A preliminary deal has been signed to construct a high-speed rail linking Baghdad to a southeastern city Basra.
Weeks after signing a €500 million contract to build a power plant in Israel, the French engineering giant Alstom wastes no time to partake another high-profile project. This time with Iraq.
With the "memorandum of understanding" signed, BBC reports that Alstom "will hold exclusive talks with Iraqi officials for 12 months to try to strike a final agreement."
Should this project materializes, some 400 miles of rail network will be built. "The line would handle speeds of up to 155 mph," BBC says.
FULL STORY: Iraq: France's Alstom signs high-speed rail line deal

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The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
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Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service