VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV asked people to fast Friday to pray for peace and justice in the Middle East and Ukraine, issuing a special appeal as he returned to the Vatican from summer vacation.

The Dartmouth Initiative for Middle East Exchange, a three-year pilot led by professor Jonathan Smolin, aims to broaden study abroad, internships and faculty collaborations.

Bai-Tee Bakery, a new 24-hour Middle Eastern cafe from Spain Wine Bar owner Peter Elias, has opened in Ocean City, offering French-inspired dishes, croissants and house-made specialties.

In a world where the pace of change shows no signs of slowing, innovation leaders must rethink not just what they work on but how they work.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, US — The Middle East, which spans parts of Western Asia and Egypt in North Africa, has a population just shy of 411 million people. Population growth and limited grain production capacity mean the region needs to import wheat, much of which comes from the nearby Black Sea producers.

The five-year-old beauty brand known for sensitive skin-friendly formulas is launching across 55 Sephora stores in the region.

The Middle East civil aviation market is one of the most dynamic and fast-growing globally. Valued at $28.38bn in 2025 and projected to reach $35.19bn by 2030, it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.

Farid Azzeh, the founder of Jerusalem Café and a pioneer of Middle Eastern cuisine in Kansas City, died August 18 after a two-year battle with cancer and liver disease. He was 66. He leaves behind his wife, Souhair, with whom he would have celebrated 38 years of marriage Friday, and three sons — Dennis, Adam, and Eddy.

Donald Trump has sharply criticized John Bolton, labeling him a "lowlife" and disavowing any prior knowledge of the FBI raid on Bolton's Maryland home. Trump accused Bolton of influencing George Bush to initiate bombings in the Middle East,