Middle East & North Africa

Peace in Gulf region 'vital' says China as Iran, Saudi, UAE mull naval alliance

06 June 2023; MEMO: In an apparent approval of reports that Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman were forming a joint naval group with China, Beijing has said peace and stability of the Gulf region was of "vital importance to safeguarding world peace", Anadolu Agency reports.

Gaza's first fish farms begin first harvest

06 June 2023; MEMO: The first bream fish farm was established in the Gaza Strip last year five miles from the beach. Implemented by the FAO and funded by the State of Italy, it was the first farm of its kind in the enclave.

Three farms have now been set up, each with approximately 100,000 fish, and according to the Ministry of Agriculture, the harvest will be approximately 60-80 tonnes.

UAE: number of women choosing to freeze their eggs on the rise

06 June 2023; MEMO: The number of women choosing to freeze their eggs in the UAE has "significantly" increased following changes to the law, reported Al-Arabiya News.

UAE fertility clinics and in-vitro fertility (IVF) specialists across the country have observed a sudden increase in demand for information about the service and opting to access the treatment.

Israeli soldiers to join Moroccan war games for first time

RABAT, June 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Israeli soldiers will for the first time take part in military exercises in Morocco when the biggest war games event in Africa kicks off Tuesday, the Israeli army said.

“This is the first time that the IDF is taking an active part in the ‘African Lion’ international exercise,” said a statement from the Israeli army late Monday.

“A delegation of 12 soldiers and commanders from the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion” — an elite infantry unit — has been sent to participate alongside some 8,000 soldiers from 18 countries.

Turkey: Air India plane from Delhi to San Francisco lands in Russia after engine problem

ISTANBUL, June 6 (Reuters) - An Air India plane flying from Delhi to San Francisco was forced to divert and land at an airport in Russia's Far East after it developed a technical issue with one of its engines, the airline said on Tuesday.

The diversion of the Boeing (BA.N) 777 widebody aircraft comes amid a global debate over the use of Russian airspace by some carriers, with the chief of United Airlines (UAL.O) warning on Monday of the dangers of a plane being forced to land in Russia with American citizens on board.

Israeli, U.S. researchers develop deep brain stimulation method to improve memory

JERUSALEM, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Israeli and U.S. researchers have developed a new method of deep brain stimulation during sleep to improve memory consolidation, the Tel Aviv University (TAU) said in a statement on Tuesday.

To develop the new method, described in a study published by the journal Nature Neuroscience, the researchers first proved that the human brain strengthens long-lasting memories by coordinating the hippocampus and frontal cortex during sleep.

Israeli PM, Egyptian president discuss deadly border shootout over phone

JERUSALEM/CAIRO, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi discussed on Tuesday the shootout that killed three Israeli soldiers and one Egyptian policeman, reiterating their commitment to security coordination.

During a phone call, Sisi offered his "deep condolences" over the deadly shooting at the Sinai desert border on Saturday, Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

Subscribe to Middle East & North Africa