Middle East & North Africa

DUBAI (Reuters) - An Iranian government spokesman on Saturday described as a “cowardly attack” an incident that Iranian media have called the apparent targeting by missiles of an Iranian-owned oil tanker, and said Iran would respond after the facts had been studied.

The tanker Sabiti was hit in Red Sea waters off Saudi Arabia on Friday, Iranian media have reported, an incident that could stoke friction in a region rattled by attacks on tankers and oil installations since May.

12 Oct 2019; MEMO: Two Turkish soldiers were killed after a mortar attack hit the area near a military post in a part of northern Syria where Ankara mounted an operation against Kurdish militants last year, the defence ministry said on Friday, reports Reuters.

12 Oct 2019; MEMO: Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan stated on Friday that Israel could allow Jews to freely perform their prayers inside Al-Aqsa Mosque soon, Arab48.com reported.

Asked by Makor Rishon regarding this possibility, Erdan confirmed “I am sure this will happen soon, God willing.”

12 Oct 2019; MEMO: The Algerian National Independent Authority for Elections (ANIE) announced on Thursday, that 139 candidates have registered to run for presidential elections slated for 12 December 2019, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

ANIE Communication Director, Ali Draa, expects the number to rise as the doors for potential candidates will remain open until 25 October.

12 Oct 2019; MEMO: Leader of the Sudanese opposition National Umma Party, Sadiq Al-Mahdi, predicted that the transitional regime will face five “serious” challenges that may lead it to a “dead end”, describing the draft of the transitional emergency program of the government of Abdalla

12 Oct 2019; MEMO: Chief of Israeli Mossad, Yossi Cohen, acknowledged on Thursday the assassination of Hamas leaders abroad, Mishpacha, an ultra-Orthodox Israeli newspaper reported.

TEHRAN, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran has the capacity to help settle the issues between Turkey and Syria, Ramin Mehmanparast, an Iranian diplomat and former spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said with reference to recent conflicts and military operation of Turkey in the northern Syria.

On Wednesday, Turkey launched a military campaign in northern Syria to eliminate the Kurdish forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces and its umbrella of the People's Protection Units, which are both deemed by Ankara as terrorists.

GAZA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 49 Palestinians were injured on Friday afternoon during clashes between hundreds of Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soldiers in the eastern Gaza Strip close to the border with Israel, an local official said.

Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman of the health ministry in Gaza, told reporters that 49 demonstrators were injured, including 14 children.

Clashes broke out on Friday afternoon between the Palestinian demonstrators and the Israeli soldiers during the weekly anti-Israel protests, better known as the Great March of Return.

DUBAI, Oct 12 (NNN-WAM) – In line with its continuing commitment towards enhancing key collaborations with research and academic institutions, the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, ADDA, announced the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Rouda Al Saadi, Director-General, ADDA, and Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, at the 39th edition of GITEX Technology Week.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct 12 (NNN-SPA) – The Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2019, received today, more than 70,000 visitors on the first day of its launching.

Facade of Riyadh is currently hosting the Saudi Falcons and Hunting Show in its 2nd edition.

Organised by the Falcon Club, the exhibition’s wings and sections were crowded from the early hours of its launch.

The exhibition will last until next Tuesday, and receive visitors daily for 12 hours a day, from 12.00 noon to 12.00 midnight.