Israel to reopen for small foreign tour groups
By Steven Scheer
Israel will allow small foreign tour groups from selective countries to visit from Sept. 19 under a pilot programme to kick-start tourism, the government said on Sunday.
Tour ...
Taliban say they have entered capital of holdout Afghan region
The Taliban said on Sunday their forces had fought their way into the provincial capital of the Panjshir valley, their latest claim of progress in fighting against opposition forces holding ...
Qatar to operate daily aid flights to Afghanistan
Qatar has flown humanitarian aid into Kabul and said it will operate daily aid flights to Afghanistan over the next few days, providing much-needed supplies following a hiatus in much ...
Pope hopes many countries take Afghan refugees and young are educated
Pope Francis said on Sunday that he was praying that many countries take Afghan refugees and, in an apparent reference to the Taliban’s past restrictions on schooling for women, ...
Russia denies it has discussed participation in G7 meeting -Ifax
Russia on Sunday denied it has discussed participation in an online G7 ministerial meeting about Afghanistan, Interfax news agency reported, citing Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
China and Russia ...
US backs plan to bring badly-needed gas to Lebanon from Syria
The US has backed a plan to bring desperately needed gas to Lebanon from Syria.
Syria said on Saturday that it welcomed Lebanon’s request to import Egyptian gas for ...
Syria says Israeli air strikes target areas near Damascus
Israel carried out air strikes on targets near Damascus early on Friday, triggering Syrian air defences but causing no casualties, Syrian state media reported, the second such attack in just ...
Egypt’s GDP growth at 7.7 per cent in fourth quarter
Egypt’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 7.7 per cent in the March to June quarter compared to a 1.7 per cent contraction in the same quarter last year, the cabinet said ...
Lebanon could see a new government within days as Mikati proposes draft
Lebanon stands a strong chance of welcoming a new government in the upcoming hours, after a year without one.
The proposed government would reduce in part the influence of the ...
Lebanon in free fall, must not become ‘horror story’, US senator warns
Lebanon is in free fall and must not become a “horror story”, a US senator said during a visit to Beirut on Wednesday, voicing hope that a government would be ...
Israel opposes Biden plan to reopen US Palestinian mission in Jerusalem
Israel said on Wednesday that a U.S. plan to reopen its consulate in Jerusalem that has traditionally been a base for diplomatic outreach to Palestinians is a “bad idea” ...
Lebanon’s experts warn of increase in violence amidst social decay
Experts fear that Lebanon’s social stability will further deteriorate and violence increase in the near future in light of the shortage of basic commodities in the country and the ...
Before Afghan collapse, Biden pressed Ghani to ‘change perception’
In the last call between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Afghanistan counterpart before the Taliban seized control of the country, the leaders discussed military aid, political strategy and ...
You can be German even if your name is not ‘Klaus’ or ‘Erika’ -Merkel
Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday migrants who settle in Germany are German even if they have foreign-sounding names, making a subtle dig at a widespread habit among white Germans ...
First Abu Dhabi Bank expected to sell 250 mln pounds in 5-year bonds
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB.AD) is expected to sell 250 million pounds ($344.38 million) in five-year bonds, a document showed on Tuesday.
FAB, HSBC (HSBA.L), Standard Chartered (STAN.L) and ...
Erdogan has change of heart over UAE, now wants them to invest in Turkey
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has spoken by phone with the UAE’s de facto ruler, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Erdogan’s office said on Tuesday, ...
Lebanese fintech leader plans European expansion from Nicosia
FOO, a leading fintech provider in Lebanon, has opened an office in Nicosia. The company plans to expand in Cyprus and around Europe from its base here.
by George Eid ...
Israel says it will loan Palestinians money after highest-level talks in years
By Jeffrey Heller
Israel will lend the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority more than $150 million after the sides held their highest-level meeting in years, Israeli officials said on Monday, while playing down ...
EU to seek to stop mass Afghanistan migration flows, draft statement says
European Union states are determined to prevent uncontrolled migration from Afghanistan following the takeover of the country by the Taliban, a draft statement prepared for a meeting on Tuesday says.
...
Fuel dispute triggers sectarian clash in Lebanon’s south
A dispute over scarce fuel supplies ignited sectarian tensions between neighbouring Shi’ite Muslim and Christian villages in southern Lebanon over the weekend, forcing the army to intervene, a security ...
Israel offers booster shots to all vaccinated aged 12 and over
Israel on Sunday began offering a COVID-19 booster shot to anyone who has been fully vaccinated, lowering the age of eligibility to 12.
“Starting today, the third vaccine dose is open ...
Dozens of civilians, 12 U.S. troops killed in bloodbath at Kabul airport (Update 3)
Suicide bombers struck the crowded gates of Kabul airport with at least two explosions on Thursday, causing a bloodbath among civilians and US troops, and bringing a catastrophic halt to ...
Afghanistan finances in tatters
Afghanistan finds itself in a very tight place in terms of financing the new Taliban government and the country’s economy. The result is that the nation’s currency, the ...
Abu Dhabi conglomerate plans billion-dollar acquisitions in region
Abu Dhabi conglomerate International Holding Co (IHC.AD) is considering acquisitions worth a few billion dollars in total across several sectors, including a real estate developer in Abu Dhabi, its ...