UN Reconstruction Push: UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Damascus for the first visit by a serving UN chief since 2009, meeting President Ahmad al-Sharaa and calling for stronger international support for Syria’s post-war recovery, as the country tries to rebuild institutions and address displacement and poverty. Rebuild Cost Pressure: The UN and World Bank estimates keep the spotlight on the scale of financing needs, with rebuilding projected at about $216bn and aid shortfalls leaving many Syrians in severe conditions. Landmine Risk to Agriculture: A demining charity says hundreds have been killed and thousands injured by mines and unexploded devices since the Assad era ended, warning that returning farmers face devastating losses that hit rural output and jobs. Border Drug Crackdown: Syrian authorities report seizing 700,000 Captagon pills and hashish after foiling smuggling attempts from Lebanon, signaling continued pressure on illicit networks that once fueled the old regime’s economy. Rural Women & Jobs: A Saudi-UN initiative is focusing on rural women’s enterprises—food processing, renewable energy, and training—aiming to turn economic inclusion into a recovery engine beyond cities. Trade Route Shift: Regional shipping disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz are reportedly rerouting cargo toward Eastern Mediterranean corridors, with Syria among the beneficiaries as some Gulf-dependent trade patterns weaken. Qamishlo Business Costs: Reports say the PYD administration raised commercial office rents in Qamishlo’s tourist area, sparking tenant pushback and fears of closures and job losses.