Middle East Experience

The UN is urging the Taliban to publically explain why they detained these reporters, as concerns about restrictions on media & free expression increase.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: UN urges Taliban to release information about missing journalists

Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi told the cabinet that security forces had..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon arrests up to 21 suspects busting Israeli 'spy networks'

Amnesty International released a report accusing Israel of apartheid.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Amnesty: We reject Israel's bare faced lie that we are antisemitic

Cybereason released a report that exposed a level of understanding into how Iran has hacked dozens of Israeli public and private institutions.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: How did Iran hack so many Israeli entities in 2021?

Former President Donald Trump was reportedly involved in efforts to seize voting machines following his 2020 election loss.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Trump directly involved in plans to seize voting machines - reports

The laser system will protect Israel from missiles, rockets, drones and other threats.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel will have laser to shoot down rockets within a year - Bennett

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel al-Khateeb has launched the ‘Digital Tourism Strategy’ to “help enrich efforts of rebuilding the tourism sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a way that realizes the objectives of Vision 2030,” according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).The launch was announced at the global technology event - LEAP 2022 - taking place in the Kingdom’s capital Riyadh this month.The strategy reportedly comprises nine programs and 31 initiatives that will be implemented over three years.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.It has also already received support from the World Tourism Organization, the World Bank and digital partners, such as Microsoft and CISCO, according to the SPA report.Efforts in the sector are expected to provide greater job opportunities as tourism increases to the Kingdom.Al-Khateeb called on creatives to participate in improving procedures that organize the digital space saying: "We need passengers and visitors to be aware that the tourism sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia works under smart regulations,” according to the original SPA report.Tourism in the Kingdom has been a key area of focus, with initiatives like the ‘Boutique Group’ launch, which will develop historical palaces into luxury hotels, or with growing entertainment spectacles, like Alicia Keys’ upcoming performance at AlUla.Read more:Saudi Arabia, Cirque du Soleil to debut shows, establish regional officeDiners in Boulevard Riyadh City thrilled by horror-themed restaurantSaudi Arabia's PIF launches esports group, acquires ESL Gaming, FACEIT
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia to develop local tourism with new ‘Digital Tourism Strategy’

The United Arab Emirates late Tuesday welcomed the prime minister of Somalia’s public apology for a Somali operation in 2018 that resulted in the seizure of Emirati aircraft and $9.6 million in cash, wrecking relations between the nations.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Emirati foreign ministry thanked Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble for his “initiative” to settle the dispute, which prompted the UAE to end a military training mission in Somalia that had helped the conflict-ravaged nation rebuild after decades of chaos.Somalia’s apology “reflects the depth of the historical relations” between the nations and “appreciation for the UAE’s purposeful role in supporting the Somali people and their government,” the Emirates’ state-run WAM news agency said.In a dramatic incident in April 2018, Somali agents boarded an Emirati airplane at the Mogadishu airport, held Emirati soldiers at gunpoint and made off with bags of cash that the country’s security services claimed were undeclared US dollars. The UAE said the funds had been flown in to pay salaries of Somali soldiers and provide other aid.Last month as the UAE dispatched planeloads of humanitarian aid to drought-stricken Somalia, Roble offered a formal apology to the Emirati government for the confiscation of the $9.6 million. He promised Somalia would return the seized funds “as soon as possible.”“A new dawn of normalizing relations,” Roble tweeted at the time. “After a period of cold relations, Somalia & UAE are now on a progressive path to solve their differences & resume the brotherly ties.”Even as Prime Minister Roble pledged to hand over the money to the Emirates earlier this year, President Mohamed ordered the central bank against releasing the $9.6 million “due to its illegal entry into our nation,” his spokesman said in a statement last month. A wider political dispute between the leaders has threatened to further destabilize the troubled African nation.Read more:UN and partners urge feuding Somalia leaders to reduce tensionsSomalia’s al-Shabaab fighters attack town near capital, kill 7, say police, residentsClashes in northeast Somalia force thousands to flee
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE welcomes Somali apology for seized cash, easing dispute

Expo 2020 Dubai is hosting the “Terry Fox Run” on February 5 to mark World Cancer Day and bring the mega-event’s Health and Wellness Week to a close, a statement by the Expo team on Wednesday revealed.Held under the patronage of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority President and Chairman of Dubai-based carrier Emirates Airline Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the “Terry Fox Run” is a charity event organized by the Terry Fox Foundation, which raises critical funds for cancer research.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The event’s organizers, Expo 2020 Dubai and the Canadian Business Council, hope the event will highlight the need for collective action against one of medicine’s toughest challenges, the statement detailed.This year’s World Cancer Day, an annual initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), aims to raise awareness of the need to close the care gap.“Terry Fox is a Canadian hero and his legacy is part of the Canadian DNA. We are honored to act on behalf of the Terry Fox Foundation to organize this special edition of the Terry Fox Run at Expo 2020 Dubai,” Colin Beaton, Chairman of Canadian Business Council Dubai said in a statement.Organized by Canadian Business Council Dubai and hosted by Expo 2020 Dubai to support Al Jalila Foundation, this year’s “Terry Fox Run” in Dubai continues its tradition as a 3 or 5 km non-competitive family fun run. The event is open to all ages and abilities, and participants can choose to either run or walk the course; strollers are also welcome. In support of World Cancer Day, participants are encouraged to wear blue and orange too.“Cancer research in the UAE really gained momentum because of the Terry Fox Run and the longstanding support of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, to whom we remain eternally grateful. Cancer research is crucially important – it not only saves lives, but gives hope to patients and those whose lives are affected by this disease,” said former executive director and volunteer consultant to the Terry Fox Foundation, Ara Sahakian.“Through cancer research, we can also help to address some of the inequities in patient care. Participants in the Terry Fox Run and any other donors wanting to support the cause are warmly welcomed for their contribution, which can be made on the registration page for the event,” Sahakian added.Sheikh Ahmed also supported Dubai’s first “Terry Fox Run” in 1994. “The Terry Fox Run at Expo 2020 Dubai… aims to inspire collective action against what remains a leading cause of death worldwide. While cancer does not discriminate, treating it remains a challenging and difficult journey for so many,” said Reem al-Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Managing Director of Expo 2020 Dubai.“The UAE remains committed to advancing medical research and innovation to improve quality of life for all and we are grateful to the Terry Fox Foundation for contributing to this important research,” she added, according to the Expo press release.Named after a Canadian university student who lost a leg to cancer, the “Terry Fox Run” is renowned for its continuous contribution to cancer research over the last four decades. It is now an annual event, which takes place in 33 countries across five continents.Wanting to give hope to cancer patients, the amputee athlete ran 5,373 km - close to a marathon every day for 143 days - to raise funds for cancer research. When he had to stop running due to the return of cancer, millions of people around the world decided to continue his quest by taking part in a run in his name.Registration for this year’s event is free for children up to 17 years old and costs AED 100 per person for people above that age.All participants will receive three entry tickets to Expo 2020 Dubai, enabling full access to the Expo site. All net proceeds from registration will be donated to Al Jalila Foundation, a global healthcare philanthropic organization founded by Dubai’s Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to support cancer research projects in the UAE in partnership with the Terry Fox Foundation, as per the statement.Read more:Expo 2020 Dubai to host ‘world’s longest New Year’s Eve celebration'Expo 2020 Dubai: Rare yellow 203-carat sapphire worth $4m sparkles at world fair‎Destination Cosmos: Space-themed digital art exhibit set to be launched in Dubai
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Expo 2020 Dubai to host ‘Terry Fox Run’ for World Cancer Day

Saudi Arabia saw its highest number of commercial registrations in the entertainment and art industry issued over the past six years with a 906 percent increase in 2021 compared to 2015, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.According to a statement, the ministry issued 2,847 commercial registers to the sector during the year 2021, adding that only 283 commercial registers were issued in 2015.The total number of commercial registers issued to the entertainment and art sector in the Kingdom has now reached 11,424.According to the statement published on the ministry’s website, Riyadh has the highest number of commercial registers issued, 4,127, followed by Mecca, 3,216, the Eastern Province, 1,701 and Asir, 501.The number of commercial registers issued to other districts in the country ranged between 64 and 441.The significant increase in the commercial registers issued last year highlights efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 as the Kingdom aims to attract investments worth around $69 billion and provide more than 200,000 job opportunities in the entertainment sector by 2030.Read more:Saudi Arabia to develop local tourism with new ‘Digital Tourism Strategy’Saudi Arabia, Cirque du Soleil to debut shows, establish regional officeSaudi Arabia: ‘Boutique Group’ to develop historic palaces into boutique hotels
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia sees 906 pct increase in entertainment, arts records: Commerce ministry