Egypt

Natural gas consumption fell 21.56% in 2023 compared with the previous year, the Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator (DESFA) has said in a report.

Total demand for natural gas fell to 67.60 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2023, from 86.18 TWh in 2022. 

Domestic consumption fell 10.13% to 50.91 TWh and exports dropped 43.48% to 16.69 TWh. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his steadfast commitment to dismantling Hamas, declaring that "nobody will stop us" as the conflict between Israel and the terror group reached its 100th day, according to CNN.

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis conveyed the message on Thursday that Greece is at the forefront of diplomatic efforts for a solution to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. 

Israel bombarded the southern Gaza Strip Thursday as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Egypt on the final leg of regional talks aimed at preventing the Israel-Hamas war from spreading.

His arrival coincided with the start of a hearing at the U.N.'s top court over accusations Israel has committed "genocidal acts" in Gaza.

The silence and support of the international community, especially the West, for the continued massacres by Israeli forces in Gaza poses risks to world security, Türkiye's top diplomat has urged.

A high-ranking Israeli delegation has arrived in Cairo to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas, an Egyptian source confirmed to Al-Araby Al-Jadid newspaper. Indirect talks are back on track after the assassination of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri last week.

A first-of-its-kind trench network and control center spanning 2 kilometers and built during World War I to defend the Mediterranean province of Antalya against possible land and sea attacks has come to light.

Crete will be US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's second of nine stops in his whirlwind trip, mainly to the Middle East, from Jan. 4-11.

Blinken will hold talks with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the latter's family hometown of Hania Saturday, having visited Istanbul Friday.

Palestinians to be able to manage civil affairs with the help of a "global task force", without Israeli settlement activities, but under continued military control.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is to visit the Middle East and Europe from Friday in his fourth trip to the region since the Hamas attacks, as announced by the Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller late Thursday.

Blinken is expected to meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday afternoon at Hania, Crete.