The Muslim World
Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, UAE industrial partnership meeting to kick off Sunday | Jordan Times
AMMAN — The third meeting of the Higher Committee of the "Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development", involving Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, is scheduled to commence in Amman on Sunday.The meeting is set to cover the latest developments and industrial projects agreed upon by member states. Member states will also consider adopting the recommendations and report of the Partnership’s Executive Committee, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
Oman Opens Airspace to Israeli Planes - WSJ
The move ends a decadeslong ban that indicates a further thawing of ties between Israel and Arab nations.
Turkey steps up rebuilding plans as quake toll nears 50,000 | Reuters
Turkey has stepped up plans to house victims of the devastating earthquake which struck its border region with Syria, the interior minister said, as the combined death toll in the two countries crept towards 50,000.
Exclusive: Rocket strike in Damascus hit Iranian military experts, sources say | Reuters
They were there to advance programmes to develop drone or missile capabilities of Tehran's allies in Syria, sources said.
Iran acknowledges accusation it enriched uranium to 84% | AP News
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran on Thursday directly acknowledged an accusation attributed to international inspectors that it enriched uranium to 84% purity for the first time, which would put the Islamic Republic closer than ever to weapons-grade material.
Pakistan-Afghan border crossing shut after brief reopening | AP News
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan shut down a key border crossing with Afghanistan just hours after it was reopened on Thursday, officials said, the latest twist in the controversial closure of the Torkham junction that started earlier this week.
Secular Winter
Israel’s Tech Industry Rebels Against Netanyahu’s Judicial Overhaul - WSJ
Companies fear the planned changes will lead to a rollback of civil rights and scare away investment and talent, while the prime minister says concerns are overblown.
Finance and Economy
Abu Dhabi state gas firm looks to raise $2B in IPO | AP News
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Abu Dhabi's state gas company expects to raise up to $2 billion by selling 4% of its shares in an initial public offering, the company said Thursday. It said the price range for the previously announced sale of over 3 billion shares has been set at 2.25 to 2.34 Emirati dirhams, valuing the company at up to $50.8 billion.
Economy Showing Strength in Early 2023 After Last Quarter’s GDP Gain Revised Modestly Lower - WSJ
Gross domestic product, a broad measure of the goods and services the U.S. produced, rose at a 2.7% annual rate in the fourth quarter, adjusted for seasonality and inflation.
Quds Matters
Gaza rockets, Israeli strikes follow deadly West Bank raid | AP News
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Palestinian militants in Gaza launched rockets at southern Israel and Israeli aircraft struck targets in the coastal enclave early Thursday after a gunbattle triggered by an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank killed 10 Palestinians.
The Lizard's Lair
IS attacks on Syria truffle hunters are deadliest in a year | AP News
BEIRUT (AP) — The Islamic State group has carried out its deadliest attacks in more than a year, killing dozens of civilians and security officers in the deserts of central Syria, even as people of northern Syria have been digging out of the wreckage from the region’s devastating earthquake.