Mena Today

A French-Moroccan man suspected of being involved in recent violent kidnappings in France has been arrested in Morocco, a senior Moroccan police source said on Wednesday.

The Georgian government is to close its information centre on NATO and the European Union, Georgian media reported on Wednesday, citing the country's foreign ministry, amid souring ties between Tbilisi and the West.

Israel has carried out its first airstrikes in Syria in nearly a month, saying it hit weapons belonging to the government in retaliation for the firing of two projectiles towards Israel and holding interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa responsible.

Foreign investors returned to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in force last month, increasing their holdings despite ongoing conflict in Gaza and heightened regional tensions. Net foreign purchases reached an estimated NIS 2.5 billion ($700 million) in May, with much of the capital concentrated in the banking sector.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared on Wednesday that the United States has no authority to dictate Tehran’s uranium enrichment policies, amid ongoing indirect negotiations between the two countries over the Iranian nuclear program.

The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will not give out any aid on Wednesday as it presses Israel to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its distribution sites, a day after dozens of Palestinians seeking aid were killed.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call on Tuesday from President of the European Council, António Costa, during which the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening Egypt-EU cooperation on multiple fronts. 

In a move that reinforces China’s growing industrial footprint across North Africa, Chinese steelmaker Jingdong Steel has announced a $500 million investment to build a major steel production facility in Algeria. 

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that two projectiles crossed from Syria towards Israel and fell in open areas.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Lebanese officials on Tuesday that Iran wanted to turn a "new page" in relations with Beirut, hinting at a shift in diplomatic ties that were long grounded in supporting Tehran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

The British government said on Tuesday it was "deeply concerned" about the health of the mother of jailed Egyptian-British dissident Alaa Abd el-Fattah, Laila Soueif, who has been admitted to hospital while continuing a hunger strike.

In 1978, Prime Minister Menachem Begin made a fateful decision. He returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in exchange for peace—a sweeping territorial concession from a leader known for his uncompromising Zionism.