International

Egyptian president: Trump’s Middle East proposal ‘last chance’ for peace

Published

1 year ago

October 14, 2025

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi

Egyptian president: Trump’s Middle East proposal ‘last chance’ for peace

SHARM EL-SHEIKH: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi told a summit of world leaders Monday that US President Donald Trump’s Mideast proposal represents the “last chance” for peace in the region and reiterated his call for a two-state solution, saying Palestinians have the right to an independent state.

The summit in Egypt was aimed at supporting the ceasefire reached in Gaza, ending the Israel-Hamas war and developing a long-term vision to rebuild the devastated Palestinian territory.

Trump’s plan holds out the possibility of a Palestinian state, but only after a lengthy transition period in Gaza and a reform process by the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes Palestinian independence.

In his speech, El-Sisi also also awarded Trump the Order of the Nile, the country’s highest civilian honor.

Israel and Hamas came under pressure from the United States, Arab countries and Turkiye to agree on the ceasefire’s first phase negotiated in Qatar through mediators. The truce began Friday.

But major questions remain over what happens next, raising the risk of a slide back into war. The gathering reflects the international will to follow through on the deal.

More than 20 world leaders attended the summit, including King Abdullah of Jordan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the French president and the British prime minister.

Israel and Hamas have no direct contacts and were not expected to attend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not travel to the meeting because of a Jewish holiday, his office said. Trump headed to Egypt after a stop in Israel.

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World leaders lined up to have their photos taken with Trump ahead of the meeting. Trump smiled and gave a thumbs-up to photographers.

Israel has rejected any role in Gaza for the internationally backed Palestinian Authority, whose leader, Mahmoud Abbas, arrived in the Egyptian Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday before the gathering.

The summit unfolded soon after Hamas released 20 remaining living Israeli hostages and Israel started to free hundreds of Palestinians from its prisons, crucial steps under the ceasefire.

A new page

El-Sisi’s office said the summit aimed to “end the war” in Gaza and “usher in a new page of peace and regional stability” in line with Trump’s vision.

Egyptian Air Force jets escorted Trump’s Air Force One for a spin above the resort before he landed and was received by El-Sisi at the airport.

Ahead of the meeting, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said it was critical that Israel and Hamas fully implement the first phase of the ceasefire deal so that the parties, with international backing, can begin negotiations on the second phase.

Abdelatty said the success of Trump’s vision for Mideast peace will depend on his continued commitment to the process, including applying pressure on the parties and deploying military forces as part of an international contingent expected to carry out peacekeeping duties in the next phase.

“We need American engagement, even deployment on the ground, to identify the mission, task and mandate of this force,” Abdelatty told The Associated Press.

Directly tackling the remaining issues in depth is unlikely at the gathering, which is supposed to last about two hours. El-Sisi and Trump are expected to issue a joint statement after it ends.

Under the first phase, Israeli troops pulled back from some parts of Gaza, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza to return home from areas they were forced to evacuate. Aid groups are preparing to bring in large quantities of aid kept out of the territory for months.

Critical challenges ahead

The next phase of the deal will have to tackle disarming Hamas, creating a post-war government for Gaza and handling the extent of Israel’s withdrawal from the territory. Trump’s plan also stipulates that regional and international partners will work to develop the core of a new Palestinian security force.

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Abdelatty said the international force needs a UN Security Council resolution to endorse its deployment.

He said Hamas will have no role in the transitional period in Gaza. A 15-member committee of Palestinian technocrats, with no affiliation to any Palestinian factions and vetted by Israel, will govern day to day affairs in Gaza. The committee would receive support and supervision from a “Board of Peace” proposed by Trump to oversee the implementation of the phases of his plan, Abdelatty said.

“We are counting on Trump to keep the implementation of this plan for all its phases,” he told AP.

Another major issue is raising funds for rebuilding Gaza. The World Bank, and Egypt’s postwar plan, estimate reconstruction and recovery needs in Gaza at $53 billion. Egypt plans to host an early recovery and reconstruction conference for Gaza in November.

Roles for other countries

Turkiye, which hosted Hamas political leaders for years, played a key role in bringing about the ceasefire agreement.

Jordan, alongside Egypt, will train the new Palestinian security force.

Germany, one of Israel’s strongest international backers and top suppliers of military equipment, plans to be represented by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He has expressed concern over Israel’s conduct of the war and its plan for a military takeover of Gaza.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who also is attending, has he said will pledge 20 million British pounds ($27 million) to help provide water and sanitation for Gaza and that Britain will host a three-day conference on Gaza’s reconstruction and recovery.

Speaking in Egypt, Starmer said Britain was ready to “play its full part” in ensuring that the current ceasefire results in a lasting peace.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, European Union President António Costa and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also are attending.

Egyptian president: Trump’s Middle East proposal ‘last chance’ for peace

ARAB NEWS

International

Two Killed, Eight Injured as Attack Hits Saudi Arabia Airport

Published

2 days ago

October 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Two Killed, Eight Injured as Attack Hits Saudi Arabia Airport

An Indian national was among two people killed, while eight others sustained injuries in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia, as tensions escalate over attacks linked to Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the updated casualty figures on Thursday, October 22, following the attack on Wednesday night.

The fatalities were identified as a Saudi citizen and an Indian national, while the eight injured included citizens and residents of several nationalities.

According to the aviation authority, the injured comprised one Saudi national, two Indians, two Yemenis, two Bangladeshis and one Nepalese national.

Their injuries ranged from minor to serious, with some victims reportedly in critical condition. The injured were receiving medical treatment at several hospitals across the Eastern Province.

The authority said it was working with relevant security agencies to assess the damage caused by the attack and implement measures to safeguard passengers, airport workers and aviation infrastructure.

Airport operations have since resumed, with air traffic returning to normal, according to reports published on Thursday.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that one Indian national was among those killed, while two other Indian nationals were injured. The embassy said it was establishing contact with the affected families and seeking further information about the victims.

India also condemned attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, describing the incidents as unacceptable and calling for an end to the violence.

The Dammam incident comes amid an escalation of hostilities involving Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement and forces supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

Saudi Arabia has faced repeated attacks targeting airports and other strategic facilities this month, raising concerns about the safety of civilians and the security of critical infrastructure.

In a separate incident on Wednesday, two people were killed when debris from an intercepted drone fell near an oil facility at Shaybah, according to Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry. Two other people were injured in that incident.

The ministry identified the two fatalities as a Filipino and a Nepalese national. The injured were identified as a Pakistani and an Indian national.

The incident at Shaybah reportedly caused a vehicle fire outside the facility’s perimeter but did not disrupt operations at the oil field.

Reuters also reported on Thursday that Saudi Aramco had instructed staff to evacuate its headquarters in Dhahran and work remotely, citing people familiar with the matter. The precise reason for the instruction was not immediately clear.

The developments have heightened concerns over the potential impact of the escalating conflict on Saudi Arabia’s aviation and energy sectors.

Although the latest attacks come amid an intensifying Houthi campaign against Saudi targets, details surrounding the precise method of attack on Dammam airport and the full extent of the damage remain limited.

Saudi authorities said the damage assessment and security measures were continuing.

Two Killed, Eight Injured as Attack Hits Saudi Arabia Airport

International

Trump’s White House Press Secretary Quits After Just Five Days as Credentials Storm Erupts

Published

1 week ago

October 17, 2026

Trends Admin

US President Donald Trump’s new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia

Trump’s White House Press Secretary Quits After Just Five Days as Credentials Storm Erupts

WASHINGTON, DC — US President Donald Trump’s new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia, has left her position after just five days on the job, following criticism of her first press briefing and questions about her professional credentials.

Zacharia’s departure was reported on Friday, October 16, 2026, after Trump disclosed that he had advised her to reconsider remaining in the high-profile position. A White House official subsequently confirmed that she was leaving the role.

The departure came just days after Trump announced her appointment to succeed Karoline Leavitt on Friday, October 9. Zacharia began work on Monday, October 12, and held her first White House press briefing the following day, Tuesday, October 13.

The brief tenure quickly became controversial after Zacharia’s first interaction with journalists attracted criticism. The briefing lasted approximately 14 minutes, during which she took questions from only three reporters, prompting scrutiny of her performance as the administration’s principal spokesperson.

The controversy deepened on Thursday, October 15, when questions emerged about her professional credentials. During an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Zacharia acknowledged that she had not passed the bar examination, despite holding a law degree from Pepperdine University.

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In the United States, obtaining a law degree does not automatically qualify a graduate to practise as a licensed attorney. Admission to practise generally requires passing the relevant bar examination and satisfying other requirements set by the jurisdiction.

The revelation intensified scrutiny of how Zacharia’s legal background had been presented before her appointment, further complicating her early days in the White House role.

Zacharia defended her handling of the first briefing, explaining that she had limited time to prepare. She also indicated that the session was intentionally brief because Trump was expected to speak to reporters later that morning.

Trump, meanwhile, said he had encouraged her to consider whether the position was right for her, arguing that the media scrutiny surrounding the job could make it difficult to remain in the role.

The White House press secretary is responsible for communicating the president’s positions, explaining administration policies and responding to questions from journalists. The position frequently involves contentious exchanges with the media and intense public scrutiny.

Before joining the White House, Zacharia worked in communications for Trump Media, the company behind the president’s Truth Social platform. She had also held a position at the Department of Homeland Security and worked as a conservative political commentator.

Her exit leaves the Trump administration needing to determine who will handle daily press briefings and serve as its principal spokesperson. As of Friday, October 16, the White House had not publicly announced a successor.

Zacharia’s departure followed a compressed timeline: Trump announced her appointment on October 9, she began work on October 12, delivered her first briefing on October 13 and left the position on October 16. The five-day description refers to her working tenure rather than five full days from the date her appointment was announced.

Trump’s White House Press Secretary Quits After Just Five Days as Credentials Storm Erupts

International

School Turns Death Trap as Roof Collapse Claims 22 Lives

Published

1 week ago

October 15, 2026

Trends Admin

School Turns Death Trap as Roof Collapse Claims 22 Lives

At least 21 children and a teacher have been killed after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, north-western Pakistan, triggering an emergency rescue operation as authorities searched for people feared trapped beneath the rubble.

The incident occurred on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in the Dir Colony area of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The victims were pupils attending the school when the roof gave way, according to reports citing local officials and hospital authorities.

More than 40 people were reportedly injured in the collapse, with several taken to hospital for treatment. Some of the injured were said to be in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could increase as rescue efforts continued.

Mohammad Asim, a spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital, confirmed that children and a teacher were brought to the facility after the incident. Early reports said the children killed were all aged 13 or younger.

Emergency responders, including personnel from Rescue 1122, were deployed to the scene to remove debris, search for survivors and transport injured pupils to medical facilities. Rescue workers continued to check the wreckage for anyone who might still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

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The cause of the collapse had not been established at the time of reporting. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the condition of the school building and whether construction and safety standards were observed.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the strength of the families affected by the tragedy.

The disaster has renewed concerns about building safety and construction standards in Pakistan, where structural collapses have repeatedly caused deaths and injuries. Poor construction materials and weak enforcement of safety regulations have been cited in reports on previous incidents, although the cause of the Peshawar collapse remains unconfirmed.

In June 2026, a roof collapse at a tutoring centre in Lahore killed at least 14 children. The recurring incidents have intensified calls for stricter inspections of educational facilities and stronger enforcement of building regulations to protect pupils and school staff.

Authorities are expected to establish what caused the latest collapse and determine whether any safety breaches contributed to the tragedy.