HONG KONG, Feb 27 Hong Kong’s stock exchange will bank on its role as a gateway to mainland China’s deep-pocketed investors to take on other leading venues and win the coveted $100 billion listing of Saudi Arabia’s giant state oil company, Aramco, it said on Monday. Charles Li, the CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing , said access to Chinese capital and China’s role as the world’s largest importer of oil made Hong Kong a viable contender in the frantic race between listing venues.
Category: Middle East
PA leader issues warning to Hamas
Palestinian Authority leader Rami Hamdallah on Sunday sent a threatening message to Hamas, stating that if the movement does not agree to hold the local elections on the date determined, there will be no choice but to postpone the election in Gaza and hold them only in the PA-assigned areas of Judea and Samaria. Hamdallah gave Hamas an additional week to provide its final answer regarding the local elections, adding that the PA government in Ramallah will formulate its position based on this answer.
Milan Fashion: Stella Jean explores Cold War nostalgia
A model wears a creation for Stella Jean women’s Fall-Winter 2017-2018 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. A model wears a creation for Stella Jean women’s Fall-Winter 2017-2018 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017.
Biopic about Turkey’s president screened at birthday gala
Supporters gather outside the residence of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to celebrate his birthday, in Istanbul, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Turkey will hold a national referendum in April 16 on expanding Erdogan’s powers.
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
The Times, UK February 25, 2017 Saturday 12:01 AM GMT On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder Vulgar and boorish he may be, but comparing the American president to Hitler cheapens Nazi crimes, says Michael Gove by Michael Gove Godwin’s law is the principle that, sooner or later, in any argument, someone will invoke the Nazis to make their point. It’s a tendency that’s also been called reductio ad Hitlerium – the rhetorical itch to compare an individual, trend or phenomenon you dislike to the genocidal German dictator.
Commentary: A Syrian immigrant’s American story
My grandfather Wadea Kassab was born in Damascus, Syria, in 1872. At that time Syria was part of the Levant under the Ottoman Empire.
Iraq: Police Commandos recapture new neighborhood in Mosul
BAGHDAD >> Iraqi militarized police captured two neighborhoods on the western side of Mosul on Sunday amid fierce clashes with Islamic State militants, as thousands of people continued to flee the battle to government-controlled areas, security officials said. Iraqi forces, backed by aerial support by the U.S.-led international coalition, launched a new push last week to drive IS militants from Mosul’s west, capturing so far the city’s international airport and an adjacent military base.
Saudi king begins multi-nation tour of Asia
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, left, stands next to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak after inspecting an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Salman is on four-day official visit to Malaysia.
In besieged Gaza, first English library to open window to world
Mossab Abu Toha has never actually left Gaza, instead devouring books as an escape. Now he is struggling to open the first English-language library in the beleaguered Palestinian territory.
Israeli premier calls 1st visit to Australia ‘wonderful’
Netanyahu and his wife Sara concluded their five-day trip to Sydney on Sunday by meeting with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Netanyahu joked with Bishop, who had recently arrived home from a trip to the United States and Britain, that the pair had “shared more or less the same route.”
Kurdish reporter Shifa Gardi killed in Iraq
A reporter and anchor for an Iraqi Kurdish TV station was killed Saturday while working on the front lines as Iraqi forces battle ISIS for the city of Mosul. Shifa Gardi, 30, a beloved journalist in a male-dominated profession, died in a roadside bomb blast that also injured her cameraman, Younis Mustafa, according to her employer, Rudaw.
Photo illustration by Sarah Rogers/The Daily BeastIsraeli AK-47s To…
An Israeli company with close connections to the country’s elite special forces has been licensed by Russia to produce assault rifles in America. KIRYAT GAT, Israel-On a balmy Friday afternoon last fall outside Tel Aviv, at a high-end restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the individuals responsible for bringing one of the world’s best-known brands into the 21st century were seated enjoying the calamari salads and red wine.
Turkish top soldier could set foot on Kardak islets if necessary: Turkish FM tells Greek counterpart
Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar could set foot on the Kardak islets in the Aegean Sea if necessary, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said, responding to his Greek counterpart Nicos Kotzias’ remarks on the Turkish top brass’ visit to the long-disputed islets.
Syrian who worked on nominated film can’t attend Oscars
U.S. immigration authorities are barring entry to a 21-year-old Syrian cinematographer who worked on a harrowing film about his nation’s civil war, “The White Helmets,” that has been nominated for an Academy Award. According to internal Trump administration correspondence seen by The Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security has decided at the last minute to block Khaled Khateeb from traveling to Los Angeles for the Oscars.
Brazen attacks against Syrian security kill at least 32
In synchronized attacks, insurgents stormed into heavily guarded security offices in Syria’s central Homs city, clashed with troops and then blew themselves up, killing a senior officer and at least 31 others, state media and officials reported. The brazen, high-profile attacks against the Military Intelligence and State Security offices, among Syria’s most powerful, were claimed by an al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee.
Palestinians face intense online hate from Israelis, say campaigners
Israel’s 1.7 million Palestinian citizens are facing a tidal wave of incitement and hate speech on social media, including from government ministers, community leaders have warned. They say the increasingly hostile political climate in Israel is stoking violence from the police and street gangs, and has laid the ground for a recent raft of racist legislative proposals.
Respect the actress’ privacy, requests Prithviraj
Kochi: While lauding the decision of the actress to return to the film world despite being subjected to attack by a gang of men in Kochi last week, actor Prithviraj urged media not to encircle her with cameras when she arrives at the shooting location here. Popular South Indian actress Bhavana who underwent a two-hour kidnap attempt last week has resumed her work, her co-star Prithviraj confirmed.
Dozens killed in suicide attacks on Syrian security compounds
At least 30 people were killed in attacks on two security locations in the central Syrian city of Homs, officials reported. At least 30 people were killed in attacks on two security locations in the central Syrian city of Homs, officials reported.
Iraqi forces facing stiff resistance in western Mosul
Iraqi forces pushed deeper into western Mosul Saturday amid stiff resistance from entrenched Islamic State fighters, a commander on the scene said. Special forces Lt.
Twin attacks on Syrian security buildings kill at least 32
Twin attacks on two Syrian security offices in the central city of Homs Saturday killed at least 32 people, including a senior security official who heads the feared Military Intelligence services, state media and officials reported. An al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee claimed responsibility for the attacks, which also left another high-ranking officer seriously wounded.
Pence pledges to ‘keep our end of the bargain’ with top Jewish supporters
Vice President Mike Pence delivered an ode on Friday evening to the Republican Jewish establishment that once was deeply skeptical of his boss, effusively praising several GOP luminaries such as billionaire Sheldon Adelson. Speaking before a Shabbat dinner at Adelson’s landmark Venetian hotel and casino, Pence shared his administration’s platform on Israel with several hundred members of the Republican Jewish Coalition, including a pledge to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and to combat the “endless bias” of the United Nations.
Iraqi forces advance in Mosul, strike IS inside Syria
The advance comes as part of a major assault that started five days earlier to drive Islamic State militants from the western ha… . An Iraqi military helicopter prepare to attacks Islamic State group positions as Iraqi special forces advance towards the western side of Mosul, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017.
Iraqi air force hits IslamicState inside Syria for first time
Iraqi warplanes have struck Islamic State targets inside Syria in retaliation for recent bomb attacks in Baghdad by the group, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Friday. It appeared to be the first time Iraqi jets have conducted such raids across the border.
Iraq conducts first airstrikes against ISIS in Syria
Smoke billows following a reported car bomb explosion at a Syrian pro-government position during clashes between rebel fighters and regime forces to take control of an area in the southern city of Daraa on February 20, 2017. /MOHAMAD ABAZEED/AFP/Getty Images) For the first time, Iraqi fighter jets carried out airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria, according to a statement issued Friday by Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, and Iraq’s Joint Operation Command.
UN rights office decries Israeli sentence as “excessively lenient”
Palestinians take part in a protest following the sentencing of Israeli soldier Elor Azaria, in the West Bank City of Hebron February 21, 2017. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Israeli prime minister meets Australian opposition leader
Australia’s opposition leader Bill Shorten says he raised his Labor Party’s concerns about Israel’s settlements in Palestinian territories during discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The pair talked for almost an hour in Sydney on Friday, the third day of the first Australian visit by a serving Israeli prime minister.
10 Things to Know for Friday
Displaced Iraqis flee their homes due to fighting between Iraqi special forces and Islamic State militants, on the western side of Mosul, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 2017. The Iraqi security forces advance comes as part of a major assault that started five days earlier to drive Islamic State militants from the western half of Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city.
Muslim campaign raises over $100,000 for vandalized Jewish cemetery
A crowdfunding campaign launched by two Muslim Americans has raised over $100,000 in less than two days for a vandalized Jewish cemetery outside of St. Louis. The LaunchGood.com campaign , titled “Muslims Unite to Repair Jewish Cemetery,” has brought in $115,000 as of Thursday morning for repairs to the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, Missouri.
The Christian Charity Bringing Syrians Children To Israel For Lifesaving Heart Surgery
It’s an interfaith effort: a Christian charity funded by private donors is bringing Syrian refugee children into Israel for heart surgery. Shevet Achim , whose name means “brothers dwelling together,” has been quietly arrange transport for Syrian youngsters from their countries of refuge into Israeli hospitals.
Israel reinstates life term of Hamas prisoner freed in swap
A Palestinian activist says an Israeli court has ordered a senior Hamas member to complete his life sentence, after the man was freed in a 2011 swap of hundreds of inmates for an Israeli soldier held by Hamas. At the time of the exchange, Nael Barghouti had served 33 years for participating in the kidnapping and killing of an Israeli soldier, making him one of the longest-held Palestinians.
BC-AP News Coverage Advisory 10:15,ADVISORY
Good morning! Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up today. Some plans are subject to change; see the 2 p.m. News Digest for updates.
Why do populists get lost in translation?
Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a regular contributor to PostEverything . Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, speaks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Oct. 10, 2016, at a news conference in Istanbul.
10 Things to Know for Today
The pl… . In this Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, photo released by China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Pandas, a worker feeds giant panda Bao Bao as she arrived at the Chengd… .
Iraqi forces push into Mosul airport, key military base
Iraqi federal police pushed their way into the perimeter of Mosul International Airport on Thursday, taking control of the runway amid fierce exchanges of fire with Islamic State militants hunkered down in several airport buildings, police officials said. The advance came as part of a major assault that started five days earlier to drive the Islamic State group from the western half of Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city.
Minister: New judges will restore right-wing trust in High Court
Shaked indicates she managed to sway panel to select conservative, non-activist candidates; Naor hails picks despite failing to get own choices on bench Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked attends a meeting of the Israeli Judicial Selection Committee at the Ministry of Justice in Jerusalem on February 22, 2017. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked on Thursday hailed the new appointments to the Supreme Court, saying the four fresh faces will restore right-wing trust in Israel’s highest legal authority.
US envoy to UN meets family trying to retrieve son’s remains from Gaza
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley met Wednesday with the parents of Hadar Goldin, one of two Israeli soldiers whose body is being held by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, as the new envoy continued a push to align Washington’s stance in Turtle Bay more closely with that of Jerusalem. Leah and Simha Goldin asked Haley to help them return the bodies of Goldin and of Oron Shaul for burial in Israel.
Ap Photos: a selection of pictures from the past week
Luisa Bodem kicks up sand as she competes in the women’s long jump event at the German indoor athletics in Leipzig, Germany, on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. A cow is prepared for a photograph in front a pastoral backdrop in Verden, Germany, on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017.
Iraqi forces push up to Mosul’s key military base by airport
Iraq’s special forces say they have begun an assault against the Islamic State group on a sprawling military base south of Mosul that’s adjacent to the city’s airport.
Iraqi security forces storm Mosul airport
“Rapid response forces, federal police and anti-terrorism forces stormed Mosul airport… and an al-Ghazlani military camp,” said a statement read out on state TV.
UN hosts ‘Geneva IV’ talks: Sequel or new script for Syria?
After months of Syria bloodshed, stalled humanitarian aid deliveries and stop-and-start diplomacy, U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura is reconvening talks between government and opposition delegations on Thursday, in the latest bid to end the country’s catastrophic six-year war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions more. Hopes are not exactly high for “Geneva IV,” the fourth round of U.N-mediated intra-Syrian talks since early last year.