DUBAI: The Philippines is eager to expand cooperation with the UAE in several fields as both countries will mark next year the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, a top Philippine diplomat told the Emirates News Agency. 

CAIRO: Egypt on Wednesday executed a man sentenced to death for the murder of a fellow student who rejected his advances, authorities said, in the culmination of a case that sparked outrage.
Prison authorities “carried out the death sentence issued against Mohamed Adel,” who was found guilty last year of the “premeditated murder” of fellow student Nayera Ashraf, after he confessed to the crime in court.

BEIJING: China said Wednesday it has established a “strategic partnership” with the Palestinian Authority during a visit to Beijing by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The announcement marks another step in China’s campaign to gain political and economic influence in the Middle East, where it is competing for influence with the United States.
China is seeking energy resources and markets for its military and civilian exports, while promoting its version of authoritarian government in a joint challenge with Russia to the Western-led democratic world order.

JERUSALEM: An Israeli soldier who killed a Palestinian toddler in a car two weeks ago thought he was shooting at gunmen, the army said on Wednesday, blaming a mix-up caused by another soldier firing in the air in violation of regulations.
Two-year-old Mohammad Al-Tamimi suffered a fatal head wound in the June 1 shooting near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. His father was hit in the shoulder. The Palestinian foreign ministry demanded accountability, deeming the incident a crime.

RAMALLAH: Muslim residents of a town in Jerusalem have come to a compromise solution over pressure from Israeli settler groups and organizations to demolish a prominent mosque’s golden dome.
Municipality officials had originally ordered the removal of the structure at Al-Rahman Mosque in Beit Safafa but following months of legal representations and consultations with locals it was agreed that the dome’s height would be reduced, and its color changed to silver.