In a landmark meeting at the White House on November 10, 2025, US President Donald Trump and Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa engaged in discussions aimed at resetting bilateral relations. This marked the first visit by a Syrian leader to the White House since Syria’s independence in 1946. Unlike traditional state visits, al-Sharaa entered through a side gate, signaling a low-profile yet significant encounter. The closed-door meeting in the Oval Office focused on two critical issues: the lifting of US sanctions on Syria and Syria’s potential entry into the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the suspension of the Caesar Act sanctions, a set of stringent measures imposed during Syria’s civil war. Rubio emphasized that this move would support Syria’s economic recovery and foster peace. The Syrian side, however, seeks a permanent repeal of these sanctions, which would require congressional action. Additionally, al-Sharaa agreed to join the US-led coalition against IS, which remains active in Syria. The US also plans to allow Syria to resume operations at its embassy in Washington, focusing on counterterrorism and economic cooperation. This meeting follows a series of diplomatic efforts, including the removal of al-Sharaa from the UN Security Council’s sanctions list. Analysts caution that while these steps are promising, Syria’s path to stability remains fraught with challenges, including sectarian violence and a massive reconstruction bill estimated at over $200 billion.
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Red Fort to be closed for 3 days after Delhi blast
In the wake of a catastrophic car explosion near Delhi’s historic Red Fort, the iconic monument will remain closed for three days, from November 11 to 13, as authorities intensify their investigation. The Archaeological Survey of India confirmed the closure following a formal request from law enforcement agencies. The blast, which claimed at least 12 lives, has sent shockwaves across the nation, prompting heightened security measures nationwide. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has vowed that the perpetrators will face severe consequences, assuring victims’ families that justice will be served. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a state visit to Bhutan, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that those responsible will be held accountable. The National Security Guard (NSG) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have been deployed to the site, with the car owner and two associates already in custody. Delhi has issued a travel alert, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has convened a high-level security meeting to address the crisis. Police have escalated security checks across the city, inspecting vehicles at numerous checkpoints. The incident has underscored the urgent need for robust national security measures.
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Lulu plans to open 50 stores in UAE, Saudi, other GCC countries over next 3 years
Lulu Retail Holdings, the largest full-line retailer in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, has unveiled an ambitious expansion strategy to open 50 new stores across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other GCC countries over the next three years. This announcement comes on the heels of a robust financial performance in the first nine months of 2025, with the company reporting a 7.5% year-on-year increase in net profit, reaching $163 million.
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Iwobi ready to face ‘big brother’ Aubameyang
Nigeria’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After a dismal start to their qualifying campaign, which saw the Super Eagles secure just three points from their first four matches, their hopes were reignited by a dramatic injury-time goal in their final group game against Benin. Brentford’s Frank Onyeka’s strike sealed a 4-0 victory, propelling Nigeria into the African play-offs as runners-up in Group C on goal difference. Now, the team faces a new challenge: stopping Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in their play-off semi-final in Morocco. Aubameyang, a former Arsenal teammate of Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi, has been in stellar form, scoring seven goals in World Cup qualifying, including four in a single match against The Gambia. The 36-year-old Gabon captain is determined to lead his nation to their first-ever World Cup appearance. Iwobi, who shared the pitch with Aubameyang during their time at Arsenal, spoke highly of his former teammate, describing him as a ‘great person off the pitch’ and a mentor who encouraged him to express himself on the field. Despite the camaraderie, Iwobi acknowledged the difficulty of containing Aubameyang, stating, ‘I don’t know how we’re going to lock him up.’ Nigeria’s path to the World Cup remains arduous. After missing out on automatic qualification by finishing second in Group C behind South Africa, they must first overcome Gabon and then the winner of the Cameroon vs. DR Congo match to advance to an intercontinental qualifier in March. Should they succeed, Nigeria’s world ranking would likely pit them against a team from Asia, Oceania, South America, or the Concacaf region, with the victors securing a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament. Nigeria’s resurgence under coach Eric Chelle has been pivotal. Appointed in January, Chelle has led the team to an unbeaten run in six competitive games, fostering a positive atmosphere within the squad. Iwobi praised Chelle’s leadership, likening him to a ‘big brother’ who motivates the players to fight for both Nigeria and their coach. Despite the challenges, Iwobi remains optimistic about Nigeria’s chances, emphasizing the team’s determination to prove their worth on the international stage.
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Shaping the future of CIS Media: Key insights from the ‘Culture.Media.Digital’ forum
The second edition of the Culture.Media.Digital Forum, held on November 6–7, 2025, at Moscow’s MosKino Film Factory, emerged as a pivotal event for the media and creative industries. Attracting over 8,000 participants and featuring 160+ speakers from 20+ countries, the forum spotlighted the growth potential of the CIS media market and the integration of its cultural and digital ecosystems. The event brought together media executives, filmmakers, bloggers, IT specialists, and government representatives to explore the future of media in the region, which boasts a combined audience of over 350 million Russian-speaking users. Key discussions revolved around localized AI tools, regional distribution platforms, content metrics standardization, and innovative monetization strategies. A notable focus was the increasing collaboration between the CIS and MENA regions, with Middle Eastern leaders sharing insights on multilingual production and digital infrastructure. The forum’s business agenda, structured across six thematic tracks—Media Network, Influencers, Technomagic, Art Resource, PRology, and Kinofield—hosted 50+ sessions, panel discussions, and presentations. International cinema icons, including French cinematographer Michel Amathieu and Italian Academy Award winner Vittorio Storaro, enriched the program with their expertise. The event also featured interactive experiences like a retro gaming zone and a literary corner, alongside autograph sessions with prominent media personalities. The forum’s outcomes underscored its role as a catalyst for cross-industry collaboration, fostering new partnerships and actionable projects that promise to shape the future of the CIS media landscape.
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Messi and Argentina’s soccer team are special guests for Angola’s independence anniversary
In a grand celebration of its 50th anniversary of independence from Portugal, Angola is set to host Lionel Messi and the World Cup-winning Argentina national soccer team as special guests this week. The festivities, which commenced on Wednesday, will feature an exhibition match between Angola’s national team and Argentina on Friday at the iconic 11 November Stadium in Luanda, named in honor of the country’s independence day. Reports indicate that Angola has invested a staggering $13 million to secure the participation of the reigning world champions. The Argentine squad is scheduled to arrive in Angola on Thursday, as confirmed by the Argentine soccer federation. The celebrations kicked off with a ceremonial event at Republic Square in Luanda, where President João Lourenço presided over the raising of a massive Angolan flag by soldiers. Angola gained independence on November 11, 1975, but the nation was soon engulfed in a brutal civil war that claimed the lives of an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people before finally concluding in 2002. Since independence, the oil-rich nation has been governed by the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the sole ruling party.
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Egypt kicks off 1st phase of parliamentary elections
Egypt has officially commenced the first phase of its 2025 House of Representatives elections, marking a significant step in the nation’s democratic process. The voting period, which began on Monday, November 10, 2025, and concluded on Tuesday, saw the participation of over 35 million eligible voters across 14 governorates. These regions include Giza, Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Assiut, New Valley, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, Aswan, Red Sea, Alexandria, Beheira, and Matrouh. The House of Representatives, consisting of 568 members, is elected through a dual system: 284 members via a closed-list system and another 284 through an individual system, with additional members appointed by the president. Notably, Egyptian expatriates cast their votes on November 7 at embassies and consulates worldwide. The second phase of the elections is scheduled for November 21-22 for expatriates and November 24-25 for citizens in the remaining 13 governorates. This electoral process underscores Egypt’s commitment to fostering political participation and representation.
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Join the global efforts against climate change, says UAE
The Belém Climate Summit, held on November 6-7, 2025, in the Brazilian Amazon, marked a pivotal moment in the global fight against climate change. Convened by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the event brought together heads of state, ministers, and international leaders to address pressing environmental challenges and solidify commitments to sustainability. Representing the UAE, Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Nature, underscored the nation’s leadership in climate action. Dr. Al Dahak delivered the UAE’s national statement, emphasizing transparency and the inclusion of all six greenhouse gases in the country’s climate reporting. She highlighted the UAE’s comprehensive efforts, including clean energy projects, agricultural transformation, and infrastructure initiatives, as a model for global sustainability. The minister urged nations to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and embrace adaptation indicators to measure collective progress. Razan Al Mubarak, at the launch of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), reiterated the UAE’s commitment to halting deforestation by 2030, a goal aligned with the COP28 UAE Consensus. The summit also focused on energy transition, with Dr. Al Dahak advocating for universal energy access and security while reaffirming the UAE’s pledge to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. The event served as a precursor to COP30, set to take place in Belém from November 6-21, 2025, where global leaders will discuss progress on climate finance and NDCs.
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Turkey demands more than 2,000 years in jail for popular Istanbul mayor
Ekrem Imamoglu, the prominent mayor of Istanbul and a key political opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been held in pre-trial detention since March 2025 on allegations of corruption. The Istanbul prosecutor has charged Imamoglu with 142 corruption-related offenses, which could result in a prison sentence ranging from 828 to 2,352 years. The charges include 12 counts of bribery, seven counts of money laundering, and seven counts of fraud against public institutions, with estimated losses to the Turkish state amounting to 160 billion lira (£2.9 billion; $3.8 billion).
Imamoglu, a member of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), denies all allegations and claims the charges are politically motivated, aimed at undermining his potential candidacy in the 2028 presidential elections. The prosecutor has also accused 401 others of being part of a criminal network allegedly led by Imamoglu. Of these, 105 are currently in detention.
The mayor’s arrest in March sparked widespread protests, leading to hundreds of arrests and a police crackdown. Since then, he has been held in Marmara prison on the outskirts of Istanbul. In addition to the corruption case, Imamoglu faces charges of espionage and forging his university diploma, which has since been annulled. This disqualification could prevent him from running for the presidency in 2028.
CHP leader Özgür Özel has vehemently defended Imamoglu, accusing the government of fabricating charges to silence a political rival. ‘His crime is to run for the next presidency of this country. He has no other crime!’ Özel declared during a parliamentary meeting. Imamoglu, who was re-elected as mayor in April 2024 with a significant margin, is also appealing earlier jail sentences for insulting the Istanbul prosecutor and criticizing election officials.
The espionage case, initiated two weeks ago, alleges that Imamoglu shared data of Istanbul residents in exchange for international funding. Imamoglu has dismissed these claims as ‘nonsense,’ while his supporters argue that the charges are part of a broader effort to stifle dissent and maintain political control.
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Winter scenery across China
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