BBC News reports that Saudi Aramco’s shares have jumped in the world’s biggest ever market debut as the share sale got underway in Riyadh, rising 10% above the initial public offering price. The Associated Press also reports that Saudi Aramco began trading for the first time on Wednesday, gaining 10% in the first moments on the market and pushing its worth to $1.88 trillion, making it the most valuable listed company in the world.

BBC News reports that the US has grounded hundreds of Saudi military aviation students at bases across the country in the wake of Friday’s deadly shooting in Florida. It comes after Defence Secretary Mark Esper ordered a review following the shooting of three sailors at a navy base by a Saudi Air Force lieutenant. Reuters also reports The Pentagon announced on Tuesday it was halting operational training of all Saudi Arabian military personnel in the United States until further notice

Reuters reports that suicide blasts in Afghanistan killed one person and injured more than 60 in an attack on Wednesday on the United States’ main military base of Bagram that was repulsed after a 30-minute clash, Afghan and NATO officials said.

Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia’s central bank is ready for any liquidity squeeze from Saudi Aramco’s initial public offering (IPO) and is closely monitoring local banks, its governor said, after heavy demand for loans to buy the stock.

Reuters reports that Qatar’s premier attended an annual Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, its highest representation since 2017, but there was no public mention of a 2 year boycott by its neighbours despite hints of a thaw in relations.

Reuters reports that Iran warned its citizens, particularly scientists, on Tuesday not to visit America, saying Iranians there were subjected to arbitrary and lengthy detention in inhuman conditions.

Reuters reports the United Nations is “unable to independently corroborate” that missiles and drones used in attacks on Saudi oil facilities in September “are of Iranian origin,” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Tuesday.

The Associated Press reports that Israel’s Justice Ministry said Tuesday it plans to prosecute suspects involved in a “serious corruption affair” in one of the country’s defence bodies.

In The Times, Roger Boyes argues that a state PR offensive isn’t enough to save Mohammed bin Salman, as the Saudi prince will need more than boxing matches to keep his hold on power.

In The Guardian, Ben Armbruster argues the Afghanistan war is more than a $1 trillion mistake, saying the war has now become a travesty. Armbruster asserts the Washington DC foreign policy establishment will continue to act with impunity if it is not held to account.

In The Telegraph, Con Coughlin says the UK security establishment ‘will be terrified by the prospect of Prime Minister Corbyn’, asserting the Labour leader would constitute a ‘useful idiot’ to Britain’s enemies.

Palestinian Authority wants elections in East Jerusalem: Palestinian Authority (PA) Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh said the PA has asked Israel to allow voting in East Jerusalem in any future Palestinian election, both Israeli and Palestinian media reported. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the various Palestinian factions have agreed to hold elections in the coming months, although it was unclear whether these would be Parliamentary and Presidential elections. No date has been set for either. Most analysts do not expect Israel to agree to the PA request for a vote in East Jerusalem, a development that would give the PA an excuse to delay the election indefinitely.

EU considers recognising Palestinian state: Maariv and Channel 13 reported that the European Union may discuss recognising a Palestinian state at a summit meeting in Brussels at the end of the week. The proposal was first floated by Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister, Jean Asselborn, as a response to the recent decision by the Trump administration to no longer consider West Bank settlements illegal under international law. In a written statement Asselborn made clear that: “The recognition of Palestine as a state would neither be a favour, nor a blank check, but a simple recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to their own state. In no way would it be directed against Israel.” The initiative was unlikely to succeed, however, with key European powers likely to oppose it. A French official told Maariv that: “One can’t recognise a state that doesn’t exist. The symbolic gesture has to have significance and efficacy.”

Egypt says Gaza truce deal still far off: Israel Hayom reported that a long-term ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip was still far away, citing a senior Egyptian official. Senior leaders from Hamas and other Gaza factions recently met in Cairo for talks with Egyptian intelligence officers attempting to broker the ceasefire. According to the report, the political impasse in Israel and a likely third election are the main obstacle to further progress, although Hamas and Israel are also at odds over the terms of any prisoner exchange deal.