Middle East Experience

Muslims will observe the holy month of Ramadan twice in one year in 2030, according to Saudi astronomer Khaled al-Zaqaq.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.This is due to the fact that the Islamic Hijri calendar is based on lunar cycles, while the Gregorian calendar marks the Earth’s passage around the sun.The disparity between the two calendars means that Ramadan will fall twice in one Gregorian year roughly every 30 years, the astronomer said in a video posted on his Twitter account.The last time it happened was in 1997, and before that in 1965. It is due to happen again in 2063.In the Hijri year 1451 AH, Ramadan will begin around January 5, 2030, and in the year 1452 AH it will fall around December 26, 2030.This will result in Muslims fasting for around 36 days total in 2030: The full month of 30 days for the year 1451 AH and around six days for the year 1452.The Hijri lunar year lasts 354 or 355 days, meaning that it does not line up precisely with the Gregorian calendar of 365 days.This also means that Ramadan falls in different seasons every year – going in cycles of around 32 years.Ramadan 1449 AH, due to begin in 2028, will take place in midwinter.In 1466 AH, corresponding to 2044, the holy month is due to begin during the height of summer.Fasting during Ramadan is observed from sunrise to sunset, meaning that the longest periods of fasting will take place when Ramadan is in the summer, and the shortest when it falls in winter.Read more: What does science say about the health effects of fasting?Saudi Arabia’s King Salman wishes Muslims a blessed RamadanRamadan moon sighted in Saudi Arabia, holy month begins on Saturday
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Ramadan will be observed twice in the year 2030: Saudi astronomer

David and Victoria Beckham’s eldest son Brooklyn Beckham married American actress Nicola Peltz on Saturday in a $3.5 million wedding.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The family made the first pictures of the couple’s special day public on Monday.Brooklyn Beckham, 23, shared the first photos of his Florida wedding day on Instagram.The aspiring chef shared a black and white photo of himself and his bride sporting a Valentino gown, taken by British Vogue, along with another of his new wife’s wedding dress and a photo of him, his father and two brothers, some of which were also shared by David Beckham and the new bride on Instagram.David, the football legend, reportedly cried at the wedding on Saturday “during a heartfelt tribute to his eldest son and his new daughter-in-law,” according to online news media The Daily Mail. Read more:Will Smith resigns from film academy over Chris Rock slap at OscarsThe Real Housewives of Dubai cast revealedFamed Japan manga artist Fujiko Fujio A dies at 88
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: In pictures: David Beckham’s son Brooklyn marries US actress Peltz in .5mln wedding

Sunsets gain new significance for many during the month of Ramadan, with Muslims eagerly anticipating the moment the sun dips over the horizon, marking the end of their hours-long fast.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began on Saturday (April 2) for most observing countries this year, after the sighting of the first crescent of a new moon.Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It involves rigorous fasting every day for about a month.Fasting during Ramadan involves abstinence from all drink or food from dawn to sunset. Once the sun sets, Muslims have their Iftar which is then followed by prayers.Festive foods like dates are typically served as appetizers before Iftar.The crescent moon holds a lot of religious significance as its sighting determines the beginning and the end of the holy month. With ReutersRead more:Saudi Arabia’s King Salman wishes Muslims a blessed RamadanRamadan will be observed twice in the year 2030: Saudi astronomerWhat does science say about the health effects of fasting?
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Ramadan 2022: Sunsets, calls to prayer across the Arab world

Pakistan’s parliament chose a more Western-friendly politician, Shehbaz Sharif, as prime minister on Monday, completing the ousting of predecessor Imran Khan in a political crisis that has sparked street protests and a mass resignation of lawmakers. Sharif’s election brings to a close a week-long constitutional confrontation that climaxed on Sunday when Khan lost a no-confidence vote, although the nuclear-armed nation is likely to remain prone to political and economic turbulence. Sharif, 70, who has a reputation domestically as an effective administrator more than as a politician, is the younger brother of three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. Analysts say Shehbaz, unlike Nawaz, enjoys amicable relations with Pakistan’s military, which traditionally controls foreign and defense policy in the country of 220 million people. After the vote, Sharif vowed to tackle an economic malaise that has seen the rupee hit an all-time low and the central bank hike rates by its largest amount in decades last week. “If we have to save the sinking boat, what we all need is hard work, and unity, unity and unity,” he said in his maiden speech to parliament. “We are beginning a new era of development today.” Just minutes before the vote, legislators from Khan’s party resigned en masse from the lower house of parliament in protest at the expected formation of a government by his political foes. “We are announcing we are all resigning,"”Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former foreign minister and vice president of Khan’s party, told the assembly. The mass resignations will require fresh by-elections in well over 100 seats. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had submitted papers nominating Qureshi as its candidate for prime minister. The younger Sharif emerged as the leader of a united opposition to topple Khan, a former cricket star who has claimed that the United States was behind his downfall, which Washington has denied. Sharif said in an interview last week good relations with the United States were critical for Pakistan for better or for worse, in stark contrast to Khan's prickly ties to Washington. Nawaz Sharif was barred by the Supreme Court in 2017 from holding public office and subsequently went abroad for medical treatment after serving just a few months of a 10-year jail sentence for corruption charges. “There can’t be any bigger insult to this country,” Khan, ousted in a no-confidence vote by the same assembly in the early hours of Sunday, told reporters on Monday on the prospect of Sharif being elected. No elected prime minister has completed a full term in the nuclear-armed nation since it won independence from colonial power Great Britain in 1947, though Khan is the first to be removed by a no-confidence vote. The military has ruled the country of 220 million people for almost half its nearly 75-year history. It viewed Khan and his conservative agenda favorably when he won election in 2018. But that support waned after a falling-out over the appointment of military intelligence chief and economic troubles that last week led to the largest interest rate rise in decades. Khan remained defiant following his defeat in parliament. Thousands of his supporters in several cities held protests against his ousting that went on until Monday's early hours.Read more:Ousted Pakistani PM Khan’s party resigns from lower house of parliamentPakistan’s parliament set to elect new prime ministerPakistan parliament begins voting on no-confidence motion to oust PM Khan
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Shehbaz Sharif elected as Pakistan’s new prime minister

The IDF's involvement in stifling terror is "dictated only by the operational need," Defense Minister Benny Gantz said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israeli forces under 'no restrictions' against Palestinian terrorists - Gantz

In her new, unpaid position, Tishby will represent Yair Lapid “in all circles of influence” in the battle against antisemitism and delegitimization.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Lapid appoints activist actress Noa Tishby as antisemitism envoy

Would be second meeting between a pope and leader of the Russian Orthodox Church since the Great Schism that split Christianity in 1054.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Vatican mulling historic Jerusalem meeting between pope, Russian patriarch

Pope Francis has made clear his opposition to Russia's actions.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Vatican mulling Jerusalem meeting between pope, Russian patriarch -sources

Officials in Israel’s national institutions do not see any potential rise in interest in aliyah to Israel as a result of the possible political change.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: If Marine Le Pen wins in France, French Jews mull aliyah to Israel

Farmers need help to adapt to changing conditions, through measures such as adopting drought-resistant crop varieties and better drip irrigation systems..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Drought, extreme heat cripple Iraqi crops