Archives for October, 2025

WHO leads medical evacuation of 41 critical patients out of Gaza, chief says

Reuters

Kushner, Witkoff meet with UAE’s Sheikh Tahnoon as US pushes to reinforce Gaza ceasefire

The visit by the American envoys to the UAE comes right after their visit to Israel in an attempt to stabilize President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan.

United Arab Emirates

Over 200 hospitalized in Tunisia’s Gabes as anger over pollution crisis grows

President Kais Saied is facing one of his biggest challenges yet as demands for the closure of the city’s phosphate processing plant increase.

Tunisia

Iran welcomes conditional release of Iranian student in France

Reuters

Interview

Trump's back channel to Hamas says militants could cede heavy weapons in disarmament deal

Bishara Bahbah says he recently relayed messages between the Trump administration and Hamas concerning the handover of the deceased hostages.

Bishara Bahbah

Founder, Arab Americans for Peace

Syria targets francophone jihadis as Sharaa navigates Western pressure

Government troops encircled a francophone militant camp as authorities negotiate the surrender of its leader amid broader concerns over foreign fighters and regional security.

Syria

Gaza truce plan insufficient against 'genocide': UN's Albanese

Agence France-Presse

Iraq's security chief visits Iran, steps up border and railway cooperation: What to know

Iraqi national security adviser Qasim al-Araji’s trip to Iran focused on efforts to deal with Kurdish groups on the border and a much-delayed railway linkage between the two countries.

Iraq

Culture

We Design Beirut returns, reviving a city through art and architecture

The We Design Beirut event, taking place across several parts of the Lebanese capital and showcasing cultural and architectural legacies, returns for its second edition this year.

Lebanon

Iran's state TV doxxes journalists in Israel as post-war spy hunt intensifies

Since its June war with Israel, Iran has executed at least 9 people on charges of espionage.

Iran

REUTERS NEXT-Saudi heritage site to offer investors projects worth $1.6 billion

Reuters

Turkey, Qatar step up bid to protect Gaza truce

Agence France-Presse

Analysis

Syria officials: US strike on jihadi commander a message to rebel holdouts

A US strike that killed a prominent rebel in Syria in early October aimed to send a message to militants who refuse to join the new Syrian national army, Syrian sources told Al-Monitor.

By Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

Israel's parliament gives initial nod to occupied West Bank annexation

Reuters

UN court says Israel must ease aid into Gaza, provide 'basic needs'

Agence France-Presse

Turkey, Qatar sign defense deal as Ankara eyes Doha’s Eurofighters

The Turkish president’s visit to Qatar during his Gulf tour largely centered on defense ties and Qatar’s little-used Eurofighters, as Ankara moves to quickly rebuild its air power.

Turkey