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...
Israel top court rules ultra-Orthodox men must serve in army
Jerusalem, Undefined - Israel's top court ruled unanimously on Tuesday that the state must draft ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into military service,...
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.
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. We...
- 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".
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...
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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
UAE elected Vice Chair of UNESCO’s committee for promotion of cultural diversity
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE has been elected the Vice Chair of the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) for the...
Arts & Culture
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...
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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.
US designer, ‘geriatric starlet’ Iris Apfel dies age 102
New York, United States - Iris Apfel, centenarian style icon from the New York borough of Queens immediately recognizable by her...
- A flamboyant interior designer, she was a fixture on front rows of Paris fashion shows for more than half a century
- Her cropped white hair, massive glasses, bright lipstick, large-bead necklaces and bangles earned her kooky distinction among New York's glitterati
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