem.

Israel expands Gaza offensive, and Iran's nuclear capacity

Israel is expanding its operations in Gaza. Iran has warned that any attack by the US or its allies could push Tehran to pursue nuclear weapons. The US is sending more forces to the Middle East.

 

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

 

Israeli defence minister warns 'large areas' will be seized as Gaza offensive expands

Iran talks nukes, but how close is it to building one?

US to send second aircraft carrier strike group to Middle East

Houthis claim US warship attacked in retaliation for strikes on Yemen that killed four

 

This episode features Foreign Editor Mohamad Ali Harisi.

Israel bombs Beirut, and Trump to visit Gulf countries

Israel said it bombed the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump expects the first overseas trip of his second term in office to include visits to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. The US says Syria’s new government is a step in the right direction, but it might not be enough for sanctions to be lifted.

 

This episode features senior US correspondents Jihan Abdalla and Willy Lowry, and Jamie Prentis, reporting from Beirut.

Iran responds to US threats and Israel orders evictions

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of “firm retaliation” for any agression from the US. After performing Eid prayer on Monday, thousands of Egyptians gathered outside major mosques and worship places to protest against the US plan to displace Gazans. The Israeli military issued eviction orders covering most of Rafah.

This episode features Aveen Karim, Assistant Foreign Editor.

Syria forms new government and Israel-Lebanon tensions flare

Syria has formed a new government. The US has launched a new offensive on the Houthi rebels in Yemen, but experts have told The National that it is not an effective strategy. And tensions have flared between Israel and Lebanon after Beirut was bombed at the weekend.

 

 

This episode features Nada Atallah, reporting from Damascus, and Mina Aldroubi, reporting from Abu Dhabi.

Several dead in US strikes on Yemen and submarine sinks off Egypt

US strikes on Yemeni capital Sanaa have killed two people and injured two others. A tourist submarine has sunk off the coast of Egypt Red Sea city of Hurghada. A notorious Kurdish gangster has fled Turkey to avoid extradition on drug-trafficking charges he’s facing in Sweden.

 

 

This episode features The National's Mina Aldroubi and Tariq Taher.