**Deadly Floods in Southern Morocco Bring Tragic Toll and Hope Amid Historic Drought**: Deadly floods in southern Morocco, triggered by weekend thunderstorms, have killed at least 18 people but provided some relief to farmers amid the country's worst drought in nearly 40 years. The rains replenished water levels in key dams and offered respite to crops in the Ouarzazate region, with the Moroccan government pledging $4.1 million for repairs and aid. Experts warn of increasing extreme weather events due to climate change.

**UN Experts Condemn Iran's Heightened Repression of Women Two Years After Mahsa Amini's Death**: Meanwhile, in Iran, UN experts have condemned the country's intensified repression of women two years after the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in custody for allegedly breaching the dress code. The government's measures include enhanced surveillance, severe penalties under a new bill, and even sentencing women activists to death, aiming to stifle protests and free expression.

**Mass Protests in Tunis Against Authoritarianism Ahead of Controversial Presidential Election**: Transitioning to Tunisia, mass protests are expected in Tunis on September 13, 2024, against rising authoritarianism ahead of the upcoming presidential election. The Tunisian Network for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms plans to highlight the suppression of political rights amid accusations of electoral favoritism towards President Kais Saied.

**Madrid Summit Seeks Path to End Gaza War and Achieve Two-State Solution**: In Europe, Madrid hosted a high-level meeting on September 13, 2024, with European and Muslim countries to discuss ending the Gaza war and implementing a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Spain and other nations have recognized a unified Palestinian state, emphasizing the urgency for peace amidst the ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank.

**Ukrainian Pilots Begin F-16 Training in Romania to Strengthen Defense Amid Conflict**: Shifting focus to Ukraine, where pilots have begun F-16 fighter jet training at Romania's Fetesti air base, a NATO-supported initiative to strengthen Ukraine's defense amid its conflict with Russia. The training, involving F-16 jets from the Netherlands, is facilitated by Romania's defense ministry and supported by Lockheed Martin.

**Kremlin Rejects Erdogan's Call for Crimea's Return to Ukraine, Highlights Diverging Views with Turkiye**: Lastly, the Kremlin has rejected Turkish President Erdogan's call for the return of Crimea to Ukraine, underscoring diverging views with Turkiye on this issue, reiterated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Despite Erdogan's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, Russia remains firm on its stance since annexing Crimea in 2014, with hints at a potential visit by President Putin to Turkiye for further talks.