TOKYO: Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp. will offer free access to its hybrid-vehicle patents through 2030, it said on Wednesday, seeking to expand use of the lower-emission technology even as the global industry shifts toward fully electric cars.The pledge by one of the world’s biggest automakers to share its closely guarded patents, the second time it…
KABUL: US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad sought to reassure Afghans on Wednesday over fears that Washington is seeking a hasty withdrawal from the country. In a wide-ranging interview with US-funded Radio Liberty — his first since arriving in Afghanistan to share details of last month’s peace talks with the Taliban — Khalilzad played down…
GENEVA: Health officials launched a vaccination campaign in Mozambique's cyclone-hit port city of Beira on Wednesday in an effort to contain an outbreak of cholera that has already infected more than 1,400 people, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.Some 900,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine arrived on Tuesday in Mozambique, where Cyclone Idai last month…
LONDON: Iran carried out a series of major cyber attacks against UK organizations at the end of December, British media reported. The targets included the Post Office and local government networks along with private sector companies, including banks, Sky News reported. US cyber security experts said a group connected to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was responsible…
JERUSALEM: In a charged election campaign that has been heavy on insults and short on substance, Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians has been notably absent from the discourse. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud Party has offered no plan for what many believe is the country’s most existential problem. His main challenger speaks vaguely of “separation,”…
JERUSALEM: In a charged election campaign that has been heavy on insults and short on substance, Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians has been notably absent from the discourse. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud Party has offered no plan for what many believe is the country’s most existential problem. His main challenger speaks vaguely of “separation,”…
JERUSALEM: In a charged election campaign that has been heavy on insults and short on substance, Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians has been notably absent from the discourse. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud Party has offered no plan for what many believe is the country’s most existential problem. His main challenger speaks vaguely of “separation,”…
ALKHOBAR: The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by King Salman at Al-Aziziya Palace in Alkhobar, on Tuesday reiterated the Kingdom’s stance on the Palestinian cause, stating that it would remain on top of the Kingdom’s agenda. It also reiterated its rejection of any action that would violate Syria’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and the importance of reaching…
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman arrived in Bahrain on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments, Saudi state news agency SPA said. King Salman was welcomed to the country by the King of Bahrain, Hamad Al-Khalifa. The visit comes a day after Manama formalized an agreement with Kuwait for financial aid to support the Bahraini…
The secretary-general of the Princess Seetah bint Abdul Aziz Award for Excellence in Social Work, Dr. Fahd Al-Maghlouth, announced the winners of the sixth iteration of the awards on Saturday evening. Under the title “Business Governance and Program Sustainability,” the awards were presented by Minister of Labor Ahmad Al-Rajhi at a special ceremony attended by,…
BEIRUT: Brit Emma Sky fell in love with the Middle East from the moment she first set foot in the region aged 18. On returning to the UK in September 2010 after serving in Iraq as political adviser to a top US general, the country no longer felt like home. Perhaps it was no surprise…
NEW DELHI: India’s Jet Airways has been forced to ground more than three quarters of its fleet after failing to pay lessors, as the debt-laden carrier struggles to secure bailout funds promised by state-run banks.Jet struck a deal earlier this year to escape bankruptcy under which State Bank of India (SBI) and other lenders were…
MANILA: Growth in developing Asia could slow for a second straight year in 2019 and lose further momentum in 2020, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Wednesday, warning of rising economic risks from a bitter Sino-US trade war and a potentially disorderly Brexit.Developing Asia, which groups 45 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, is expected…
10 Saudi entrepreneurs make it to World Economic Forum’s most promising Arab startups DUBAI: An online platform that offers quality home-cooked meals, a home maintenance website that links owners and service providers and a social learning platform are just among the ten Saudi companies that made it to the World Economic Forum’s 100 most promising…
BANGKOK: Thailand’s ruling junta has filed a complaint accusing the leader of a popular new political party of sedition and aiding criminals, a move that its target described as politically motivated.The party, Future Forward, ran a strong third in elections last month that were also contested by a pro-military party.Future Forward’s leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, said…
BANGKOK: Thailand’s ruling junta has filed a complaint accusing the leader of a popular new political party of sedition and aiding criminals, a move that its target described as politically motivated.The party, Future Forward, ran a strong third in elections last month that were also contested by a pro-military party.Future Forward’s leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, said…
BRUSSELS: European Union lawmakers approved a law Wednesday that will allow Britons visa-free visits even after a “no deal” Brexit, despite a furious dispute over the status of Gibraltar.The European Parliament’s justice committee approved the text of the law that already had the backing of member states and should now be formally confirmed.Britain is due…
BEIRUT: Venezuela’s foreign minister, meeting with anti-US allies in the Middle East, says opposition leader Juan Guaidó is in breach of the constitution and that the judiciary has to “take care” of it.Jorge Arreaza met Wednesday with Lebanon’s president and foreign minister in Beirut. He is expected to meet with an official from the Hezbollah…
BEIRUT: Venezuela’s foreign minister, meeting with anti-US allies in the Middle East, says opposition leader Juan Guaidó is in breach of the constitution and that the judiciary has to “take care” of it.Jorge Arreaza met Wednesday with Lebanon’s president and foreign minister in Beirut. He is expected to meet with an official from the Hezbollah…
ANKARA: Turkey’s main opposition candidate in Istanbul urged the High Election Board (YSK) on Wednesday to confirm him as the elected mayor after it ruled in favor of a partial recount of votes in eight of the city’s 39 districts.Initial results from Sunday’s mayoral elections showed the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) had narrowly won…
