The Saudi media reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had spoken with President Trump, who made the kingdom the first stop on his first overseas presidential trip in 2017.

While major ruptures are not expected, Gulf states are urging a tougher stance on Israel and a softening toward Iran, positions that differ greatly from the president-elect’s first term.

The maker of ChatGPT hopes to spur investment from the Middle East and avoid strict regulations on the development of new technologies.

The two Mideast powerhouses have been trying to block the rise of Islamist groups in the region for two decades. The rebel takeover in Damascus will test that approach.

Delegates from more than 170 countries are working to salvage a treaty that would tackle the growing problem of plastic pollution.

© Fayez Nureldine/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

A handful of oil-producing nations ensured that a United Nations General Assembly resolution on climate change steered clear of a call to transition away from fossil fuels.

© Peter Dejong/Associated Press