Middle East & North Africa

BAGHDAD (AP) — Everything from the signboard outside down to the napkins bears the official emblem of the top international coffee chain. But in Baghdad, looks are deceiving: The “Starbucks” in the Iraqi capital is unlicensed.

Real Starbucks merchandise is imported from neighboring countries to stock the three cafes in the city, but all are operating illegally. Starbucks filed a lawsuit in an attempt to shut down the trademark violation, but the case was halted after the owner allegedly threatened lawyers hired by the coffee house.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced late Wednesday that he has successfully formed a new coalition, setting the stage for him to return to power as head of the most right-wing Israeli government ever to hold office.

Netanyahu made the announcement in a phone call to President Isaac Herzog moments before a midnight deadline. His Likud Party released a brief video clip of the smiling Netanyahu and a recording of the conversation.

21 Dec 2022; MEMO: The World Bank has approved $1.69 billion in financing for flood relief projects in Pakistan, it said in a statement issued according to Reuters.

The funds will be distributed across five projects to support rehabilitation, housing reconstruction and the restoration of crop production for vulnerable communities.

21 Dec 2022; MEMO: Algerian Sports Minister Abdel Razzak Sabkak announced on Tuesday that the new football stadium currently under construction near Algiers will be named after the late South African leader Nelson Mandela, Anadolu news agency has reported. Sabkak made the announcement at a press conference.

21 Dec 2022; MEMO: The Free Destourian Party in Tunisia called on President Kais Saied to abolish the results of the parliamentary elections, vacate the seat of president and call for early presidential elections.

The party, which lawyer Abir Moussi heads, addressed Saied saying: "You cannot deny or be ignorant that you have lost your legitimacy and legality as President of the Tunisian Republic and that you are considered a usurper of power."

21 Dec 2022; MEMO: Qatar has estimated that it will make $17 billion in revenue after hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar News Agency (QNA) has reported. With 1.2 million visitors and the sale of three million tickets for matches, the immediate revenue will be linked directly to visitor spending.

21 Dec 2022; MEMO: The head of Libya's National Unity Government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, welcomed on Tuesday evening the US decision not to reopen the agreement made in 2008 with Tripoli, according to which the issue of the bombing of an American passenger aircraft 34 years ago today over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie was settled.

21 Dec 2022; MEMO: Algeria's Ministry of Energy and Mines is mulling the construction of a gas pipeline linking the country with Italy, local media reported, citing Mohamed Arkab.

In a speech he gave at the Algerian-German Energy Day yesterday, Arkab said that Algeria is conducting a study to develop extensive infrastructure for electricity transmission and a network to link Algeria with the northern part of the Mediterranean.

21 Dec 2022; MEMO: The Egyptian government will be transferring its headquarters next month to the New Administrative Capital, located 45 kilometres east of the country's current capital Cairo. The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New Administrative Capital Company, Khaled Abbas, reported Egypt Independent yesterday.

21 Dec 2022; MEMO: Britain's Capricorn Energy Company which manages natural gas and oil assets in Egypt plans to dismiss seven of its executives who reject a takeover deal by Israel's NewMed Energy, Reuters has reported. The proposed merger would see a new company operating in the Egyptian and Israeli natural gas fields, amid efforts by Cairo and Tel Aviv to reserve a share of exports for energy-hungry Europe.