Flooding and landslides in Nepal have tragically claimed 193 lives, particularly hitting Katmandu hard. Recovery efforts are ramping up as 31 people remain missing, and in northern Bangladesh, around 60,000 people are facing similar challenges from flooding, though water levels are expected to drop soon.

Shifting gears to space, SpaceX's Crew-9 mission has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) to bring stranded astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth. Initially delayed by Starliner tests and Hurricane Helene, the Falcon 9 launch included NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, set to return in February.

Over in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has seen a significant 23.4 percent surge in foreign direct investment in the second quarter of 2024, aligning with its Vision 2030 goals despite a slight year-on-year decline. The increase, bringing net FDI flows to SR11.7 billion, shows progress towards attracting $100 billion by the end of the decade.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate has reached a record low of 3.3 percent in Q2 2024, with the rate among nationals dropping to 7.1 percent. This achievement is part of broader Vision 2030 efforts, including the launch of the Jadarat employment platform aimed at boosting job opportunities.

Meanwhile, the oil market continues to react to escalating Middle East conflicts, particularly after intensified Israeli strikes. Oil prices have risen for the second session, with Brent crude futures climbing to $73.10 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate futures to $69.11, as investors weigh supply concerns against China's demand uncertainties and upcoming OPEC+ supply changes.

Lastly, in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have claimed 12 lives, including journalist Wafa Al-Udaini and her family, amid ongoing battles with Hezbollah. The conflict has also resulted in the death of 174 Palestinian journalists since October 7, highlighting the grim toll of the intensified confrontations in the region.