Month: January 2025

Archaeologists Discover Ancient Artifacts in Iraq, Unlocking Secrets of Mesopotamia.

Significant discoveries have been made at the ancient site of Kurd Qaburstan in Iraq, shedding light on Mesopotamian history. Artefacts including clay cuneiform tablets, a game board, and structural remains have been unearthed by a team led by Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, an associate professor of history at the University of Central Florida. The findings are believed to date back to the Middle Bronze Age, around 1800 BCE, and may provide fresh perspectives on the daily lives, literacy, and socio-political connections of the people from this ancient civilisation.

According to the research conducted at Kurd Qaburstan, the clay tablets are the first of their kind to be discovered in the region. Preliminary analysis suggests they hold valuable information about the city’s residents and the historical events they faced, as reported by phys.org. Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, an associate professor of history at UCF, shared with phys.org that studying names, word choices and writing styles may offer an enhanced understanding of cultural identity and literacy in northern Mesopotamian cities.

The Middle Bronze Age in northern Iraq remains under-researched due to historical biases and limited prior excavations. The ongoing work aims to provide a narrative from the perspective of the city’s inhabitants, rather than relying on external accounts, as noted by the lead researcher.

Exploring a Forgotten Urban Center

Excavations at the site have uncovered monumental architecture, human remains, and evidence of destruction, hinting at significant historical events. A newly identified lower town palace, revealed through geophysical surveys, is being closely studied to determine its administrative significance. Artefacts found in the palace, including pottery and animal remains, suggest a more nuanced understanding of social and economic structures, with signs of private wealth and dietary diversity among the city’s population.

Future Research Potential

The site is hypothesised to be the ancient city of Qabra, a regional hub mentioned in Old Babylonian records. While definitive identification is ongoing, findings from the tablets and architectural remains bolster this theory. As reported by phys.org, researchers expect further analysis to uncover details about possible warfare and societal dynamics, potentially rewriting aspects of Mesopotamian history. Work at Kurd Qaburstan is set to continue in 2025, with hopes of revealing more historical secrets from this fascinating period.

source/content: gadgets360.com (headline edited)

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Excavations at Kurd Qaburstan revealed storage jars with key Mesopotamian artifacts / Photo Credit: Tiffany Earley-Spadoni

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IRAQ

The deal between ADNOC and Covestro is the biggest buy out of a European firm by a company from the Gulf.

German chemicals group Covestro said Tuesday it had accepted a takeover bid from UAE state energy company ADNOC, as one of the key sectors in Europe’s largest economy is gripped by crisis.

Elevated energy costs in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine have weighed heavily on chemicals producers, which account for around five percent of Germany’s GDP.

The deal valued Covestro, a maker of plastics, at some 12 billion euros ($13.3 billion), the German group said in a statement.

Under the terms of the agreement, valid until the end of 2028, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) will make an offer for all remaining Covestro stock at a price of 62 euros per share.

The state energy company of the United Arab Emirates will also inject around 1.2 billion euros into the chemicals firm through the issuance of new shares, once the deal is completed.

With ADNOC onboard, Covestro would have “an even stronger foundation for sustainable growth”, the German group’s CEO Markus Steilemann said in a statement.

ADNOC was a “financially strong and long-term oriented partner”, Steilemann said.

The takeover offer was subject to a minimum acceptance threshold of “50 percent plus one share”, as well as regulatory controls, Covestro said.

Chemicals crisis

ADNOC’s bid for Covestro comes while the challenges facing the Germany’s energy-intensive chemicals industry show no signs of abating.

The sector was “struggling in a difficult environment”, the German chemical industry association VCI said in a report last month.

Weak demand and high energy costs in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine were weighing on producers and leading them to cut back on production in Germany.

BASF, the world’s largest chemicals group, said last month would cut costs and refocus on its “core businesses”, while some of its German plants lacked competitiveness.

For its part, Covestro said it was “making significant progress in its strategic transformation”.

The group, which makes chemicals used in everything from building insulation to electric vehicles, unveiled savings plan in June amid ongoing takeover talks with ADNOC.

Leverkusen-based Covestro, which was spun off from chemicals giant Bayer in 2015, said it would cut material and personal costs in the hopes of saving some 400 million euros annually.

With ADNOC’s support, Covestro could grow in “highly attractive sectors and can make an even greater contribution to the green transformation”, Steilemann said.

Covestro’s board said it would recommend shareholders accept ADNOC’s offer under the terms of the agreement.

Diversification move

The deal was a coup for ADNOC as it seeks to expand its operations beyond oil, and if completed, would mark the first takeover of a company in Germany’s blue-chip DAX index by a Gulf state-owned firm.

Covestro was a “natural fit” for ADNOC’s growth strategy, the energy giant’s CEO Sultan Al Jaber said in a statement.

Al Jaber, who served as president of last year’s COP28 climate talks in Dubai, said the acquisition represented a step towards “diversifying ADNOC’s portfolio”.

The deal aligned with ADNOC’s “future-proofing strategy and our vision to become a top five global chemicals company”, he said.

Under the terms of the deal, Covestro said ADNOC had committed to maintain the group’s “corporate governance and organisational business structure”.

ADNOC would also respect existing agreements with workers’ unions, while “there are no plans to sell, close or significantly reduce Covestro’s business activities”.

source/content: newarab.com (headline edited)

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ADNOC is seeking to expand its operations beyond oil [Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images]

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ABU DHAB, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Technology makes industrial-scale lithium extraction possible, KAUST finds

Lithium essential for batteries in electric vehicles, computers, smartphones

Scientists at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have developed a new technology that could turn the Kingdom into a leading producer of lithium, the state institution has said.

In a news release posted on its website recently, KAUST said the “innovative technology,” which involves the direct extraction of lithium from brine in oilfields and seawater, is described in a study published in the latest issue of the journal Science.

Lithium is an essential metal for the production of batteries now widely used for electric vehicles, computers and smartphones. Global demand for lithium is expected to increase to more than 5 million tonnes in 2030 from about 750,000 tonnes in 2020, according to KAUST.

Lithium is said to be present in oilfields and seawater but at low concentrations and difficult to extract in useful quantities.

But the KAUST research team led by Prof. Zhiping Lai said the new technology makes extraction possible on an industrial scale.

“Accessing lithium in brine can expand the availability of lithium worldwide by several hundreds of billions of (tonnes) and may transition Saudi Arabia from a major importer to producer of this highly sought-after element,” Lai explained in the study.

The method also achieves extraction without introducing any pollutants or additives, he said.

Saudi Arabia is thought to have plenty of sources rich in lithium in its surrounding seas and oil fields, considering that brine and seawater are estimated to contain over 10,000 times more lithium than conventional lithium reserves.

Lihytech, a KAUST startup founded by Lai and his colleague Prof. Kuo-Wei (Andy) Huang, who also contributed to the study, aims to bring the technology from laboratory to market, the university stated.

The startup has received an initial investment of $6 million from the Saudi mining company Ma’aden and the KAUST Innovation Fund.

Lihytech and Aramco announced last year a partnership in which the international conglomerate is providing brine from its oilfields to test the technology’s lithium-extraction capabilities.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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This combination image shows an aerial view of an Eramine lithium extraction area in Salta province, Argentina, (left) and a bottle containing a sample of lithium carbonate in a laboratory of the Eramine lithium extraction. Like Argentina, Saudi Arabia has vast sources rich in lithium. (AFP photos)

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SAUDI ARABIA

For centuries, Morocco’s Amazigh – the “free people” – celebrated Yennayer behind closed doors, their New Year a quiet act of defiance against systematic erasure of their identity.

Dozens of bonfires illuminate the rocky slopes above Tisselday in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains as night falls on January 13. The flames dance against the darkness, marking the eve of Yennayer 2975, the Amazigh New Year.

In villages and cities across North Africa, indigenous communities prepare for a celebration that predates recorded history, carrying forward traditions that have survived centuries of marginalization and cultural pressure.

From mountainside “douars” (small villages) to busy city quarters, the air fills with calls of “Aseggas Ambarki,” “Aseggas Amaynou,” “Aseggas Ighoudan,” “Aseggas Anammar,” and “Aseggas Ameggaz” – ancient wishes for a blessed, new, prosperous, and happy year. The greetings, passed down through generations, carry both the weight of history and hopes for the future.

A heritage written in time

The Amazigh calendar carries the weight of three millennia, marking time since 950 BCE when Sheshonq I, a Libyan-born pharaoh ascended to Egypt’s throne. As founder of Egypt’s 22nd dynasty, he unified Egypt and later invaded Palestine, where he captured the treasures of Jerusalem’s Temple of Solomon – an event significant enough to be recorded in the Bible.

Yennayer, derived from the words “yan” (one) and “ayyur” (month), literally means “first month” in the Amazigh language – Tamazight. An alternative etymology traces the word to the Latin “ianuarius,” from which January itself originates.

Known by various names across regions, including “id seggas” or “haguza” in Morocco’s indigenous communities, the celebration transcends mere historical commemoration, pulsing with living traditions, agricultural rhythms, and seasonal cycles that have governed life in these lands since before written records began.

The celebration marks the beginning of the agricultural calendar, rooted in the Julian system that dominated North Africa during Roman times. Local communities refer to this period as the beginning of the “Black Nights,” a 20-day stretch marking one of the year’s coldest periods, reflecting the deep connection between Amazigh cultural practices and the agricultural heritage of the region.

This year’s celebration marks a watershed moment in Morocco. As the second year of official recognition unfolds following King Mohammed VI’s historic May 2023 decree, schools and businesses will close their doors, transforming what was once a day of quiet cultural resistance into a nationally acknowledged celebration.

The shift represents a dramatic change from a challenging past when Amazigh children faced punishment for speaking their mother tongue in classrooms for decades.

The holiday’s institutionalization, following Algeria’s 2018 recognition, came after tireless advocacy by indigenous rights activists.

The royal recognition extends beyond a symbolic gesture. The government increased its 2023 budget supporting the Amazigh language by 50% to MAD 300 million ($30 million), pledging to hire hundreds of official clerks for public services.

This institutional support marks a decisive break from policies that once actively suppressed Amazigh identity, ushering in a new era of cultural recognition in Morocco.

Celebration across regions: More than a meal

The celebration known as “imensi n’Yennayer” typically begins as darkness falls on Yennayer eve. In Morocco’s diverse regions, families gather for rituals that blend agricultural traditions with cultural preservation. The evening starts with “id seggas” or “thabbourth aseggas” (the door of the year) as called by Kabylies in Algeria, marking the transition between seasons.

In High Atlas villages, the aroma of “ourkemen” fills homes – a rich mixture of seven varieties of dried legumes and grains simmering with sheep’s or cow’s foot. The dish combines lentils, split peas, chickpeas, white beans, broad beans, corn, wheat, and barley, symbolizing agricultural diversity and abundance. Traditional beliefs hold that eating well on Yennayer ensures prosperity throughout the year.

The Ouirgane Valley, an hour south of Marrakech, sees families preparing fine couscous garnished with peeled hard boiled eggs and dusted with cinnamon.

In the Souss region, particularly around Tiznit, “tagoula” takes center stage on family’s tables. This ancient dish demands hours of patient preparation, cooked slowly over wood fires until the corn or barley semolina transforms into a thick, nourishing porridge. Served with olive or argan oil, honey, and traditional smen (fermented butter), each component carries symbolic weight in the celebration.

The ritual of “amnaz” – hiding a date pit in the “tagoula” – adds an element of festive anticipation. While traditionally believed to bring good fortune to its finder, some families have adapted the practice, using almonds instead of date pits to prevent dental mishaps while maintaining the tradition’s spirit.

Rituals of renewal

The celebration encompasses more than just communal meals. Families undertake thorough house cleaning, symbolically purifying their spaces for the new year. Women burn aromatic herbs and branches, filling homes with cleansing smoke.

Traditional beliefs discourage certain activities: sweeping (to avoid chasing away good fortune), removing fire from the house, or speaking words associated with hardship or misfortune.

Children receive handfuls of sweets and dried fruits – a tradition known as “trèze” in some Algerian regions, containing precisely thirteen different varieties for luck. Women maintain the ancient practice of sharing food with nature, setting aside crumbs for birds and insects, embodying beliefs in universal abundance.

From marginalization to ‘recognition’

The path to official recognition winds through decades of systematic marginalization.

Following independence, Morocco’s drive to assert itself as an Arabo-Muslim nation led to aggressive Arabization policies that actively suppressed Amazigh identity. Schools became primary tools of cultural assimilation, where children were punished for speaking their mother tongue.

Traditional systems of land management were dismantled, while Amazigh customary laws guaranteeing rights to land – never reinstated after the colonial period – left communities vulnerable to displacement.

The state’s Arabization strategy extended beyond language policy. Public institutions, media, and administrative services operated exclusively in Arabic, effectively excluding Amazigh speakers from participating fully in civic life.

This institutional marginalization pushed Amazigh cultural practices to the periphery, treating them as folkloric remnants rather than living traditions of Morocco’s indigenous population.

The impact of these policies rippled through generations. Amazigh communities faced systemic barriers to education, employment, and political representation. The abolition of traditional land rights led to widespread displacement, forcing many to abandon ancestral territories.

This erosion of land access not only threatened economic stability but struck at the heart of Amazigh cultural identity, where connection to ancestral lands forms the foundation of community life.

The devastating earthquake of September 2023, which claimed over 2,800 lives, exposed the ongoing consequences of this historical marginalization. Often lacking basic infrastructure and emergency services, Amazigh villages suffered disproportionate damage.

Remote communities found themselves isolated from aid, with crumbling infrastructure and inadequate emergency response systems revealing the stark disparities in development and public investment. The disaster laid bare how decades of exclusion from national development planning left Amazigh regions particularly vulnerable to natural disasters.

The earthquake’s aftermath magnified the persistent gap between symbolic recognition and substantive equality, demonstrating how historical marginalization continues to shape present-day vulnerabilities in Amazigh communities.

Language rights and education

These structural inequalities persist despite recent cultural recognition. While Tamazight gained official language status in 2011, the implementation of this policy remains limited in practice.

Government services, healthcare information, and emergency communications still primarily operate in Arabic and French, creating persistent barriers for Amazigh communities.

The struggle for meaningful linguistic inclusion continues, with the current 31% rate of Tamazight instruction in primary schools reflecting both progress and persistent challenges, though government initiatives aim to reach 50% by 2025-26.

The Ministry of Education’s ambitious roadmap envisions expanding this initiative from the current 1,803 primary schools to 12,000 institutions by 2030, potentially benefiting four million students.

The 2019 law formalizing Tamazight’s use in governmental administration, local authorities, and public services marked another milestone. Yet, practical implementation often falls short of legal promises, with usage largely limited to official signage rather than substantive integration into administrative functions.

Even the 2024 census sparked controversy, with the Moroccan Association for Research and Cultural Exchange criticizing the High Commission for Planning for “systematic exclusion of Tamazight” in the process.

The census claimed only 25% of Moroccans speak Amazigh, a figure strongly contested by activists who assert the real number could be as high as 85% of the population.

The journey toward recognition has seen significant milestones. King Mohammed VI’s historic 2001 Ajdir speech affirmed Amazigh identity as fundamental to Moroccan culture, leading to the establishment of the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture. In 2003, Morocco officially adopted the Tifinagh script, culminating in the 2011 constitutional recognition.

Yet, activists note a concerning trend. Moroccan human rights activist Ahmed Assid points out that “Amazigh language lost two thirds of its speakers in five decades,” highlighting the urgent need for preservation efforts despite official progress.

Living heritage

With Morocco marking its second year of officially recognizing Yennayer, the celebration comes at a time of both progress and persistent challenges for the Amazigh people.

Traditional Amazigh land management systems, dismantled during colonial times, remain un-reinstated. Remote communities still struggle for basic infrastructure and services.

Yet in villages across the High Atlas, families gather around communal plates, sharing meals that symbolize abundance and renewal. Children search for hidden dates in their “tagoula,” while elders pass down stories of harsh winters and resilient communities.

Young couples choose this time for weddings, and families mark their sons’ first haircuts, linking personal milestones to the cycle of seasonal renewal.

The celebration of Yennayer 2975 thus stands as both a victory and a reminder – of battles won for cultural recognition, and of continued struggles for full equality and justice.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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“Aseggas Ambarki, Amaynou, Ighoudan, Ameggaz” ring out across Morocco today.

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MOROCCO

Scholars highlight the camel’s role in Arab history and the Arabic language

Experts from Saudi Arabia and abroad gather in Riyadh

Scholars at a Riyadh conference this week underscored the fundamental role the camel has played in shaping Arab heritage, emphasizing the profound link between camels and the Arabic language.

King Saud University, in partnership with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, is hosting the Fifth International Conference, titled “Camels in Arab Culture,” which ends on Thursday.

Prominent scholars and specialists from Saudi Arabia and abroad are participating in the conference, which is exploring key topics related to camels, including heritage, history and geography, and archaeological findings.

Hajed Al-Harbi, conference chairman, said: “Honoring camels is a tribute to our deep-rooted values and rich heritage, reflecting our pride in our origins and historical legacy.”

Ibrahim Al-Furaih, conference secretary, told Arab News how the conference underscores the central role camels have played in shaping Arabic literature and intellectual thought throughout history.

“Camels are a fundamental element of our national identity and Arab culture, with a significant presence in our heritage.

“Whether through literature, poetry, inscriptions, or the daily life of early Arabs, they have left an indelible mark. Their influence endures, continuing to shape the lives of Arabs to this day,” Al-Furaih said.

Bedoor Al-Fassam, chair of the public relations committee for the conference, said organizers spent months preparing for the event.

Dr. Al-Fassam, who is also an assistant professor of literature and criticism in the Arabic language department at the university, confirmed that conference participation requests exceeded 300, from which 40 research papers were selected. The submitted papers covered a wide range of fields, including literary, linguistic, historical, and social studies, in addition to anthropology research.

Alongside participants from Saudi universities, the conference features academics from Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Canada.

The attendees discussed the definition of camels in language and lexicography, as well as their effect on cultural and national identity.

Additionally, they explored the role of camels in Arabic poetry, narrative storytelling and biographies, highlighting their significance in other literatures and cultures.

The conference further delved into the role of camels in the national economy, addressing sectors such as investment, tourism, and entertainment, in addition to camel festivals, sports and racing events.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar has announced its entry into the Philippines market, signing agreements with the government of the Philippines to develop 1 gigawatt (GW) of clean energy projects to strengthen its growing portfolio in Southeast Asia.

The Implementation Agreement with the Department of Energy and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Board of Investments of the Republic of the Philippines covers the development of solar, wind and battery energy storage systems (BESS) with a total capacity of up to 1GW by 2030.

The signing ceremony of both agreements was witnessed by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, and Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Secretary of Energy of the Philippines.

The Implementation Agreement was signed by Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Republic of the Philippines Department of Energy, and Masdar’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, with the MoU exchanged between the Ambassador of the Philippines to the UAE, Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver, and Masdar’s CEO.

The agreement, which will support the Philippines Energy Transition Programme to achieve 35 percent renewable energy in power generation by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040, operationalises the MoU on Energy Transition Cooperation signed in November 2024 between the Philippines and the UAE during the working visit of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the country, which identified renewable energy as an area of collaboration.

Dr. Al Jaber said, “This partnership marks a new chapter in the long-standing relationship between the UAE and the Philippines. By leveraging the UAE’s world-class expertise in renewable energy and the Philippines’ abundant natural resources, this agreement will create jobs, drive low-carbon socio-economic progress and expand global renewable energy capacity in line with the UAE Consensus.”

Lotilla commented, “Building on the long-standing ties between our nations and the recent Energy Transition Cooperation agreement, we welcome Masdar’s proven leadership and expertise in delivering utility-scale renewable energy solutions. This collaboration will significantly advance our goal of achieving 35 percent renewable energy in power generation by 2030.”

Secretary Lotilla further emphasised that the landmark partnership underscores the Philippines’ commitment to a clean energy future.

By integrating renewable energy into the country’s energy mix on an unprecedented scale, the Administration of President Marcos Jr. is enhancing energy security while laying a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth and environmental stewardship.

With Masdar’s support, the Philippines is setting a new benchmark for energy transition in the region.

Ceferino S. Rodolfo, Undersecretary at the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry and Board of Investments Managing Head, commented, “It is inspiring to witness the strengthening of the bilateral relations between our countries, following the visit of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos to UAE last year and a series of reciprocal ministerial missions thereafter.

The partnership with Masdar is a testament to our mutual commitment to fostering a dynamic and sustainable economic future, and our shared vision for economic sustainability and prosperity. This aligns seamlessly with the Philippine strategy to position ourselves as a smart and sustainable hub for manufacturing and services in Southeast Asia.”

He added, “The Philippines is making significant strides in the renewable energy sector. Masdar’s own planned renewables projects will contribute to accelerating sustainable economic growth in the different regions in the Philippines, and will especially complement our infrastructure development initiatives within the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) — Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas — which is being developed as an economic hub for commerce, industry, and logistics.

“The Department of Trade and Industry, through the Board of Investments, will be Masdar’s staunch partner. Together with Masdar, we give our unwavering commitment to fostering a greener and more resilient future for the Philippines.”

Al Ramahi welcomed the announcement as a significant expansion of Masdar’s activities in Southeast Asia, a key strategic market in its ongoing efforts to achieve a renewable energy capacity of 100GW by 2030.

“With our proven success in implementing large-scale renewable energy projects in the region and worldwide, we look forward to utilising our expertise and experience to support the Philippines in meeting its ambitious renewable energy goals,” he added.

The agreement marks Masdar’s entry into the renewables sector in the Philippines. Southeast Asia is a key investment destination for Masdar.

The company has developed the region’s largest floating solar facility in Indonesia – the 145MW Cirata Floating Solar PV plant – which is generating enough electricity to power 50,000 homes.

In February 2023, it entered the geothermal energy sector through a strategic investment in Pertamina Geothermal Energy.

Masdar also signed a landmark agreement with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority in 2023 for the development of 10GW of clean energy projects across the country.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)