Out of this world deep in the Algerian desert

DJANET, Algeria: Deep in the Sahara Desert lies the Algerian oasis of Djanet, one of earth’s more stunning locations where visitors may feel they’ve actually been transported to another planet.
Parts of the landscape are more Martian or lunar, with only the blue of the sky giving the game away.
Visitors, local and now foreign as well, come to recharge their batteries and explore Djanet, 2,300 km by road southeast of Algiers.

No plans for foreign naval base, Libyan regime says

TRIPOLI: Libya’s UN-recognized unity government has dismissed accusations it had promised part of Al-Khoms to its ally Turkiye as a naval base after days of protests in the port city.
“What is being said about the state ceding or authorizing the use of the maritime port of Al-Khoms as a foreign naval base is incorrect and without foundation,” government spokesman Mohamed Hamuda said in a dockside visit, accompanied by top naval and port officials.

’Silent threat’: Bahrain to build walls against rising sea

MANAMA: Already battling extreme heat, Bahrain is scrambling to ward off another environmental threat: rising seas that could swallow parts of its coast, the island nation’s oil and environment minister told AFP.

Lebanon’s caretaker PM says economic stability at stake with stalled laws

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued a new appeal on Thursday for parliament to approve a string of crucial economic laws, in response to its failure thus far to convene for discussions on the country’s Sovereign Wealth Fund and capital control legislation.

“In countries that have faced similar economic crises, parliament would be in constant session, and those nations would have resolved the crises,” said Mikati.

Turkiye warned Russia after cargo ship incident in Black Sea: Presidency

ANKARA: Turkiye warned Moscow to avoid further escalations after a Turkish-owned cargo vessel was attacked by the Russian navy last weekend, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s office said Thursday.
“After the (Russian) intervention, our interlocutors in the Russian Federation were warned appropriately to avoid such attempts, which escalate tensions in the Black Sea,” the Turkish presidency said, breaking a days-long silence over the incident.
The Sukru Okan vessel was flying the flag of Palau when it was fired on by the Russian navy last Sunday.