“We believe BRICS will become a real force in the global economy when the results of our cooperation are reflected in contracts, factories, ports, and the economic lives of the peoples of our countries,” he said.

He called for greater use of national currencies in trade between member states, backed by mechanisms to manage currency risks and settlements.

Pezeshkian also urged the BRICS New Development Bank to expand local-currency financing for infrastructure and energy projects, while proposing a joint reinsurance company with initial capital of $10 billion to support major investments.

He called for streamlined customs procedures, fewer regulatory barriers and greater private-sector participation across the bloc.

The Iranian president said Iran was ready to use its energy resources and geographical position to strengthen BRICS food, energy and transport supply chains.

Trump had earlier pointed to "a little activity" at Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified site near Iran's damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, and threatened further US strikes if it continued.

Satellite imagery analysed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies shows increased construction at the site. Researchers, however, said the images could not confirm reports that centrifuges had been moved there and assessed that the facility did not yet appear capable of enriching uranium.

Iran is also reportedly rebuilding military capabilities damaged by US and Israeli strikes, including assembling ballistic missiles at underground facilities, although production remains below previous levels.

Netanyahu said Israel was continuing operations against what he called the "Iranian axis" in Gaza and Lebanon.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on September 9, 2026, beginning what UAE officials described as the first state visit to Germany by a president of the United Arab Emirates. His aircraft was escorted by German military jets after entering German airspace, while his arrival was marked by a 21-gun salute and guard of honour. His delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Foreign Trade Minister Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, and other senior officials. On September 10, Mohamed bin Zayed was formally welcomed at Villa Borsig in Berlin by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The UAE president signed the guestbook and referred to the longstanding relationship between the two countries, while expressing hope that bilateral ties would continue to deepen. The visit includes talks with Steinmeier and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with discussions focusing on economic and development cooperation as well as regional and international issues. The UAE and Germany have maintained diplomatic relations since 1972, while a strategic partnership agreement was signed in 2004.

UAE condemns Iranian missile attack on Jordan and backs Amman’s security response

The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned an Iranian missile attack on Jordan on September 9, describing it as a violation of Jordanian sovereignty and a threat to regional security. In an official statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack represented a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan” and threatened the country’s security and stability. The ministry reiterated what it called the UAE’s full solidarity with Jordan and said Abu Dhabi supported measures taken by Amman to safeguard its security and stability. The condemnation comes amid a broader period of heightened tension between Iran and Jordan. Jordan’s close security relationship with the United States has made it a target of Iranian missile and drone attacks during the recent regional conflict. The United States operates from multiple military installations in Jordan, including Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which has played a role in US regional operations. The September 9 statement was not the first such condemnation from Abu Dhabi in 2026. The UAE also condemned Iranian attacks on Jordan on July 9 and again on July 29, repeatedly describing them as unacceptable violations of Jordanian sovereignty.

Mohammed bin Rashid tells government teams to accelerate delivery in new 2026–27 season

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has opened the government’s new 2026–27 work season with a call for faster implementation, stronger coordination and greater use of emerging technologies. At the annual New Government Season Meeting 2026–2027 on September 9, Mohammed bin Rashid met senior officials and government teams to review priorities, major projects and policy directions for the coming period. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, as well as Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Mohammed bin Rashid praised government teams for improving operational efficiency, accelerating national priorities and developing public services, but told them to increase the pace of delivery. “With the start of every government season, I begin my work by meeting my team. We set out on a new season, carrying renewed energy, strong resolve and ambitions that match our country,” he said.

UAE moves agentic AI programme into second phase with FedAI government platform

The UAE is moving into the second phase of its ambitious Agentic AI Project , part of a wider plan to automate a large share of federal government operations using autonomous artificial-intelligence systems. The Ministerial Council for Artificial Intelligence and Development, chaired by Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reviewed the programme at a meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi on September 9. The second phase includes the creation of FedAI, a national technical ecosystem designed to allow federal government entities to develop, adopt and operate agentic AI systems through a secure and flexible environment. The programme will also establish a customer experience laboratory to test agentic AI in public services and launch internal government competitions encouraging employees to develop AI-based solutions. The first phase focused on assessing government services, operations and tasks, identifying priority areas and building institutional capabilities. Ministries and federal agencies have since submitted services and processes that are expected to move into implementation during the next stage.

Labour violations fall 15% but illegal recruitment and unpaid wages remain major offences

Labour violations detected at private-sector companies in the UAE fell 15% in the first half of 2026, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, though illegal employment and failures to pay salaries remain among the most common offences. The ministry said its inspection teams conducted about 212,000 visits during the first six months of the year using what it described as a “smart monitoring system” combining artificial intelligence, data analysis and risk indicators to identify establishments most likely to breach labour rules. The number of serious cases referred to the Public Prosecution fell 49%, from 962 during the first half of 2025 to 490 in the same period of 2026. The ministry said the decline indicated fewer severe violations requiring judicial intervention. However, inspections continued to identify several recurring breaches. These included employing or recruiting workers without the required permits, failing to pay salaries through the Wage Protection System, and submitting inaccurate information or documents to the ministry. Employing someone without the appropriate permit can result in fines of between Dh100,000 and Dh1 million under UAE labour legislation. Authorities can also refuse to issue or renew work permits, or cancel existing permits, when companies provide incorrect documentation or fail to comply with the Wage Protection System.

Netanyahu said Israel's strategy had been to confront Iran directly while weakening its regional allies. "My intention was that ultimately we would clash with Iran, with the head of the octopus, and we would sever the arms, clear them out, strike this axis of evil, and we did so very forcefully," he said.

His comments came as the United States and Iran engaged in their largest exchange of fire since July. US forces struck targets along Iran's southern coast on Tuesday, while Tehran launched missiles and drones at American positions across the region.

Israel has not joined the latest exchange, although Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces were prepared to strike Iran if Israel came under attack.

Gofman took over as Mossad director on June 2 after previously serving as Netanyahu's military secretary. At his inauguration, Netanyahu said helping bring down Iran's government was part of Gofman's mission.

Netanyahu also addressed Israel's operations in Gaza , claiming the country now controls more than 60 per cent of the territory. He said Israel would continue pursuing what he described as "dismantling, demilitarisation, evacuation in places where needed" to prevent Gaza from again becoming a threat to Israel.

From the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East to the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia, these routes form the backbone of international energy trade, handling the vast majority of seaborne crude flows.

Eight routes that power the global economy

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), roughly 80 million barrels of oil move through global maritime trade daily, with a large share funnelled through just a small number of chokepoints.

The Strait of Malacca, linking the Indian and Pacific oceans, is the busiest oil transit route in the world, carrying more than 23 million barrels per day, nearly a third of total maritime oil flows.

Close behind is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategically sensitive waterways on the planet. Around 20 million barrels per day pass through this narrow corridor between Iran and Oman, accounting for roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade.

Other critical routes include the Suez Canal and SUMED pipeline system, the Bab el-Mandeb strait near the Red Sea, the Danish and Turkish straits in Europe, the Panama Canal, and the Cape of Good Hope, each carrying millions of barrels daily and linking key producers to major consuming regions.

What makes these chokepoints so important is not just volume, but lack of alternatives.

Many oil-exporting countries in the Gulf rely heavily on the Strait of Hormuz, with limited pipeline capacity to bypass it.

Similarly, Asian economies including China, Japan and South Korea depend heavily on the Strait of Malacca for energy imports, making it a strategic vulnerability in times of geopolitical tension.

"This offensive operation will continue as a lesson to the Americans until they regret their crimes," he said.

Kuwait's military said its air defences intercepted attacks by hostile Iranian drones late on Tuesday, while Jordan's armed forces said 13 ballistic missiles entered its airspace, with 10 intercepted and three falling in remote areas.

US Central Command, meanwhile, said American forces had launched a new round of strikes against IRGC targets in Iran following attempted attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and US personnel in the region.

Katz said the continued Israeli military presence would be intended to protect communities in Israel’s western Negev region. His comments come as Israel maintains that any lasting settlement in Gaza must include Hamas’s disarmament and the territory’s demilitarisation, while Hamas has tied the surrender of its weapons to the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The pilots went missing after Iranian military aircraft entered Qatari airspace on March 2, during the opening days of the war that followed US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Akraminia also criticised Washington's approach to the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of lacking a coherent strategy. "These contradictory statements, opinions, and behaviours demonstrate that the Americans lack a coherent strategy," he said, claiming Washington had become "bewildered" in its conflict with Tehran.

His comments came after US President Donald Trump posted a map of the Strait of Hormuz on Truth Social last week labelled "New American Territory." Trump had previously said he intended to declare the strategic waterway American territory, although the White House later said the remarks were a joke and had not been officially discussed.

He warned that countries joining US economic measures would be considered enemies, adding that Tehran would initially seek talks before taking action against their interests.

Rezaei also threatened US commercial interests if Washington imposed further sanctions. "The US has many oil companies and economic interests around Iran and in other places; well, we will hit those," he said.

Trump announced a new economic pressure campaign last week, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has promised the "toughest sanctions in history."

Rezaei also argued that US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities had undermined confidence in the global non-proliferation system. Iran remains a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

He separately said Iran and Oman had agreed on a transit route through the Strait of Hormuz, although negotiations were not complete, and warned Washington against hostile military moves around the waterway.

"If they make any movement along the southern route [Strait of Hormuz], we will hit them," he said. Rezaei, a former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council earlier this month.

Supporter Ajmal Badri described the anniversary as a celebration of the defeat of foreign forces after years of conflict. "Five years ago, the great powers of the world that came to occupy Afghanistan used all kinds of bombs, cruise missiles, and forces here, but Praise be to God, through the sacrifices of the Mujahideen and great personalities, they were defeated," Badri said.

Another supporter, Qari Sajid, described August 15 as "Independence Day" and celebrated the Taliban's victory over the United States . "On this day, we defeated a superpower, meaning we defeated America," Sajid said, claiming Afghans were now living in a peaceful environment.

Badri also dismissed the prospect of US forces returning to Afghanistan, saying; "The Americans can neither come here again nor will they have the courage to return."

US President Donald Trump previously expressed interest in regaining control of Bagram Airbase, arguing that the facility was strategically important because of its proximity to China.

The final US troops left Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, ending a nearly 20-year military presence that began following the September 11 attacks.

The team has emerged as Sweida continues to recover from deadly violence in July 2025 involving Druze and Bedouin armed groups, as well as Syrian government forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 1,895 people were killed during the wider escalation. Despite the difficult circumstances, the players and their coach are looking beyond local competition, hoping to represent Syria on the international stage.

Protester Buchner Azriel accused the state of seeking the "cultural annihilation" of the Haredi community by pushing its members into the military and workforce .

"The army has been defined as a melting pot, after all. For us, it is regarded as a church, and, as you know, it is better to die than to enter a church," Azriel said.

Another protester, Yehezkel Rotman, said the demonstration followed the detention of a yeshiva student who had been taken to military prison two days earlier.

"As long as the state tries to conscript the Haredi community, does not leave them alone, and arrests them, the Haredi public will not enlist," Rotman said.

Israel's Supreme Court ruled in June 2024 that the state must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students, finding there was no legal basis for their sweeping exemption from military service.

Iran and the United States signed the Qatar- and Pakistan-mediated Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 18, ending military operations and addressing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Talks later stalled amid disagreements over maritime security and passage through the strategic waterway.

Araghchi said Iran and Oman had made progress on plans for new shipping routes, with experts working on maps to replace existing routes.

He stressed, however, that an agreement with Oman on a new maritime route "does not mean the opening of the Strait of Hormuz."

Araghchi said reopening the strait would depend on separate conditions being communicated to Washington through intermediaries.

He stressed that disarmament must cover "heavy weapons, less heavy weapons and light weapons," describing the demand as a "real disarmament and not a fictitious disarmament."

The roadmap, drawn up by the US-led Board of Peace, proposes a phased process under which Hamas and other Palestinian factions would relinquish control of Gaza's government and security apparatus. Civil administration would pass to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, while disarmament would be linked to a phased Israeli withdrawal.

The two sides remain divided over the sequence of the process. Netanyahu wants Hamas fully disarmed before Israeli troops withdraw, while Hamas has called for Israeli strikes to stop and forces to begin pulling back as disarmament gets underway.

Netanyahu also reiterated his opposition to Palestinian statehood. "As long as I am Prime Minister, a Palestinian state will not be established, not in Gaza and not in Judea and Samaria," he said.

Israeli strikes have continued across Gaza despite the ceasefire, with much of the territory devastated and most of its population still displaced.

He said Iran was instead holding talks with Oman to establish a temporary route to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. "We are seeking, in consultation and cooperation with Oman, to determine this route as soon as possible," Baghaei said.

Trump had earlier claimed he halted what he described as the "largest attack since World War II" after appeals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran, saying Tehran wanted an agreement.

Baghaei also dismissed speculation that Iran's negotiating team had travelled abroad, saying all members remained in the country while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was visiting Iraq for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage.

He further accused the United States of committing "war crimes" by striking residential areas in Qeshm, Minab and Lamerd, saying Iran would pursue legal action through international channels.

He argued that both communities were facing growing attacks.

"It's under attack from the rising tide of anti-Semitism and anti-evangelicalism. It's no accident that the two are coming under joint attack because we are one," he said.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the evangelical leaders thanked Netanyahu for Israel's actions during the conflict with Iran .

"When you're faced with an attack, what do you do? Attack back," Netanyahu said, adding, "It's now time to fight, fight, fight."

Evangelical Christian groups have long been among Israel's strongest supporters in the United States , and Netanyahu has regularly met with their leaders during visits to Washington.

"Last week, Mayor Mamdani accused our prime minister of being a war criminal and accused our nation of committing genocide. Hours later, a Jewish man walked out of his synagogue... He was stabbed by a radical who yelled 'Allahu Akbar'," Danon said.

Police said two men, one Jewish and one Asian, were attacked in separate incidents and are expected to survive. Authorities have not established any connection between the attacks and Mamdani's remarks.

Addressing the Security Council's quarterly debate on the Middle East , Danon also accused Hamas of obstructing peace and criticised the UN for failing to hold the group accountable.

Palestine's UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, meanwhile, accused Netanyahu's government of exploiting the Gaza conflict for political gain and urged stronger international action to end the bloodshed.

Trump also renewed his criticism of the nuclear agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama, describing it as "a road to a nuclear weapon."

He credited recent US military strikes, including B-2 bomber missions targeting what he described as Iranian nuclear infrastructure, with preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

"If that didn't happen, they would have had a nuclear weapon and there would be no Israel," Trump said, referring to the strikes. The US president further claimed that his administration's actions had prevented a wider regional catastrophe.

"If I wasn't here, if I wasn't president, there would be no Israel and there probably would be no Middle East ," he said, adding that he believed Iran would have used a nuclear weapon if it had obtained one.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran chose the path of diplomacy and dialogue, and negotiations were underway to settle differences. The response to diplomacy came not through negotiation, but through a military attack," he said.

He argued that such actions weakened confidence in diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

"Such behaviour undermines confidence in diplomacy, calls into question the credibility of mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, and carries a dangerous message for the future of international relations," Araghchi said.

The Iranian foreign minister also accused the United States and Israel of violating international law, citing what he described as breaches of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's commitment to cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, saying Tehran was ready to make its transport, energy and regional trade capabilities available to fellow member states.

His remarks came after a 13th consecutive night of US strikes on Iran, while Tehran continued targeting American military assets across the region.

"This is the 13th consecutive night of strikes aimed to hold Iran accountable and diminish threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to commercial shipping," CENTCOM said in a post on X.

The exact time and location of the footage could not be independently verified.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was close to deciding whether to launch what he described as a "massive attack" on Iran, saying it would be larger than any strike carried out during the months-long conflict.

"I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," Trump said.

His remarks came after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and a fresh rise in oil prices above $100 per barrel, Viory reports.

The latest strikes come after the collapse of a Pakistan-brokered interim agreement signed in June, which had sought to halt the conflict that began on 28 February.

Australia sourced much of its imported urea from the Middle East and Southeast Asia in 2024, with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia emerging as its largest suppliers, according to World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) trade data .

The map highlights Australia's dependence on imported urea, a nitrogen-rich fertiliser widely used to boost crop yields and also an essential ingredient in AdBlue, the diesel exhaust fluid required by many heavy vehicles to reduce emissions.

Saudi Arabia was Australia's largest individual supplier by trade value in 2024, exporting more than US$221 million worth of urea to Australia, according to WITS data based on UN Comtrade statistics. Indonesia also ranked among the country's biggest suppliers, alongside the United Arab Emirates, Oman, China and several other trading partners.

Australia imported around US$1.45 billion worth of urea from all countries in 2024, making it one of the world's five largest urea importers by value behind Brazil, the European Union, India and the United States.

Urea is the world's most widely used nitrogen fertiliser because it contains about 46% nitrogen, making it highly effective for crops including wheat, barley, canola, cotton and sugarcane. Australia imports most of its nitrogen fertiliser requirements despite being a major agricultural exporter, as domestic production has not kept pace with demand.

The country's reliance on overseas suppliers has become increasingly important during periods of global disruption. Supply chains have faced pressure in recent years from geopolitical tensions, shipping disruptions and export restrictions by some producing countries, leading to higher fertiliser prices and renewed discussions about Australia's fertiliser security .

Australia is pursuing greater domestic production capacity through new fertiliser projects, but imported urea is expected to remain a key component of the country's agricultural supply chain for the foreseeable future.

Speaking on Sunday, Trump said the latest military action was intended to honour US troops killed during recent attacks in the Middle East .

"We control the strait [of Hormuz]. They don't control anything. So we'll see what happens. But we hit them very hard again tonight, and we did that in honour of the probably three - it's probably three as opposed to two - great patriots," he said.

Trump's remarks came as tensions between Washington and Tehran continued to escalate.

US Central Command said it launched a "new wave" of strikes for the ninth consecutive night.

Tehran said it responded with what it described as a "surprise attack" in Syria and Jordan.

The latest exchange followed attacks that left US service members dead over the past two days.

On Saturday, one US service member was confirmed killed in an attack in Iraq, while two were reported dead on Friday following a strike on a base in Jordan.

"The Great Satan has once again unveiled its true, unmasked face, so that this dark experience of crime and bad faith serves as yet another strong document of America's mendacity, irrationality, unreliability and vileness," he said.

Khamenei also warned the United States against what he described as "warmongering," saying it would only bring "heavier costs and greater disgrace" to Washington.

"The dear nation of Iran and the Resistance Front have unforgettable lessons for [the US], lessons of which the valor of Islamic fighters and the zeal of the brave people along the southern front have shown examples in recent days," he said.

He also called for unity within Iran, urging the public to avoid political disputes and divisions.

Iran and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17, opening a 60-day period for negotiations toward a final agreement.

Asia remains home to the vast majority, as more than 1.6 billion Muslims are in Indonesia , Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, forming the core. Indonesia alone has over 240 million Muslims, more than any other country in the world.

Africa follows with approximately 763 million Muslims, reflecting Islam’s long historical influence across North, West, and East Africa.

The above map breaks down the distribution clearly:

Many Muslim-majority countries have some of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing populations . This positions them at the centre of future global workforce trends and economic potential.

Nations like Pakistan, Nigeria, Indonesia, and Egypt have median ages below 25, meaning they will significantly influence global markets and labour dynamics in the coming decades.

Additionally, Muslim-majority regions hold critical economic power. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region contain over 48% of the world’s proven oil reserves and nearly 40% of global natural gas reserves, giving these countries major leverage in international energy markets.

Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are now also among the world’s most active investors, shaping sectors from technology to real estate across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

According to data from the Pew Research Centre , the percentage of Christians varies widely by country, from a tiny fraction in places like Iran (0.2%) and Yemen (0.2%) to large communities in Lebanon (31%) and Cyprus (78%).

Where Christians live in the Middle East

By contrast, Turkey (0.5%), Iraq (0.8%), Iran (0.2%), and the Palestinian territories (1%) have only small Christian populations today, a steep decline from the early centuries of Christianity.

Historical shifts and decline

Christianity’s presence in the Middle East has been shrinking for decades due to migration, conflict, and discrimination. Civil wars in Iraq and Syria forced millions of Christians to flee. In countries like Egypt, many Copts face social and political pressures that drive emigration.

According to Open Doors International , persecution remains a major concern. Churches in several countries face restrictions, and open expression of faith is often limited.

Interestingly, the Gulf states show higher percentages of Christians, but most are not indigenous communities. Migrants from the Philippines, India , and Africa form the backbone of Christian populations in places like Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE.

Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund: A Global Leader

The Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global tops the list, managing an impressive $1.74 trillion, primarily accumulated from oil and gas revenues. This fund has shifted towards technology-driven investments, with stakes in Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia generating record-breaking profits. Recently, the country hinted it was looking at tapping money from the funds to support Ukraine.

China's Growing Influence

China's two major funds, collectively controlling $2.39 trillion, are fuelling the country's global infrastructure and energy initiatives, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative. China's growing economic influence is reflected in its expanding SWF portfolio.

Middle East Dominance

The Middle East remains a dominant force in the SWF landscape, with Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia collectively holding over $3 trillion in assets. These funds play a crucial role in economic diversification, ensuring long-term stability beyond oil revenues.

Indonesia's Rise to Prominence

A standout in this year's ranking is Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund, Badan Pengelola Investasi Daya Anagata Nusantara. With a staggering $983 billion, the fund has rapidly expanded, now surpassing some of the longest-established funds in the world . Unlike resource-driven funds, Indonesia's SWF focuses on infrastructure, digital transformation, and sustainable development, attracting global investors eager to capitalise on the nation's economic growth.

This marked the first time an Arab dictator was ousted by a popular uprising, rather than a coup, sparking the Arab Spring's transformative wave across the Middle East and North Africa .

The Arab Spring, which began in Tunisia in 2010, was a pro-democracy movement that shook the foundations of authoritarian rule, toppling several long-standing leaders.

Key leaders ousted include:

- Egypt's Hosni Mubarak: Stepped down in February 2011 after nearly 30 years in power, following mass protests .

- Libya's Muammar Gaddafi: Suffered a violent downfall in October 2011, after ruling since 1969.

- Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh: Resigned under pressure in February 2012, after leading the country for over three decades.

-Bashar al-Assad: Served as the President of Syria from 2000 until December 2024. Assad's presidency was characterized by a highly centralized and authoritarian regime, with numerous reports of human rights violations and severe repression.

The Arab Spring's impact was profound, reshaping the regional landscape and inspiring hopes for democratic reform. However, the aftermath has been complex, with ongoing challenges and uncertainties in many countries.