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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant officially stepped down last Friday, with former Foreign Minister Israel Katz taking his place in a ceremony. Gallant's removal, three days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed him, has sparked protests, as he was considered a moderate voice in a largely far-right government. Many see this change as a possible shift in focus, with concerns Netanyahu may deprioritize efforts to retrieve hostages still h

SEOUL, November 11 (AJP) - Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned on Saturday of a "crushing response" to recent U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran and its allies, fueling the ongoing conflict with Israel. Speaking to students, Khamenei emphasized that Iran would retaliate for the "actions against Iran and the resistance front." Tensions between Iran and Israel have intensified following Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October, with Iranian