Archives for May, 2022

European Union officials and Israeli rights group representatives visit Palestinian communities in the Masafer Yatta area, in October 2020

Palestinians lose two-decade court battle over land

Agence France-Presse

Lee Westwood

Culture

Saudi-funded golf league gains momentum as stars join project

The Super Golf League offers significant financial incentives to players, and is aiming to compete against the dominant PGA Tour, but has been the subject of controversy due to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

MAARTEN WEYNANTS/AFP via Getty Images

Iranian decision to execute Swedish dual national sparks backlash

Reports that the Islamic Republic is set to execute the scientist came as a Swedish court prepares to sentence a former Iranian official in connection to the killing of thousands of political prisoners in his country in 1988.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) takes part in an exhibition football match.

Culture

Turkish soccer in dire straits due to economic crisis, power struggles

Turkey’s soccer sector has hit rock bottom as power struggles as well as financial and structural difficulties set in.

STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

OPEC+ alliance endorses slight increase in oil production

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other have largely resisted US calls to boost production but settled on a marginal increase today.

Iraq is yet again covered in a thick sheet of orange as it suffers the latest in a series of dust storms that have become increasingly common

Thousands sick as latest severe sandstorm sweeps across Iraq

Agence France-Presse

RINGO CHIU/AFP via Getty Images

More niceties, zero progress in third round of Turkey-Armenia peace talks

Turkey and Armenia's third round of rapprochement talks have produced little of substance as Armenians protested by in the thousands and called for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign.

Inflation soared to nearly 70% (69.97%) over one year in April in Turkey.

Turkish inflation jumps from 20% to 70% in just six months

Even if monthly price increases ease to an average of 5% in the coming months, Turkey would face an annual consumer inflation of over 100% in the fall and finish the year with a rate of some 90%.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: May 6, 2022, 10:28 am

Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, Dubai's Vy Capital help Elon Musk buy Twitter

Musk's takeover of Twitter has several implications for the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Two people lie on the ground during clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound

New clashes at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound

Agence France-Presse

Israeli police restrain a Palestinian protester as security forces accompany a group of Jewish visitors past the Dome of the Rock at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem on May 5, 2022

New clashes at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound

Agence France-Presse

Iraq is yet again covered in a thick sheet of orange as it suffers the latest in a series of dust storms that have become increasingly common

Iraq sandstorm sends more than 1,000 to hospital

Agence France-Presse

People walk past Saint-Vincent de Paul Cathedral on Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis on Dec. 14, 2021.

International pressure compounds Tunisian economic crisis

There are international and local concerns over the political and economic situation in Tunisia, which is hoping for a deal with the IMF in return for implementing reforms that are rejected by the powerful UGTT labor union.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Explainer: Oman may follow as most Gulf central banks raise rates

Inflation in the Gulf has not been as severe as in other parts of the region.

Ben-Gurion University

Beersheba evolves into Israeli tech powerhouse

With financial benefits, investment in infrastructure and a vibrant university, Israel's southern city of Beersheba is swiftly becoming a hub for both international and local high tech companies.

The OPEC+ meeting on Thursday comes as the European Union is eyeing a ban on Russian oil imports, following similar moves by the United States, Britain and Canada

Top oil producers agree modest supply boost amid demand concerns

Agence France-Presse