Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a noteworthy journey, first attending a Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Kuwait before heading to the UAE for a private visit, where President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed warmly welcomed him.

Meanwhile, in Bethlehem, the Christmas spirit is dim as ongoing conflict in Gaza keeps tourists away, exacerbating emigration and economic difficulties for local families in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Shifting to Jordan, Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa highlighted the importance of speech and language rehabilitation during their visit to Amman's Seeds of Hope Center, gaining insights into the center's unique treatments and educational programs.

In the US, President-elect Donald Trump appointed Lebanese-American Massad Boulos as his senior adviser on Middle Eastern affairs, a move portraying significant family ties within his administration, as Boulos is also playing a crucial role in addressing regional conflicts.

Turning our attention to Europe, Poland's decision to reinforce its border fence with Belarus has sparked controversy, with authorities aiming to halt migration while human rights groups express concern over increased violence and the lack of a comprehensive migration strategy.

Finally, global leaders have gathered in Riyadh for the 16th Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, a monumental meeting aimed at addressing crucial environmental issues with key figures like French President Emmanuel Macron and World Bank President Ajay Banga in attendance.