Middle East & North Africa

23 Dec 2022; MEMO: Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has revealed that $20 billion of the money looted in corruption cases has been recovered by the state.

"We have recovered about $20 billion and there are mechanisms to recover the [looted] money stored here and there," he explained.

Regarding international affairs, Tebboune denied any mediation by any party between Algeria and Morocco. "If there is a mediation, the people have the right to know it," he said.

23 Dec 2022; MEMO: Egypt is stalling the implementation of an agreement to hand over two strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, only a week before its intended date amid ongoing disagreements with the United States.

TEHRAN, Dec 22 (NNN-IRNA) – Iranian Petroleum Minister, Javad Owji, said yesterday that, his country’s crude oil output has been increased by 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) to nearly three million bpd.

The Petroleum Ministry also plans to improve the quality of fuel, produced in the country’s refineries, Owji was quoted as saying, on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting.

The Isfahan Refinery in central Iran will produce some 15 million litres of the Euro 5 diesel fuel per day, in the first stage, he added.

TEHRAN, Dec 22 (NNN-IRNA) – Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said yesterday that, if the red lines of the Islamic Republic are respected, Iran is ready to take final steps to reach an agreement on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal.

He said that, there was an opportunity to discuss issues related to the lifting of anti-Iran sanctions with EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, and EU coordinator for the nuclear talks, Enrique Mora, during the visit to Jordan.

DUBAI, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Nationwide protests sparked by the death in custody of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini have ushered Iran into a new era of deepening crisis between the clerical leadership and society at large.

Amini's family said she was beaten after being arrested by the morality police on Sept. 13 for violating the Islamic Republic's imposed dress code. Amini died three days later. Authorities have blamed the 22-year-old's death on preexisting medical problems.

JERUSALEM, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday night that he has succeeded in forming a new coalition government.

"I have managed (to form a government)," Netanyahu wrote on Twitter, minutes before a midnight deadline.

In a separate statement, Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party said that the veteran leader called President Isaac Herzog and informed the president that he has successfully formed a new government.

BANDAR ABBAS, Iran, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Consulate General in Bandar Abbas was officially opened on Wednesday in the capital of Hormuzgan Province on the southern coast of Iran, marking the establishment of China's first consulate general in Iran.

In his address to the official opening of the consulate general, Chinese Ambassador to Iran Chang Hua hailed the consulate general in Bandar Abbas as a fresh "landmark moment in China-Iran relations."

BAGHDAD (AP) — Everything from the signboard outside down to the napkins bears the official emblem of the top international coffee chain. But in Baghdad, looks are deceiving: The “Starbucks” in the Iraqi capital is unlicensed.

Real Starbucks merchandise is imported from neighboring countries to stock the three cafes in the city, but all are operating illegally. Starbucks filed a lawsuit in an attempt to shut down the trademark violation, but the case was halted after the owner allegedly threatened lawyers hired by the coffee house.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced late Wednesday that he has successfully formed a new coalition, setting the stage for him to return to power as head of the most right-wing Israeli government ever to hold office.

Netanyahu made the announcement in a phone call to President Isaac Herzog moments before a midnight deadline. His Likud Party released a brief video clip of the smiling Netanyahu and a recording of the conversation.

21 Dec 2022; MEMO: The World Bank has approved $1.69 billion in financing for flood relief projects in Pakistan, it said in a statement issued according to Reuters.

The funds will be distributed across five projects to support rehabilitation, housing reconstruction and the restoration of crop production for vulnerable communities.