Israel has signed a free trade deal with the United Arab Emirates – its first with an Arab country. The historic pact builds on the normalisation of ties in 2020 and eliminates tariffs on 96 percent of goods. It aims to bring growth and lower prices to both countries. We take a closer look.

Hundreds of students in Beijing have called for freedom of movement amid concerns over tightening COVID restrictions on campuses. Videos circulated online showing students tearing down a metal wall.

Dmitry Kovtun was accused in the 2006 killing of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko in London. He died at the age of 57, according to a lawmaker who was also a suspect.

An ongoing maritime dispute between Lebanon and Israel has re-entered the spotlight after a production vessel docked in an offshore gas field on Sunday. The Lebanese claim the ship is in disputed territorial waters, but the Israelis refute this. Both countries have yet to agree on maritime demarcation lines and have called on the US to mediate new talks. For more analysis, we speak to oil and gas policy expert Laury Haytayan, who is MENA Senior Officer at the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI).

Starting on Sunday, international passengers flying to the United States will no longer have to present a negative COVID-19 test before boarding the plane.

Despite government promises of a green COVID recovery, a new report says the world missed a "historic chance" to boost clean energy.

Joe Biden is set to travel to Israel on July 13 before heading to the occupied West Bank and Saudi Arabia. The trip's announcement comes despite pledges to side-line the "pariah" Saudi state.

US authorities determined COVID-19 vaccines should be given to children under 5, the only age group that is still ineligible for the jabs in the country.

"What a special moment," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said after signing the gas memorandum. Europe is looking for alternate sources of energy since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

North Korea reported the outbreak of an unidentified intestinal epidemic, while it already faces food shortages and coronavirus infections. The outbreak was in the isolated nation's key agricultural region.

The World Trade Organization has concluded a string of landmark deals, including agreements to improve food security and boost coronavirus vaccine production in the developing world.

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has recommended the voluntary wearing of masks in indoor public spaces amid a summer wave of infections. He also indicated that stricter rules are likely on their way.