Explosion at Rome gas station leaves several injured
An explosion at a gas station in eastern Rome on Friday has injured multiple people and forced the closure of a nearby metro station, according to loc...
Saudi Arabia is reportedly planning to pay off Syria’s $15 million debt to the World Bank, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
This move could open the door for significant grants aimed at Syria’s reconstruction and public sector revitalization, marking the first known instance of Saudi financial support to Syria since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad last year.
The plan, which has not been previously disclosed, could signal a shift in Gulf Arab countries' stance toward Syria, with support possibly beginning to materialize after prior initiatives—such as Qatar’s plan to fund salaries—were stalled due to uncertainties over U.S. sanctions. Last month, Qatar also announced plans to supply gas to Syria via Jordan to improve its power grid, a move that reportedly received U.S. approval.
While the Saudi Ministry of Finance declined to comment on the matter, a spokesperson stated, "We do not comment on speculation, but make announcements if and when they become official." Neither the Saudi government’s media office, the World Bank, nor Syrian officials responded immediately to requests for further comment.
The World Bank had previously withheld aid to Syria due to its outstanding debts. However, the payment of these arrears is a crucial step toward securing international financing for rebuilding critical infrastructure, including Syria’s war-torn power grid, and supporting the country’s public sector, sources noted.
Syria’s financial difficulties are compounded by a severe shortage of foreign currency, and a prior plan to pay off the debts using frozen assets abroad failed to come to fruition. This development could mark a turning point for Syria, which has struggled to access international aid following years of conflict and sanctions.
In a related move, Syria is set to send a high-level delegation to the U.S. for the World Bank and IMF’s annual spring meetings later this month, marking the first visit by Syrian officials to the U.S. since Assad’s removal from power. However, it remains unclear whether the delegation will meet with any U.S. officials, given the continuation of tough sanctions against Syria.
The U.S. has issued some limited sanctions relief in the past, such as a six-month exemption for humanitarian aid, but overall engagement with Syria’s new leadership has been minimal. There remains a split within the White House regarding Syria, with some officials advocating a hardline approach, citing the new government’s previous ties to Al-Qaeda as a reason for limited engagement.
Despite the ongoing sanctions, Saudi Arabia’s potential intervention could be a critical factor in helping Syria recover from years of devastation, with the World Bank’s involvement contingent upon the resolution of the debt issue.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
The European Commission is set to propose allowing carbon credits from other countries to count towards the EU’s 2040 climate target, according to a leaked internal document.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Italy plans to grant approximately 500,000 work visas to non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028, as announced in a cabinet statement. The initiative aims to address labor shortages by expanding legal immigration pathways
Indonesian rescue teams continue to search for 30 people missing after a ferry sank near Bali, with six confirmed dead and 29 rescued, amid difficult weather and sea conditions.
An explosion at a gas station in eastern Rome on Friday has injured multiple people and forced the closure of a nearby metro station, according to local media reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump said early on Friday he came away disappointed from a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin because it does not appear the latter is looking to stop Russia's war against Ukraine.
More than a 1,000 civil society representatives gathered in Seville this week for a major United Nations conference on development financing, but many said they left feeling side lined and frustrated, with expectations already low before the event began.
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