Greek and Turkish leaders meet at UN General Assembly, aiming to strengthen ties.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan are set to discuss strengthening ties at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. Following their last meeting at a NATO summit in July, this encounter marks another step towards improving relations between the historic rivals and NATO allies.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani Taliban have denied involvement in a deadly bombing targeting a diplomatic convoy in Malam Jabba, which resulted in the death of a police officer and injuries to four others. This attack has highlighted security concerns and strained relations between Pakistan and
Afghanistan, as investigations continue into the leaked insider information to the militants.
Speaking of sovereignty, Albania has announced plans to create a sovereign microstate for Bektashi Muslims within its capital, Tirana. Prime Minister Edi Rama revealed that this enclave will be governed by the Bektashi leader and council, promoting religious harmony for the tolerant Sufi Muslim sect that constitutes about 10% of Albania’s Muslim population.
In Greece, tragedy struck near the coast of Samos as a migrant boat incident led to three deaths and five rescues. An extensive search and rescue effort is ongoing, underscoring Greece's critical location on the EU migrant route and the challenges posed despite stringent border controls.
On the economic front, Saudi Arabia’s cement sales have seen a rise, largely due to Vision 2030 and sustainable innovations. A significant portion of the 10.85 million tonnes sold in Q2 2024 was driven by major players in the market, with the sector projected to grow steadily, bolstered by infrastructure projects and a shift towards sustainable practices.
Finally, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable tourism and digital innovation was underscored at the G20 ministers’ meeting in Brazil, with the Tourism Minister reaffirming the Kingdom’s ambitious goals. With a remarkable 73% increase in international visitors in early 2024 and initiatives such as the Tourism Data and Campaigns Management Hub, Saudi Arabia aims to significantly boost its tourism sector by 2030 under Vision 2030.