Middle East Experience

The Israeli political system is far from being stable for the foreseeable future. How does this instability affect the US-Israel relationship during sensitive decisions?
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: How does Israel's political instability in affect US-Israel relationship? - analysis

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced the launch of an expansion of the Quba mosque in Medina, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.The place of worship is believed to be the first mosque built by Prophet Mohammed. It is currently 5,035 square meters in size.The new plan will increase the total area of the mosque to 50,000 square meters that amounts to 10 times the current size, SPA reported, adding that the new area will be able to accommodate 66,000 worshipers.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.It marks the “largest expansion in the history of the Quba mosque” since its establishment, according to the SPA report.The expansion is expected to cope with the increasing visitor numbers and align with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 – quality of life, and programs that seek to enhance the services offered to pilgrims.In addition to an expansion of the mosque, 57 historical sites including wells, farms, and “prophetic paths” will be developed and revived, according to the SPA report.An enhanced road network and security system will also be designed and built for the safety of worshippers.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s King Salman wishes Muslims a blessed RamadanRamadan prayers return to Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia mosque after 88 yearsRamadan 2022: UAE clarifies COVID-19 rules for worshippers
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince announces ‘largest expansion in history’ of Quba mosque

The US-led coalition fighting ISIS in Iraq said it shot down Friday an armed drone that targeted an air base, reporting no casualties or damage.“US air defense systems shot down an armed unmanned aerial system entering al-Asad Air Base” early Friday morning, the coalition said in a statement.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“There are no reported injuries or damage and all coalition personnel are accounted for,” it said, adding that the incident was “under investigation.”The base, which is controlled by Iraq, is located in the desert in the western Anbar province. The attack comes after four US troops were hurt Thursday when rockets were fired at a base housing American forces in neighboring Syria’s Deir Ezzor province.Dozens of rocket and armed drone attacks have targeted US troops and interests in Iraq in recent months.Western officials have blamed pro-Iran extremists for the attacks, which have never been claimed.In early January, coalition forces in Iraq said they shot down two armed drones targeting the Ain al-Asad base.The US-led coalition ended its combat mission in Iraq in December, four years after the Baghdad government declared victory over the terrorists.But roughly 2,500 American soldiers and 1,000 coalition soldiers remain deployed in three Iraqi-controlled bases across the country, including Ain al-Asad, to offer training, advice and assistance to national forces.Read more:Four US personnel with possible brain injuries after Syria attack: CENTCOMIraq can export more than 3.3 mln bpd from its southern ports: Oil ministerThree missiles fall near refinery in Iraq’s Erbil, no casualties: State media
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Forces at Iraqi base hosting US troops shoot down drone

International Holding Co has agreed to invest 7.3 billion dirhams ($2 billion) in three of Indian conglomerate Adani Group’s portfolio companies.It will provide capital to Adani Green Energy Ltd, Adani Transmission Ltd and Adani Enterprises Ltd which all are listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) in India – through the preferential allotment route, it said in a statement.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The investment is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and will comply with India’s securities regulations.The capital will be utilized for pursuing the growth of the respective businesses, further strengthening of the balance sheet and for general corporate purpose, the statement said.IHC is chaired by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ national security adviser and a brother of the country’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed.Sheikh Tahnoun is also the chairman of Royal Group, which owns 74 percent of IHC, and is chairman of ADQ.Read more:Emirates and Etihad see airline industry recovery next yearSaudi lender Tamweel Aloula announces highest-ever annual profitFast-food giant Americana hires bank to advise on possible Saudi or UAE IPO: Sources
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE’s IHC to invest billion in Adani Group’s companies

More than 30 people were killed and over 100 were wounded in a reported Russian rocket strike on a railway station in east Ukraine on Friday as civilians tried to evacuate to safer parts of the country, the state railway company said.It said two Russian rockets had struck a station in the city of Kramatorsk which is used for the evacuation of civilians from areas under bombardment by Russian forces.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Two rockets hit Kramatorsk railway station,” Ukrainian Railways said in a statement.It later added: “According to operational data, more than 30 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded in the rocket attack on Kramatorsk railway station.”Reuters could not verify the information. Russia did not immediately comment on the reports of the attack and the casualty toll. Moscow has denied targeting civilians since invading Ukraine on February 24.Three trains carrying evacuees were blocked in the same region of Ukraine on Thursday after an air strike on the line, according to the head of Ukrainian Railways.Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have been regrouping for a new offensive, and that Moscow plans to seize as much territory as it can in the eastern part of Ukraine known as Donbas bordering Russia.Local authorities in some areas have been urging civilians to leave the while it is still possible and relatively safe to do so.Read more:Russia acknowledges significant troop losses, hints at end of Ukraine ‘operation’EU’s Ursula von der Leyen, Josep Borrell en route to Kyiv amid Russia warEU proposes 500 million euros more for arms to Ukraine
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: At least 30 killed, 100 wounded in Russian strike on evacuees in Ukrainian station

Italian energy infrastructure company Snam has envisioned Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region to become the next exporters of green hydrogen in seven years, CEO Marco Alvera said in an interview with Al Arabiya.The company has reportedly sold essential hydrogen-production equipment termed ‘electrolyzers’ to NEOM in Saudi Arabia to create the “world's biggest and first real hydrogen hub in NEOM,” Alvera said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“There are a number of agreements in place, and there’s various players working in the hydrogen sector, the Gulf and the region here is a very promising and attractive region for hydrogen,” Alvera added.The company is reportedly working with Abu Dhabi’s sovereign fund Mubadala, UAE’s oil giant ADNOC, Saudi Arabia’s energy leader Aramco and ACWA power. The current stage of partnership and financial incentive was not disclosed in the interview.The CEO also boasted of pipelines in Italy “going into North Africa, in Greece, in the south of France and Austria, UK and Belgium, in the UAE… and between Israel and Egypt.”How it worksThe company’s primary area of expertise lies in designing and implementing hydrogen pipelines and the required infrastructure to support storage and production, the CEO explained.The CEO also claimed Snam is one of the first companies to repurpose gas-based infrastructure into one that supports hydrogen.Bold claims of producing steel, cement, and ceramics using green hydrogen were made in the interview. Even the production of pasta is possible, Alvera said.He attributed all the possible derivations of hydrogen energy to an essential equipment called the ‘electrolyzer’ which essentially helps convert water and electricity into hydrogen and oxygen which is in-turn used to create ammonia and other synthetic fuels.For the device’s electricity requirement, Snam hopes to tap into solar, wind and water energy in another step to reduce carbon emissions,.“Our ambition… is to deliver green hydrogen made from the sun at $25 per megawatt hour in the next seven or eight years,” Alvera said, which would be significantly cheaper than the current gas per megawatt hour prices of over 100 euros in Europe.With the Russia-Ukraine war driving up prices of oil and gas globally, Snam is confident of tapping into hydrogen as an affordable alternative to more traditional sources of energy.European countries have been seeking to reduce their use of brown coal to meet their climate pledges. Natural gas produces less emissions and has often been a relatively inexpensive alternative, AFP reported.However, gas prices have surged this heating season as Russia reduced its sales on the European spot market, and deliveries under long-term contracts could be impacted by Western sanctions over Ukraine or Russian counter-sanctions.Read more:UAE’s IHC to invest $2 billion in Adani Group’s companiesUS moves to choke off exports to three Russian airlinesSaudi lender Tamweel Aloula announces highest-ever annual profit
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Italy’s Snam envisions cheaper commodity to gas with NEOM green hydrogen agreement

The closure adds to an already difficult climate for journalism in Algeria, which is ranked one of the world's worst countries for press freedom..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Algerian newspaper to stop printing, as media woes grow

"There are children [of terrorists] who are left without financial support, it is necessary that they not be taken advantage of or turn to terror themselves," said MK Gaby Lasky to Kan Radio.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Meretz MK justifies PA payments to terrorists, apologizes

Tunisian authorities have opened criminal investigations against at least 20 members of the now-dissolved parliament who took part in an online plenary session convened by parliamentarians on 30 March to protest President Kais Saied’s power grab..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Tunisia: Drop politically motivated investigation against opposition MPs

Anger, indignation, resignation, apathy… they’re all natural reactions to those various truths and realities that intertwine here.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: The Dizengoff dichotomy -opinion