Israel urges Egypt to block Gaza-bound activist convoys
Israel's defence minister on Wednesday called on Egypt to block two pro-Palestinian activist convoys planning to head to Egypt's Rafah...
Geostrategy
Trump touts ‘done’ deal with Beijing on rare earths, Chinese students
Trump said on his Truth Social platform that China would supply rare earth minerals and magnets -- vital elements for...
Business
Economy
Libya orders arrest of second minister for financial irregularities
Prosecutors had already questioned Culture Minister Mabrouka Touki before the order was issued to detain her on charges of ‘falsifying...
- The culture minister, an academic with a degree in nuclear physics, was appointed in March as part of the interim unity government
- The probe relates to alleged graft over a contract for maintenance works on ministry buildings which had already been refurbished last year
WHO says Omicron risk ‘very high’ after Covid cases rise by 11 percent
Omicron is behind rapid virus spikes in several countries, including those where it has already overtaken the previously-dominant Delta variant,...
- Further data was needed to understand Omicron's severity in terms of clinical markers, including the use of oxygen, mechanical ventilation and death, WHO said.
- The highest numbers of new cases were reported from the United States, Britain, France and Italy.
Geostrategy
Israel strikes suspected Hamas military sites in Gaza, injuring 2
Israel shelled suspected Hamas military sites in Gaza Wednesday after gunfire from the Palestinian enclave wounded an Israeli civilian, security...
- The incident coincides with the final day of military drills by armed factions in Gaza.
- Since a fragile ceasefire came into force in late May, only five rockets or mortar rounds have been fired from Gaza towards Israeli territory.
Arts & Culture
Iraqi film students tell their stories from Mosul
In a collaboration between the Mosul fine arts academy, a Belgian theatre company and UNESCO, 19 students are getting a...
- Over a four-month course, students get a taste of everything from writing and shooting to acting and editing
- The students' nine works, each lasting up to five minutes, will be screened in Mosul in February before being presented to European festivals.
Economy
Slow progress as Lebanon awaits IMF economic deal
Negotiations with the IMF opened in May 2020, but after two months they stalled amid arguments over the size of...
- Negotiations with the IMF opened in May 2020, but after two months they stalled amid arguments over the size of financial losses
- Talks resumed in September this year after the formation of a new government headed by Prime Minister Najib Mikati
Geostrategy
Palestinian president Abbas visits Israel’s Gantz in rare trip
Excerpt Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas made a rare visit to Israel Tuesday for talks with Defence Minister Benny Gantz, that...
- Israeli media reported that the meeting took place at Gantz's home in the central town of Rosh HaAyin
- In late August, Gantz visited the Palestinian Authority's headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah for talks with Abbas
Economy
Global stocks rise amid optimism Omicron won’t derail recovery
Experts caution against too much optimism around early indications that Omicron causes less severe disease than previous strains, pointing out...
- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention helped sentiment on Monday as it cut the isolation period for asymptomatic Covid cases in half to five days.
- Frankfurt's DAX index finished 0.8 percent higher while the Paris CAC 40 closed at a record, rising 0.6 percent to 7,181.11 points. London was closed for a holiday.
Arts & Culture
Turkish crisis turns books into vanishing luxuries
The Turkish book industry pinpoints one of the flaws in the economic experiment Erdogan has unleashed on his nation of...
- The Turkish book industry pinpoints one of the flaws in the economic experiment Erdogan has unleashed on his nation of 84 million people in the past few months
- Turkish Publishers Association president Kenan Kocaturk said the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to book industry's problems by raising the price of unbleached pulp
Economy
Cash-strapped Tunisia to borrow $7 billion more in 2022
Debt-ridden Tunisia unveiled a 2022 budget on Tuesday that will see it borrow almost $7 billion more, as it seeks...
- The deficit is expected to hit some 6.2 percent of gross domestic product, said finance minister Sihem Boughdiri.
- Tunisia's previous government had been in talks with the IMF over a new bailout package when President Kais Saied in July sacked ministers and seized far-reaching powers.
Business
‘Robot chef’ makes steaks at Israel restaurant
The "robot chef", which is the size of a large oven, can make three different steaks simultaneously -- though a...
- It mixes ingredients including beans, potatoes and chickpeas to create a texture that resembles that of real meat, says CEO of an Israeli startup.
- Around five percent of Israelis say they are vegan and the market for meat alternatives is on the rise.
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Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
Israel urges Egypt to block Gaza-bound activist convoys
Israel's defence minister on Wednesday called on Egypt to block two pro-Palestinian activist convoys planning to head to Egypt's Rafah...
Geostrategy
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Gaza bombing continues amid fears of wider regional conflict
Israel's relentless military offensive has since killed at least 26,422 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according...
Geostrategy
Pakistan and Iran vow to restore ties after cross-border strikes
Tehran carried out strikes against an anti-Iran group in Pakistan on January 16, the same week the nation's military targeted...
Geostrategy
Ryanair quarterly profit dives 93%
The carrier flies mostly throughout Europe.
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Geostrategy
Iran puts to death men convicted of spying for Israel
The four defendants, identified as Mohammad Faramarzi, Mohsen Mazloum, Wafa Azarbar, Pejman Fatehi, were arrested in July 2022 and accused...
- The men had been recruited by Mossad "about a year and a half before the operation"
- They were sent to African countries for "training courses in the military centres"
Business
Philips to halt sales of sleep machines in US
It posted losses to the tune of US$502m during the year 2023.
- The company said it had arrived at a "consent decree" deal with US authorities that consists of a "roadmap" of targets to allow Philips to conform with regulatory requirements
- In November last year the US Food and Drug Administration warned that Philips new "DreamStation 2" machine that helps patients sleep risked overheating.
Israeli ministers join thousands at rally for Gaza settlement
The firebrand politician Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel should "encourage voluntary emigration" of Palestinians from Gaza, echoing past remarks that drew...
- Sunday's rally aimed at pressuring the government to "return to the Gaza Strip and establish communities right away", said settler leader Daniella Weiss
- The Israeli military campaign, according to the Gaza health ministry, has killed at least 26,422 people, most of them women and children