Middle East

Gaza

Plans for Gaza Stabilisation Force in question as troop pledges stall

The Iran war has made it more difficult for Arab and Muslim leaders to openly cooperate with the United States and Israel, which many in the region view as aggressors.

28/05/2026

Travel News

Cyprus to Lebanon ferry link starts on 9 June

Cedar Waves has now opened its online platform for bookings, allowing customers to reserve their stays directly through the company’s website.

27/05/2026

Gaza

Trump Board of Peace's official Gaza fund is empty, source says

The board is unambiguously led not just by the United States but by Trump personally, who holds the final say and can remain in charge past his presidency.

27/05/2026

Make it Work

How close community contact helps people out of poverty in Cyprus

In partnership with the European Commission

As the EU launches its Anti-Poverty Strategy, a programme in Cyprus is offering a 'ray of light' to people facing poverty and social exclusion.

27/05/2026

No Comment

Bodies pulled from rubble near Tyre after deadly Israeli strike in Lebanon

Lebanon rescue workers recovered bodies from the rubble in Burj al-Shamali near the coastal city of Tyre on 27 May, one day after an Israeli strike that Lebanon’s health ministry said killed at least 14 people.

27/05/2026

Business

Egypt marks record year for gas discoveries amid domestic shortage

Egypt’s recent Eni-linked gas finds have lifted hopes of an upstream revival, but analysts say import pressure is unlikely to ease soon.

27/05/2026

No Comment

Saudi Arabia: More than 1.5 million pilgrims perform stoning ritual in Mina

More than 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims gathered in Mina, Saudi Arabia, on 27 May to perform the symbolic stoning ritual that marks a key stage of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

27/05/2026

No Comment

In war-torn Gaza, Palestinians mark Eid al-Adha among the rubble

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip marked Eid al-Adha on 27 May under the shadow of war, gathering for prayers in heavily damaged areas of Khan Younis and Gaza City.

27/05/2026

Turkey

Police fire tear gas to break up Turkey opposition rally in Izmir

The CHP is level with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in most recent opinion polls and although the next election is not due until 2028, many expect Erdoğan to push for early elections.

26/05/2026

Lebanon

At least 12 killed in Israeli strike on village in eastern Lebanon

The Israeli military did not comment on this particular strike, but said on Monday that it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in eastern Lebanon.

26/05/2026

No Comment

Saudi Arabia: Hajj 2026 reaches its spiritual peak as millions of Muslim pilgrims gather

Saudi Arabia entered the most significant stage of the 2026 hajj on 26 May as millions of pilgrims dressed in white gathered at Mount Arafat near Mecca and circled the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque.

26/05/2026

No Comment

Gaza’s displaced brace for a bleak Eid al‑Adha amid war and soaring prices

Displaced families in Gaza Strip are facing another difficult Eid al-Adha, as war, shortages and soaring prices leave many unable to buy sacrificial animals or properly observe one of Islam’s most important religious celebrations.

26/05/2026

Sport

Qatar exports World Cup know-how as 2026 tournament approaches

As football fans gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Qatar is sharing its 2022 experience and knowledge in organising football's top tournament with its North American peers.

25/05/2026

Saudi Arabia

Muslim pilgrims begin hajj as Iran peace deal hangs in the balance

Despite the uncertainty triggered by the Iran war, Saudi officials noted over the weekend that more pilgrims had travelled from abroad to participate in this year’s hajj than in 2025.

25/05/2026

United Arab Emirates

Hormuz turmoil 'serious' risk for Europe, top UAE adviser warns

UAE presidential adviser Dr Anwar Gargash said at a conference in Prague that the Strait of Hormuz is a European energy problem, not a distant regional one, as the region continues to face the worst instability in decades.

25/05/2026

Turkey

Erdoğan scraps move to close liberal Bilgi University after outcry

Founded on 7 June 1996 as Turkey's fourth private foundation university, Bilgi became part of the Laureate International Universities network, a US-based group operating universities across multiple continents, in 2006.

25/05/2026

Europe News

Cyprus elections: DISY wins first place, far-right secures third

Centre-right Democratic Rally (DISY) secured first place in Cyprus’s parliamentary election, ahead of the left-wing AKEL. Far-right ELAM achieved historic breakthrough into third place, while newly formed anti-corruption ALMA and Fidias Panayiotou's Direct Democracy both crossed the threshold.

24/05/2026

No Comment

Turkish police use tear gas to break into CHP headquarters

Turkish riot police used tear gas and forced their way into the Ankara headquarters of the main opposition CHP party after a court dismissed its leadership, as supporters blocked entrances in defiance of the ruling.

24/05/2026

Turkey

Police storm CHP HQ, use tear gas

Officers used tear gas inside the CHP building in Ankara to enforce a controversial judicial decision reinstating former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The intrusion has sparked fierce resistance from current party officials, who accuse Kılıçdaroğlu of deploying "mafia thugs" to seize power.

24/05/2026

Europe News

Cyprus heads to the polls after hotly contested election campaign

Amid political uncertainty and intense public interest, Cypriots are voting for a new parliament.

24/05/2026

No Comment

Lebanon opens seafront tent camp in Beirut as Israeli strikes displace 1 million

Lebanon has opened a large tent camp on the seafront in Beirut to shelter civilians displaced by Israeli bombardment and fighting linked to Hezbollah, as more than one million people have now been forced from their homes.

22/05/2026

Business

Egypt to ship Cypriot gas to Europe in QatarEnergy deal

QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil have signed a deal with Egypt to pipe Cypriot offshore gas to Egyptian liquefaction facilities for export to Europe — the latest sign that Egypt is becoming the Eastern Mediterranean's dominant energy hub.

22/05/2026

Turkey

Erdoğan signs decree closing Bilgi University amid criminal probe

As part of an investigation into Can Holding, the operating licence of Istanbul Bilgi University was revoked after its founding foundation was placed under trusteeship. The decision has raised concerns about the future of its students and academic staff.

22/05/2026

No Comment

Turkey welcomes 422 Gaza flotilla activists after Israel detention

422 Gaza flotilla activists landed in Istanbul on Thursday after being deported by Israel. Several alleged physical abuse and torture following the interception of their aid convoy.

22/05/2026

Qatar

‘It doesn’t feel real': Team Qatar gears up for historic Le Mans debut

Team Qatar has officially launched its campaign for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking the country’s first-ever entry into the legendary endurance race. For driver Abdulla Al Khelaifi, the moment is both historic and deeply personal as Qatar takes another major step onto the global motorsport stage.

22/05/2026

Turkey

Turkish court removes leader of main opposition party CHP

The case concerns allegations of vote buying at the CHP congress in November 2023, with prosecutors alleging that Özgür Özel secured his election as party leader with promises of jobs and other kickbacks.

21/05/2026