Bruno Finel

On November 16, 2024, acclaimed Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, 80, was arrested upon arrival at Algiers airport from Paris. He has not been seen since. 

Israel is reeling from a growing political scandal dubbed "Qatargate", involving close advisers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused of accepting funds from Qatar — a nation that plays a dual role as mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict and host to Hamas leadership.

France's foreign minister warned on Wednesday that if world powers were unable to quickly reach a new agreement with Iran over its contested nuclear programme then a military confrontation seemed "almost inevitable".

The European Parliament has approved two major financial assistance packages aimed at supporting Egypt and Jordan, endorsing loans worth €4 billion and €500 million respectively.

In celebration of Eid al-Fitr and the upcoming Sinai Liberation Day, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has issued presidential decree granting a pardon to 2,777 prisoners, the Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday.

Israel announced overnight that it had killed Hassan Bdeir, a senior Hezbollah figure, in an airstrike targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut. 

U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to make Saudi Arabia his first foreign stop of his second term, with a high-stakes visit expected in mid-May, according to Axios, citing U.S. officials and a source familiar with the trip.

As the Middle East remains shaken by the ongoing war in Gaza, Newsweek reports that a new geopolitical flashpoint is emerging in Syria — this time between two key U.S. allies: Israel and Turkey. 

In a gesture reflecting the United Arab Emirates' commitment to regional unity and cooperation, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held phone conversations today with three key Arab leaders to exchange Eid Al-Fitr greetings.

Egypt is launching an ambitious plan to modernize 11 airports across the country, partnering with the private sector to boost services and economic returns without burdening the state budget.

The Kurdish autonomous administration, which controls large swaths of territory in northern and northeastern Syria, has publicly rejected the legitimacy of the newly formed Syrian government led by an Islamist coalition that ousted former President Bashar al-Assad in December.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam traveled to Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening to celebrate Eid al-Fitr alongside Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.