Lebanese doctor Riad Sarkis is pioneering the use of specially trained sniffer dogs to detect Covid-19, claiming they can identify the virus in its early stages more accurately than PCR tests. Research conducted with France's Maisons-Alfort veterinary school shows these dogs have a detection error margin of less than five percent. The technique, already implemented in airports like Dubai and Sydney, could be expanded to other venues. Sarkis emphasizes the potential of this method to isolate asymptomatic carriers quickly, thereby curbing the virus's spread. The initiative is supported by Bank Audi, which provided training facilities in Beirut.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the reclusive leader of the Islamic State, rose quietly through the ranks to become a significant figure in global jihad. Known for his low profile and strategic acumen, Baghdadi transformed the Islamic State of Iraq into a formidable force, expanding into Syria and launching a major offensive in Iraq. Despite his uncharismatic nature, he incorporated ex-Baathists into his organization, enhancing its military capabilities. Baghdadi has been accused of heinous crimes, including rape and the use of sex slaves. His leadership has been marked by brutality and significant violence, drawing comparisons to other notorious jihadist leaders like Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed a referendum on constitutional changes that would include anti-LGBTQ clauses to protect the family. He announced that discussions with nationalist allies would conclude soon and the proposal would be presented to parliament.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) issued green bonds for the first time, raising $3 billion to contribute to a $10 billion investment in green projects by 2026. This move is part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to diversify its economy away from oil and achieve ambitious climate goals, including reducing carbon emissions by 278 million tons annually by 2030 and increasing renewable energy capacity by 50%. Saudi Aramco has also committed to net zero operational emissions by 2050, with the country aiming for net zero by 2060.

Arab leaders at the Arab League summit declared total support for the Palestinian cause amid Benjamin Netanyahu's potential return to Israeli leadership. The summit, the first since the UAE normalized ties with Israel, emphasized the Palestinian right to an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital. The summit's final statement supported Palestinian full membership in the UN and did not mention the Arab-Israeli normalization deals. The summit also addressed regional issues like the Libyan crisis and the Syrian conflict, and backed OPEC's oil production policy. Notable absences included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

As protests continue in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, the exiled Kurdish political opposition, represented by Khalid Azizi of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, is urging the US government to reestablish contact with Iranian political parties. Azizi highlights the lack of communication between the US and Iranian opposition groups, calling for a renewed relationship to support their cause.

Syria has become a major narco state due to the widespread production and trafficking of the drug captagon, which has created a $10 billion illegal industry. The trade supports the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and involves various actors, including his brother Maher al-Assad, Hezbollah, and multiple rebel groups. The drug is primarily exported to the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia being the largest market. The captagon trade has deepened economic and political crises in Syria and Lebanon, with significant involvement from tribal networks and regional players. Despite international efforts to counter the trade, it continues to thrive due to corruption and high profits.

Syria has become a major hub for the production and export of Captagon, an amphetamine drug, which has turned the country into a narco state. The drug trade, primarily controlled by the Syrian government and its allies, including Hezbollah and the 4th Division led by Maher al-Assad, has become a significant source of revenue. The trade spans several countries, with key players having tribal ties across the region. Despite efforts to combat the trade, corruption and high profits ensure its persistence. The economic and political crises in Syria and Lebanon have further entrenched the drug trade as a critical part of their economies.

Soaring fuel prices in Lebanon have led citizens to seek more affordable transportation alternatives, with an increasing number of women opting for motorcycles due to their fuel efficiency. Aya Awad, a university student from Beirut, highlights the cost-effectiveness and convenience of motorcycles, especially during rush hours.

Kozo Okamoto, a former member of the Japanese Red Army, survived a suicide attack he perpetrated in 1972 at Tel Aviv airport, killing 26. Now 74, he lives peacefully in Lebanon as the first and only political refugee from the country. Despite being on Japan's wanted list for the attack committed in the name of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, he is considered a hero among Palestinian refugees. After various imprisonments, he was released by Israel in 1985 and later granted asylum in Lebanon. On the 50th anniversary of the attack, Okamoto made a public appearance with FPLP militants in Beirut.