The deal marks a revival of earlier efforts as Dangote had visited Zimbabwe in 2015 and explored similar plans in 2018, but those did not advance.

He said the investment package will span a cement plant, a coal mine (or coal supply arrangement), power-generation capacity and a petroleum product pipeline that aligns with Dangote Group’s broader plans for its oil-refining and downstream business.

"We have just signed an agreement between Zimbabwe and the Dangote Group to do various investments in various sectors, some of which are, of course, cement, power generation and a pipeline to bring petroleum products," Dangote said.

Why Zimbabwe now

Dangote commented that the current environment in Zimbabwe shows improved governance , transparency and policy stability compared with his visit a decade ago and cites those as reasons for proceeding now.

From the Zimbabwean side, government officials affirmed that attracting high-impact foreign direct investment is strategic to achieving the nation’s industrialisation goals. The deal aligns with the government’s “Vision 2030” ambition to become a modern, upper‐middle-income industrial economy .

Additionally, the project could generate thousands of jobs, both directly (in the cement plant, mine and power station) and indirectly (in logistics, services and local supply chains). It also helps Zimbabwe reduce its reliance on imports of cement, energy, and potentially petroleum products, thereby breaking supply bottlenecks.

For Zimbabwe, which has, over recent years, suffered from electricity shortages, high industrial import dependence and weak external investment flows, the Dangote commitment represents one of the largest privately-led foreign investment pledges in over a decade.

"On a scale of destruction, we are not only talking about the infrastructure, where probably between 65% to 70% of buildings in Gaza have either been entirely destroyed or damaged,” Steiner told the AFP. “We are also talking about an economy that has been destroyed, where we estimate that roughly 60 years of development have been lost in this conflict over just 15 months.”

The UN estimates that around 42 million tons of rubble must now be cleared, a process made perilous by unexploded ordnance, landmines, and the risk of encountering unrecovered bodies. This cleanup will require meticulous planning and substantial international support to prevent further loss of life.

Steiner highlighted the collapse of basic public services, noting that Gaza’s two million residents now lack access to clean water , functional sewage systems, and waste management facilities. "You have to imagine, 2 million people who are in the Gaza Strip have lost not only their shelter, they've lost public infrastructure, sewage treatment systems, freshwater supply systems, and public waste management. All of these fundamental infrastructure and service elements simply do not exist," Steiner explained.

Rebuilding Gaza will require tens of billions of dollars, a financial commitment that Steiner acknowledged will be a significant challenge for the international community.

The church, which dominates the city’s Manger Square, was nearly empty, and Christmas decorations were scarce. The only sounds filling the crypt, where Christians believe Jesus was born, were the chants of Armenian monks, as reported by the AFP.

Bethlehem has remained relatively calm amid the surge in violence across the West Bank following the outbreak of war in Gaza on October 7. However, the economic and social impact on the predominantly Muslim city has been profound.

Mohammed Awad, a coffee vendor with 26 years of experience in Manger Square, lamented the challenges of this year. “Unfortunately, this year is one of the most difficult years that the Palestinian people have gone through because of the wars and problems. We were living better than today. The situation is very, very, very difficult,” he said.

Rayan, who sells corn nearby, echoed similar sentiments, reflecting on the sharp decline in tourism. “In the past, it was much better. There were many people, in addition to tourists from abroad—from the Philippines, Ethiopia, America, and many others. Now there are none. They also used to come here from the Arabs of 1948, but now there is no one,” Rayan shared.

The city’s struggles are compounded by increased restrictions. Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salman highlighted the challenges faced by potential visitors. “On top of pre-existing checkpoints, the Israeli army had set up new roadblocks around Bethlehem, creating an obstacle for those wanting to visit,” Salman told AFP. “Maybe part of them will succeed to come, and part of them, they are going to face the gates and the checkpoints that Israel is putting around.

In a speech to commemorate the anniversary, President Erdogan highlighted Turkey’s enduring legacy and future aspirations. “We are determined to make the independent, strong, dignified and prosperous Türkiye, which is the legacy of our states extending from the Seljuks to the Ottomans and finally to the Republic on the Anatolian lands, live forever,” he said. Erdogan also emphasised Turkey’s resilience and determination to “eliminate the scourge of terror.”

“We have few obstacles to overcome, few problems to resolve ahead of us to reach the bright futures that we call the ‘Century of Türkiye’,” he added.

Later in the day, President Erdogan spoke at the delivery ceremony of T625 Gökbey helicopters, where he highlighted the significant contributions of the nation’s defence industry to the Turkish economy. “We are by far the world’s largest manufacturer in the unmanned aerial vehicle market,” he stated.

Chants of "Erdogan assassin! AKP assassin!" echoed through the crowd, directed at Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has been in power since 2002. Protesters accused the government of failing to protect women and turning a blind eye to gender-based violence.

Among the demonstrators was Gulizar Sezer, the mother of femicide victim Sedef Guler. "Where is the state? Where is justice?" Sezer cried out. "The state is as guilty as the criminal who killed my child. I will hold it accountable until the end."

Hülya Gülbahar, a prominent women's rights activist and lawyer, highlighted the shortcomings in enforcing Turkey’s Law No. 6284, which provides protection against domestic violence. “If Law 6284 was properly implemented, thousands of women’s lives would have been saved," Gülbahar said, emphasizing that impunity for perpetrators remains a "systematic state policy."

According to The Monument Counter, a platform that tracks gender-based violence in 2023, the number of femicides reached 416.

Local fisherman Khaed Sonbol, speaking to the AFP on Nasrallah’s speech, said, "Yesterday, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah said that Israel is threatening us. They started with the device explosions, and we don't know what they will do next. A fellow brother from the resistance was hit by an explosion just two meters away from us, and it took a long time to evacuate him due to the poor conditions in this country." 

The looming threat of war has also had a direct impact on local businesses. Ziyad Kalo, a stationery shop owner, noted, "People, overall, are afraid. It's back-to-school time, and the demand (for school supplies) is weak because people fear that schools might close. We share the same concerns as everyone else. May God protect this country."

Ahmed Betakji, a Lebanese employee, further added "The fear of war has become an increasing obsession for all Lebanese. We feel that the risk of war is growing day by day and that it is very near. As Lebanese, we wish there would be no war and hope it does not happen."

Hezbollah has accused Israel of being behind the explosions that targeted its operatives' communication devices. The two-day attack reportedly disabled thousands of pagers and radios used by Hezbollah members. 

He called for the continuation of negotiations, the release of hostages, and immediate assistance to the population in Gaza, where diseases like polio are spreading rapidly.

The Pope also emphasised the need for peace in the Holy Land, particularly in Jerusalem.

"The Holy City should be a place of encounters, where Christians, Jews, and Muslims feel respected and welcomed, and where no one questions the status quo of their respective holy sites," he stated.

This appeal comes as Israel announced on Sunday that its troops had found six dead hostages in a Gaza tunnel. Meanwhile, a "shooting attack" in the occupied West Bank claimed the lives of three Israeli officers, according to Israeli police. The violence in the West Bank, which is separated from Gaza by Israeli territory, has intensified following a large-scale Israeli military operation that has drawn international concern.

In Gaza, where the conflict has raged for nearly 11 months, "humanitarian pauses" were set to begin on Sunday to facilitate a massive polio vaccination drive, which a health official confirmed had already started.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shi’a Al-Sudani has launched the first phase of the Ur Tourist City project in Dhi Qar Governorate, which includes a cultural centre, Sumerian theatre, interfaith dialogue centre, and more. Construction Week reports that planned expansions feature a 400-room hotel and a mosque. Infrastructure improvements include the completion of Nasiriyah International Airport and enhanced electricity supply, with over 2,400 MW of power projects underway. Al-Sudani's recent visit is part of ongoing efforts to improve local development and reconstruction in the region.

Fire outbreak

A fire at the Parvez Khan border crossing between Iraq and Iran killed one person and injured 17, including 12 civilians and four security and health personnel. The fire, which broke out on Monday evening, destroyed 15 trucks and involved several oil tankers. According to Rudaw , the injured were treated at Shahid Hazhar Emergency Hospital and are in stable condition. This crossing is a vital route for oil exports to Iran and other goods entering the region.

Foreign travels

Masoud Pezeshkian, the newly elected president of Iran, will make Iraq his first foreign destination, emphasising the importance of Iran-Iraq relations, Tehran Times reports. His visit, in response to an invitation from Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, is scheduled before his attendance at the United Nations meetings in New York. The trip follows a recent press conference in Baghdad where Iran's former foreign minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, called for an end to violence in Gaza and highlighted the shared commitment of Iran and Iraq to support the Palestinian population amid regional tensions.

Automotive market

Toyota led the Iraqi automotive market in the first half of 2024, with sales reaching 19,629 units. Car sales overall increased by 26.4% compared to the same period in 2023, totalling 69,072 vehicles sold. June marked the eighteenth consecutive month of rising sales, with 11,022 cars registered that month. According to Iraqi News , Kia followed Toyota with 17,986 sales, and Hyundai ranked third with 7,980 units sold. The Iraqi market, which faced declines between 2014 and 2016 due to the ISIS conflict, has seen significant growth since 2017, with 2022 showing a 26.7% rise in annual sales to 107,990 vehicles.

Investment

The International Development Bank (IDB), Iraq's largest private bank, aims to enhance its business operations in the UAE by providing innovative financial solutions for various clients, including individuals, SMEs, and corporations. During a recent media briefing, IDB chairman Dr. Ziad Khalaf Abd highlighted the bank's focus on customised services such as flexible financing, cash management, international trade facilitation, and comprehensive treasury solutions. The bank emphasises a client-centric approach to support businesses in achieving their investment goals and expanding into global markets, according to Khaleej Times . Dr. Abd also noted the importance of technological innovation and financial inclusion in driving the bank's success and enhancing the financial infrastructure in the Arab region.

Saudi Arabia has risen to 16th place in the World Competitiveness Index 2024, thanks to its economic diversification efforts, government efficiency, and business-friendly environment. The country's Vision 2030 programme has contributed to this growth. The report, from the International Institute for Management Development, ranked Saudi Arabia higher than G20 peers like India, the UK, Japan, Italy, Argentina, Indonesia, Brazil, and Turkiye. Saudi Arabia also ranked first in cybersecurity, long-term employment growth, long-term labour market growth, internet usage per thousand people, business efficiency, stock market capitalisation, and digital transformation, Arab News reports.

Heat kills Jordanians during Hajj pilgrimage

Fourteen Jordanians have died during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, with six due to heat stroke. The Saudi health ministry warned of soaring temperatures and advised pilgrims to stay hydrated. The Jordanian foreign ministry is coordinating with Saudi authorities on burying or transporting the deceased according to their family's wishes. The Hajj is one of the largest mass gatherings in the world.

End of Petrodollar deal with US

Saudi Arabia has decided not to extend its petrodollar agreement with the United States after its expiration on June 9, 2024. According to experts , this might lessen the US currency's hegemony by enabling Saudi Arabia to sell oil in currencies other than the US dollar. The agreement was established in 1974 allowing Saudi Arabia to sell oil exclusively in US dollars in exchange for military aid, equipment, and protection.

Neuroradiology saves female Iraqi pilgrim

A female Iraqi pilgrim suffered a stroke in Saudi Arabia, causing her to lose the right side of her body. She was treated at King Abdullah Medical City, part of the Makkah Health Cluster in western Saudi Arabia, where a thrombus was removed, according to Arab News . An interdisciplinary medical team, including an emergency doctor, neurologist, and radiologist, performed rapid procedures to restore her blood supply to the brain.

Criticism of new mega-city

Saudi Arabia's futuristic Neom megacity, The Line, has faced criticism for its environmental impact, practicality, and utility. The project, which includes two parallel mirrored skyscrapers, has been criticised for its sheer cost and lack of sustainability. The Line, along with other plans, includes an octagonal floating city, a luxury island resort, and a ski and adventure mountain range. The project's scale has been reduced to fewer than 300,000 people by 2030, and its costs have also raised concerns.

Russia's TASS news agency reported that the entry of Iran into a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union was a focal point of discussion during the meeting.

The Eurasian Economic Union, comprising Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia, could offer lucrative opportunities for Iran, particularly in terms of trade exemptions and tariff benefits.

Raisi mentioned the possibility of signing this free trade agreement at the union's upcoming meeting at the end of the month.

Last year, Iran's trade with the Eurasian Economic Union amounted to $1.35 billion in exports, and $1.8 billion in imports. Nearly a quarter of Iran's total trade with the union is dedicated to trade with Russia.

During the meeting, President Raisi extended an invitation to his Russian counterpart to visit Tehran, a gesture that President Putin welcomed.

This diplomatic engagement follows President Putin's recent visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The meeting comes at a time when Iran faces criticism for providing drones to Russia to assist in the Ukraine war, leading to the imposition of several sanctions by Western countries.

Conflicting reports have also surfaced about Russia potentially delivering "Sukhoi 35" fighters to Iran in exchange for more drones and missiles.

Additionally, Russia's Gazprom has signed several oil and gas memorandums with Iran since it attacked Ukraine in February last year, though the conversion of these memorandums into contracts remains uncertain.

The value of these memorandums, as stated by Iranian authorities, is approximately $40 billion. Gazprom, facing challenges from Western sanctions, is exploring new markets, with Iran potentially becoming a significant partner in the energy sector.

The protracted dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh has spanned several decades, with the region serving as a historical arena for power dynamics between the two neighboring countries.

Russia, once a mediator of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, has aligned itself with Azerbaijan, altering the geopolitical landscape.

Nagorno-Karabakh, previously under Armenian control for the past three decades, saw a change in governance as the Republic of Azerbaijan took control in late September, shifting the dynamics in the region.

Of strategic importance in Central Asia, the resolution of tensions in Karabakh diminishes its tactical threat to the Zangzor Corridor.

This development brings the "Turkish Corridor" closer to fruition. Connecting the "Middle Corridor" to the "Zangzor Corridor" holds geopolitical significance, allowing Turkish countries like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to bypass regional superpowers.

This strategic connection provides them access to the global market, facilitating the sale of abundant raw materials, including gold, gas, and oil.

In a joint statement released on Thursday evening, Armenia and Azerbaijan expressed their recognition of a "historic opportunity" to achieve lasting peace.

Both countries conveyed their optimism about signing a comprehensive peace treaty by the end of the year, signaling a potential turning point in their relations and the broader geopolitical landscape of the region.

The Hamas-run health ministry reported that dozens of people were killed in an airstrike on a refugee camp in Gaza."

Washington has rejected appeals for a ceasefire and, instead, is supporting Israel's objective of defeating Hamas militants. Israeli officials claim that Hamas orchestrated the deadliest attack in the country's history on October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 people and the taking of 240 hostages.

The Hamas-run health ministry reports that Israel has conducted extensive bombardments of the besieged Gaza Strip in retaliation, resulting in the leveling of entire city blocks and the unfortunate loss of over 9,480 lives, with a majority being women and children.

During a Senate hearing last week, Blinken expressed the view that the Palestinian Authority should regain control over Gaza, despite its current limited authority in certain areas of the West Bank. This stance contrasts with the longstanding efforts of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to marginalize the Palestinian Authority.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has escalated tensions in the West Bank, resulting in the loss of over 150 Palestinian lives due to clashes with Israeli forces and settler attacks. These incidents include the unfortunate deaths of three young men at the hands of Israeli forces on a recent Sunday, as reported by the Palestinian health ministry.

On the same day, ground battles were underway in northern Gaza, where Israeli troops were observed intensifying their encirclement of Gaza City. This urban area still houses hundreds of thousands of civilians, and the conflict was marked by house-to-house battles with the involvement of tanks and armored bulldozers, as depicted in footage released by the military.

Since Israel deployed ground forces into the northern region of the narrow Palestinian territory in the final weeks of the previous month, the military announced that "ground, air, and naval forces" have targeted "more than 2,500 sites associated with acts of terror."

Hamas is reported to have captured more than 240 Israeli and foreign hostages, according to officials. Netanyahu has rejected truce proposals until all of these hostages are released.

During meetings with Arab foreign ministers in Jordan on Saturday, Blinken encountered a growing wave of anger. He reiterated the U.S. support for "humanitarian pauses" to provide assistance to civilians in dire need, despite Netanyahu's quick dismissal of the idea just the day before.

Subsequently, Blinken was en route to Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held Netanyahu personally accountable for the increasing civilian casualties in Gaza.

On Saturday, Turkey announced its decision to recall its ambassador from Israel and sever communication with Netanyahu.

Egypt's Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, whose nation has been the primary channel for foreigners to leave the Gaza Strip and for humanitarian aid to enter, urged an "immediate and all-encompassing ceasefire."

As the conflict approached its fourth week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was scheduled to make his second visit to Israel in a month to meet with Netanyahu. During this time, Israel's military was engaged in combat with Hamas militants, who were responding with guerrilla-style attacks launched from underground tunnels, according to a report from Reuters.

"We're at the height of the battle. We've had impressive successes and have passed the outskirts of Gaza City. We are advancing," Netanyahu issued a statement, following the military's announcement of having surrounded the primary coastal city within the enclave.

As Blinken left Washington for the Middle East, he said he would discuss concrete steps to minimize harm to civilians in Gaza. The White House, meanwhile, said any pauses in fighting should be temporary and localized, and insisted they would not stop Israel from defending itself.

A rising number of Palestinian civilians suffering casualties, coupled with severe shortages of essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and fuel, have amplified the calls from global leaders for a temporary cessation of hostilities or a ceasefire.

Israel has rejected these appeals, asserting that its targets are Hamas combatants, whom it accuses of deliberately taking cover among the civilian population and in residential structures. The White House has also turned down requests for a ceasefire.

According to Gaza health authorities, a minimum of 9,061 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza since Israel initiated its offensive against the enclave, which is home to 2.3 million people. This retaliation was prompted by deadly attacks carried out by Hamas militants in southern Israel.

A group of independent United Nations experts issued a warning that the Palestinians in Gaza are at a "serious risk of genocide."

Israel has reported that on October 7, Hamas was responsible for the deaths of 1,400 individuals, with the majority being civilians, and the abduction of over 240 hostages, making it the deadliest day in Israel's 75-year history.

The White House mentioned on Thursday that it was exploring the possibility of implementing a series of temporary ceasefires in the ongoing conflict.

"What we're trying to do is explore the idea of as many pauses as might be necessary to continue to get aid out and to continue to work to get people out safely, including hostages," U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby talked the media.

Blinken was also scheduled to have a meeting with Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman on Saturday. In a statement, Safadi emphasized that Israel needed to halt the conflict in Gaza, where he alleged that it was engaged in war crimes by targeting civilians and enforcing a blockade.

Furthermore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a significant Gulf Arab nation, issued a warning on Friday, expressing concerns that tensions in the Middle East were reaching a critical juncture and emphasizing their relentless efforts to achieve an immediate and comprehensive humanitarian ceasefire.

Last month, Pakistan established November 1 as the commencement date for the expulsion of all undocumented immigrants, including hundreds of thousands of Afghans, citing security concerns. This decision was made despite appeals from the United Nations, human rights organizations, and Western embassies to reconsider. Among those affected are individuals who have resided in Pakistan for several decades.

"A process to arrest the foreigners... for deportation has started as of November 1," the interior ministry said in a statement.

Shortly after the interior ministry issued its statement, authorities began detaining and relocating individuals whom they identified as undocumented foreigners to transit centers.

In Karachi, a major hub for Afghan migrants and refugees, Deputy Commissioner Junaid Iqbal Khan reported that around 74 people had been transferred to one of these transit centers, with nearly 40 of them lacking proper documentation.

Witnesses from Reuters observed police transporting individuals in police vehicles. Inside the centers, authorities had arranged tents to provide shelter for those who had been rounded up. Media personnel were not permitted entry into these facilities.

The majority of Afghan nationals were brought to the transit centers in precarious buses, and some of them were handcuffed. Some individuals voiced grievances about being mishandled by the authorities.

Out of the over 4 million Afghans residing in Pakistan, the government estimates that 1.7 million are without proper documentation.

Many of these individuals had fled Afghanistan during the country's prolonged internal conflicts, which spanned from the late 1970s. The more recent Taliban takeover following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021 prompted another wave of migration.

Pakistan has adopted a stern position, contending that Afghan nationals have been linked to militant attacks, smuggling, and various other criminal activities within the South Asian nation. In contrast, Kabul has rejected these accusations.

Meanwhile, the Taliban administration in the Afghan capital has requested that all countries hosting Afghan refugees provide them with additional time to prepare for repatriation. They urge host nations not to forcibly deport Afghans without adequate preparation and to demonstrate tolerance in their treatment. The administration has reassured Afghans leaving due to political concerns that they can return and reside peacefully in Afghanistan.

Simsek explained the only remaining issue within the scope of technical compliance is the work related to crypto assets.

"We will submit a law proposal on crypto-assets to the parliament as soon as possible. After that, there will be no reason for Turkey to stay on that grey list, if there are no other political considerations."

Simsek did not provide further details about the proposed legal changes.

The FATF, established by the G7 group of advanced economies to safeguard the global financial system, had previously cautioned Turkey about "serious shortcomings," including the need to enhance measures for freezing assets associated with terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in 2019.

“Their decision to return was prompted by the challenges they were facing. Waiting in southern Gaza for foreigners to be permitted to cross was proving to be quite challenging for them,” De Vega said in a press conference, saying “they are still safe.”

De Vega also explained that due to the cramped conditions, these Filipinos opted to return to their residences in Gaza City, the largest city in the area. Regrettably, Gaza City is currently under attack by Israel.

“We initially believed they would be able to cross without issues, but then a bureaucratic complication arose.”

He also pointed out that Filipinos at the border receive food assistance from the international community through humanitarian aid. However, the challenge they face is that they are competing with other individuals for supplies in the same area.

“They are struggling to secure basic necessities, such as bread. Although they have food, they are not consuming much due to the need to economize given the limited resources.”

He also mentioned that there are difficulties in accessing water and electricity.

De Vega mentioned that Egypt is planning to commence the process of opening the border soon, as it has made the decision to admit wounded Palestinians who lack access to medical care.

There are currently 136 Filipinos still in Gaza, with an additional 10 individuals whose whereabouts are unknown. This count does not encompass their spouses who hold different nationalities.

Four Filipinos have lost their lives, and there are concerns that two others are missing and may have been abducted by the militants.