https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:16:33 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-iranian-foreign-minister-meets-with-japanese-premier-kishida-in-tokyo/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 18:09:04 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658358 Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian met with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Monday and discussed bilateral cooperation as well as the Iran nuclear deal, reports Anadolu Agency. Amirabdollahian arrived in the Japanese capital on Sunday evening and is also scheduled to meet with senior government officials to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues. "As a supporter of the Iran nuclear deal, Japan is seriously concerned about the expansion of Iran's nuclear-related activities and requested full and unconditional cooperation in the joint statement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," Kishida said in a statement released by the Japanese Foreign Ministry. He also urged Iran to respond in a "constructive" way. Earlier, the Iranian […]]]> 658358 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-brazil-president-supports-accession-of-saudi-arabia-uae-to-brics/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:41:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657845 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has expressed his support for more countries joining the BRICS group. Lula said in the capital, Brasilia, yesterday that he supports countries such as Argentina, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joining the group. BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is due to hold a summit in Johannesburg from 22-24 August. He also described the seven leading industrialised countries as a "club" that should not exist, considering that its form in terms of geopolitical affairs is outdated. The UK, US, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Germany make up the group of Western industrialised countries, known as the G7. Some 22 countries have "formally" asked to join the BRICS group, while […]]]> 657845 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230729-asias-strategic-autonomy-how-the-new-era-could-shape-our-collective-identities/ Sat, 29 Jul 2023 11:30:40 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656406 In a recent speech, China's highest-ranking diplomat Wang Yi spoke of a "united Asia" and its need to develop a "strategic autonomy". In principle, Wang was not wrong; after all, a stable and prosperous Asia would benefit the region's peoples and deny Western meddlers the chance to exploit historical fault lines and sow the seeds of political division. Wang's language, although from the outside may seem simple and straightforward, is quite loaded with meaning. "No matter how blonde you dye your hair, how sharp you shape your nose, you can never become a European or American, you can never become a Westerner," Wang said, as cited by Chinese state media. In fact, common culture, beliefs and origins have historically served […]]]> 656406 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230718-japan-pm-kishida-to-visit-qatar-for-lng-talks/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 14:52:34 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653327 Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, is due to arrive in major gas-producer, Qatar, on Tuesday for the final leg of a Gulf tour that has focused on securing future energy supplies and promoting Japanese high-tech, Reuters reports. Kishida, who has been urged by Japan's gas lobby to secure new liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Qatar, is expected to hold talks with Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, as well as Qatar's Minister of State for Energy and QatarEnegy's Chief Executive, Saad Al Kaabi. Japan, which remains highly dependent on oil and gas imports, did not renew several long-term LNG contracts with Qatar when they lapsed in 2021 and 2022, significantly reducing gas imports from one of the world's top LNG […]]]> 653327 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230717-uae-japan-ink-23-agreements-to-boost-trade-cooperation/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:54:33 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653202 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Japan on Monday signed 23 agreements and memoranda of understanding to enhance their bilateral trade and investment. This came during Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida's visit to the Gulf nation on Monday. Kishida met with UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, where both leaders underscored the strength of relations between the two countries, the UAE state news agency, WAM, reported. The two leaders also discussed a number of regional and international developments and underlined the importance of supporting peace and stability through building bridges of cooperation and dialogue, WAM said. The Japanese Premier started a Gulf tour on Sunday, with his first stop in Saudi Arabia. He is also scheduled […]]]> 653202 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230717-minister-saudi-supplies-japan-with-40-of-its-oil-needs/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 07:57:52 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652579 Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman said yesterday that since 2021, the kingdom has become the largest oil supplier to Japan, fulfilling 40 per cent of its total needs, Anadolu news agency reported. Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) ahead of the arrival of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the kingdom yesterday, the minister said the kingdom will continue cooperating with Tokyo on clean hydrogen, ammonia and recycled carbon fuels. "The relationship between the Kingdom and Japan in the field of energy has been going on for more than half a century… We also pay attention to adherence to the principles of the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and to focus on emissions rather than energy sources," he added. […]]]> 652579 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230620-carlos-ghosn-sues-nissan-for-1bn-in-lebanon-legal-document-shows/ Tue, 20 Jun 2023 18:48:14 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=646058 Former Nissan Chairman, Carlos Ghosn, has sued the company for more than $1 billion in a lawsuit filed to Lebanon's Public Prosecutor last month, according to a copy of the lawsuit seen by Reuters. The lawsuit, filed on 18 May, accuses Nissan, along with two other companies and 12 named individuals, of crimes including defamation, slander, libel and the fabrication of material evidence. A judicial source said the Prosecutor has scheduled a court session on 18 September, to begin proceedings. A spokesperson for Nissan said the company will not be commenting on the matter. READ: Ex-Nissan chief flees Japan to Lebanon leaving officials 'dumbfounded' Ghosn, once a titan of the global car industry, was arrested in Japan in late 2018 and […]]]> 646058 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230524-in-segas-next-game-pharaohs-battle-to-save-ancient-egypt-from-destruction/ Wed, 24 May 2023 10:54:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=639204 Sega's next video game 'Total War; Pharaoh' will be set in ancient Egypt during the collapse of the Bronze Age. In the game, which is to be released in October, players take the role of Pharoah to save Egypt from destruction and become the greatest Pharoah in history. Players will determine the fate of three cultures – Egyptian, Canaanite and Hittite. In a press release Game Director Todor Nikolov said: "There are few periods more iconic than Ancient Egypt; fraught with political intrigue, cataclysmic events and grand war campaigns, it's the perfect setting for a Total War title." Sega added: "Experience Ancient Egypt during the vibrant and tumultuous era of the Bronze Age Collapse and master dynamic real-time battles and […]]]> 639204 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230522-the-g7-hiroshima-summit-echoes-nuclear-fears/ Mon, 22 May 2023 14:04:29 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=638275 The G7 group of world leaders have had their sights on the Russia-Ukraine war. Over the past few weeks, speculation has been rife about a major Ukrainian counteroffensive, reflected by talks about supplying Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. This development came after German Leopard-2 tanks were also supplied to the Ukrainian army. The main objective of these incremental steps is to impede Russia's advance. The absence of a clear victor in this war has positioned the US as the primary beneficiary, since it considerably degrades the capabilities of a major power without Washington having to deploy troops on the ground. The leaders of the world's largest economies created the G8 platform in the 1970s to discuss economic policies and coordinate […]]]> 638275 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230509-sudan-deepens-crisis-in-africa-as-un-sees-5-million-more-needing-aid/ Tue, 09 May 2023 17:08:31 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=634771 When a power struggle between Sudan's rival military leaders shattered a tenuous peace in her village in Sudan's western region of Darfur, Halime Yacoub Issac's first instinct was to take her five children and run. But four days after seeking refuge in neighbouring Chad – a country with its own dire humanitarian crisis – she had yet to receive any assistance and was just hoping they would not starve. "We're entirely dependent on food Chadian families give us," Issac told Reuters, sitting in a rare patch of shade near the border village of Goungour with other newly arrived women and children, some of them orphans. Nearby, hundreds of families were camped out under trees, or had built flimsy shelters out […]]]> 634771 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230503-are-turkiyes-nuclear-power-ambitions-a-threat-to-regional-safety/ Wed, 03 May 2023 07:05:16 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=632851 Everyone who watched the American disaster thriller movie called 'The China Syndrome', directed by James Bridges in 1979, remembers that the events leading up to the "accident" in 'The China Syndrome' are, indeed, based on actual occurrences at nuclear plants. Turkiye's newly launched nuclear power plant reminds us of this movie. When nuclear power makes the news, it is often for all the wrong reasons. The disasters at Chernobyl and Fukushima were both reminders of the risks in ageing infrastructure in current plants, the spiralling costs of building new ones, and the unsolved issue of nuclear waste. There are currently about 449 operational nuclear reactors, worldwide, that are responsible for supplying around 10 per cent of the world's electricity. The United States has the most […]]]> 632851 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230430-turkish-space-traveler-to-spend-14-days-on-international-space-station/ Sun, 30 Apr 2023 09:20:55 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=632255 Alper Gezeravci, selected as one of the first Turkish space travelers, will spend 14 days on the International Space Station, Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank told a news briefing on Saturday. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced names of the country's first space travelers on Saturday during his speech at TEKNOFEST, Turkiye's premier aerospace and technology festival. Gezeravci is a pilot with Turkish Air Force, while reserve candidate Tuva Cihangir Atasever is a system engineer at Turkish missile producer Roketsan in the field of space launch systems. The two candidates were chosen among over 36,000 applications, the minister said. He said 20 countries were conducting similar missions to the space station, and Turkiye will also enter the exclusive club. […]]]> 632255 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230428-brazils-president-the-un-was-so-strong-enough-to-create-israel-but-now-cant-create-a-palestinian-state/ Fri, 28 Apr 2023 10:43:25 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=631970 Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva this week slammed the UN's inability to create a Palestinian State in the same manner that it established the state of Israel in 1948. "The UN was so strong that, in 1948, it managed to create the State of Israel. In 2023, it fails to create a Palestinian state," Lula said. Speaking during an official visit to Spain, Lula continued: "We live in the world where the UN Security Council, the permanent members, they are the ones who sell the most weapons in the world, they are the biggest participants in wars in the world." "When the United States invaded Iraq, there was no discussion in the Security Council. When France and England […]]]> 631970 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230426-former-nsa-head-received-700000-in-s-arabia-consultancy-contracts-despite-khashoggi-assassination/ Wed, 26 Apr 2023 17:17:08 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=631626 The former head of the United States' National Security Agency (SNA) is revealed to have received at least $700,000 from consultancy contracts with Saudi Arabia, taking place even after the killing of journalist, Jamal Khashoggi. According to the Washington Post, which cited newly-released documents that it obtained as part of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit, the NSA's former head, Keith Alexander had secured consulting deals with foreign governments which amounted to $2 million after leaving office. While the majority of that amount was paid by the Japanese government in a $1.3 million contract to provide advice on cyber issues, his consultancy firm struck a $700,000 contract with Saudi Arabia's government to advise the Kingdom on cyber-security. The revelations […]]]> 631626 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230419-diplomatic-missions-in-sudan-urge-combatants-to-avoid-escalations-cease-fire/ Wed, 19 Apr 2023 16:42:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=630294 Diplomatic missions in Sudan, on Wednesday, called on rival forces to cease fire and observe obligations under international law to protect civilians, diplomats and humanitarian actors following a days-long bloody power struggle across the country, Reuters reports. The missions included the embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Delegation of the European Union. In a joint statement, they urged the Army and the most powerful paramilitary group to avoid further escalation and initiate talks to resolve outstanding issues. READ: Sudan Army chief, the warlord and a feud that risks civil war]]> 630294 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230413-top-japan-diplomat-discusses-tehran-nuclear-issue-with-iran-counterpart/ Thu, 13 Apr 2023 12:45:58 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=628855 Top diplomats of Japan and Iran, on Wednesday, discussed the latest developments surrounding Tehran's nuclear issue, a statement from Tokyo said, Anadolu News Agency reports. Foreign Minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, told his Iranian counterpart, Huseyn Amir Abdollahian, that Japan has "consistently supported" the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Tokyo has "strong hopes for a constructive response from Iran, including the full and unconditional cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," Hayashi told Abdollahian. Besides, the statement said, the duo exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and agreed on continuing bilateral dialogue on a wide range of fields. Hayashi also held a half-an-hour-long video conference with IAEA Rafael Mariano Grossi on Wednesday. The duo discussed a variety of issues […]]]> 628855 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230328-can-an-arab-team-win-the-world-cup/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:21:18 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=625070 We all witnessed the great performance and deserved victory of the Moroccan team against the Brazilian team, which has won five World Cup trophies. The Moroccan win comes on the back of its excellent performance at the Qatar World Cup 2022 where it came fourth, making it the best performance of an Arab and African team in the history of the World Cup. The Moroccan national team has players of the highest caliber; many are active in the major European leagues, but no one expected them to have such a strong performance during the games and overcome some of the strongest football teams including Spain and Portugal. The first Arab victory over the Brazilian team Morocco's recent victory over Brazil […]]]> 625070 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230323-germany-sources-new-supplies-of-lng-from-the-middle-east-as-it-risks-running-out-of-gas/ Thu, 23 Mar 2023 21:47:53 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=624455 Germany plans to have as much as 70.7 million tons, per year, of LNG import capacity by 2030 as the country faces the risk out of gas, Argus reports. According to the report, Germany no longer receives Russian gas via Nord Stream, which was sabotaged in the autumn of 2022. The rush to have LNG import terminals as soon as possible will make Germany the fourth largest import capacity holder, behind the major Asian LNG buyers South Korea, China and Japan, according to Argus. READ: Germany moving ahead with Israel Arrow-3 Defence System purchase]]> 624455 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230323-unpunished-and-unrepentant-the-war-criminals-who-get-away-with-murder/ Thu, 23 Mar 2023 13:45:03 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=624315 When the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W Bush flouted international law and unleashed Shock and Awe on Iraq in March 2003, the attack and invasion had unintended consequences which could probably lead us directly to the equally illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia's Vladimir Putin in February last year. The only major difference is that, in Ukraine, the fickle international community has issued an arrest warrant for Putin accusing him of war crimes. Blair and Bush, meanwhile, are still at large, unpunished and unrepentant. There have been no arrest warrants for them; they're just two of many war criminals who get away with murder. This highlights the futility of war and what happens when […]]]> 624315 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230318-on-china-and-debt-distress/ Sat, 18 Mar 2023 12:10:39 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=623033 Without China's participation in joint efforts in debt restructuring, it is not possible to quickly ease the burden on many debt-distressed countries. However, even if not impossible, it is a difficult task. Some may think that the debt default of Sri Lanka is a far-flung problem in a distant land. However, this is far from the case for many reasons. Given that this affects food security and basic needs, protecting people's fundamental human rights must be a concern to us all. In Sri Lanka, one in three households is food insecure and people struggle to obtain essential medicines, as basic as painkillers. Political instability exacerbates the situation. Moreover, Sri Lanka owes many creditors, including US and Europe-based institutional investors, the […]]]> 623033 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230303-fm-stable-lng-supply-from-oman-is-extremely-important-for-japan/ Fri, 03 Mar 2023 20:12:23 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=619300 The "stable" supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Oman was "extremely important" for Japan, the country's Foreign Minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said on Friday, Anadolu News Agency reports. Hayashi made the comments during his bilateral meeting with Oman's top diplomat, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, in Indian capital, New Delhi, on the sidelines of the G-20 Foreign Ministers Summit. "The stable supply of LNG from Oman, which has been a reliable partner for Japan for many years, is extremely important," Hayashi said. Japan is highly dependent on energy imports from Russia. Japan and Oman marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relation last year. The Japanese Foreign Minister said the bilateral relations with Oman "have developed steadily […]]]> 619300 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230224-under-leadership-of-kids-earth-fund-children-in-geneva-send-drawings-to-support-peers-in-turkiye/ Fri, 24 Feb 2023 17:59:48 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=617733 Drawings by a group of children in Switzerland will be delivered to their peers in Turkiye's quake-affected regions, according to the Turkish Consul-General in Geneva on Friday. Ipek Zeytinoglu Ozkan told Anadolu that, under the leadership of the Japan-based "Kids Earth Fund", a group of children in Geneva, including Japanese kids, painted to support their peers in Turkiye. The founder of the fund, Harumi Torii, delivered about 15 of the drawings to Ozkan. Torii, who went to the earthquake region to convey the pictures to the children in Turkiye, said they made a similar initiative after the Golcuk quake in the country and said: "We will always be in cooperation and solidarity with the Turks." Torii and his entourage also […]]]> 617733 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230224-japan-operating-its-biggest-overseas-medical-mission-in-quake-hit-turkiye-says-official/ Fri, 24 Feb 2023 15:44:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=617701 Japan is operating its biggest overseas medical mission in Turkish regions which have been hit hard by two massive earthquakes, a senior official from the country said. "It is the first time for the Japanese government to set up Type-II hospital which among other capacities can conduct surgical operation and can accept patients for night stay," Takeshi Ishihara, the leader of around 70 medical and paramedical Japanese staff, told Anadolu. Japan's medical field camp began its operations last week in the Oguzeli district of Turkiye's Gaziantep province – one of 11 southern and southeastern provinces hit by the 6 February twin quakes which caused widespread devastation and resulted in the death of over 43,500 people, according to official figures. READ: Turkish-Japanese floating energy […]]]> 617701 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230216-saudi-arabia-increases-stake-in-nintendo/ Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:45:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=615653 Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has increased its stake in Japanese gaming giant Nintendo for the second time in a month. The PIF now owns 7.08 per cent, up from 6.07 per cent in January, according to a report by Trading View. The kingdom's sovereign wealth fund previously acquired a 5.01 per cent stake back in May 2021, worth $2.98 billion, making it Nintendo's fifth-largest shareholder. Last year the company revealed that it learned of the PIF's initial holding from news reports. It has yet to comment on the PIF's growing stake in the company. The PIF is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. It has been investing heavily in the gaming industry, as the kingdom looks to […]]]> 615653 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230209-turkiye-quake-and-other-major-natural-disasters-this-century/ Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:45:13 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=613437 On Monday, two massive earthquakes, just hours apart, which devastated cities and towns across a huge swathe of southern Turkiye and north-west Syria, are rapidly becoming one of the worst disasters this century, with the death toll already more than 16,000. Indian Ocean Tsunami  A 9.15 magnitude earthquake off Sumatra on 26 December, 2004, triggered a tsunami that barrelled into Indonesia, Thailand, India Sri Lanka and many other countries in the region, killing at least 230,000 people, leaving 43,000 missing and devastating villages and tourist islands. Haiti 2010 Earthquake  A 7.0 magnitude earthquake on 13 January, 2010, devastated Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, and killed about 316,000 people. The United Nations estimated 80,000 buildings in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas were destroyed. Myanmar […]]]> 613437 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230209-turkiye-too-much-earthquake-news-misleading-says-government/ Thu, 09 Feb 2023 13:15:29 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=613394 Too much misleading news on social media about the devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria in the early hours of Monday morning prompted the government in Ankara to disable Twitter before agreeing with the company to tackle fake news. The earthquake has killed at least 15,000 people and the death toll continues to rise as rescue workers continue to search for survivors under the rubble. READ: Turkiye declares 3-month state of emergency in 10 provinces While the rescue teams were rushing to the affected areas in Turkiye and northern Syria, those promoting misinformation and misleading news took advantage of the global focus on the tragedy to issue misleading news items in order to boost their "likes" on social media. Journalists at […]]]> 613394 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230207-move-away-from-hypocrisy-global-south-demands-energy-justice/ Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:45:00 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=612317 Rich countries should stop throwing up roadblocks to poorer ones trying to secure energy supplies and do more to help them make the green transition, officials from Global South nations told the India Energy Week conference on Tuesday, Reuters reports. The criticism highlights the gaping political fault lines in the battle against climate change and underscores the challenges in drafting effective decarbonisation strategies. Tanzania's Energy Minister, January Makamba, called for "a move away from hypocrisy" by wealthy nations refusing to finance gas projects, while a senior official from Bangladesh said its energy security was compromised by the higher gas prices caused by Western sanctions on Russia. Makamba said Japan rejected a proposal last week to finance a gas-fired power plant […]]]> 612317 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230124-turkish-japanese-floating-energy-unit-secures-71m-loan-from-japanese-banks/ Tue, 24 Jan 2023 18:13:46 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=609379 Turkish and Japanese floating energy unit has secured financing from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and MUFG Bank, Ltd., to finance a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Senegal, local Turkish media reports. According to Turkish media, the loan agreement was signed between two sides for an amount of up to $71 million. With more than 25 years of experience, Turkish company, Karpowership, has a fleet of 36 power ships operating on four continents with a capacity of 6 gigawatts, the report added. The floating energy units can connect directly to a country's electricity grid, leveraging existing infrastructure. READ: Turkey to boost relations with Japan, Cavusoglu says]]> 609379 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230120-japan-seeks-israel-cooperation-on-two-state-solution/ Fri, 20 Jan 2023 13:41:28 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=607511 Expressing concern over recent unilateral measures in Palestinian Territory, Japan on Friday sought cooperation from Israel in reaching a two-state solution, Anadolu News Agency reports. "Japan is concerned about recent unilateral measures resulting in the escalation of tensions," Japanese Foreign Minister, Hayashi Yoshimasa, told his Israeli counterpart, Eli Cohen, in a phone conversation today. Yoshimasa explained Tokyo's approach of assisting Palestinians "in order to achieve a two-state solution." Yoshimasa "asked for the cooperation of Israel," said a statement from Japan's Foreign Ministry. Cohen, the statement added, "stated that Israel respects the status quo with regard to holy sites." The two sides also discussed situations in Ukraine and East Asia, with Yoshimasa saying Tokyo "would like to strengthen cooperation with Israel" […]]]> 607511 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230105-report-downed-iran-drone-in-ukraine-contained-us-parts/ Thu, 05 Jan 2023 15:56:17 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=603961 An Iranian drone shot down in Ukraine last year was found to contain parts made by 13 US companies, according to a Ukrainian intelligence report obtained by CNN. The investigation found discovered that 40 out of the 52 components that made up the Iranian-made Shahed 136 "suicide drone" were produced by US companies. The remaining 12 parts were manufactured by companies in Canada, Switzerland, Japan, Taiwan and China. Yesterday the White House said it was looking into curbing Iranian drone production through increased sanctions and export controls and has been in contact with the private firms whose parts were found in the drones. "We are assessing further steps we can take in terms of export controls to restrict Iran's access […]]]> 603961 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221222-on-football-opium-and-popular-resistance-not-all-sports-are-created-equal/ Thu, 22 Dec 2022 17:36:50 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=602313 My friend is not an elitist. To the contrary, he has spent decades of his life fighting social inequality, racism and championing the rights of disadvantaged groups. Therefore, I was taken aback when he surmised that "football is the opium of the people". The reference, which summons a famous Marxist maxim about religion written in a specific historical context, suggested that governments use mass sports events to distract from political problems or social conflicts. He is partly right. Not only do governments invest in sports as a form of distraction, but they also often turn sports into a form of political legitimisation. While all governments play this game, the US excels in it. In his seminal 2010 documentary, "Not Just […]]]> 602313 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221211-saudis-mbc-to-expand-anime-offerings-on-middle-east-streamer-shahid/ Sun, 11 Dec 2022 15:46:31 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=600128 Saudi-owned MBC Group is to expand its catalogue of Japanese anime on its streaming platform, Shahid. In a statement the region's broadcaster said it had teamed up "with key anime studios and production houses in Japan and beyond to bring more anime content to its streaming platform." Tareq Al-Ibrahim, director of content for subscription video on demand at Shahid was quoted as saying: "Anime is extremely popular in the Middle East region — particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — so needless to say, we are incredibly excited to be making new additions to our ever-expanding anime catalogue on Shahid, bringing new and hit titles that audiences will love exploring." MBC Group has secured exclusive rights in the MENA […]]]> 600128 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221211-uae-launches-arab-worlds-first-mission-to-the-moon/ Sun, 11 Dec 2022 13:05:56 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=599869 The UAE in collaboration with Japanese startup iSpace and Elon Musk's SpaceX have successfully launched the Arab world's first mission to the Moon using the first ever Arab-built lunar spacecraft, the Rashid Rover earlier today from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch, the first of its kind carried out by a private company was carried out by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and delivered by the HAKUTO-R lander. The Rashid Rover, named after the former ruler of Dubai, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al-Maktoum was built by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRC) and the Tokyo-based firm. "Our first mission will lay the groundwork for unleashing the moon's potential and transforming it into a robust and vibrant economic system," […]]]> 599869 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221210-will-russia-actually-be-affected-by-capping-the-price-of-its-fuel/ Sat, 10 Dec 2022 13:11:35 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=599763 Every time Western countries led by the US impose sanctions on Russia to crack down on it and force it to end its military operation on Ukraine, the opposite happens. As a result, European countries, with the exception of the US at times, suffer due to their sanctions on Moscow. The latest of these sanctions was the G7 countries imposing a cap on the Russian fuel price at $60 per barrel to reduce Russia's revenues and, therefore, make it unable to fund its war. The decision went into effect last Monday and, of course, it did not immediately impact the global fuel markets for many reasons. The most important is that applying the new price cap will not occur until […]]]> 599763 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221208-uae-passport-ranked-best-in-the-world/ Thu, 08 Dec 2022 15:26:46 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=599347 The UAE has been ranked as the world's number one passport in terms of mobility and freedom from travel restrictions according to the recently published Passport Index by Canada-based financial advisory firm, Arton Capital. The Emirati passport, which came first in a top-ten dominated by European countries, enables the holder to visit 180 countries hassle-free – seven more than EU member states such as Germany and Sweden. With a UAE passport, one can also visit nine more destinations than Japan's, which was rated as the world's best earlier this year in another list published by Henley & Partners. UAE Passport.. World's Most Powerful Travel Document #UAE #Passport #Bloomberg #ArtonCapital #PassportIndex@ArtonCapital@business pic.twitter.com/0sDzI8Yj9U — UAE Forsan (@UAE_Forsan) December 7, 2022 Currently, Emirati […]]]> 599347 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221207-morocco-rewrites-history-to-join-usual-suspects-in-hunt-for-world-cup-glory/ Wed, 07 Dec 2022 16:47:21 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=599114 As the race for football's biggest prize heats up, the last eight nations in the running include most of the usual suspects, barring one jarring – and much celebrated – exception: Morocco, Anadolu News Agency reports. The North Africans did the unthinkable when they dumped out mighty Spain, one of the pre-tournament favourites, in a penalty shootout win that will live on forever in World Cup folklore. With his nerveless "Panenka" penalty on Tuesday night, Achraf Hakimi rewrote football history, making Morocco the first Arab country to ever reach the World Cup quarter-finals. The Atlas Lions have also done Africa proud, becoming the first country from the continent in the last eight, since Ghana's remarkable run 12 years ago. READ: […]]]> 599114 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221202-german-football-sinks-deep-in-crisis-after-another-shock-world-cup-exit/ Fri, 02 Dec 2022 14:22:35 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=597918 German football plummeted deeper into crisis on Thursday after the national team tumbled out of the World Cup in Qatar despite a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica in their final Group E match, Reuters reports. The 1-1 draw with Spain following their shock 2-1 opening defeat to Japan had given Hansi Flick's men some hope of advancing, but even victory against Costa Rica was not enough to prevent yet another tournament debacle, with the Germans condemned to their second straight World Cup first round exit. The Germans had been one of the most dominant forces of the sport for almost 70 years, having won four World Cup titles since 1954, trailing only Brazil's haul of five. But Flick's team was […]]]> 597918 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221127-libya-8-countries-participate-in-peace-marathon/ Sun, 27 Nov 2022 14:18:25 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=596925 READ: Libya Turkiye hospital to open in Misrata on 28 November]]> 596925 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221121-bahraini-influencer-meets-japanese-fans-picking-up-litter/ Mon, 21 Nov 2022 17:45:03 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=595691 OPINION: Qatar's hosting of a successful FIFA World Cup will be an Arab success]]> 595691 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221116-aramco-hydrogen-talks-with-japan-south-korea-are-advancing/ Wed, 16 Nov 2022 13:33:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=594378 Saudi Aramco is moving forward in talks to supply blue hydrogen to Asia over the next five years, according to the company's chief technology officer, Bloomberg reports. According to the report, the main energy producer is the UAE which is also investing in blue hydrogen and looking at shipments to Asia. "We are in serious negotiations with a number of players," Ahmad Al-Khowaiter said in an interview at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt. "South Korea and Japan are, I would say, the ones farthest along in discussions." The world's biggest oil company, Aramco, wants to become a major exporter of blue hydrogen which is seen as crucial for the transition to cleaner energy. OPINION: What will become of the […]]]> 594378 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220928-japan-urges-against-moves-harming-palestinian-peace-process-including-settlements/ Wed, 28 Sep 2022 13:00:56 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=583399 Japan's Prime Minister, on Wednesday, urged against any move that would harm the Palestinian peace process, including settlements, Anadolu News Agency reports. Fumio Kishida reaffirmed Japan's support for a two-state solution and "expressed his concern about violence and clashes in various parts of Palestine and Israel" in a meeting in Tokyo with Rami Hamdallah, former Prime Minister of Palestine, a statement by Japan's Foreign Ministry said. "Emphasising the need to refrain from any unilateral measures that go against the Peace Process, including settlement activities," Kishida said. "Japan will continue to contribute to the realisation of an environment conducive to the advancement of the Middle East Peace." READ: Japan donates $1.5m in aid to UNRWA Hamdallah, on Tuesday, attended the state […]]]> 583399 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220926-the-egyptian-economy-is-a-time-bomb-waiting-to-explode/ Mon, 26 Sep 2022 11:51:48 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=582637 Egyptian Finance Minister Mohamed Maait has told Bloomberg said that his country will not get a new loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) until after one or two months. The current alternative for Egypt is to resort to countries such as China and Japan to get a "soft loan". Last month, Reuters published an analysis of the troubled economic situation in Sri Lanka, after it had been declared to be bankrupt; the fleeing of the now former president; and the people's storming of the presidential palace. The analysis confirmed Sri Lanka's need for a new loan from the IMF as a temporary solution, but it would not get it before heading to countries such as China and Japan to […]]]> 582637 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220902-japan-donates-1-5m-in-aid-to-unrwa/ Fri, 02 Sep 2022 14:56:23 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=577339 Japan has donated $1.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to support food aid in the besieged Gaza Strip. "I am very happy to share with you that the Government of Japan has decided to contribute JPY 200 million to UNRWA at this critical time. This contribution represents our determined commitment and continued solidarity with Palestine refugees," said Takashi Hattori, deputy representative of Japan to Palestine. Welcoming Japan's donation, UNRWA Director of External Relations and Communications, Tamara Alrifai, said: "This generous contribution from the Government of Japan is proof that solidarity with Palestine refugees comes from near and far. UNRWA thanks Japan for its continued support, which allows for the provision of essential […]]]> 577339 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220830-report-morocco-to-build-new-advanced-military-base/ Tue, 30 Aug 2022 10:44:29 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=576284 Morocco is planning to build a new military zone for the Royal Armed Forces, near the city of Al Hoceima in the north of the country, local sources revealed. According to Al-Ayam newspaper, the third military base, on which construction is expected to begin in the next few days, comes a few months after the establishment of a military zone east of the kingdom to host "air defence units, as well as air defence systems." According to the paper, the base will be used for air defence systems purchased from China, Patriot 3 systems purchased from the United States, and air defence systems purchased from Israel following the recent visit of Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz to the kingdom. In […]]]> 576284 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220829-japan-pledges-to-support-africa-bid-for-a-permanent-seat-on-un-security-council/ Mon, 29 Aug 2022 13:23:48 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=576222 Japan has pledged to support Africa's bid to secure a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council in order to "address the historical injustice" committed against the continent. "Japan reiterates its determination to redress the historical injustice against Africa of not being represented through a permanent membership on the Security Council," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told the Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Tunis on Sunday. Kishida explained that, with his country occupying a non-permanent seat in the Council for the years 2023 and 2024, Tokyo will call for reform of the United Nations institution and allocating a permanent seat to Africa. "In order for the UN to work effectively for peace and stability, there is an urgent […]]]> 576222 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220827-japan-pledges-30-billion-in-african-aid-at-tunisia-summit/ Sat, 27 Aug 2022 16:01:48 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=576163  ]]> 576163 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220822-egypt-saudi-arabia-launch-bid-with-greece-to-host-fifa-world-cup-2030/ Mon, 22 Aug 2022 14:55:25 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=574714 Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Greece are planning to submit a tripartite bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. According to Egypt's Akhbar Elyom earlier this month the country's Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi held a meeting with his Saudi and Greek counterparts to finalise plans for the proposed bid. Sobhi also expressed the intention to build a large stadium in El Alamein to bolster Egypt's sporting infrastructure and meet the specifications of being a host nation. The Egyptian minister also revealed to local radio station Mega FM that "Egypt is working on applying to host the World Cup and other sports tournaments in the future". "The Egyptian state has the capabilities that qualify it to host the […]]]> 574714 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220710-middle-eastern-nations-condemn-assassination-of-ex-japan-pm/ Sun, 10 Jul 2022 10:42:22 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=566232 A number of Middle Eastern states have condemned the assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe this week, hailing his contribution to the strengthening of Japan's relations with the region. Lat Friday morning, Abe was shot in his neck and shoulder while he spoke at a campaign event in Japan's southern city of Nara, succumbing to his injuries at a hospital hours later. The assassin, a 41-year-old man who was apprehended following the firing of his homemade gun, reportedly carried out the attack due to grievances over the former leader's religious affiliations. Following the assassination, world leaders and prominent figures condemned the crime and paid their condolences to Japan and the former prime minister's family. One of those leaders […]]]> 566232 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220626-we-can-use-the-power-and-beauty-of-music-against-colonial-forces-says-palestinian-japanese-soprano/ Sun, 26 Jun 2022 09:05:36 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=563387 When asked what has been the most exciting international appearance, Palestinian-Japanese soprano, Mariam Tamari, quipped that there was nothing like performing with her fellow Palestinian musicians. "We work with the unspoken understanding that music is our intifada, and that urgency, that longing, our shared visions of liberation course through the music. We're family," she said. With several notable achievements to her name, Mariam, who was raised in Tokyo, believes in using her talent in producing high-note melodies to shed light on the trials and tribulations of Palestinians suffering under the occupation of Israel. The art is, after all, in her genes. Her late father is the artist. Vladimir Tamari, her mother Kyoko is a costume designer and her two Tetas […]]]> 563387 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220529-pro-palestine-co-founder-of-japanese-red-army-freed-after-20-years/ Sun, 29 May 2022 13:33:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=559266 The female co-founder of the once-feared radical leftist militant Japanese Red Army group, Fusako Shigenobu, was released from prison yesterday after serving a 20-year sentence in connection to a 1974 French embassy siege in the Netherlands. Greeted by the media, relatives and supporters, the 76-year-old expressed regret over hurting innocent people, stating "I feel strongly that I have finally come out alive." "I have hurt innocent people I did not know, by putting our struggles first," she said. "Although those were different times, I would like to take this opportunity to apologise deeply," she added. Dubbed the 'Empress of terror', Shigenobu is believed to have masterminded a string of hijackings and attacks throughout the 1970s and 1980s in support of […]]]> 559266