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There have been public protests in a number of countries around the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) in support of Palestinians and against Israeli actions in Gaza, but in many countries they have been limited in scope. Huge crowds have taken to the streets in capitals from Rabat to Baghdad, but there have been no major events in the countries where the public space is most tightly controlled, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Governments across the region are trying to ensure the war between Hamas and Israel doesn’t escalate, with potentially disastrous expansion to other fronts. Meanwhile the monarchies and others are trying to assuage the anger many of their citizens feel towards Israel’s actions in Gaza, in a conflict that has profoundly upset recent comfortable assumptions about the regional status quo.

Turnout reached 44% in the UAE's fifth Federal National Council election,  according to official figures. This was the second highest turnout on record; it peaked at 74% in the first election in 2006. Just three members retained their seats from the outgoing chamber.

The UAE set up a field hospital in Herat, western Afghanistan to help locals injured during a wave of severe earthquakes that killed more than 1,000 people. The UAE has also sent at least five aircraft with a total of 140 tonnes of aid, including food and tents.

UAE minister of state Sheikh Shakhbout Bin Nahyan Al-Nahyan and his Qatari counterpart Mohammed Bin Abdelaziz Bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi led their countries' delegations at the fourth meeting of the Quint Group on Somalia, held in Ankara. Others in the meeting included representatives of Somalia, Türkiye, the UK and the US.

Bahrain's General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) president Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa was in Riyadh to attend the opening ceremony of the 2023 World Combat Games, the first time the martial arts event has been held in the Arab region.

Sharjah Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al-Qasimi named Adel Ahmed Ali Alwan Al-Naqbi as director of the Ruler's Court in Dibba Al-Hisn – a part of the emirate on the Gulf of Oman coast which borders Oman's Musandam peninsula.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan opened the eighth World Investment Forum, organised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Sheikh Mubarak Bin Fahad Bin Jassim Bin Mohammed Al-Thani was named as Qatar's ambassador to Oman. Mubarak has previously served as ambassador to Azerbaijan (2008-14) and Serbia (2015-21).

Dubai Deputy Ruler and federal finance minister Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum opened the Expand North Star 2023 exhibition and conference at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

A Dubai-based company backed by a well-connected but relatively low-profile member of Dubai's ruling Al-Maktoum family has been signing deals across Africa to generate carbon credits – while generating some controversy in the process.

Emirati Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Juma Al-Maktoum has been involved in a number of business deals around Africa. During the Covid pandemic, he was connected to efforts to sell Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in several countries in Africa and Asia. 

There appeared to be limited interest from the Gulf region in China's third Belt and Road Forum for International Co-operation.  The UAE was the most notable Gulf presence, sending Ras Al-Khaimah Ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi to lead its delegation. 

Ras Al-Khaimah Ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi officially opened the RAK Digital Assets Oasis, a free zone dedicated to digital and virtual assets companies. 

The businessman son of Qatari Sheikh Hamid Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani, Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, has withdrawn from the race to buy Manchester United Football Club. He failed to agree a valuation in talks with American owners the Glazer family.