Egypt’s middle class cuts costs as IMF-backed reforms take hold
Cairo, Egypt -- Egypt's economy has been in crisis for years, but as the latest round of International Monetary Fund-backed reforms...
Economy
TikTok makes AI driven ad tool available globally
San Francisco, United States - TikTok on Thursday began letting all marketers on its platform use an artificial intelligence-powered tool for...
Business
Arts & Culture
‘Beautiful thing’: hijab-wearing singer looks to inspire
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - In a Dubai recording studio, hijab-clad Ghaliaa Chaker tunes her guitar and belts out original songs...
- The 26-year-old Syrian, who was raised in the UAE, has become a social media sensation, with 437,000 followers on Instagram and millions of views on her YouTube channel
- She offers not only a unique sound but also an unusual look in a region where artists who wear the hijab, the head covering characteristic of Muslim women, are few and far between
Business
UAE’s Etihad finds ‘no issues’ with engines of A350 fleet: statement
Rolls-Royce said on Thursday it was launching "a one-time precautionary engine inspection programme" which may apply "to a portion of...
- Etihad Airways, which operates five of the Airbus A350-1000s, is the only airline in the United Arab Emirates that has this aircraft type in service
- "Etihad has discovered no issues, nor experienced any similar events with the engine, so does not anticipate any impact on its operations," it added
Economy
Global stock markets wobble as investors weigh US jobs data
Since US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated last month that the time for interest rates to begin coming down...
- Another big miss for August would have solidified perceptions that the US economy is slowing more sharply than initially thought.
- Government data showed Friday the world's biggest economy added 142,000 jobs last month, an increase from July's figure which was revised notably lower to 89,000.
Iraqi date farmers fight drought to protect national treasure
Janājah, Iraq - Bare feet pressed against the rough trunk of a palm tree, his back supported by a metal and...
- Once known as the country of "30 million palm trees", Iraq's ancient date-growing culture had already suffered from upheaval
- Authorities and religious institutions have launched programmes and mega-projects to encourage tree planting and growth
Geostrategy
Hamas urges US pressure on Israel over Gaza truce
Palestinian Territories - Hamas called on the United States Thursday to "exert real pressure" on Israel to reach a Gaza...
- The two sides have traded blame over stalling talks for a ceasefire and hostage exchange as Netanyahu faces pressure to seal a deal following the deaths of six Gaza captives
- Hamas's Qatar-based lead negotiator Khalil al-Hayya called on the US to "exert real pressure on Netanyahu and his government" and "abandon their blind bias" towards Israel
Business
China’s Xi promises US$50 billion for Africa over next three years
China, the world's number two economy, is Africa's largest trading partner
- More than 50 African leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are attending the China-Africa forum
- "Over the next three years, the Chinese government is willing to provide financial support amounting to US$50.7 billion," Xi said
Israeli airstrike kills five Palestinians in West Bank
Palestinian medics said an air strike targeting a car in the occupied West Bank killed five people on Thursday, while...
- Israel launched a large-scale offensive across the northern West Bank on August 28, killing 38 Palestinians
- A large number of Israeli troops stormed the Al-Faraa refugee camp in Tubas governorate, where explosions were heard.
Geostrategy
German foreign minister heads to Middle East in Gaza truce push
The talks will focus on "the dramatic situation in the region", and especially to discuss the issue of coordinating humanitarian...
- Pressure has mounted on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a deal to end the fighting
- Baerbock will set off Wednesday evening for Saudi Arabia where she will hold talks with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud
Geostrategy
Pressure piles on Israel’s Netanyahu over Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting international and domestic pressure after the killing in Gaza of six captives, with...
- Britain said Monday it would suspend some arms exports to Israel
- A strike a by the Histadrut trade union seeking a hostage deal brought parts of Israel to a standstill
Arts & Culture
In the heart of Beirut, one family upholds a unique dessert tradition
Beirut, Lebanon - At a shop nestled in a busy, crowded Beirut district, Hasan El-Makary is weighing out containers of warm,...
- Makary, 73, said he used to sell other sweets but as demand grew for mufataka, he abandoned the rest and now just makes the yellow pudding
- The rice must be soaked overnight, and Makary said he comes to the shop at 5:00 am to make the dish, which takes around four hours
Egypt’s middle class cuts costs as IMF-backed reforms take hold
Cairo, Egypt -- Egypt's economy has been in crisis for years, but as the latest round of International Monetary Fund-backed reforms...
Economy
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Saudi Arabia opens resort island at futuristic mega-city NEOM
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's planned futuristic mega-city known as NEOM announced on Sunday the opening of its "first physical...
Geostrategy
Updates: Iran calls on UN Security Council to condemn Israeli strikes amid fresh peace efforts
Iran unlikely to escalate situation with Israel, say experts, as UN chief says destruction in Gaza is "shocking". Netanyahu faces...
Geostrategy
Updates: Israel targets key military sites in Iran amid escalating tensions in Middle East
Explosions sounded across Tehran after Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian military sites, raising fears of a broader conflict in the Middle...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Israel and Hamas near ceasefire talks, spy chief heads to Qatar as truce momentum builds
Israel’s Mossad chief will travel to Qatar for ceasefire negotiations as Hamas signals readiness to halt fighting, contingent on Israel...
- Previous bids to stop the year-long war have failed, though the United States has voiced hope the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week could serve as opening for a deal
- A senior Hamas official told AFP that a delegation from the group's Doha-based leadership discussed "ideas and proposals" related to a Gaza truce with Egyptian officials in Cairo
Geostrategy
Israel to send negotiators to new Gaza truce talks in Qatar
The head of Israel's Mossad spy agency, David Barnea, will head to Qatari capital Doha on Sunday, the Israeli prime...
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that mediators would explore new options after the failure of previous efforts to seal a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
- The US and Qatar were seeking a plan "so that Israel can withdraw, so that Hamas cannot reconstitute, and so that the Palestinian people can rebuild their lives.
Geostrategy
Beirut’s suburbs ravaged by Israeli air raids as Blinken urges de-escalation with Iran
Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah's southern Beirut stronghold destroyed six buildings in the deadliest assault since the war began, despite U.S....
- In southern Lebanon, Israeli strikes pounded Tyre, leaving swathes of its centre in ruins and sparking a new exodus from the once vibrant coastal city
- Concerns are mounting over tens of thousands of civilians trapped by fighting in Gaza's aid-starved north, where Israel launched a major air and ground assault this month