Middle East Experience

China imported around 8.42 million tonnes of oil from Russia last month, a 55 percent rise year-on-year..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Russia becomes China’s main source of oil, overtakes Saudi Arabia

Ayman Odeh's case has been neglected.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Prosecution watchdog: Justified complaints at 20%

Biden is expected to visit Israel on July 13-14. He will spend the night in Jerusalem and will hold talks with the incoming prime minister Yair Lapid. 
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Biden will visit Israel despite Knesset disbanding, elections

Turkey's discussions about Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership will continue but the summit in Madrid next week is not a deadline for any decision, Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Monday.“It is unacceptable that terrorist organizations are engaged in activities in the heart of Europe as if they are capturing these countries. I hope they see that terrorist acts have nothing to do with freedom of expression,” Kalin said according to state broadcaster TRT Haber.He added that Turkey expects Sweden to take immediate steps regarding the Kurdistan Workers Party's (PKK) activities.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Sweden and Finland are seeking to enhance their security through NATO membership, ending decades of military nonalignment in an historic move driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Turkey declared in May it had objections to the two countries joining NATO, accusing them of supporting Kurdish militants, namely the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), whom Ankara considers to be a terrorist organization, and failing to extradite dozens of suspected “terrorists,” specifically the followers of Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of orchestrating a 2016 coup attempt.NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Turkey, Finland and Sweden held “constructive” talks on Monday.“We will continue our talks on Finland and Sweden's applications for NATO membership, and I look forward to finding a way forward as soon as possible,” Stoltenberg said after officials met at NATO headquarters in Brussels.Read more:Turkey wants ‘written response’ from Finland, Sweden over NATO bid concernsFormer Kurdish rebel has key role in Sweden's NATO bidTurkey prepared to stall Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership for year: MP
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Turkey says talks on Finland, Sweden’s NATO bids ongoing, but summit not a deadline

The implications of the latest oil dispute are not fully clear as, months since elections in Iraq, the formation of a government is still under way..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Iraq to enforce federal court ruling on Kurdish oil industry

There are some in his inner circle who believe there is a strong chance that he will retire from politics, but other options exist.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: What are Naftali Bennett’s political options after he leaves PMO?

Saudi Arabia and Egypt have signed 14 agreements worth $7.7 billion, Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones said in a statement on Tuesday.Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Egypt on Monday as part of a tour that will include visiting Jordan and Turkey.Deals signed included an agreement between Saudi Arabia’s Acwapower and the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company to produce and transmit 1100 MW of windpower, the authority’s statement said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.More renewable energy agreements were signed, as well as deals involving petroleum products, food and fintech.Other deals involved the development of the multi-purpose terminal at Egypt’s Damietta port, the authority’s statement said, and the establishment of a $150 million “pharmaceutical city” by Egypt’s Pharco Pharmaceuticals in Saudi Arabia, the company’s chairman told al-Sharq TV.There are currently more than 150 bilateral agreements between the two countries, according to the Federation of Saudi Chambers.In 2021, the size of commercial trade between Egypt and Saudi Arabia reached 54 billion SAR ($14 billion), recording a growth of 87 percent compared with 2020.Saudi investments in Egypt through more than 6,800 Saudi companies exceed $32 billion while Egyptian investments in Saudi Arabia through more than 800 Egyptian companies are worth $5 billion.The Crown Prince’s visit to Egypt is the fifth visit he makes to the country in the past four years.With ReutersRead more:Australia mulling bid to host 2023 Asian Cup after China opts outWatch: Moment Saudi child hears for the first timeJeddah Season 2022 creates 74,000 jobs for Saudi youths
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia, Egypt sign 14 agreements worth .7 billion

The Arab Coordination Group, the second-largest development fund in the world, launched an initial $10 billion package to tackle global food insecurity, the Group announced in a statement on Tuesday.The $10 billion will be provided as a first step for immediate relief from the global food security crisis which has worsened tremendously since the onset of the war in Ukraine, leading to a worsening hunger crisis in many countries.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The relief package was announced at a meeting of the ACG Heads of Institutions in Vienna, Austria on Tuesday.Speaking at the meeting, OPEC Fund Director-General Dr. Abdulhamid al-Khalifa said the initiative was launched to initiate “quick, decisive, and forceful action,” to mitigate the crisis.“Millions of people are facing hunger today, and this is something we simply must address urgently. As a dedicated ACG member the OPEC Fund fully stands by this commitment,” he added.The amount of a minimum $10 billion represents the total of the ACG members’ commitments. Among those, the OPEC Fund already announced a US$1 billion “Food Security Action Plan” to be deployed over the next three years as immediate assistance to cover the import costs of basic commodities such as seeds, grains and fertilizers, while supporting medium and long-term security of food supply in partner countries.The ACG commended other international financial institutions as well as Saudi Arabia’s role in leading the drive for immediate support to countries most affected by the global food crisis in the developing world.Addressing the climate crisis, the Group also agreed to provide financing to mitigate the impact of climate change and strengthen climate resilience.The Group will launch a detailed action plan at the next UN Climate Conference COP27 in November in Egypt. The initiative will include a collective financial commitment and a roadmap to accelerate energy transition, increase climate resilience and promote energy security.The ACG comprises 10 national, regional and international institutions, including the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Arab Gulf Programme for Development, the Arab Monetary Fund, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Qatar Fund for Development and the Saudi Fund for Development.Ukraine, often referred to as the world’s breadbasket, was invaded by Russia on February 24 in what Moscow calls a “special military operation.”Since then, countries across the world have imposed tough sanctions on Russia as the conflict rages on, heavily disrupting the Ukrainian economy and restricting global trade.Trade has been hit particularly hard since the war because Russia and Ukraine account for nearly a third of global wheat supplies. Russia is also a key fertilizer exporter and Ukraine a major supplier of corn and sunflower oil.In 2021, conflict – in combination with economic shocks – affected around 139 million people worldwide and since the onset of the Ukraine war, this figure is likely to increase, a recent report released by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program revealed.According to the report released last week, acute food insecurity is expected to worsen in several countries between June and September this year, indicating that the hunger crisis is affecting many countries and it is happening at such a rapid pace.The WFP estimates that between 179 million and 181 million people will be in crisis or worse when it comes to food security, a staggering increase from the 139 million already affected in 2021, which accounted for an increase of 40 million people since 2020.Read more:What can be done to mitigate the food security crisis? FAO economist weighs inFood security was ‘deteriorating’ before Ukraine war, but has worsened since: ExpertUN launches $3.2 billion plan for crisis-hit Lebanon to support families, refugees
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Arab-backed development fund to tackle global food insecurity with bln package

Dubai will have at least 10,000 new villas and townhouses over the next two years, according to a real estate firm, as demand surges for new property across the emirate.The Gulf region’s trade and tourism hub and host of Expo 2020, Dubai has experienced a recent boom in property deals.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The sale values of real estate transactions until November last year were the highest yearly sales figures since 2014, Dubai Land Department data shows.Homegrown real estate developer, ZāZEN Properties, has conducted a report showing that 2022 has seen more end users continue to buy across the city due to low mortgage rates and an increased number of buyers looking for larger living spaces in low density communities.It says that the average sales price has increased 11 percent in the first quarter of 2022, in comparison with the same period last year, mainly due to premium villa sales. Ready apartment buildings with larger spaces and a strong community offering also performed well as stock of ready villas depleted.While rental rates are rising across the country, real estate demand continues to boom, the report states.A major shift in buying behavior has come through as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that has extended into the first quarter of the year, with a greater preference placed on completed residential units, rather than on off-plan units.This is reflected in the sales seen through the first quarter of the year as the Dubai Land Department says that 70 percent of all transactions were finished units.Apartments currently account for the majority of total completions in the first quarter of 2022, as the supply of new villas are limited due to lack of stock and pipeline.Villa stock in prime Dubai areas is limited and 2022 will see only a 3.6 percent rise in planned deliveries in prime submarkets, keeping prices at the higher end, said Madhav Dhar, co-founder and COO of ZāZEN Properties.Over 10,000 new townhouses and villas have been launched in May 2022 by large developers but handover for these developments is not expected until between the end of 2024 and 2025.Of the villas being developed, 30 percent of them are in luxury communities that have golf courses, like Dubai South, Dubai Hills, and Arabian RanchesThe high supply of villas and townhouses in the coming years will result in a drop in prices below the five million AED mark, predicted Dhar.“As per the Dubai Statistics Center, the population in Dubai was just over 3.5 million people as of April 2022, with a target of 5.8 million people by 2040, and the city is ready for it,” he said. “Whether it is apartments or villas, the city is bustling with constant new developments and is ready for the growing population.”“A very large number of new apartment buildings, villas and townhouses are being developed throughout the year and in the coming years, and are all aligned with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s 2040 Urban Master Plan in mind, with the aim of transforming the emirate, and making it more sustainable and interconnected for an overall safer and more efficient way of living for everyone.”“Thanks to the leadership of Dubai, the city has become a true global destination, a business hub and a secure home base.”“People around the world now realize that if and when a new pandemic hits, or if there is economic or political turmoil, Dubai is the best city to be in as we have witnessed over the last couple of years.”“Additionally, the recent updates to the UAE Golden Visa regulation is just another great initiative that will spur investment into real estate even more, especially with the flexibility that these new rules have to offer, providing residents with a strong reason to invest in the country long term and allowing non-residents to make UAE their second home.”Read more:Dubai sets historic record in property sales in Q3: ReportDubai housing a buyer’s market despite price rise: PollDubai’s most expensive mega mansion sells for $76 million
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Dubai to have 10,000 new villas, townhouses in two years: Real estate developer

Authorities have registered a total of 172,562 pilgrims who have traveled from across the globe to Saudi Arabia’s Medina so far ahead of this year’s Hajj, the official news agency SPA reported on Tuesday.Statistics on arriving and departing pilgrims in Medina, issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, showed that 156,828 pilgrims have arrived through the Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina since receiving the first Hajj, while the land immigration center received 13,097 pilgrims who arrived in the city through land border crossings.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The statistics also revealed the nationalities of pilgrims staying in Medina, showing that Indonesian pilgrims are the highest proportion of international pilgrims (24,478), followed by pilgrims from India, Bangladesh, Iraq, and Iran.Statistics showed that 76,955 pilgrims left Medina over the past few days on their way to the holy sites in Mecca.Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia welcomed its first batch of foreign Hajj pilgrims since before the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted authorities to sharply restrict the annual ritual in line with global health guidelines.“Today we received the first group of this year’s pilgrims from Indonesia, and the flights will continue from Malaysia and India,” Mohammed al-Bijawi of the country’s Hajj Ministry told the al-Ekhbariya channel at the time“Today we are happy to receive the guests of God from outside the Kingdom, after a two-year interruption due to the pandemic,” he added, describing Saudi Arabia as “fully prepared” to accommodate them.One of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj must be undertaken by all Muslims who have the means at least once in their lives.Usually one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, about 2.5 million people participated in 2019.But after the onset of the pandemic in 2020, authorities announced they would only let 1,000 pilgrims take part.The following year, they increased the total to 60,000 fully vaccinated Saudi Arabian citizens and residents chosen through a lottery.In April, the Kingdom announced it would permit one million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year’s Hajj, which will take place in July.The Hajj consists of a series of religious rites that are completed over five days in Islam’s holiest city, Mecca, and surrounding areas of western Saudi Arabia.This year’s pilgrimage will be limited to vaccinated Muslims under age 65, the Hajj ministry has said.Those coming from outside Saudi Arabia, who must apply for Hajj visas, are required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of travel.Read more:Saudia airlines now transports pilgrims’ luggage from Mecca, Madinah to airportSaudi Arabia will receive Umrah pilgrimage requests from abroad starting Aug 9: SPASaudi commerce minister visits Madinah Museum preserving Islamic heritage
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: More than 170,000 pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia’s Madinah ahead of Hajj