Restoration project for Jeddah district’s old buildings completed
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Ministry of Culture, represented by the Jeddah Historic District Program, has announced the completion of...
Arts & Culture
Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif celebrates 1084th anniversary
Cairo, Egypt - Historic al-Azhar Mosque marked its 1084th anniversary of its founding on March 17, celebrated by al-Azhar ash-Sharif...
Geostrategy
Dutch museum exhibit on Egypt causes anger in North African country
LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS - In a Dutch museum the sound of hip-hop blares out next to sarcophagi and statues, in what curators...
- Egypt's antiquities service said the museum is "falsifying history" with its "Afrocentric" approach, which seeks to appropriate Egyptian culture.
- The museum said there had been a "commotion about this exhibition, because it shows Egyptian culture through the eyes of artists with African roots."
Iran’s ancient ‘wind catchers’ beat the heat naturally
The wind catchers, called badgirs in Persian, are just one of the engineering marvels inhabitants have developed in this ancient...
- Oldest of the city's 700 wind catchers dates back to the 14th century, but the architectural feature is believed to date back as far as 2,500 years when the Persian Empire ruled
- UNESCO listed Yazd as a World Heritage Site in 2017, describing the city as a "living testimony to intelligent use of limited available resources in the desert for survival"
Economy
Lebanese activists struggle against rampant beachside development
Amchît, Lebanon--In a pristine patch of Lebanon's north coast, a rare marine visitor has fueled opposition to a seafront development, in...
- The country's seafront at many places remains dotted with formal and informal structures and developments, some of them abandoned
- Once sighted everywhere, monk seals are now considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due loss of habitat
Arts & Culture
Iraq’s marshes along with a way of life are dying
Even at their center in Chibayish, only a few expanses of the ancient waterways - home to a Marsh Arab...
- Both the Mesopotamian marshes, and the culture of the Marsh Arabs or Ma'adan have UNESCO world heritage status.
- The Ma'adan have hunted and fished in the marshes for 5,000 years, building houses from woven reeds on floating reed islands.
Economy
Egypt building collapse kills eight residents in capital
According to state media and the public prosecution, eight people including seven members of one family were killed in Cairo...
- Many buildings in central Cairo dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries are in dilipidated condition
- There have been many building collapses in recent years in Egypt due to non-compliance with regulations
Arts & Culture
Sweltering heat leaves Gulf residents at risk during noon
DUBAI, UAE- As much of the world swelters in record temperatures, spare a thought for Issam Genedi, who ekes out a...
- Apart from last week being identified as the hottest ever recorded worldwide, a wave of humidity has been suffocating the Gulf
- Two weeks ago, more than 1.8 million Muslims battled through a days-long hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in temperatures up to 48C (118F)
Arts & Culture
Ancient Egypt artists altered their work, new study reveals
Paris, France--From subtly shifting the position of Ramses II's sceptre, to touch-ups on a necklace or headdress, ancient Egyptian artists were...
- A team of international scientists looked afresh at paintings in the Valley of the Kings, a royal burial ground for pharaohs and other ancient Egyptian elites
- Scientists found alterations on the tomob of the nobleman Menna, depicted with his arms stretched out toward the god of the dead, Osiris
Business
UAE says 79,000 Emiratis working in private sector
DUBAI, UAE -Â Around 79,000 UAE nationals are working in the private sector, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization...
- These figures mark a 57 percent increase compared to the end of 2022 figures, where 50,228 UAE nationals were employed in the private sector.
- Nearly 17,000 private sector firms employ UAE citizens as of July 7, which was the last day for companies to achieve their semi-annual Emiratisation targets.
Geostrategy
Dubai Police records 65,942 ‘transactions’ at smart police stations in H1
Dubai, UAE-- During the first half of 2023 the Dubai Police has recorded some 65,942 smart transactions at its 22...
- According to the police, some 66,000 smart transactions were processed without any human intervention, including the lodging of 16,000 reports
- Major General Ali Ahmad Ghanim said residents and visitors expect top-notch police services that are both innovative and convenient
Arts & Culture
Youth hold the keys to a brighter future
Pinning high hopes on the capabilities and determination of young people to achieve a better future for humanity, Pisar emphasizes...
- Dr Leah Pisar, President of the Aladdin Project, believes youth can play a significant role in addressing global challenges
- In a lecture at the Emerging Peacemakers Forum, she pins high hopes on young people's capabilities and determination
Restoration project for Jeddah district’s old buildings completed
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Ministry of Culture, represented by the Jeddah Historic District Program, has announced the completion of...
Arts & Culture
Company News
More than a bubble: Turkish sparkling wines win fans
Arts & Culture
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Money weighs on would-be Chinese parents as population falls
Long alarmed by falling fertility, the government has relaxed its decades-long one-child policy in recent years to allow three children...
Arts & Culture
Sudan war threatens UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Regional Network for Cultural Rights said it "strongly condemns the incursion by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)", the paramilitary...
Geostrategy
Epstein case: Social media frenzy over released papers
The release of Epstein-related court documents has ignited a social media frenzy, sparking intense scrutiny and various reactions about high-profile...
Arts & Culture
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Geostrategy
Gaza couple celebrate wedding amid war and destruction
Rafah, Palestinian Territories - Surrounded by family and friends, clapping and cheering, Gaza woman Afnan Jibril beams a brilliant smile on...
- Afnan, 17, donning a crown of flowers and pristine white dress, and her partner Mustafa Shamlakh, 26, want to make the most of their chance to celebrate.
- Relatives were gathered on Friday for the wartime wedding in a tiny room at an abandoned school building in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Arts & Culture
Boots, Banksy, piano: Elton John puts items up for auction
New York, United States - Music icon Elton John has put a variety of personal items up for auction at Christie's...
- Most of the items come from John's former home in Atlanta, a condo on Peachtree Road that was recently sold, the auction house said Thursday
- Beginning on February 21, Christie's is organizing a series of eight sales, both in person and online, for the collection of the 76-year-old's belongings
Geostrategy
Morocco law reform offers hope for women’s rights
Rabat, Morocco - Two decades after a landmark but limited revision of Morocco's family law marked a breakthrough for women, activists...
- The reform of the legal code was ordered by King Mohammed VI, who is expected to have the final say in any disputes over the new law.
- A committee tasked with drafting the changes was formed in September and includes the justice minister as well as judicial and religious figures.