In UK visit, Syria’s Sharaa doubles down on Western ties amid Iran war, refugee pressures After talks with UK leaders on Tuesday, Syria's president said the country would remain neutral in the Iran conflict unless it was targeted. Syria
Storm Leonardo displaces 140,000 as heavy floods hit northern Morocco Heavy rains from the storm have flooded northern Morocco, prompting mass evacuations and straining emergency services. Morocco
UAE firm’s $1.7B legal threat spotlights Gulf split on Lebanon as Qatar invests Lebanon’s bid to lure Gulf investment into its crisis-stricken economy is facing turbulence as Dubai's Al Habtoor Group threatens legal action over more than $1.7 billion in losses, while Qatar is making an investment push. Lebanon
Syria leans on Jordan, regional gas deals to rebuild energy sector The deal was signed at the Syrian Ministry of Energy between Syrian Petroleum Company and Jordan’s National Electric Power Company, SANA reported. Syria
Analysis Iran’s mismanagement in focus as fires ravage 25-million-year-old forests By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Palestinian businessman seeks self-funded projects to support Gaza economy An agreement of $1 million was signed to restore industrial facilities that were destroyed in the May 2021 war on Gaza, which came as a glimmer of hope for the stricken industrial city. Palestine
Cairo evicts Nile island residents for development project Egyptian security forces and residents of the Nile River's Warraq Island are clashing as the government tries to evict them as part of a development plan. Egypt
UN, Turkey and Ukraine discuss grain exports, nuclear safety Turkey and Ukraine sign a memorandum of understanding on reconstruction of Ukrainian infrastructure destroyed by war. Turkey
Iraq starts rebuilding Mosul airport Determined to complete the delayed Mosul airport reconstruction project, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi is granting the project special exceptions to shield it from corruption and complex administrative procedures. Iraq
Mega projects do little to calm Iraq's housing crisis Despite several mega housing projects launched in Iraq, most notably the Al-Rafeel City project and Bismayah New City in Baghdad, Iraq still needs millions of houses to end the housing crisis. Iraq
Egypt, Saudi Arabia sign agreements on green hydrogen, infrastructure The deals came during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Egypt. Legacy: Gulf
Egyptian students develop luminescent concrete Four Egyptian students created an innovative glow-in-the-dark concrete that can be used to light up highways and roads, as the world faces a growing energy crisis. Egypt
Fatal road accidents in Egypt remain high despite infrastructure improvements While the government’s spending of billions of dollars to develop roads and the transportation infrastructure have reduced accidents in recent years, Egypt still ranks among the top nations in the world for traffic deaths. Egypt
Iraq moves forward with building pilgrim route to Saudi Arabia The Iraqi government is showing interest in completing the pilgrim route linking Iraq and Saudi Arabia, which will facilitate the arrival of religious visitor convoys between the two countries and will enhance trade and political relations. Iraq
Lack of electricity drives sustainability options in Lebanon With Lebanon’s deepening electricity crisis and fuel shortage, many homes and businesses have switched to solar panels to generate electricity due to widespread power cuts from the country’s unpredictable energy sector. Lebanon
Iran, Iraq agree to connect rail networks Both countries pledged to build the Basra-Shalamcheh railway years ago but have yet to do so. News Brief
Egypt builds industrial city in Tanzania Egypt and Tanzania close ties are strengthened further by the inauguration of an Egyptian industrial city adjacent to the Tanzanian capital. Egypt
