Authorities in Damascus are capturing high-profile figures from Syria’s former Assad regime.

US contractors guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza are firing live ammunition and stun grenades at Palestinians rushing to get food near the deadly distribution centres.

And business activity in the UAE's non-oil private sector grew in June but was hindered by the Iran-Israel war.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

US contractors guarding Gaza aid sites admit to firing live ammunition at hungry Palestinians

UAE non-oil private sector grew in June but Israel-Iran war weighs on demand

This episode features Jihan Abdallah, Senior Correspondent; Deena Kamel, Senior Business Reporter — Aviation; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent.

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Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has approved a law suspending co-operation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog. US President Donald Trump said Israel has taken a significant step towards finalising a ceasefire in Gaza. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party could begin disarming within days.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Trump says Israel has agreed on conditions to finalise 60-day Gaza ceasefire

IAEA in dark as Iran's president approves law to sideline agency

PKK disarmament could begin in days, Turkey confirms

This episode features Senior Foreign Reporter Mina Aldroubi, Cairo Correspondent Hamza Hendawi and Turkey Correspondent Lizzie Porter.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

Israeli strikes killed several people in southern Lebanon. US President Donald Trump said a Gaza ceasefire could be close. The UAE welcomed the signing of a peace deal between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

Israeli air strikes kill three in south Lebanon despite ceasefire

Gaza ceasefire talks intensify as Trump suggests a deal may be within reach

Trump says ceasefire in Gaza possible within 'next week'

This episode features Mina Aldroubi, Senior Foreign Reporter; and Hamza Hendawi, Cairo Correspondent.

Iran has made its conditions for a return to nuclear talks clear. Conflicting reports blur the scope of damage to Iran’s nuclear assets. The World Bank is extending about $400 million to Lebanon and Syria.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

How Iran views a return to nuclear talks

Donald Trump announces new talks with Iran as hopes rise for Gaza truce

War of words rages over Iran nuclear damage reports

World Bank allocates $400m for war-devastated Lebanon and Syria reconstruction

This episode features Lizzie Porter, Turkey Correspondent; Sarmad Khan, Assistant Business Editor; and Thomas Harding, Security and Policy Editor.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

A new militant group claims responsibility for a Damascus church attack.

US President Donald Trump says Iran and the US will talk next week.

Seven Israeli soldiers have been killed in recent fighting in Gaza.

On today's episode of Trending Middle East:

How Iran views a return to nuclear talks

Seven Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza as Palestinian death toll mounts

Newly-emerged militants claim responsibility for Damascus church attack

This episode features Mina Aldroubi, Senior Foreign Reporter.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran proved fragile just minutes after it took effect. Violence continues to plague aid distribution in Gaza. Today is the second day of the NATO summit.

On today’s episode of Trending Middle East:

Israel ponders next move in Gaza after Iran ceasefire

Qatar reveals it helped broker Iran ceasefire

Hungry Gazans killed while waiting for food as NGOs warn US-Israel aid group of war crime complicity

Trump's focus on the Middle East could translate to less US involvement in Nato

This episode features Vanessa Ghanem, Arab Affairs Editor; and Sunniva Rose, Europe Correspondent.

Editor’s note: We want to hear from you! Help us improve our podcasts by taking our 2-minute listener survey. Click here.