Trending Middle East

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We bring you the top news stories, field reports and in-depth insights from the Middle East and beyond

  1. 32 min ago

    Lebanon agreement under pressure, Syria-Gulf trade routes expand and Dubai unveils major road project

    In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, debate continues over Lebanon’s new agreement with Israel, with former US envoy Jeffrey Feltman questioning President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Syria should take on Hezbollah. Legal experts also warn that a clause in the agreement could complicate efforts by victims of the war to pursue international accountability. We also have the latest on US-Iran diplomacy, as Qatar says this week’s indirect negotiations in Doha made positive progress towards a permanent agreement. The talks focused on the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear programme, Lebanon and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Syria says it is ready to become a new trade gateway linking the Gulf to the Mediterranean, with officials welcoming plans for new transport corridors through Iraq that could reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz and strengthen the UAE’s role in regional logistics. In business, Dubai’s inflation reaches its highest level in months as higher fuel, transport and food prices continue to weigh on the economy following the US-Iran conflict, although economists expect price pressures to ease later this year. And Dubai approves a major new elevated road alongside Sheikh Zayed Road as part of an 18 billion dirham development package that also includes new cultural, investment and urban planning initiatives. Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

    3 min
  2. World Cup round-up: VAR drama continues, Harry Kane's late show and Algeria's biggest night

    1 hr ago

    World Cup round-up: VAR drama continues, Harry Kane's late show and Algeria's biggest night

    England survived a scare against DR Congo, falling behind after seven minutes before Harry Kane scored twice in the final 15 minutes to set up a 2-1 win. Kane now has five goals at the tournament. England face Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in the last 16 in the early hours of Sunday. The USA beat Bosnia 2-0 despite finishing with 10 men after Folarin Balogun was sent off following a VAR review in the second half. Malik Tillman sealed it with a free kick in the 82nd minute. Balogun will miss the last-16 match against Belgium through suspension. Speaking of Belgium, they produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the tournament, beating Senegal 3-2 after extra time in Seattle. Senegal led 2-0 with four minutes of normal time remaining before Romelu Lukaku pulled one back and Youri Tielemans headed in an equaliser. Then, in the final seconds of extra time with the clock at 124 minutes and 44 seconds, Belgium were awarded a penalty through VAR and Tielemans scored the latest goal ever recorded at a World Cup, leaving Senegal devastated. In transfer news, Ismael Saibari, who scored the winning penalty for Morocco against the Netherlands, will join Bayern Munich from PSV Eindhoven after the World Cup in a deal reported to be worth up to €55 million ($62 million). Tonight, Spain face Austria at 11pm. Portugal face Croatia at 3am tomorrow, and Algeria face Switzerland at 7am. Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.

    5 min

  3. 1 day ago

    Gaza faces pregnancy crisis, Iran talks resume in Doha and experts hail UAE anti-drug campaign

    In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, Gaza health officials warn that the rate of miscarriages has risen to nearly 50 per cent. Doctors blame malnutrition, contaminated water, collapsing healthcare services and repeated displacement, with hundreds of miscarriages recorded in a month. We also turn to Doha, where Qatar is hosting a round of talks aimed at implementing the interim agreement between the US and Iran. While Qatari mediators continue efforts to move the process forward, Tehran insists its delegation is meeting only with Qatari officials and not American envoys. The future of the Strait of Hormuz remains under scrutiny as proposals for voluntary shipping service fees gather momentum despite opposition from the US. In Lebanon, the implementation of a US-brokered agreement with Israel is slowing as Israeli troop withdrawals from southern Lebanese areas are delayed. That has raised new questions about the next phase of the deal. And in the UAE, experts welcome the launch of a national anti-drug campaign, saying lasting progress will depend on addressing the psychological causes of addiction, reducing stigma and making it easier to access treatment. Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

    3 min
  4. World Cup round-up: Mexico make history, France beat Sweden and England face DR Congo tonight

    1 day ago

    World Cup round-up: Mexico make history, France beat Sweden and England face DR Congo tonight

    Mexico won their first World Cup knockout match in 40 years, beating Ecuador 2-0 at the Azteca after an hour-long storm delay. Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored as Mexico maintained their run of clean sheets at this tournament. Seventeen-year-old Gilberto Mora also became the youngest player to start a World Cup knockout match since Pele in 1958. France delivered the most complete performance of the knockout stage so far as they beat Sweden 3-0, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice. He now has 18 World Cup goals, one behind Lionel Messi's all-time record. Mbappe's teammate Michael Olise has now contributed five assists across the tournament – the first player to reach that mark at a single World Cup since 1994. Manager Didier Deschamps had returned from his mother's funeral before the match. His France team face Paraguay in the last 16 this weekend. Norway also progressed after beating Ivory Coast 2-1, with Erling Haaland scoring the winner in the 86th minute to become the fastest player to hit 60 international goals, reaching the milestone in only 53 appearances. Norway face Brazil in the next round, the only team in men's international football they have never beaten. Ronald Koeman has resigned as Netherlands coach after their last-32 defeat to Morocco. Marcelo Bielsa has also resigned as Uruguay coach after their group-stage exit. Egypt face Australia on Friday night, after Algeria take on Switzerland that morning. Tonight, England face DR Congo at 8pm UAE time, Belgium play Senegal at midnight and the US face Bosnia and Herzegovina at 4am. Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.

    5 min

  5. 2 days ago

    UAE rail service begins, confusion reigns over US talks and Iran rejects French plan for Strait of Hormuz

    In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the UAE enters a new era of transport as Etihad Rail launches the country’s first national passenger service. The inaugural journey between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi marks a historic milestone for the UAE and the wider Gulf region, with more stations to open in the coming months. We also examine conflicting statements over the next phase of US-Iran diplomacy. US President Donald Trump says talks are to take place in Doha, while Tehran insists its delegation is travelling only to oversee the implementation of the interim agreement. Negotiations on a permanent peace deal have not yet begun, it added. At the UN, Israel urges the international community to ensure last week's agreement with Lebanon is fully implemented, describing it as an opportunity to curb Hezbollah and Iranian influence. France proposes an international mission with Oman to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. But Iran rejects the idea, insisting only Tehran has the authority to oversee operations in the waterway. And the UAE lifts its travel ban on Lebanon, allowing Emirati citizens to visit once again under new registration requirements. The move is welcomed by Beirut as another sign of improving ties between the countries. Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

    3 min
  6. World Cup round-up: Morocco stun the Netherlands on penalties and Germany crash out

    2 days ago

    World Cup round-up: Morocco stun the Netherlands on penalties and Germany crash out

    Morocco are through to the last 16 of the World Cup after beating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties in Monterrey, in a match the Arab side dominated for long periods without being rewarded. Cody Gakpo put the Dutch ahead in the 72nd minute against the run of play, but substitute Chemsdine Talbi, one of three under-21 players introduced by coach Mohamed Ouahbi, set up Issa Diop's stoppage-time equaliser. Morocco's Yassine Bounou saved a penalty from Crysencio Summerville before Ismael Saibari scored the winner in a chaotic shoot-out. Morocco face Canada in the last 16 on Saturday. Brazil survived a scare against Japan, winning 2-1 with a 95th-minute goal from Gabriel Martinelli after Casemiro equalised in a much-improved second-half performance. Germany are out of the World Cup, losing 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay after a 1-1 draw in Boston. The match turned on a VAR review in extra time that ruled out a Jonathan Tah header for a foul on Paraguay's goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Germany have never previously lost a World Cup shoot-out, but missed three penalties this time. Coach Julian Nagelsmann said he will not resign. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's federation president Yasser Al Misehal has resigned after the team's group stage exit, taking full responsibility for a campaign in which Saudi Arabia scored only once in three matches. Egypt are preparing to face Australia in the round of 32 on Friday. Algeria face Switzerland on the same day, with coach Vladimir Petkovic taking on the country he managed for seven years. Tonight, Ivory Coast face Norway at 9pm UAE time, before France face Sweden at 1am and Mexico face Ecuador at 5am. Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.

    5 min

  7. 3 days ago

    US and Iran expected to stop fighting, Iraq expands anti-corruption drive and Saudi helicopter crash

    In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, the US and Iran are expected to pause military operations as technical negotiations continue on their interim agreement. Tension in the Strait of Hormuz remains, as Tehran insists it alone will oversee security in the waterway, underlining the fragile nature of the deal. We also look at renewed Iranian attacks in the Gulf as Tehran launched missile and drone strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait. The UAE and Oman have strongly condemned the aggression, while Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it could tighten enforcement in the strait as a response to any further escalation. In Lebanon, the newly signed, US-brokered peace agreement is already under pressure after fresh clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah along the southern border. In Iraq, Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi has expanded his anti-corruption campaign with the arrest of dozens of legislators and officials as investigations gather pace. And in Saudi Arabia, at least 14 people were killed in a Saudi Aramco helicopter crash near Ras Tanura. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident and regional leaders have offered their condolences. Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

    3 min
  8. World Cup round-up: Canada make history, Morocco to face the Netherlands and Egypt's injury concerns

    3 days ago

    World Cup round-up: Canada make history, Morocco to face the Netherlands and Egypt's injury concerns

    Canada made history in the first knockout game of the tournament, beating South Africa 1-0 in Los Angeles with Stephen Eustsquio scoring in the 92nd minute, driving into the bottom corner. South Korea's group stage exit has become a political issue at home, with President Lee Jae Myung calling for an investigation. Coach Hong Myung-bo has confirmed he will step down. Three Arab nations remain in the tournament. Morocco face the Netherlands tomorrow at 5am in Monterrey, 32 years after the two teams first met in a World Cup. Several Morocco players, including Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat and Anass Salah-Eddine, were born and raised in the Netherlands, adding another dimension to an already compelling tie. The winner will face Canada in Houston. Egypt are preparing for their round of 32 match against Australia with injury concerns. Mohamed Salah is being treated for a muscle strain, Ahmed Fattouh is a major doubt with a hamstring tear, and Mohamed Abdelmonem is being assessed with a bruised ankle. Algeria are also through after a 3-3 draw with Austria, with Riyad Mahrez scoring in stoppage time before Austria's late equaliser sent both teams through. Algeria face Switzerland next. Tonight, Brazil face Japan at 9pm and Germany face Paraguay at 12.30am. Mina Rzouki presents Trending Middle East's World Cup round-up, a daily bonus series from The National for the duration of the tournament.

    4 min
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