Culture Will Egypt back off from the demolition of Cairo's historic Islamic cemeteries? Egypt’s government has been demolishing ancient tombs for three years as part of a controversial project that tore apart a renowned cemetery in Cairo, even as researchers and activists fight to stop the destruction. Egypt
UAE trade offensive continues, this time with New Zealand deal The UAE is looking to secure its sixth trade agreement of the year as it increases its non-oil trade globally, with intentions to reach $1.09 billion by 2031. United Arab Emirates
US welcomes conviction of Iranian, 4 Iraqis for killing American citizen Stephen Troell, an aid worker in Baghdad, was killed in November when gunmen opened fire on his car. Iraq
Two Moroccan-French tourists killed by Algerian coastguard The tourists had strayed into Algerian waters. The incident could further inflame longstanding tensions between Morocco and Algeria. North Africa
US denies it had 'blocked' AI chip sales to some Middle Eastern countries The US Commerce Department was quick to distance itself from the reports — but it did not directly address imposing license restrictions on certain types of chips. Legacy: Gulf
Analysis Unprecedented breakdown in Israel-US channels as Netanyahu bars ministers from visiting Washington Under strict orders from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant did not go anywhere near Washington or the Pentagon on his US visit this week. “Such things have never happened,” a senior Israeli security source told Al-Monitor. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
