Electric ‘air taxis’ could debut in Japan from 2027
Tokyo, Japan -- Airline ANA said Thursday that, together with a US start-up, it hopes to have electric "air taxis"...
Business
Israel bars Jerusalem’s top Muslim cleric from Al-Aqsa: lawyer
Israeli authorities have banned Jerusalem's top Muslim cleric from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for six months over a recent...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
War-themed video game fuels wave of misinformation
Footage from the war-themed Arma 3 video game has been used repeatedly in recent months in fake videos about the...
- Arma 3 allows players to create various battlefield scenarios using aircraft, tanks and tanks and a host of weapons.
- Given the unsophisticated nature of the Arma 3 misinformation, researchers say it is unlikely to be the work of state actors.
Geostrategy
China’s air incursions into Taiwan zone doubled in 2022
Military analysts say China has used the incursions to probe Taiwan's defenses, exhaust its ageing air force and voice displeasure...
- China sent 1,727 planes into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in 2022, according to the daily updates released by Taipei's defense ministry
- August 2022 saw a record 440 sorties by Chinese warplanes, the same month Pelosi became the highest-ranking US lawmaker to visit Taiwan in 25 years
Economy
Canada’s ban on foreign homebuyers comes into effect
Many experts have also said the ban on foreign buyers -- who accounted for less than five percent of home...
- Several exceptions in the act allow individuals such as refugees and permanent residents who are not citizens to buy homes
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation -- the national housing agency -- said in a June report that close to 19 million housing units will be needed by 2030
Economy
More than 45,000 migrants made Channel crossing to UK last year
Migrant issue has become a huge political problem for the Conservative government, which has promised to bring down illegal immigration...
- In total, 45,756 people made the dangerous small-boat crossing of one of the world's busiest shipping lanes last year, compared with 28,526 in 2021
- The last year also saw the highest ever single-day total of migrants making the crossing, with 1,295 making the journey on August 22
Economy
France begins testing Chinese arrivals to track Covid variants
France joins other states including the United Kingdom, Italy and the United States in testing arrivals from China, four weeks...
- As of Sunday, visitors from China must wear a mask and be prepared to submit to a test on arrival, which will be done at random
- Then from Thursday travelers will also have to present a negative PCR or antigen test undertaken less than 48 hours before their flight
Geostrategy
South Korea, US look to hold joint nuclear exercises
Seoul, South Korea-- Seoul and Washington are discussing joint planning and exercises involving US nuclear assets to counter growing threats from...
- South Korea, under the hawkish Yoon, has beefed up joint military drills with the United States, which had been scaled back during the pandemic
- In 2022, the North conducted sanctions-busting weapons tests nearly every month, including firing its most advanced ICBM ever
Geostrategy
Israeli missile strike on Damascus airport kills two soldiers
Two Syrian soldiers were killed in an Israeli missile strike on Damascus International Airport, according to the country's state news...
- According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the strikes targeted pro-Iranian groups like Hezbollah and a weapons warehouse
- Israel rarely comments on reports of its attacks, but it has repeatedly said it will not allow its archfoe Iran to gain a foothold in Syria
Geostrategy
Explosion near Kabul military airfield kills, wounds several people: Official
The Taliban authorities claim to have improved security since storming back to power in August 2021 but there have been...
- The cause of the blast at the gate of the facility next to Kabul's international airport was unclear, interior ministry spokesman Abdul Nafy Takor said.
- Last month at least five Chinese nationals were wounded when gunmen stormed a hotel popular with Chinese business people in Kabul.
Geostrategy
Iran arrests footballers at mixed-gender party, say media reports
TEHRAN, IRAN - Iranian authorities have arrested football players who attended a mixed party east of Tehran, local media reported Sunday,...
- Iran has been rocked by unrest since the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22, following her arrest for allegedly violating the dress code.
- Iranian law only permits non-Muslims to consume alcohol for religious purposes. Dancing with the opposite gender is forbidden.
Geostrategy
Two dead, 200 rescued in Lebanon migrant boat sinking: army
On Twitter, UNIFIL confirmed it was assisting the Lebanese Navy "in search and rescue operation at sea between Beirut &...
- Men, women and children -- mostly refugees from Syria but also about 50 Lebanese -- were on board the vessel when it got into difficulty
- Earlier, the army said a naval patrol had been dispatched to rescue the vessel packed with people attempting to "illegally leave Lebanese waters"
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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
Electric ‘air taxis’ could debut in Japan from 2027
Tokyo, Japan -- Airline ANA said Thursday that, together with a US start-up, it hopes to have electric "air taxis"...
Business
Company News
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Israel issues new Gaza evacuation orders, many Palestinians flee
Hundreds of thousands had already left Rafah ahead of and during a ground offensive launched by Israeli troops on the...
Geostrategy
Gaza hospital chief says tortured in Israel detention
Israel's military has accused Hamas of using hospitals in the Gaza Strip as a cover for military operations. It has...
Geostrategy
Boeing offered 737 MAX plea deal, lawyer of crash victims’ families says
Washington, United States - The US Justice Department is offering Boeing a plea deal that will allow it to avoid a...
Business
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Geostrategy
Short fuses in Egypt as blackouts stretch into sweltering summer
Cairo, Egypt -- At least once a day, the hum of every fan, air conditioner and fridge across Egypt goes quiet....
- A decade ago, Egypt faced similar power cuts, which helped fuel popular discontent and protests against the short-lived presidency of late Mohamed Morsi.
- The present-day blackouts come as Egyptians face the worst economic crisis of their lives, with inflation and currency devaluations shredding savings and leaving families strugglin
Geostrategy
Israel carrier says Turkish workers refused to refuel plane
Jerusalem, Undefined -- Israel's national carrier El Al said Sunday its Warsaw to Tel Aviv flight was not allowed to refuel...
- The plane then took off to Rhodes in Greece where "it will refuel before taking off to Israel", the airline said.
- Relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated since the war in Gaza broke out on October 7, with all direct flights between the two countries cancelled since.
Economy
China factory activity contracts for second straight month
Beijing, China - Factory activity in China shrank for a second straight month in June, data showed Sunday, underscoring the country's...
- The manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) registered at 49.5 in June, identical to May's figure, according to the National Bureau of Statistics
- Policymakers are due to convene in the capital Beijing in mid-July for a highly anticipated political gathering expected to focus on economic recovery