Jordanian cyclist Issa Al-Qazaqza embarked on a mission to cross GCC countries to promote tourism and spread a message of love and peace. Starting in Saudi Arabia on July 18, he visited several cities before reaching Qatar. His journey aims to promote Jordanian hospitality and tourism. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East continue with an Israeli strike in Syria and ongoing conflict in Gaza. International discussions, including between Jordanian and Irish foreign ministers, focus on the need for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid. Egypt's efforts to facilitate a truce and the UK's coordination on the crisis were also highlighted.

Over 150 members of the Palestinian Scout Association are volunteering to support children, women, and displaced families in Gaza amidst a humanitarian crisis following military actions. They are providing basic necessities, psychological support, and meals in cooperation with NGOs like World Central Kitchen. US troops are constructing a maritime pier to facilitate aid delivery, despite concerns about Israeli checkpoints and the risk of famine in northern Gaza. A senior Hamas official asserts that Israel's military objectives in Gaza will not be met. Meanwhile, Palestinian refugees in Cairo, including a businessman and a family, are finding ways to cope and maintain their culture through food businesses.

Amit Midha has been appointed as the global CEO of Alat, a company formed by the Public Investment Fund to enhance Saudi Arabia's technological sector and create investment opportunities. Midha, who previously led Dell Technologies' growth in Asia Pacific and Japan, aims to transform electronics and advanced industrials by establishing a sustainable manufacturing hub in the Kingdom, leveraging clean energy sources like solar, wind, and green hydrogen. Alat's focus is on sustainable manufacturing to help global companies reduce emissions and achieve carbon-zero manufacturing.

A restaurant in Amman, Jordan, named 'Moab,' offers beds for customers to nap after eating the traditional high-fat dish mansaf, which is known to cause drowsiness. The idea began as a joke but has become a practical feature for diners. The restaurant's location and the cultural significance of mansaf are highlighted, along with the owner's son Musab Mubeideen's comments on the dish and the restaurant's unique service.

William Noun and Maria Fares, both 28, found love after the tragic Beirut Port explosion in August 2020, which claimed the lives of their siblings Joe Noun and Sahar Fares, who were volunteers at the Beirut Firefighting Brigade. The couple, who met during protests and memorial services, announced their engagement and plan to marry next summer in Noun's home village, Mechmech. They intend to honor their late siblings by naming their future children after them.

In response to a strike by Lebanese public school teachers over wages amidst a financial crisis, Sawsan Mohammad Diab, a teacher from Zawtar El-Gharbiyeh, has transformed her home into a classroom to continue educating her seventh and eighth graders. Diab offers these classes free of charge, motivated by a sense of duty and the educational needs of her students. Her initiative has inspired other teachers to adopt similar measures, ensuring that students remain engaged in learning despite the disruptions caused by the economic situation and the ongoing strike.

Lebanese astrologer Layla Abdullatif accurately predicted Morocco's advancement to the World Cup semifinals, as well as Saudi Arabia's victory over Argentina in the group stages. Known for her precise forecasts, Abdullatif shared her predictions on Instagram and YouTube, garnering viral attention. Despite her success, she insists on relying on intuition rather than claiming to read the future. Her prediction of Morocco's success brought joy to fans across the Arab world and Africa. Abdullatif, who has a history of notable predictions including the assassination of Lebanon's Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, refrained from making a prediction for the World Cup final but expressed her best wishes for the team.

Khalil Adnan Al-Dghayli, an unemployed Lebanese man, is willing to face jail time for organ trafficking by offering his kidney for sale on Facebook to fund his wife Sarah Al-Hussein's treatment for Crohn's disease. The family is in dire financial straits, with Al-Dghayli unable to cover hospital bills and monthly medication costs of $400. Lebanon's economic crisis exacerbates the situation, with patients struggling to afford treatments. Some NGOs and the UN, which covers 80% of the hospital bill since Al-Hussein is Syrian, have offered assistance. Al-Dghayli, who has lost faith in Lebanese officials, is determined to do whatever it takes to save his wife, who recently gave birth to their daughter.

An Egyptian man, Mohamed Adel, will be executed by hanging after being convicted by Egypt’s Al-Mansoura Criminal Court for the premeditated murder of his female colleague, Nayera Ashraf, by slitting her neck at Al-Mansoura University. The murder, which occurred on June 20 and involved Adel using a knife, sparked widespread outrage. The court's decision was influenced by the opinion of the republic’s grand mufti and the Shariah. The rapid legal proceedings are seen as a deterrent to similar crimes. The case is subject to automatic appeal. The incident was part of a disturbing trend of femicide in the Arab world, highlighted by the murder of Jordanian student Iman Irshaid in Amman.

Elie Haykal, a Lebanese activist and member of the Lebanese Forces, turned himself in to police after a video of him shoving Energy Minister Walid Fayyad went viral. The incident occurred outside a diner in Beirut, and Haykal is seen delivering a message to Fayyad before pushing him. The act was mostly criticized on social media, despite Fayyad's unpopular performance, as he is known to travel without security. Information Minister Ziad Al-Makary stated that ministers condemned the assault and called for legal action. Haykal's lawyer, Ralph Tannous, mentioned that Haykal could be tried for misdemeanours and did not rule out the possibility of a waiver from Fayyad.

A Lebanese woman faced public outrage and potential legal action after a video of her shooting and killing a dog in Lebanon's Western Bekaa Valley went viral. The Minister of Agriculture, Abbas Al-Hajj Hassan, called for an investigation, and lawyer Antoine Kanaan noted the act is punishable under animal welfare laws, though the penalties may be seen as insufficient. The woman claimed self-defense, stating the dog had previously bitten her daughter. Animal activist Ghina Nehfawi and the NGO Animals Lebanon called for her punishment, and legal action is being pursued by contacting Judge Iyad Badran.

Abdullah Al-Saii, who took hostages and threatened to blow up a bank in Lebanon to withdraw $50,000 of his savings, was released on bail. The incident occurred at the BBAC in Jeb Jannine, where Al-Saii was armed and demanded his money, citing refusals due to the economic crisis. After a nearly five-hour standoff, the bank agreed to give the money to his wife, and Al-Saii surrendered. He remains uncharged, with the possibility of facing misdemeanor charges. Judge Amani Salama's decision to release him and allow him to keep the money was met with social media praise, with Al-Saii being called a 'national hero'.

Bank employees in Lebanon are demanding increased security following a hostage situation at the Bank of Beirut and Arab Countries branch in Bekaa Valley. Abdullah Al-Saii, armed with a gun, a grenade, and benzene, held over 10 people hostage to withdraw $50,000, citing previous denials due to the economic crisis. The standoff ended peacefully after negotiations. Bank staff, feeling unsafe, are calling for more security, recounting numerous attacks since the financial crisis began. Branch manager Wael Imad criticized banks for not protecting employees from the fallout of denied withdrawal requests.

Pamela Zeinoun, a nurse at St George Hospital University Medical Centre in Beirut, became a national heroine after rescuing three newborns from the hospital following the devastating Beirut port explosion. Despite being thrown by the blast, she managed to stay calm and, with the help of a father and doctors, retrieved the babies from under steel shelves. The hospital, located near the explosion site, suffered significant damage, with staff casualties and injuries. Zeinoun and others navigated blocked exits and damaged stairs to evacuate, eventually walking five kilometers to find transport to another hospital for the babies. Her actions were driven by the fear of losing the infants and ensuring their safety.

Miss Lebanon 2015, Valerie Abou Chacra, held her wedding party with businessman Ziyad Ammar in Bkerke, Lebanon, despite a government-imposed lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The wedding, which was led by Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, sparked controversy as it appeared to violate the ban on social gatherings. The Health Minister, Dr. Hamad Hassan, mentioned in a televised interview that seven wedding functions had been granted permission with specific protective measures. However, it was unclear if Abou Chacra's wedding was among these exemptions. The Interior Ministry reiterated that social gatherings were banned during the lockdown, and permissions could be revoked for any violations. The incident received mixed reactions on social media and raised questions about the enforcement of lockdown regulations.

Lebanon is facing a severe economic crisis that has led to a series of suicides, sparking public outrage. The most publicized suicide occurred in Beirut's Hamra area, where a man shot himself and left a note, drawing attention to the dire situation. The crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, has pushed a significant portion of the population below the poverty line, with the Lebanese pound losing value and basic goods becoming unaffordable. Protests against the government's handling of the situation have been ongoing since last October. The article also mentions other recent suicides linked to the economic hardship. Experts, including economist Sami Nader, warn that without reforms and international assistance, particularly from the IMF, the situation could worsen.

In Lebanon, hundreds of garbage collectors, including South Asians and Lebanese, went on strike to demand their salaries in US dollars due to the country's economic crisis and the devaluation of the Lebanese pound. The strike involved a sit-in at a waste collection company's office and escalated to clashes requiring police intervention. The economic downturn, exacerbated by COVID-19 and capital controls, has severely impacted expatriate workers, leading to job losses, salary cuts, and payment issues. Embassies from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka are involved in addressing their citizens' concerns, with many workers seeking repatriation. The Lebanese General Security announced plans to organize evacuation trips for foreign laborers in coordination with embassies.