Trending Middle East

Messi crowned Fifa Player of the Year, Elon Musk reclaims world’s richest title — Trending

Trending Middle East brings you the latest social media and search trends from the region and around the world.

On today's episode, Nasa has set a new launch date for the SpaceX rocket carrying Emirati astronaut Dr Sultan Al Neyadi after Monday's blast-off was postponed. The Crew-6 mission from Cape Canaveral to the International Space Station is provisionally scheduled for launch at 9.34am UAE time on Thursday.

The UAE has requested a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the worsening violence in the occupied Palestinian territories. A UN diplomat told The National that the meeting will take place at 3pm in New York on Tuesday and will feature Norwegian diplomat Tor Wennesland, the UN special co-ordinator for the Middle East peace process.

Lionel Messi edges out Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe to be crowned Fifa Player of the Year 2022 as Argentina scoops all major men's awards after lifting the World Cup last December.

Elon Musk reclaims his place as the world's richest person after a rollercoaster few months that resulted in his wealth plummeting amid a sell-off of technology stocks and numerous controversies.

UAE space mission, Turkish authorities arrest 180 people — Trending

Trending Middle East brings you the latest social media and search trends from the region and around the world.
On today's episode, UAE astronaut Dr Sultan Al Neyadi is part of the Crew-6 flight scheduled to take off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on a mission to the International Space Station. Nasa and SpaceX have given the green light for the launch to go ahead at 10.45am UAE time, with the Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon capsule systems looking normal and the weather good.
Turkish authorities arrest 180 people amid a continuing inquiry into building collapses during the February 6 earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people. The majority of those arrested are contractors and building managers.
Scores of Israeli settlers go on a violent rampage in the northern part of the occupied West Bank on Sunday evening, setting dozens of cars and homes on fire after two settlers were killed by a Palestinian gunman.
CIA director William Burns says Iran's nuclear programme is advancing at a "worrisome pace" amid reports that the country has further enriched uranium.

Vice President launches UAE freight train operations, Kuwait ‘bread heroes’ — Trending

Trending Middle East brings you the latest social media and search trends from the region and around the world.

On today's episode, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, officially opens the UAE's freight train network during an event held at the main control and maintenance centre in Abu Dhabi’s Al Fayah region.

A Lebanese judge charges Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, his brother Raja and one of his assistants with money laundering, embezzlement and illicit enrichment.

Kuwait will begin its National Day celebrations on Saturday 25th, with a popular type of bread created by volunteers during the First Gulf War set to make a warm reappearance.

The Institute of International Finance says the nominal value of global debt fell by $4 trillion to below $300 trillion in 2022, helped by stronger growth momentum and an inflation-driven rise in borrowing costs.

Facebook job cuts, US to return 77 stolen antiquities to Yemen — Trending

Trending Middle East brings you the latest social media and search trends from the region and around the world.
On today's episode, inflation in Lebanon continues to rise, hitting an annual rate of about 124% in January, as the country's worst economic and financial crises in decades continue amid a deadlock that has blocked the formation of a new government and the enactment of reforms required to unlock billions in aid.

The US will return 77 looted antiquities to Yemen, with the objects set to be temporarily housed at a museum in Washington in line with an agreement with the war-torn country's government.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is planning another round of job cuts that will affect “thousands” of workers.

According to Google, searches for information related to earthquakes are rising sharply, with inquiries about aftershocks and questions such as “what are tectonic plates?” hitting a record high.

Malcolm X’s family to sue FBI and CIA, UAE astronaut arrives in Florida - Trending

Trending Middle East brings you the latest social media and search trends from the region and around the world.

On today's episode, plans for a new rail network connecting the UAE to Oman takes a major step forward with a $3 billion investment deal.

The second-longest ancient papyrus, or long piece of inscribed ancient paper, discovered in Egypt is unveiled at opening of renovated Egyptian Museum wing.

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi arrives at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida before his historic flight to the International Space Station on February 27.

The family of murdered civil rights leader Malcolm X marks the anniversary of his 1965 assassination by announcing plan to sue CIA, FBI, New York Police Department and other agencies for $100 million, accusing them of playing a role in his death.

Second earthquake strikes Turkey-Syria, Biden’s surprise Kyiv visit — Trending

Trending Middle East brings you the latest social media and search trends from the region and around the world.

On today's episode, a new 6.4-magnitude earthquake hits the Turkey-Syria border region at a depth of 7.7km, killing three people and injuring 213.

The UN Security Council approves a statement expressing “dismay” at Israel's plans to legalise settlements on occupied Palestinian territories, and says it opposes all unilateral measures that “impede peace”.

The trial of a four-day working week in the UK is celebrated as a “major breakthrough” after the majority of companies announce their intention to continue with the shorter week.

US President Joe Biden hugs his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he arrives in Kyiv for a surprise visit, which coincides with the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

US pledges $100 million for Turkey, Idex in Abu Dhabi, Meta’s paid verification — Trending

Cody Combs gives a round-up of today’s trends.

Iraqi Jassim Al Asadi freed, Dubai home to largest solar-powered data centre — Trending

Trending Middle East brings you the latest social media and search trends from the region and around the world.

On today's episode, a UAE-drafted UN Security Council resolution calling on Israel to “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory” is expected to be put to a vote on Monday.

The death toll from earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has climbed above 41,000, with hopes fading of finding more survivors.

Iraqi environmental activist Jassim Al Asadi has been freed, two weeks after being kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.

Dubai is now home to the world’s largest solar-powered data centre, which is located in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park worldwide.

UAE orders $50 million for Syria, Jordanian parliament budget - Trending

Trending Middle East brings you the latest social media and search trends from the region and around the world.

On today's episode, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed orders an additional $50 million in aid to support people in Syria affected by last week's earthquake.

Jordan's parliament passes the state budget for this year, forecasting slight deficit reduction and constant inflation and economic growth, state media said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Turkey on Sunday to see the response to the deadliest catastrophe in the country's history.

Actress Raquel Welch, passes away at the age of 82. She first became prominent in the 1960s and is widely remembered for her films ‘One Million Years BC’ and ‘Fantastic Voyage’ to name a few. In her storied career, she had at least 70 film and television credits.

Elon Musk at WGS, Google search queries about UFOs — Trending

Trending Middle East brings you the latest social media and search trends from the region and around the world.

On today's episode, anticipation builds up as Tesla chief executive Elon Musk is expected to speak on the final day of the World Government Summit in Dubai.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country will never forget the help sent by others after last week's powerful earthquake that has killed more than 31,600 people so far.

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stresses the significance of holding Cop28 in the UAE and sees it as an “opportunity to zero in on what has been an elusive target” — meeting climate targets.

According to Google, there is a lot of search interest in UFOs, with other search queries being “what is in the sky”, “what are the objects spotted in the sky”, and “objects spotted in the sky”.