Gaza film at Venice targeted by hate campaign, director says
Venice, Italy - At its premiere, a powerful new Gaza film at the Venice Film Festival sparked 23 minutes of...
Geostrategy
Israel military says controls 40 percent of Gaza City, the largest urban centre in the Palestinian territory
In a televised briefing, Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that "we hold 40 percent of the territory...
Geostrategy
Economy
Poor and war-weary Yemenis cut trees for fuel, cash
A more than eight-year-long war between Saudi-backed government forces and pro-Iran Houthi rebels has devastated Yemen, the poorest country on...
- Fuel costs in government-held parts of Yemen peaked early last year in the immediate aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
- Environmental expert Anwar al-Shazli said more than six million trees had been felled since the start of Yemen's war
Geostrategy
In new mass rally Israelis protest against judicial reforms
Israeli media reported the crowds were again in the tens of thousands, after lawmakers this week took a step towards...
- Netanyahu has presented the judicial reforms as key to restoring balance between the branches of government, arguing judges currently have too much power over elected officials
- Another element of the reforms would give the 120-member parliament the power to overrule Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority of 61 votes
Geostrategy
Tunisians rally to denounce President Saied for ‘racists’ remarks
Accusing him of racist comments and hate speech against sub-Saharan migrants, hundreds of people protested in the Tunisian capital on...
- The protestors demanded that the president apologise to sub-Saharan migrants
- According to an advocacy group, more than 21,000 sub-Saharan Africans live in Tunisia, including those with student visas and other legal residency
Geostrategy
Jordan to host Palestine-Israel meeting as tension escalates
Jordan will host a "political-security" meeting between Israel and the Palestinians to try and restore calm to the occupied Palestinian...
- The talks will come after 11 Palestinians were killed and more than 80 wounded in a gun battle on Wednesday
- The talks aim to reach "security and economic measures to ease the hardships of the Palestinian people," the official added.
Geostrategy
UAE takes part in first G20 Finance Ministers meeting in 2023
ABU DHABI, UAE - Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini headed the UAE delegation participating in...
- Held for the first time under the Indian presidency in Bengaluru, the meeting discussed the progress under the G20 priorities for 2023.
- The UAE team reiterated the importance of a globally coordinated multilateral action to promote climate finance.
Geostrategy
FNC Speaker calls for greater coordination at Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union meet
BAGHDAD, IRAQ - Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC) Saqr Ghobash said that Arab parliaments should are required...
- Arab parliaments should unify positions on all common issues, activate the role of parliamentary diplomacy.
- Many Arab countries are still facing and suffering from terrorism and extremism that know no borders.
Geostrategy
UNDP requests $113.5 million to support early recovery in Turkey
ANKARA, TURKEY - Clearing the mountains of rubble due to buildings collapse in the earthquakes that hit Turkey on February...
- Rubble removal accounts for a large share of UNDP's US$113.5 million request for funding.
- UNDP's current focus is to help prevent public health threats to affected populations and emergency responders.
Economy
Germany’s Scholz arrives in India to expand business ties
New Delhi, India--German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in India on Saturday seeking to deepen business ties between the world's number four...
- Scholz would press for progress towards a trade deal between the European Union and India that has long been held up by disagreements on tariffs
- Scholz, 64, also said the Group of 20 should not ease up on pressuring Russia during India's current presidency and continue to send a "strong message"
Geostrategy
In West Bank nurse discovers own father among casualties from Israel raid
Nablus, Palestinian Territories--When Israel conducted its deadliest raid in the occupied West Bank in almost two decades this week, a young...
- Ashqar said his father Abdel Aziz, 65, had been returning from prayers in the Old City when he was caught up in the Israeli incursion
- Israel said Wednesday's raid targeted two Lions' Den members, as well as a member of the Islamic Jihad militant group
Business
UAE mulls ‘options’ on Russian bank hit by new US sanctions
MTS Bank, approved for its licence last year, was one of more than 200 entities and individuals targeted by the...
- The UAE, particularly its financial hub Dubai, has attracted large numbers of Russian professionals and businesspeople fleeing the impact of Western sanctions.
- Russian air passenger traffic to Dubai more than doubled last year to 1.9 million, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths told AFP this week.
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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
Gaza film at Venice targeted by hate campaign, director says
Venice, Italy - At its premiere, a powerful new Gaza film at the Venice Film Festival sparked 23 minutes of...
Geostrategy
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‘Enough’: Israeli protesters demand Gaza truce
Large protests, also demanding elections, have taken place across Israel's commercial hub every Saturday night, with smaller ones throughout the...
Geostrategy
Health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says 16 killed in strike on school
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said two of its workers were killed in a strike at Al-Bureij in...
Geostrategy
Calling for better ties with West, Iran reformist wins presidency
In the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini in southern Tehran, Pezeshkian gave a speech thanking his supporters, saying their votes have...
Geostrategy
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Early returns show reformist Pezeshkian leading Iran runoff vote: interior ministry
Iran held the first round of its snap presidential election last week which was marked by a record low turnout....
- Officials have so far counted more than 11 million ballots for Pezeshkian and around 9 million for Jalili, electoral authority spokesman Mohsen Eslami was quoted by IRNA
- Only 40 percent of Iran's 61 million eligible voters cast their ballots in the first round - the lowest turnout in any presidential election since the Islamic Revolution of 1979
Geostrategy
Reformist faces ultraconservative as Iran votes for president
In a contest between reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and ultraconservative Saeed Jalili, the election comes amid heightened regional tension
- The election follows a first round marked by a historically low voter turnout last week
- Regardless of the result, Iran's next president will be in charge of applying state policy outlined by the supreme leader
Geostrategy
Lebanon’s Hezbollah rains rockets on Israel as Gaza war rages
Fire and smoke billows after rockets fired from southern Lebanon hit areas in northern Israel on July 4, 2024. (AFP).
- The Israeli military said its forces were "striking launch posts in southern Lebanon"
- UN chief Antonio Guterres is "very worried about the escalation of the exchange of fire"