Israel releases Palestinian Oscar winner after West Bank detention
Jerusalem, Undefined - Israeli police on Tuesday released Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, detained a day earlier for "hurling rocks"...
Arts & Culture
Saudi Arabia, Gulf neighbours say Ramadan to start on Saturday
Observing fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, requiring believers to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking...
Arts & Culture
Geostrategy
Hamas says 50 hostages dead in Israeli strikes on Gaza
Jerusalem - Hamas's armed wing said on Thursday that "almost 50" Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip since the...
- Earlier, the Israeli army said 224 people were abducted by militants during the attack that left 1,400 people, mostly civilians, dead.
- "We have informed the families of 224 hostages. This number is changing based on the intelligence we obtain," military spokesman Daniel Hagari said
Geostrategy
No suspension for Mazraoui over Gaza post, says Bayern Munich
Berlin, Germany - Bayern Munich on Friday said defender Noussair Mazraoui would not be suspended, after a probe into the Moroccan...
- In the wake of the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas, Mazraoui had put up several pro-Palestinian posts.
- The club's chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said Mazraoui "credibly assured us he rejects terror and war" .
Geostrategy
‘Palestinians never die, they always come back’: Bassem Youssef in viral interview
Dubai, UAE - Egyptian comedian and TV host Bassem Youssef's recent interview with British TV host Piers Morgan has garnered...
- When asked about his views on the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel, Youssef expressed concern for the plight of Palestinians in Gaza
- He also made a sarcastic remark, saying, "It's very repetitive. We are used to that... It's just like those Palestinians are very dramatic
Geostrategy
Middle East emerges as a global esports powerhouse
The Middle Eastern region, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is swiftly becoming a global esports hub, driven by...
- The Middle Eastern region, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is swiftly becoming a global esports hub, driven by its vast gamer community and strategic investments
- The region's esports growth transcends gaming, with stakeholders from elite teams to media firms collaboratively shaping the region's live entertainment future
Arts & Culture
Art exhibition showcases deep cultural ties between Kuwait and Oman
Kuwait City, Kuwait--The art exhibition titled "Oman in the Heart of Kuwait" was inaugurated at the Kuwaiti Syndicate of Media...
- Saleh Al-Kharusi, Oman's ambassador to Kuwait, said the exhibition serves as a testament to the enduring relationship shared by Oman and Kuwait
- Nabil Al-Failakawi, Chairman of Kuwait's Syndicate of Media and Artists, underscored the spirit to forge and foster collaboration with artists throughout the Gulf region
Geostrategy
Nobel winner Mohammadi celebrates prize in jail, says family
Rights campaigner Narges Mohammadi "celebrated" her Nobel Peace Prize with fellow detainees in their Tehran prison cell, her family said....
- Mohammadi has spent much of the past two decades in and out of jail for her campaign against the mandatory wearing of a hijab.
- After the Nobel announcement, US President Joe Biden called on Iran to free Mohammadi, hailing her "unshakable courage".
RIP Stoneman Willie: US mummy to be buried after 128 years
The corpse has eerily laid in an open casket for almost his entire stay at the funeral home.
- The corpse has eerily laid in an open casket for almost his entire stay at the funeral home
- His leathery skin and smooth sunken facial features have been the object of fascination for thousands
Geostrategy
Global tributes pour in for Nobel Prize winner jailed Iranian activist
Human rights office spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell said at a press briefing that the Nobel award for Mohammadi "highlights the courage...
- France's President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute Friday to the bravery of imprisoned Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi
- The son and husband of imprisoned Iranian women's activist also paid tribute to the winner
Geostrategy
Dubai must possess its distinct emblem, says new decree
Dubai, UAE - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, issued Law No....
- The law says emblem can be utilized across various government facilities, documents, websites, and during government events
- Private entities may also utilize it, provided they obtain prior approval from the Dubai Ruler or his representative
Arts & Culture
Turkish film festival canceled over censorship controversy
The festival's jury members threatened to pull out if the film was not readmitted and said they "reject the approach...
- The dispute centres on "The Decree", a documentary about the plight of a doctor and a teacher affected by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's sweeping crackdown
- The film was initially selected for Antalya's "Golden Orange" film festival, but excluded from the competition last week, prompting an outcry from filmmakers
Israel releases Palestinian Oscar winner after West Bank detention
Jerusalem, Undefined - Israeli police on Tuesday released Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, detained a day earlier for "hurling rocks"...
Arts & Culture
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Europe’s largest art fair reports ‘record’ prices for Van Gogh, Picasso
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – Europe's largest art fair closed its doors on Friday with organizers saying that sales, including a rare...
Arts & Culture
US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passes TikTok ban bill
The measure requires TikTok's parent company ByteDance to sell the app within 180 days or see it barred from the...
Geostrategy
High inflation leaves Nigeria struggling ahead of Ramadan
Lagos, Nigeria - The holy fasting month of Ramadan begins early next week in Nigeria, with the worst economic crisis in...
Geostrategy
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Reincarnation and realpolitik: Dalai Lama’s succession dilemma
Tibetan activists are keenly aware that his death will mark a major setback in his push for more autonomy for...
- The 88-year-old spiritual leader, Tenzin Gyatso, has shown no indication of serious health issues, and has said that his dreams suggest he could live until he is 113
- But as Tibetans mark on Sunday the 65th anniversary of the failed uprising against China, the question of who will succeed their ageing leader is in sharp focus
Business
Iraq economy likely to grow this year, says IMF
BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Economic growth of the country is projected to continue amid fiscal expansion, an International Monetary Fund (IMF)...
- Medium-term vulnerabilities to oil price volatility have increased significantly, the IMF said.
- Growth in the non-oil sector has rebounded strongly in 2023 while inflation has receded.
Arts & Culture
Young Iraqis seek desert retreats for a change from the hustle of big cities
SAMAWAH, IRAQ – Far from the hustle and bustle of major cities, young Iraqis are increasingly taking advantage of a renewed...
- For years, only the most intrepid of hikers and campers would brave the trips into Iraq's desert.
- With the rise of social media and a period of relative stability, it has become a popular destination.