Don’t give smartphones to kids under 11, UK mobile phone firm says
London, United Kingdom - One of Britain's biggest mobile network operators said on Sunday it will warn parents they should not...
Born to help: Syria bikers deliver Ramadan meals
The volunteers don their club's signature blue vest, the front and back embroidered with their emblem: a flaming motorbike and...
Arts & Culture
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.
Pakistan bans New Year’s Eve celebrations in solidarity with Gaza
New Year's Eve is usually marked in boisterous fashion in Pakistan, with fireworks and aerial gunfire -- as well as...
- PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said because of the situation in the Gaza Strip, the government had "completely banned all kinds of events regarding the New Year celebrations"
- Israel's relentless aerial bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza has left much of the territory's north in ruins, and killed at least 21,320 people, mostly women and children
Arts & Culture
More than a bubble: Turkish sparkling wines win fans
Ankara, Turkey - Drinkers are getting into something of a fizz over Turkish sparkling wine. "We are selling out very quickly....
- When it comes to celebrating a big occasion, few might think of reaching for a bottle of Turkish bubbly in a market dominated by French champagne, Spanish cava and Italian prosecco
- But Misir's wine - made from a local Turkish grape variety that died out in the 1980s - won the gold medal for the Best Sparkling Wine in the World at a competition in France
Arts & Culture
Desert jewel: Saudi Arabia’s oldest nature reserve Hurra Al-Hurra
Turaif, Saudi Arabia - Hurra Al-Hurra Reserve is one of the first protected areas in Saudi Arabia, located in the...
- Located in the Northern Border and Al-Jawf regions, it lies within the boundaries of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve in the northwest of Saudi Arabia.
- Hurra Al-Hurra and its surrounding areas feature a diverse landscape, with depressions, watersheds, valleys and an abundance of springs scattered throughout the area.
Geostrategy
Gaza war makes for sombre Christmas in the Holy Land
There was no revelry on Sunday, with few worshippers on the streets of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, as...
- A work of art evoking the tragedy of war has been installed on the ground opposite the Church of the Nativity, taking the place of life-size nativity scene and colossal Christmas
- Last week, a mother and daughter were killed by an Israeli sniper inside the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City, according to the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem
Science
Artists utilize technology against AI copycats
NEW YORK, US - Artists under siege by artificial intelligence (AI) that studies their work, then replicates their styles, have teamed...
- Created in just four months, Glaze spun off technology used to disrupt facial recognition systems.
- Glaze essentially outthinks AI models when it comes to how they train, tweaking pixels in ways indiscernible by human viewers
Arts & Culture
10m people attend Riyadh Season 2023 events in first 50 days, says report
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - According to the Riyadh Season, 10 million people took part in the activities organized in the...
- Riyadh Season 2023 started in late October, and since then, it has witnessed a large visitor turnout at all entertainment areas.
- At the Season, visitors can enjoy concerts, exhibitions, festivals and other events in which celebrities and prominent brands participate.
Geostrategy
War affects Christmas festivities in southern Lebanon
Qlayaa, Lebanon - In the Lebanese Christian border village of Qlayaa, the priest urged his parish to keep the Christmas spirit...
- Despite the violence, the church has put up lights, a life-sized manger and is planning recitals and activities for the community's children.
- Residents along the border are used to "difficult times", said father Antonios Farah, "but we have decided... we will celebrate Christmas as usual".
Arts & Culture
Strategic investments accelerate KSA’s esports market
Vision 2030 is fueling Saudi Arabia's esports surge, with NEOM World Cup 2024 set to elevate its status as a...
- Vision 2030 is fueling Saudi Arabia's esports surge, with NEOM World Cup 2024 set to elevate its status as a global digital entertainment leader.
- With initiatives to foster inclusivity and address infrastructural challenges, Saudi Arabia is poised to reshape the future of competitive gaming.
Arts & Culture
7,000 digital marriage contracts delivered in Abu Dhabi since Oct
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has introduced a new service that allows marriage contracts to be...
- This is the first service of its kind and it enables the marriage contract to be sent directly to the spouses during the contract session.
- Customers can review the available times of the authorized officiants and receive the results of the suitors' medical examination automatically.
Don’t give smartphones to kids under 11, UK mobile phone firm says
London, United Kingdom - One of Britain's biggest mobile network operators said on Sunday it will warn parents they should not...
Company News
Latest News
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...
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)...
Business
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...
Arts & Culture
Most Read
Asia’s richest man takes global rich to the zoo
The three-day gala -- which saw "Umbrella" singer Rihanna perform on Friday for the first time since last year's Superbowl...
- Pop icon Rihanna and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg are among the rich and famous guests who jetted in for a three-day celebration hosted by Mukesh Ambani
- Indian media reports said the Ambani family will on Saturday host a "Walk on the Wildside", an event held outdoors in the Anant Ambani's animal rescue center
Business
Oil spills disrupt farming activities in drought-hit Iraq
Oil spills in Iraq -- a country ravaged by decades of conflict, corruption and decaying infrastructure -- have contaminated farmland...
- Amid the hills of Salaheddin province, puddles of the viscous black liquid pollute the otherwise fertile and green fields, rendering vast swathes of farmland barren
- "The oil has damaged all that the land can give," said one farmer, Abdel Majid Said, 62, who owns six hectares (15 acres) in the village of Al-Meaibdi
Arts & Culture
Museum in West Bank displays Gaza’s ‘artistic demonstration’ against war
BIRZEIT, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES – At a museum in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Gazan works on display are proclaimed to be an...
- Alongside contemporary pieces, the works include old, traditional paintings and costumes, as well as archeological artifacts.
- Gaza's bloodiest war has devastated the small Hamas-ruled coastal territory, with its cultural heritage just one of the many casualties of war.