UN approves its first treaty targeting cybercrime

NAIROBI: The African Union's health watchdog said on Thursday it is “likely” to declare a public health emergency next week due to the growing outbreak of mpox on the continent.The decision will unlock funding to fight the outbreak, including procuring much-needed vaccines, and trigger a coordinated continental response to the virus.Jean Kaseya, director of the … Read more

Harris doesn’t back Israel arms embargo, aide says

WASHINGTON: Kamala Harris does not support an arms embargo on US ally Israel, a top aide said Thursday, in one of the first substantive statements on her Gaza war policy since entering the White House in 2024 in July. The comments came a day after the US vice president was heckled by pro-Palestinian protesters at … Read more

UK’s Starmer vows no let up in stopping further far-right riots

SOLIHULL: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed on Thursday not to ease efforts to stop further far-right riots in English towns and cities, after more long-awaited street violence failed overnight. The British leader said, despite a largely peaceful Wednesday night, he would chair another emergency meeting of senior ministers and police chiefs later on Thursday … Read more

Libya government forces brace for ‘possible attack’ by rivals: local media

BEIRUT: The Lebanese government continues its preparations for a possible escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, as Air France on Thursday extended its suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until at least Sunday “due to the security situation” in Lebanon.Tensions have continued to rise in the past week, as Iran and its … Read more

Regional tensions drive up dollar against Egyptian pound

CAIRO: The price of the US dollar rose against the Egyptian pound in recent days, with one dollar worth 49.25 Egyptian pounds. Egyptian economic experts attributed the increase to recent regional developments. “The biggest factor affecting the price of the dollar against the pound is remittances from Egyptians abroad,” says Dr. Alaa Ali, an economic … Read more

Iraq says five arrested over attack on US troops

WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview published on Thursday that he was “sad” that Hamas was able to carry out its October 7 attack, without explicitly claiming responsibility.Netanyahu, who has resisted apologizing for security failures in the wake of Israel's worst-ever attack and focused on destroying Hamas, was asked if he … Read more

Cyprus again offers sanctuary as Middle East violence spreads

CAIRO: The price of the US dollar rose against the Egyptian pound in recent days, with one dollar worth 49.25 Egyptian pounds.Egyptian economic experts attributed the increase to recent regional developments.“The biggest factor affecting the price of the dollar against the pound is remittances from Egyptians abroad,” says Dr. Alaa Ali, an economic expert.“If it … Read more