Middle East Roundup: Morocco scores as host of 2030 World Cup

There was a suicide bombing incident in Turkey and pre-election tensions in Egypt, making up the events of this week in the Middle East.

Football tournament to be hosted by six nations including Morocco | Bombing incident in Turkey | Pre-election unrest in Egypt. This week's update from the Middle East includes:

Hope Turns To Host

About a year ago, things were quite intense as Morocco managed to inspire lots of people around the world. They demonstrated hope for developing countries by reaching the semi-finals in the 2022 World Cup hosted in Qatar. It was an exhilarating moment that left many people on the edge of their seats.

Morocco has secured a place as one of six nations across three different continents that will host the 2030 World Cup, marking yet another triumph for this football-obsessed country. Get ready to kick off!

In Turkey, this type of scenario was not a unfamiliar sight for its citizens. The shattered windows, opened doors, and scattered debris littering the streets. With the presence of soldiers, police, ambulances, fire trucks, and armored vehicles, these signs of chaos were all too common.

During the day when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was supposed to start the parliament session in Ankara, two bombers performed a suicide attack. The Turkish authorities believe the primary culprit to be the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Following the incident, over 90 individuals were taken into custody as part of the inquiry.

Egypt's Election: On The Brink

This week, there has been a lot of commotion in Egypt. A fire erupted in a police establishment located in Ismailia. The cause of the blaze is unclear, but according to sources who spoke to Al Jazeera, it might be linked to an attempt to sabotage the forthcoming presidential election.

In the upcoming election, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is running for a third term. It is widely believed that he will win, as the opposition has reported being bullied and mistreated. The current economic state of Egypt is grim, and as a result, the country's dreams of regional expansion are being limited.

"Syrian Students Get Another Chance"

When Omar al-Dabaan was only 12 years old, a bombing by the Syrian army rocked his school. The sound jolted him awake and he saw with horror that his friends had been killed and were lying all over the school grounds.

In 2018, al-Dabaan stopped attending school and hasn't returned since. However, he has now resumed his studies with the help of the Masarat Initiative. This program offers the complete Syrian curriculum online, providing children like al-Dabaan with the opportunity to receive an education.

Hague-bound And Ready To Embrace

This week, there was news that Abir Moussi, a well-known figure in Tunisia who represents the Free Destourian (Constitutional) Party, was taken into custody. Additionally, Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of the largest opposition group called Ennahdha, started a hunger strike while still incarcerated.

Relatives of many people who were arrested during the more authoritarian leadership of President Kais Saeid a couple of years ago have come together in The Hague to pursue legal action at the International Criminal Court in order to find justice.

Something New And Exciting!

Just picture biting into a carrot that's been printed from a 3D printer. A couple of learners from Qatar have brought us closer to this reality: With their unique gadget that utilizes synthetically produced vegetable cells and UV radiation, producing vegetables in large quantities has become more feasible.

The pair is optimistic that their solution will put an end to global food scarcity.

Weekly Quote

There were moments when bombings started while we were in school, causing us to take a break for about a week. Not having access to education during those times puts us at a disadvantage. However, I remain hopeful and determined to pursue my dream of studying civil engineering once I obtain my high school certificate. Despite the ongoing war in Syria, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies and achieve my goals.