Thoraya Abdullahi gives a round-up of today’s trends.
Trending Middle East
UNRWA ban 'catastrophe', Palestinian chance to engage with Trump – Trending
Here's what's trending in the Middle East and around the world. Israel's new law banning UNRWA from operating in the country will have catastrophic consequences in Gaza, the head of the UN's Palestinian Relief Agency said. Felipe Lazarini said this would strip Palestinian children of any hopes of an education. He'd renewed his call for UN member states to take action to block the Israeli legislation and said he might consider the possibility of going to an international or national court. Experts told the national that Donald Trump's transactional nature close ties to Saudi Arabia and keenness to end the war in Gaza, provide an opportunity for Palestinians to engage with the incoming U.S. administration after a year in which the Palestinian Authority has been seen as missing in action. The Saudis have been very clear there will be no normalization with Israel without concrete, credible steps. Towards a two-state solution said Raif al-Aamari, a former foreign policy advisor in the Palestinian Authority. Instead, if Trump believes it's a firm, Saudi position, he will pressure the Israelis to accept it. Lebanese Qatari al-Assad's return to Riyadh's season with a star-studded show to celebrate 45 years in the fashion industry is trending this morning. Titled 1,001 seasons of al-Assad are not to the traditional Middle Eastern Tales 1,001 nights, the show featured a runway presentation and several performances including Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez. First such as Nancy Ajram, Amr Diab and Kamila Cabello were also in attendance. Paris is preparing for protests ahead of Israel's match against France today. This follows at chaotic night in Amsterdam where Maccabi Tel Aviv fans chant in anti-Arab slogans and clashed with protesters. An extra 2,000 police and private security officers will patrol the star difference its surroundings and working across the French capital. That's all for me today, I'm Abdullahi, thanks for listening, more Same Time Tomorrow. (upbeat music)