Middle East in Brief: Houthi Attack on Presidential Palace, Iraq Approves Cabinet, UAE Busts Cybercrime Ring

In this episode of Trending Middle East, the Saudi-led coalition announced the interception and destruction of a drone targeting Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. The death toll from a Houthi attack on Yemen’s presidential palace in Aden has tragically risen to five, with 16 others injured. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has not ruled out the potential use of the 'mother of all bombs' against Iran following the November midterm elections. Iraq’s parliament has officially approved Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi’s cabinet, which includes the appointment of a deputy prime minister currently under US sanctions. In the United Arab Emirates, Sharjah Police have apprehended 33 suspects from 12 different countries. These individuals are accused of participating in an international cyber crime and money-laundering network, with authorities seizing over Dh200 million ($54.4 million) in cash. Additionally, recent figures indicate a significant 59 percent decrease in applications from UAE students seeking to study in the UK between 2022 and 2025, attributed to stricter immigration policies and growing concerns about costs and safety. Trending Middle East is an AI-assisted program, featuring original reporting from The National, curated and edited by human professionals.