News from TheMediaLine.org.

Visa Denials Harming Palestinian Economy

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:09:47 GMT

Trade organization says Israel is violating Oslo agreements. Israel's refusal to issue visas is the main obstacle to foreign investment in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian trade organization has claimed. PalTrade, the Palestinian trade center, said Monday that Israel's withholding of entry visas and permits from potential international investors was hindering foreign direct investment in the Palestinian territories. "Foreign investment is very important," Hanan Taha, executive ma...

Investment in Israeli Venture Capital Drops

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:42:42 GMT

Israeli venture capital hard hit as foreign investors still reeling from financial crisis. Israeli venture capital firms are finding it difficult to find investors for the country's high-tech sector, a recent report found.According to a report by the Israeli Venture Capital Research Center (IVCRC), 2009 was the third worst year in the last decade for the country's venture capital funds as only $228 million was raised compared to $803 in 2008, a drop of 72 percent."Foreign institutional investor...

Arab Youth ‘Want Democracy'

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT

Arab youth want to be 'citizens of the world', a regional survey has found.

The majority of Arab youths regard themselves as global citizens and want good relations with the international community, a new Middle East poll suggests.

The second annual ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey was conducted by the international polling firm Penn Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB) in October 2009 and notes a general high level of optimism among Arab youth with regards to the direction...

Iran to Allow China to Drill in the Gulf

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT

China has signed a deal with Iran allowing it to drill for oil in the Gulf despite U.S. pressure on China to enforce tougher sanctions on Iran

Iran and China have signed an agreement to allow China to set-up an oilrig in the Gulf despite increasing international calls to enforce tougher sanctions against Iran.

In a deal worth $143 million between the Iranian North Drilling Company and China Petroleum Technology Development Corporation, the latter will be allowed to drill for oil in the...

Iranian Women Launch Campaign for Gender Equality

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:04:05 GMT

International Women's Rights Day campaign launched two months after beatings of the 'Mourning Mothers'

Iranian women's activists have launched a campaign for gender equality to mark International Women's Rights Day.

The campaign, Call for Solidarity: Freedom and Gender Equality in Iran, targets gender-based discrimination against women and what campaigners describe as state-led violence.

Launched on Inter...

Iraqi Vote Tops 62%

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT

More than 62 percent of Iraq's eligible voters made it to the polls yesterday according to the Independent High Electoral Commission which is overseeing the parliamentary election process. The rate of 62.3 percent falls short of 2005's 76 percent turnout for the parliamentary vote but exceeds last year's tally for provincial elections when only about half voted. The U.S. military reported that Al-Qa'ida carried out a ruse in Baghdad...

Financial Times: 3 Oil Suppliers Cut Ties to Iran

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT

The Financial Times is reporting that three major European oil companies have cut ties to Iran citing American pressure. While the suspension of oil deliveries from the three will impact on Iran's fuel supply, significant amounts will continue to be delivered by Chinese and Gulf companies. The FT reports that even though oil is not specifically part of the international boycott of Iran, the companies feel that their ability to trade...

Israel Will Allow Ban Ki-moon and Ashton Access to the Gaza Strip

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT

In a reversal of policy which has prevented European leaders from having access to the Gaza Strip, Israel's administration will allow United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and European Union High Representative of Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton to visit Gaza. The purpose of the trip is to monitor humanitarian relief efforts there. Regarding other diplomats, the Israeli position was to prevent the apparent legitimization of ...