Antoine Khoury

The Arab Media Summit (AMS) 2025 opens on Monday in Dubai.

As Egypt’s Hajj Mission begins transporting thousands of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, many are once again turning their attention to Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and one of the most significant spiritual journeys in the Muslim faith.

In a major diplomatic development, Morocco and Syria announced on Saturday the reopening of their respective embassies, marking the restoration of ties after more than a decade of severed relations due to the Syrian civil war. 

Lebanese authorities have reportedly foiled an attempt to smuggle gold bars—worth an estimated $2 million—through Beirut International Airport, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

Qatar’s pledge to provide Syria with $29 million monthly for three months to cover salaries, as announced by the Syrian finance minister on Wednesday, has been framed by some as a humanitarian gesture.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to host on Wednesday Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s interim president, in Paris has ignited a firestorm of criticism. 

Oman’s economy is expected to grow by 3.4% in 2025, outperforming many global economies and signaling strong resilience and growing international confidence, according to Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion.

The Israeli army said on Sunday it struck a southern Beirut building being used to store precision missiles belonging to Hezbollah.

In a historic first visit to the United States, Syria’s new Foreign Minister, Asaad Al-Shaibani, raised the country's new flag at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday and urged the international community to lift the sanctions still burdening Syria.

Britain said on Thursday it would support efforts to rebuild Syria's financial system by removing sanctions to encourage investments in financial services, energy production and other sectors.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of Pope Francis describing him as a “distinguished humanitarian and dear friend.”

The Israeli Air Force conducted a series of intense airstrikes on Sunday targeting Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, hitting areas between Bassalia and Jbaa (Nabatiyeh), as well as the outskirts of Mlita, Jabal Safi (Iqlim al-Touffah heights), and Sojod (Jezzine).