00:00Good day and welcome to the Gulf News Update for Monday, February the 22nd.
00:09Here are the top stories at this hour.
00:12Saudi Arabia has put 32 people on trial accused of spying for Iran, local media reported today.
00:19The 32, including an Iranian and an Afghan, were detained in 2013.
00:24The trial is the first in recent memory for Saudis accused of spying and may stoke already
00:30tense tensions with Iran.
00:33Rural protesters continued to blockade highways and paralyse a North Indian state today, despite
00:38a deal giving them more government jobs.
00:41But there was relief for Delhi's 20 million residents as the army retook control of their
00:46main water source.
00:47Rioting and looting across Haryana state by the Jaat rural caste has killed at least 15
00:53people.
00:54Corruption has been huge, with 850 trains cancelled, 500 factories closed and businesses
01:01estimating losses at nearly $3 billion.
01:06Oil exporting countries in the Middle East and North Africa lost more than $340 billion
01:12in oil revenue from their budget in 2015, according to the International Monetary Fund
01:18Managing Director.
01:20Christine Lagarde told the Arab Fiscal Forum in Abu Dhabi that oil prices are likely to
01:25stay low for an extended period and oil exporters will have to work on raising revenues.
01:32Taylor Swift is providing financial assistance to fellow pop star Kesha as she battles to
01:38get out of a contract with Dr. Luke, whom she has accused of sexually assaulting her.
01:43A representative confirmed that Swift had donated $250,000 to Kesha to help her in her
01:50legal battle with the mega-hit producer.
01:53A film scripted by a UAE-based HR manager has won an award at the Berlin Film Festival.
02:00Director Jai Raj's Malayalam film, Ottal, was hailed as an exceptional movie that touched
02:06the jury with its irresistible images of nature, laid-back music and amazingly gifted actors,
02:13winning the Crystal Bear for the Best Film in the Generation K Plus category.
02:18Written by Joshi Mangalath, the film is based on a short story by Anton Chekhov.
02:25And finally, the weather.
02:26Today's high across the UAE will be 27 degrees Celsius, dropping to 19 degrees at night.
02:32That's all for now.
02:33Thanks for watching.
02:34And as always, you can get the latest news at gulfnews.com.
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