Pope calls for genocide investigation over Gaza attacks

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Pope Francis has called for an investigation if Israel's attacks in Gaza qualify as genocide, according to excerpts from an upcoming book released on Sunday ahead of the pontiff's jubilee year. This is the first time the Pope has openly addressed allegations of genocide related to Israel's military campaign. He previously described Israel's attacks in Gaza and Lebanon as "immoral" and disproportionate, arguing they exceed the rule

November 18, 2024

Israeli airstrike in Beirut kills Hezbollah spokesman

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - An Israeli airstrike in Beirut killed Hezbollah's chief spokesman, Mohammed Afif al-Naboulsi, on Sunday. Hezbollah confirmed his death in an attack on the Arab Socialist Baath Party office. Israel's military described him as a key figure in Hezbollah's operations and propaganda. A separate strike on a computer shop in Beirut killed two and wounded 22. Lebanese officials criticized Israel's actions as undermining ceasefire talks led by the U

November 18, 2024

Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of war crimes in Gaza

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, including forced displacements that the group says amount to ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. According to HRW's report, released Thursday, Palestinians have been killed while attempting to evacuate under Israeli orders, as well as in designated "safe zones," where hundreds of thousands are crowded into makeshift tent camps. The repor

November 15, 2024

Trump picks pro-Israel hardliner as US envoy

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - Mike Huckabee, the former Republican governor of Arkansas, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump as the U.S. ambassador to Israel. Huckabee has said that he intends to carry out Trump's policies rather than set his own, but he hinted at a likely continuation of pro-Israel policies similar to those seen in Trump's previous administration. These include the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognition of the Golan Heigh

November 15, 2024

Morocco sees nearly 15 million tourists in first 10 months

SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Tourist arrivals in Morocco reached 14.6 million by October, surpassing last year's total, according to Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor on Wednesday. This growth is part of the 2023 - 2026 tourism roadmap, with a 19-percent rise in visitors from the previous year, including a 22-percent increase in foreign tourists and a 16-percent rise in Moroccans living abroad. In October alone, Morocco welcomed 1.5 million tourists, a 30-percent jump from the sa

November 14, 2024

Monthlong Dubai shopping festival to return with iconic displays next month

SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Dubai Shopping Festival is returning next month, marking its 30th anniversary with 38 days of celebrations featuring fireworks, drone shows, and light displays across the city. Highlights of the festival, which runs from Dec. 6 to Jan. 12 next year, include a major show at Bluewaters Island and The Beach, JBR, with skydiving stunts, pyrotechnics, and drone performances against the backdrop of Ain Dubai. Free drone shows will also run twice daily at this lo

November 14, 2024

Cairo International Film Festival returns with fresh lineup

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) opened Monday with a renewed vision, expanded lineup, and new awards, marking its return after a one-year hiatus due to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Last year's cancellation, the third in CIFF's history, led to introspection and the appointment of Essam Zakaria as the new artistic director. The 45th edition, running from Nov. 13-22 at the Cairo Opera House in Egypt, features 194 films across 10 competition

November 13, 2024

US maintains military support for Israel despite limited humanitarian access to Gaza

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Eight international aid organizations said on Tuesday that Israel has not met U.S. demands to expand humanitarian access into Gaza, a region heavily affected by ongoing conflict, where experts warn that famine conditions may already exist in the northern areas. Despite this, the Biden administration announced on Tuesday that it would not restrict arms supplies to Israel, asserting that Israel, a close U.S. ally, has made limited yet notable progress in all

November 13, 2024

Dubai Tram celebrates 10 Years, serving 60 million passengers

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - The Dubai Tram celebrated its 10th anniversary Tuesday, reaching a milestone since it launched in 2014. Over the past decade, it has carried more than 60 million passengers and covered 6 million kilometers, establishing itself as a core part of the transport network in Dubai, one of the biggest cities in the United Arab Emirates. Operating at a 99.9-percent punctuality rate, the tram has earned a reputation for reliability and safety. Its route spans 11 st

November 12, 2024

Israel's far-right minister calls for West Bank annexation with anticipated U.S. political shifts

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Israel's far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has ordered preparations for annexing the occupied West Bank, aiming for progress before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January 2025. Smotrich, also overseeing the West Bank's administration in the Defense Ministry, expects the new U.S. administration to support Israel's push for sovereignty in the region, which he calls "Judea and Samaria." Celebrating Trump

November 12, 2024