Middle East Experience

In a stabbing attack on Thursday, the attacker was shot and killed by an armed passenger, highlighting a quiet but steady trend of security offered by the firearm-carrying citizenry.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Gun permits, armed citizens spotlighted for role in breaking terrorism wave

The Yemeni consultations begun at the GCC headquarters in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and are expected to run until April 7.“A peaceful solution is the only way to end the crisis in Yemen,” the Secretary General of the GCC Nayef al-Hajraf said during a speech at the opening session.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.He said he hoped to see the consultations in Riyadh help achieve peace in Yemen.In his speech, al-Hajraf said “the Riyadh Agreement constitutes a road map in Yemen and the completion of its provisions is a Yemeni demand.”Al-Hajraf also noted the international community’s support in ending the Yemeni conflict and said he “valued” the Arab Coalition’s decision to call for ceasefire.The talks will focus on six areas – military, political, humanitarian, and social stability, in addition to opening humanitarian corridors and general security needs.The UN envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said that the “unilateral announcements from the warring parties to halt military operations are a step in the right direction,” Reuters reported.Meanwhile, the US special envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, said that America encourages the recent announcements, especially the Arab Coalition’s decision to a ceasefire in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthis.The United Nations in a statement welcomed moves by Yemen’s warring sides to temporarily halt military operations and urged them to engage “without preconditions” with UN-led peace efforts, the spokesman for the UN secretary-general said on Wednesday.Read more:Arab Coalition announces halt to military operations in Yemen as peace talks beginBlinken assures UAE leader of US defense help over Houthi attacks, IranThe attacks on Jeddah and Erbil
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Talks for stability in Yemen commence at GCC headquarters in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s government spending on technology has been valued at around $24.7 billion (SR 93 billion) by 2025, the highest in the world, accounting for 21.7 percent of national spending, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday, citing the Digital Government Authority (DGA) Governor Eng. Ahmed Mohammed al-Suwaiyan.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.He reportedly added that the government has been working to promote localization in the technology sector, with investments amounting to 73 percent of the total venture capital financing.He expects that IT services would capture 74 percent of the total demand in the next few years, namely in cloud computing solutions, software and big data.“…DGA has launched the Digital Government Investment and Procurement Program (SADAF) Initiative to improve financial planning and accelerate digital procurement in government agencies, increase the participation of the private sector in digital government projects, raise the quality of work of digital government service providers and operators, stimulate foreign and local investment and enhance local content,” the SPA report stated.Al-Suwaiyan’s comments came during his participation at the Global Entrepreneurship Conference (GEC) on Tuesday, which has been taking place in the Kingdom’s capital city of Riyadh.GEC 2022, held under the patronage of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, began on Sunday and is set to run until Wednesday, bringing together investors, policy makers, and community leaders from around the world to help rebuild the pandemic-stricken global economy.Read more:SIDF, Monsha’at sign agreement to help Saudi SMEs on sidelines of GEC 2022Saudi Arabia records net FDI growth of 257.2 percent in 2021: ReportSun-tracking tech to improve Saudi solar farm energy yield by 20 pct: CCO
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia govt spending .7bln on tech, highest globally by 21 pct: DGA Governor

The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) announced that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has been awarded a Compass Award for its efforts in pushing for more startups and encouraging entrepreneurship in the Kingdom at the Global Entrepreneurship Conference (GEC), the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.The Compass Award is a global award which is given to businesses, individuals, or communities that encourage entrepreneurship in enabling more startups and contributing to the international entrepreneurship landscape.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. The ministry won the ‘One Global Ecosystem Award’ category, an award this is granted to organizations that played an important role in connecting a wide group of stakeholders that help entrepreneurs start their commercial activities and expand their businesses globally, the SPA report stated.Governor of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) General Authority Monsha’at, Saleh al-Rasheed, received the award at GEC 2022 on behalf the Kingdom’s commerce minister Majid al-Qasabi.Monsha’at also won the ‘Brand Champion Award’, which is granted to members of GEN that embody and reflect the trademark of the network effectively by implementing programs and initiatives that encourage innovation.GEC 2022, held under the patronage of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, began on Sunday and is set to run until Wednesday, bringing together investors, policy makers, and community leaders from around the world to help rebuild the pandemic-stricken global economy.Read more:Saudi Arabia govt spending $24.7bln on tech, highest globally by 21 pct: DGA GovernorSIDF, Monsha’at sign agreement to help Saudi SMEs on sidelines of GEC 2022Sun-tracking tech to improve Saudi solar farm energy yield by 20 pct: CCO
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Ministry of Commerce wins Compass Award at GEC for entrepreneurship efforts

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on all Muslims throughout the Kingdom to sight the crescent moon of the holy month of Ramadan on Friday evening, state news agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday.The Supreme Court called on whoever sights the crescent moon by naked eyes or through binoculars to report to the nearest court and register their testimony, or to contact the nearest relevant department to guide them to the nearest court.Muslims follow a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. Sighting a crescent moon heralds the start of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.More than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world will mark the month, during which believers abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and having marital relations from dawn until sunset. They also try to avoid evil thoughts and deeds.Ramadan is sacred to Muslims because tradition says the Quran was revealed to their Prophet Mohammed during that month. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is also one of the five pillars of Islam.The holy month of Ramadan is followed by the Eid al-Fitr holiday.Read more:Arab Coalition announces halt to military operations in Yemen as peace talks beginTwitter, MBC expand partnership to include exclusive contentBlinken, Saudi FM speak about Yemen, Iran: State Department
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia calls on Muslims to sight Ramadan crescent moon on Friday evening

A new Armani Hotel managed by Dubai’s Emaar will be built in the historic area of Diriyah in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The high-end hotel will feature 70 rooms, two restaurants, and a spa, according to the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA).“This is a pioneering project that was born from rediscovering Saudi Arabia’s roots: A dialogue between history and the present that I find very fascinating,” said CEO Giorgio Armani in a statement carried by SPA.“After celebrating the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Armani Hotels in Milan and Dubai, I am ready to take on this exciting new challenge,” the designer added.“I am inspired by this initiative and delighted to be part of a project of such wide geographical and cultural scope.”The hotel will be the third property that Armani has built, after the Milan and Dubai hotels.It was developed by the DGDA along with Giorgio Armani and his in-house team of interior designers and architects.As well as hotel rooms and other amenities, the development will be connected to 18 self-contained residences.The Diriyah Gate Development is a planned tourism destination located in western Riyadh.It will cover seven square kilometers around the old city of Diriyah, which is the historical home of the ruling Al Saud family.It is projected to eventually have a population of 100,000, with more than 100 hotels after investment of $17 billion (64 billion riyals).Read more: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah named capital of Arab culture for 2030Inaugural Diriyah Biennale art exhibition opens in RiyadhMasterplan revealed for new planned city in Saudi Arabia
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Plans announced for new Armani Hotel in Riyadh’s Diriyah

According to some Israelis, the recent escalation of violence could mark the beginning of a third intifada.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israelis struggle with new reality of modern terror

The ban on flags by Electra is still in place, just not for Israeli flags • Nesya Liberman: "The general ban on flags violates freedom of expression and should never have been instituted"
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Bar-Ilan University allows only Israeli flags to be hung in dorms

The leading producer of liquified natural gas (LNG) has signed similar agreements in various countries..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: QatarEnergy joins ExxonMobil in exploration offshore Egypt

Abbas said the West penalised Russia over its invasion of Ukraine while ignoring Israel's..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Palestinian president slams West's 'double standards'