Israel signs historic free trade deal with United Arab Emirates

The presidents of both countries announced the shift as they attempt to restore diplomatic ties that frayed after the passage of a Polish law blocking restitution.

Despite criticism from US President Joe Biden's administration, Israel has given the go-ahead for the construction of 3,000 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank. They are the first to be approved by the new Israeli coalition.

During his campaign for the US presidency, Joe Biden described Saudi Arabia as a 'pariah state' in the aftermath of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But since taking office, Biden's language has changed. This week, he is making his first trip to the oil-rich kingdom as president, as global energy prices soar in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. To discuss the trip (which also includes Jordan and Israel), we talk to Middle East expert and former CIA officer Douglas London, who is adjunct associate professor at the Center for Security Studies at Georgetown University.

The US president will also visit Saudi Arabia, where he will have talks with Saudi officials and attend a summit of Gulf allies. Iran's nuclear program is set to be high on the agenda during his stay in Israel.

Israel and the US will declared a "united stand" on Iran and signed a joint agreement pledging to prevent Tehran from building nuclear weapons.

The United Arab Emirates has placed a ban on the issuance of visas to Nigerians after cult clashes between rival groups in Sharjah. This is coming days after a video surfaced on social media showing a group of men with machetes were yelling in an apartment parking lot, chasing one another, and damaging public properties.

Israel and the Islamic Jihad group announced that a cease-fire would come into effect Sunday night. The truce could end the worst cross-border conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants since last year.

The fragile cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad appears to be holding. The cease-fire follows three days of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants that left dozens dead, hundreds injured.

Israel has struck Gaza for a second day, targeting the Islamic Jihad militant group. The group confirmed that one of their top commanders was killed in an airstrike. Palestinian militants have since been firing back.

Residents in southern Israel and Gaza are returning to their lives. But the situation remains volatile.

A gunman opened fire on a bus near Jerusalem's Old City, wounding at least eight Israelis. Two of the victims are in serious condition.

After speaking with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, the German chancellor bristled at his use of the words apartheid and Holocaust with regards to Israel.