Middle East Experience

The European Union (EU) and India agreed on Monday to set up a trade and technology council to step up cooperation, as the bloc’s chief held talks with officials in New Delhi who have seen a flurry of top visits since the start of the Ukraine war.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is on a two-day trip to India’s capital, part of Western efforts to encourage New Delhi to reduce ties to Russia, its main weapons supplier, following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.India has refrained from explicitly condemning Russia’s invasion, while calling for an immediate end to violence. Moscow calls its actions in Ukraine a “special military operation.”The US is the only other country that has a technical agreement with the EU similar to the one signed on Monday with India.“I think this relationship today is more important than ever,” von der Leyen said in her opening remarks during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We have a lot in common but we are also facing a challenging political landscape.”She identified cooperation on security, climate change and trade as the main areas of focus.“Both sides agreed that rapid changes in the geopolitical environment highlight the need for joint in-depth strategic engagement,” an EU-India joint statement said.“The Trade and Technology Council will provide the political steer and the necessary structure to operationalize political decisions, coordinate technical work, and report to the political level to ensure implementation and follow-up in areas that are important for the sustainable progress of European and Indian economies.”Von der Leyen’s visit comes days after British Prime Minister Boris met his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, and agreed to increase bilateral defense and business cooperation. Johnson was preceded by US officials and the foreign ministers of Russia and China.The EU chief was expected to offer to increase sales of European military equipment to India and relaunch talks on a free trade deal, a senior EU official said before the talks began.“They reviewed progress in the vibrant India-EU strategic partnership & agreed to deepen cooperation in areas of trade, climate, digital technology and people-to-people ties,” Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, said on Twitter.Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said after meeting Von der Leyen that they “exchanged views on the economic and political implications of the Ukraine conflict.”Like many European countries, India has continued to buy oil from Russia despite sanctions imposed on Moscow from the US and other developed countries. Read more:EU’s von der Leyen in India for talks, says Ukraine war on agendaPrime Minister Modi visits Indian-controlled Kashmir amid tight securityIndian billionaire Ambani scraps $3.2 billion deal that caused clash with Jeff Bezos
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: India, EU agree to broaden trade ties amid Ukraine war

Saudi Arabia is emerging as a global hub for business, and the Ministry of Investment’s recent initiative to revamp the country’s legal system for foreign investors could result in an increase in international businesses by over 50 percent, Sovereign Saudi Arabia said in a statement on Monday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The appeal of the law states that both foreign and local investment will receive equal treatment as the Kingdom looks to diversify its economy from oil exportation. Over $936 million in funds was recently announced at the Global entrepreneurship Congress 2022 in March to facilitate the access for international companies needed to enter the Saudi market.Prior to the announcement of the new investment law, the World Bank forecasted that the Kingdom’s GDP would reach $820 billion by the end of 2022, a significant increase when compared to 2020’s forecast of $700 billion.However, this new investment law will see more foreign investors come into Saudi Arabia and enjoy neutral treatment, leading to an expected spike in business activity that could top the World Bank’s projections, Sovereign Saudi Arabia, an organization with experts in foreign direct investment, said.This was further solidified during Expo 2020 Dubai, a six-month mega event which brought countries together to showcase the best they had to offer.Interest in new businesses entering the Kingdom has been catalyzed by the country’s participation in the Expo, which highlighted and consolidated the Saudi 2030 Vision and ambitious economic growth agenda.“The KSA Pavilion created a new awareness of Saudi Arabia’s business potential to more than 4.6 million visitors and this new Investment Law only adds to the momentum to further reinforce KSA’s position as one of the most globally appealing places to conduct business,” the Managing Director of Sovereign Saudi Arabia Paul Arnold was quoted as saying.“By legally enforcing the principle of competitive neutrality to public and private investors, this removes any previous commercial barriers-to-entry. Whether you’re looking to expand your company’s presence or launch your brand for the first time, if you have a contract in-hand, it has never been a better time to enter and invest in the Saudi market,” he added.The new law will grant foreign investors the freedom to manage, sell, and dispose of their economic projects and own any necessary properties, ensuring smoother business operations. It will give both local and foreign investors the full support of all competent government authorities and will ensure that both are subject to the same sectoral approval requirements for registration, licenses, and approvals for permits needed for specific economic activities or zones.Read more:Saudi finance minister says int’l cooperation needed for global economic recoverySaudi Arabia aiming for tenfold increase in air transit traffic by 2030Saudi Arabia safely welcomes 14 million visitors to Prophet’s Mosque during Ramadan
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s new investment law to increase international business by over 50 pct

Russia’s defense ministry on Monday announced a ceasefire around the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol to allow a civilian evacuation from the industrial area that has been sheltering the remaining Ukrainian resistance in the port city.Russian troops “from 14:00 Moscow time (1100 GMT) on April 25, 2022, will unilaterally stop any hostilities, withdraw units to a safe distance and ensure the withdrawal of” civilians, the defense ministry said in a statement.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.It said the civilians will be taken “in any direction they have chosen.”It added that the Ukrainian side should show “readiness” to start the humanitarian evacuations “by raising white flags” at Azovstal.According to the ministry, this information will be communicated to those inside Azovstal “via radio channels” every 30 minutes.Russia last week said it had gained full control of the strategic eastern Ukrainian city, except for its huge Azovstal industrial area.President Vladimir Putin ordered a blockade of the steelworks, where hundreds of civilians are reportedly sheltering with Ukrainian troops.Read more:Face-off with Russia over Ukraine lifts military spending in 2021: Think tank SIPRIWestern plot to kill prominent Russian journalist foiled, says PutinArt seized at US homes as part of crackdown on wealthy Russians amid Ukraine war
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Russia announces ceasefire around Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant: Ministry

The US State Department said on Monday that it supported the approval of a possible sale of $165 million worth of ammunition to Ukraine in order to help the war-torn country defend itself against the Russian invasion.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Ukrainian government asked to buy various rounds of so-called non-standard ammunition, the state department said in a statement, referring to ammunition that does not comply with NATO standards.“The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to Ukraine” of the weapons which included rockets, grenades, and mortar rounds.“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the statement read, adding that the proposed sale would improve Ukraine’s capability to meet “current and future threats” posed by the war.The sale will not have an adverse impact on US defense readiness, the department said.Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what it calls a “special military operation.”With ReutersRead more:ICC chief prosecutor to join EU team probing crimes committed in UkraineWestern plot to kill prominent Russian journalist foiled, says PutinRussia announces ceasefire around Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant: Ministry
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US State Department backs 5 mln ammunition sale for Ukraine

Over the last 30 days, President Bukele’s government has trampled all over the rights of the Salvadoran people..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: State of emergency has created a perfect storm of human rights violations in El Salvador

An annual fee, proposed by United Torah Judaism MKs Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev, would rise from 50 shekels to 3500.

Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Knesset members bark at dog tax proposed by haredim

The Lebanese military announced that 47 people were rescued, while seven bodies including that of a young girl had been recovered..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Migrant shipwreck sparks outrage, Lebanese navy blamed

Bennett erred in not moving his family to the official residence in Jerusalem at the beginning of his term. Why? Because symbols are important; they confer legitimacy.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: These are the trappings that come with being prime minister - analysis

Responding to the conviction of Osman Kavala allegedly for “attempting to overthrow the government” and 18-year sentences for seven other defendants for aiding him, Nils Muižnieks, Amnesty International’s Europe Director, said: “Today, we have witnessed a travesty of justice of spectacular proportions. This verdict deals a devastating blow not only to Osman Kavala, his co-defendants ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Turkey: Conviction of Osman Kavala a ‘devastating blow’ for human rights

It has become so important in Israel that even foreign diplomats open their residences for such experiences, and people in other countries where there are Holocaust survivors, do the same.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Holocaust Remembrance Day: Zikaron Basalon gives everyone pause to think