Syria, Jordan focus on economic ties amid fallout from October attacks Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Monday as the two countries revealed 11 cooperation pacts spanning trade, investment and infrastructure. Syria
RSF drones knock out five Sudanese power stations, causing blackouts The four impacted states had a combined estimated population of about 14.1 million, according to 2024 UN data. Sudan
Qatar locks in US LNG through 2054 as it looks beyond Hormuz The Gulf state agreed to buy up to 4 million tons of US liquefied natural gas annually through 2054. Qatar
Turkey: Flash floods kill 3, paralyze Istanbul after record downpour Heavy rains stranded hundreds, blocking major roads and disrupting air and public transportation, flooding buildings and forcing school closures across Istanbul province. Turkey
Analysis Can Gulf investors outstrip China in Africa as UAE expands reach? As the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC states boost investments in Africa,Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative could face serious challenges. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis Inquiry finds Netanyahu responsible for 2021 festival stampede The commission said the 45 deaths in Mount Meron could have been avoided. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Egypt, UAE sign $35 billion development deal amid foreign currency crunch The deal could help Egypt’s struggling economy and builds on previous Emirati investment in the North African country. Egypt
With $104 billion in damages, Turkey’s earthquake region sees slow recovery Turkey’s quake victims can hardly hope for a faster recovery, as Ankara seems to be keeping the pace of reconstruction tied to its overall economic roadmap, wary of overheating the fragile economy. Turkey
One year after earthquake, Turkey's ancient Antioch still devastated Scars of the quake that killed 53,000 people and displaced millions run deep, and the road to restoration is fraught with political bickering. Turkey
Davos 2024: Inside Investcorp’s plan to build China-Gulf 'investment bridge' In an interview with Al-Monitor, co-CEO Hazem Ben-Gacem said there is a big push for infrastructure funding in the Asia-Pacific region, controlled buyouts in Japan and growth investments in India and China. Bahrain
Bahrain's Investcorp buys 50% of Corsair's $4.8B infrastructure business The new entity, Investcorp Corsair, will continue to grow with a particular focus on transportation, logistics and related subsectors, a statement from the two companies said. Bahrain
Morocco-UK Xlinks undersea power cable to generate 'real value': Octopus Energy Octopus Energy CEO Greg Jackson said that it would help Morocco fight climate change. Morocco
Saudi Arabia set to begin Middle East’s first hydrogen train trials Saudi Arabian Railways, in partnership with French manufacturer Alstom, will begin to operate the world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train in Riyadh later this month. Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi’s ADQ in talks with Turkey to build railway for trade corridor Amid increasing cooperation between the two countries, an alternative trade corridor is planned linking Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Turkey
UK, Turkey in talks about third railway project The project follows the UK government underwriting financing in July to support the construction of a 286-kilometer high-speed electric railway in southern Turkey. Turkey
