Middle East Experience

If Grossi had not been holding a press conference on Monday, he may never have said anything about the visit to Israel at all.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: IAEA chief revealed what he wanted from meeting with Bennett - analysis

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, including some profits from Top Gun: Maverick, and to block Paramount from distributing the movie or further sequels.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israelis sue Paramount over 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Responding to the news that the Israeli authorities have extended human rights defender Salah Hammouri’s administrative detention for another three months, Heba Morayef, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “Since March, the Israeli authorities have arbitrarily detained Salah Hammouri without charge or trial in an obvious attempt to muzzle ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Israel/OPT: Release Salah Hammouri from unjust administrative detention

Kurdistan judicial council rejects a ruling from the federal supreme court that Kurdish authorities should hand over control of their crude production..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Iraqi Kurdistan's judicial council challenges oil law

France will stop Russian oil purchases after the imposition of a European Union ban on Russian crude..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: France in talks with UAE to find alternative to Russian oil

There was no immediate response from Israel..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon warns Israel against gas exploration in disputed zone

Member countries of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), which include Saudi Arabia, designated 16 individuals, entities and groups as terrorists, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday.Established in 2017, the TFTC includes the US, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and aims to strengthen efforts to confront regional money laundering and terrorist financing networks.The individuals and entities, which have all been previously designated by the US, include three individuals and two groups affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF), four individuals and one company associated with ISIS, and six financiers affiliated with Boko Haram.Affiliated with the IRGCA Lebanese identified as Ali Qasir and two Iranians, Meghdad Amini and Morteza Hashemi, have been designated for being associated with the IRGC-QF and Lebanon’s “terrorist” Hezbollah party.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.According to the US Treasury, Amini and Qasir supervise a network of around 20 people and front companies in several countries for the purpose of financing Hezbollah and the IRGC-QF by facilitating “the sale of tens of millions of dollars’ worth of gold, electronics and foreign currency.”Hashemi directs multiple companies based out of Hong Kong and mainland China and has exploited his “access to the international financial system to launder vast sums of money for the IRGC-QF and Hezbollah.”The two groups designated for their affiliation with the IRGC are Saraya al-Mukhtar and Saraya al-Ashtar which targeted Bahrain and received financial, military, and logistical support from the IRGC.According to the US Treasury, Saraya al-Mukhtar planned attacks targeting US personnel in Bahrain while Saraya al-Ashtar targeted security forces in Bahrain and also encouraged violence against the government of Britain, Saudi Arabia and the US via social media.Affiliated with ISIS and its branchesA company as well four individuals were designated over their ties with ISIS and its branches.They were identified as Ismatullah Khalozai, an Afghan citizen linked to ISIS-Khorsan Province, and Alaa Khanfurah, Baraa al-Qatirji and Hussam al-Qatirji, Syrian citizens affiliated with ISIS.Baraa al-Qatirji and Hussam al-Qatirji are the founders of al-Qatirji Company which was also designated for facilitating the sale of oil to ISIS and for cooperating with the IRGC-QF.According to the US Treasury, al-Qatirji Company, which is based in Syria, has also delivered weapons to Syria from Iraq. In 2016, it provided supplies to ISIS-controlled territories.“In a 2016 trade deal between the Government of Syria and ISIS, al-Qatirji Company was identified as the exclusive agent for providing supplies to ISIS-controlled areas, including oil and other commodities,” the US Treasury said.Affiliated with Boko HaramSix Nigerians identified as Abdurrahman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Mohammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali al-Hassan, and Surajo Abubakar Mohammed were designated for establishing a cell in the UAE to raise money and provide financial help to Boko Haram in Nigeria.All six men were found guilty by a UAE court in 2019, the US Treasury said, adding that they have transferred $782,000 from Dubai to Boko Haram in Nigeria.Read more:Dutch used Pegasus spyware on most-wanted criminal: ReportMilitant attack on bus kills three, wounds 21 in eastern SyriaEthiopia accuses aid agencies of delivering banned equipment to Tigray
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia adds 16 individuals, entities to its terror list

More than 30 Nobel Laureates have gathered at a conference in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla to discuss the key challenges facing humanity, the Royal Commission of AlUla said in a statement on Tuesday.The second edition of the Hegra Conference of Nobel Laureates & Friends was held over three days under the theme ‘New Openings: Decisive Moments for a Decisive Decade.’For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The conference brought together a diverse mix of intellectuals including; Guatemalan activist Rigoberta Menchu-Tum (Nobel Peace Prize, 1992), former Polish President Lech Walesa (Nobel Peace Prize, 1983), journalists Michael Moss (Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting, 2010) and Jeff Gottlieb (Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, 2011).Other guests included Prof. Omar M. Yaghi, The James and Neeltje Tretter Chair at the University of California Berkeley (King Faisal Prize); and Dominique Langevin, the research director at Europe’s largest fundamental science agency – Centre national de la recherche scientifique, CNRS (UNESCO for Women in Science).Also in attendance were Chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud, founding partner of Aeon Strategy Princess Noura bint Turki Al Saud, and member of the RCU’s board of directors Ibrahim Muhammad al-Sultan.“You have come, you have seen, and I hope you were conquered by what you have seen – by the majesty and grace of AlUla,” said Turki Al Faisal Al Saud, highlighting the importance of the conference.Around 20 Saudi high school and university students, many of whom benefited from the Kingdom’s Mawhiba program for gifted youths, also attended the conference.“The Hegra Conference of Nobel Laureates & Friends is a reflection of AlUla’s legacy of important knowledge exchange and dialogue. It is a powerful attempt to analyse the most critical issues facing humanity today and to create actionable recommendations,” said Ibrahim Muhammad Al Sultan.Over the three days of the conference, curated by Richard Attias, CEO of the FII Institute, and the Royal Commission for AlUla, the group discussed a range of topics including preventing the erosion of culture, the cost and opportunity of longer lifespans, closing the learning gap, and making healthcare accessible to all.Following the discussions, the group will release their recommendations in the coming days with a view to inspiring decision-makers around the world – national leaders, heads of international organisations, large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as everyday citizens – to take necessary actions in the coming decade to ensure that humanity thrives throughout the 21st century.In addition, the group also visited the key sites and communities of AlUla, gaining insight from the destination’s rich history of creative thinking and problem-solving.Located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of natural and human heritage. The vast area includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years.AlUla is home to UNESCO World Heritage Site Hegra, a 52-hectare ancient city which was the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and comprises nearly 100 well-preserved tombs with elaborate facades cut into sandstone outcrops.In addition to Hegra, AlUla is home to several historical and archaeological sites such as an Old Town surrounded by an ancient oasis, Dadan – the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms –which is considered one of the most developed first millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula, thousands of ancient rock art sites and inscriptions in Jabal Ikmah, and Hijaz Railway stations, among others.Read more:‘AlUla Specialist’ launched for travel agents to promote historic Saudi citySaudi Arabia’s AlUla welcomed over 146,000 visitors in 2021 aloneSaudi Arabia signs MoU with Seychelles to bolster tourism cooperation
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Nobel Laureates gather at Saudi’s AlUla to discuss world’s most pressing issues

American two-time major champion Dustin Johnson said on Tuesday he had resigned from the PGA Tour to compete in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational, funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) that begins this week.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“It’s hard to speak on what the consequences might be but I’ve resigned my membership of the Tour and that’s the plan for now,” Johnson told a news conference at the Centurion Club, north of London, host of the first event.Phil Mickelson also signed on with LIV on Monday after months of speculation.“Phil Mickelson is unequivocally one of the greatest golfers of this generation,” LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman said in a news release.“His contributions to the sport and connection to fans around the globe cannot be overstated and we are grateful to have him. He strengthens an exciting field for London where we’re proud to launch a new era for golf.”Mickelson, 51, has not played in a tournament since competing in the Saudi International in February. His last event on the PGA Tour was the Farmers Insurance Open in January.Fellow American Kevin Na said he had chosen to join LIV last week.Read more: Phil Mickelson signs up with Saudi-backed LIV Golf tourDustin Johnson defies PGA Tour and joins Saudi-funded golf seriesFowler yet to make up mind over Saudi-backed LIV Golf ahead of PGA Championship
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Dustin Johnson confirms resignation from PGA to play in Saudi-backed golf tour

The United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed al-Jaber, and senior Japanese government officials and business leaders met to discuss ways to strengthen ties, Emirates News Agency WAM reported on Tuesday.The meetings focused on strengthening the two nations’ economic, energy, and industrial cooperation as well as plans to drive low carbon growth opportunities.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The minister, who is also the country’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, said that Japan was “one of the UAE’s largest and most important energy and trading partners,” expressing the UAE’s keenness to “bolster bilateral ties” and strengthen their relationship “across multiple sectors.”“The UAE is keen to leverage every facet of our relationship, including climate diplomacy to drive economic development, enable low-carbon growth and enhance energy security,” said al-Jaber.“The UAE-Japan relationship is underpinned by long-standing energy partnerships, and we are very pleased to be working closely with Japan to capitalize on the economic opportunities of the energy transition, strengthen industrial cooperation and expand economic and trade relations,” the minister added.Throughout the three-day visit to Japan, al-Jaber met with senior Japanese government officials including the Asian country’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hagiuda Koichi, environment minister Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi, and foreign affairs minister Odwara Kiyoshi.He also met with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, among many others.At the meetings, al-Jaber reiterated the UAE’s commitment and support for Japan’s energy security, vowing to continue ensuring reliable supplies of crude oil and liquified natural gas (LNG), WAM reported.The Gulf country is Japan’s top crude oil supplier, providing it with more than 20 percent of its crude oil requirements.The UAE minister’s meetings covered a range of topics, including the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative (CSPI) between Japan and the UAE which was launched in 2018.During the visit, ADNOC and ENEOS Corporation and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui) signed an agreement to explore establishing a hydrogen supply chain between the two countries. The agreement aims to assess the potential to convert hydrogen produced as a byproduct from ADNOC’s refining and petrochemical operations, and blue hydrogen produced from natural gas.Separately, Mitsui also signed a new partnership agreement with Abu Dhabi Chemicals Derivatives Company RSC Ltd (TA’ZIZ), Fertiglobe and GS Energy in the world-scale low-carbon blue ammonia production facility at the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi.Japan and the UAE enjoy a strong bilateral trade agreement. As of now, over 340 Japanese companies are based in the UAE.In 2021, the UAE was ranked as Japan’s tenth-largest trading partner globally.Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $30 billion in 2021, with UAE exports to Japan accounting for $26 billion and imports from Japan rising to $6.2 billion.The last 12 months have witnessed further economic cooperation between the UAE and Japan, with the signing of an agreement between ADNOC and three Japanese companies, INPEX Corporation, JERA Co. Inc and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation to explore the commercial potential of blue ammonia production in the UAE, according to WAM.Read more:UAE minister meets with US envoy to discuss Afghanistan aidDubai police arrest 2 in South African corruption caseAbu Dhabi’s Mubadala, EQT fund agree to by Sweden’s Envirotainer
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Japan and UAE strengthen bilateral ties, boost cooperation in various sectors