Lebanon's ex-central bank governor remain jailed amid embezzlement charges

SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - A Lebanese judge ruled that Riad Salameh, the former central bank governor, will remain in custody as he faces charges of embezzling $42 million from state funds. Salameh was detained last week after being questioned by Lebanon's top prosecutor on several financial crimes. He has maintained his innocence throughout. Judge Bilal Halawi issued an arrest warrant for Salameh, ensuring he stays behind bars while the trial proceeds. Judicial officials alleg

September 11, 2024

Erdogan calls for Islamic unity against Israel's aggression in Gaza, Jerusalem

SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to convene an emergency summit to address the Gaza conflict and what he called Israel’s attacks on Jerusalem. Erdogan, a strong critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza against Hamas, called on Islamic nations to unite against what he described as Israel's "expansionism." Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan accused Israel o

September 10, 2024

UAE, Indian oil firms sign major LNG agreement

SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has finalized a 15-year contract to provide Indian Oil with 1 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year, as reported by the Abu Dhabi Media Office on Monday. Most of the LNG will be sourced from ADNOC's Ruwais LNG project, according to the government media office. ADNOC has significant plans in the gas and LNG sectors, alongside renewable energy and petrochemicals, which it sees as key dr

September 10, 2024

Qatar makes its debut at Gwangju Biennale

SEOUL, September. 09 (AJP) - Qatar Museums has launched its first Qatar Pavilion at the 15th Gwangju Biennale, the oldest contemporary art event in South Korea. Curated by the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), it marks the first time an Arab nation has presented a standalone pavilion at the Biennale. The opening ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Gwangju's Mayor Kang Gi-jung, Gwangju Biennale Foundation President Yang-Woo Park, and Abdulaziz Al Thani, Directo

September 9, 2024

Dubai Metro keeps fueling the residential and commercial boom

SEOUL, September. 09 (AJP) - Over the last 15 years, Dubai’s Metro has evolved beyond simple transportation, becoming a driving force behind the city's growth and livability, particularly in emerging areas. The rapid development of new residential and commercial hubs highlights this transformation, with the Metro playing a central role. A report by consultancy CBRE notes that developments with strong urban infrastructure and proximity to the Metro are outperforming other

September 9, 2024

Netanyahu insists on Israeli control of strategic Gaza border area

SEOUL, Sept. 06 (AJP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed that Israeli forces will remain in the Philadelphi Corridor, a critical area in southern Gaza along the Egyptian border. Speaking to international journalists, Netanyahu stated he is "open" to considering alternatives to Israeli military presence in this region as part of a future ceasefire deal, but he does not see such options materializing in the near future. Netanyahu emphasized that I

September 6, 2024

Dubai to welcome the world's second tallest skyscraper

SEOUL, Sept. 06 (AJP) - Dubai, already home to the world’s tallest skyscraper, will soon welcome the second tallest with the construction of Burj Azizi. The project began in January, though its exact height remained undisclosed until authorities, including the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), approved it. Recently, Azizi Developments confirmed that Burj Azizi will rise to an impressive 725 meters (2,379 feet), making it the second tallest building in Dubai, just behind

September 6, 2024

Saudi Arabia cancels fees for tourism licenses to boost investment

SEOUL, Sept. 05 (AJP) - Saudi Arabia has announced the immediate cancellation of fees for issuing commercial licenses for hotels, hotel apartments, and residential resorts. This decision is part of the Tourism Investment Enabler Program, launched in March to position the kingdom as a global leader in tourism, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030. Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support, noting

September 5, 2024

Turkey, Egypt strengthen diplomatic relations amid Gaza war talks

SEOUL, Sept. 05 (AJP) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met in Ankara to discuss the Gaza war and work on mending their long-strained relations, marking the first presidential visit between the two countries in 12 years. Tensions between Turkey and Egypt escalated in 2013 after Sisi, then Egypt's military chief, ousted President Mohamed Mursi, a Turkish ally. However, ties began improving in 2020 when Turkey initiated diplomatic effort

September 5, 2024

Etihad's A380 lands in Mumbai for 20th anniversary of its India operations

SEOUL, Sept. 4 (AJP) - Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, marked its 20th anniversary of flying to India by landing its iconic Airbus A380 in Mumbai last week. This event kicks off the airline's celebrations, with the A380 set to operate on the Mumbai-Abu Dhabi route for a limited period. There will be three weekly flights until Dec. 31, as announced in a statement on Tuesday. The use of the A380 on this route commemorates two decades since Etihad's inaugural f

September 4, 2024