Middle East Experience

The Arab Coalition destroyed an explosives-laden boat launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis in the south of the red sea, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday.The coalition added that the boat came from Yemen’s main Red Sea port of Hodeidah.“The Houthi’s use of Hodeidah port threatens freedom of navigation and global trade,” the Arab Coalition said in a statement carried by SPA.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Houthis have launched several attacks directed at Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in recent weeks.On Wednesday, the UAE called for “ending the appeasement of the Iran-backed Houthi militia” during a UN Security Council briefing on Yemen.Commenting on the Houthis militia’s alleged use of Hodeidah port to store weapons, the UAE permanent representative to the UN, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh called on the body to have presence in the port to prevent using it to serve military purposes and to launch attacks that threaten the security of navigation and countries in the region.In January, the UAE-flagged ship Rwabee was seized by the Houthis off Hodeidah.At the time, the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) expressed “great concern” over claims that the Houthis were militarizing the port, stating that the port was vital for the impoverished country and demanding an inspection.The Arab Coalition routinely carry out targeted strikes in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthi militia to deter the rising wave of violent acts against Saudi Arabia, and more recently, the UAE.Read more:Biden eased pressure on the Houthis one year ago; has it worked?UAE calls for ending appeasement of HouthisArab Coalition conducts 17 targeted strikes against Houthis in Marib, Hajjah
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Arab Coalition destroys explosives-laden boat launched by Houthis in Red Sea

Studies in recent years have shown what a healthy diet looks like and how it can help us live longer.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Want to live a longer life? Here's what to eat

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Iraq’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Fuad Hussein on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Friday, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The conference began on Friday and is set to take place until Sunday, February 20.During the meeting, the pair discussed the countries’ long history of fraternal relations, outlining many areas of cooperation and highlighting ways to support and enhance them to serve the interests of both Iraq and Saudi Arabia.The foreign ministers also talked about how they could enhance bilateral relations with regards to security, politics and economics as well as counter-terrorism and extremism to contribute to bringing greater stability to the Middle East and preserve international peace and security.The meeting was also attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Germany Essam bin Ibrahim Baitalmal.Read more:Saudi Arabia prepares to light up in celebration of Kingdom’s Founding DayArab Coalition destroys explosives-laden boat launched by Houthis in Red SeaSaudi Arabia sees 112 percent increase in commercial registrations for businesswomen
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi FM Prince Faisal meets Iraqi counterpart on sidelines of Munich conference

Seven brain proteins were both identified and associated with rates of memory loss over time and with depression.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Do Alzheimer's and depression share the same genetic roots? - study

A premiere after 4,500 years: in autumn 2021, Egypt hosted its first art exhibition against the backdrop of the Giza Pyramids. Various artists created large installations in the desert sand. More….
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: : “Forever is Now”: Art in the Egyptian desert

The events transpiring in the border area over the past two days are part of a Russian scenario to create false provocations, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Pro-Russian rebels announce evacuation from east Ukraine amid tensions

More than a million people fly Turkish Airlines from Israel every year and many kosher-keeping Jews pass through the Istanbul airport.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Istanbul International Airport now offering kosher food

The US now believes that Russia has placed up to 190,000 personnel “in and near Ukraine” compared to the 100,000 on January 30, Washington’s ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Michael Carpenter said Friday.“Colleagues, this is the most significant military mobilization in Europe since the Second World War. Yet the Russian Federation absents itself from today’s important joint session and refuses to shed further light on its unprecedented military buildup,” Carpenter told a joint session of the Forum for Security Cooperation and Permanent Council.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The new US estimates include military troops on the border, in Belarus and in occupies Crimea, he said.Carpenter’s comments come as the United States and most Western capitals say that Russia could begin invading or attacking Ukraine in the coming days. Moscow claims it has no plans to do so, and the massive troop buildup is part of its military exercises.The US has been warning for months now that an attack could begin at any time. President Joe Biden has ordered thousands of troops to Eastern Europe to bolster the defense of allies and Ukraine.The US also set up a task force for Ukraine, shut down its embassy in Kyiv, and stepped up its warning that Russia was spreading disinformation as a pretext to attack Ukraine.Moscow said that it had withdrawn some troops and forces from the border with Ukraine, but the US has voiced its disbelief. “We have not yet verified that... Our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position,” President Joe Biden said this week.Carpenter doubled down on warnings of Russian attempts to justify an invasion. “Starting several weeks ago, we acquired information that the Russian government was planning to stage a fabricated attack by Ukrainian military or security forces against Russian sovereign territory, or against Russian-speaking people in separatist-controlled territory, to justify military action against Ukraine,” he said.Read more: Russia expels no. 2 US diplomat from embassy in Moscow: State Department
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Russia has posted up to 190,000 personnel ‘in and near Ukraine’: US diplomat

Tensions sparked anew in Sheikh Jarrah this week.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Abbas told Pelosi Israel must halt Palestinian evictions in east Jerusalem

India and the United Arab Emirates signed a broad trade and investment pact on Friday that will eventually cut all tariffs on each other’s goods and aims to increase annual trade between the two nations to $100 billion within five years.The virtual signing ceremony marks the first trade deal sealed by the Gulf state since it began pursuing such pacts last September in a bid to strengthen its status as a business hub.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE de facto ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan witnessed the signing by senior officials from both nations, already major trade partners, during a virtual summit between the leaders.The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as it is known, is expected to boost annual bilateral non-oil trade from $60 billion to $100 billion within the next three to five years, India’s Prime Minister’s office said.“There will be a huge flow of trade and investments between both nations and it’s going to open the door for more business opportunities,” Emirati Minister State for Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi told Reuters.The agreement, which was not immediately made public, eliminates 80 percent of tariffs on UAE and India goods, while all tariffs are to be removed within ten years, Al Zeyoudi said.UAE commodities like aluminum, copper and petrochemicals would benefit from the removal of tariffs, he said.The deal also covers services, investments, intellectual property, and a commitment by the UAE to grant 140,000 employment visas to highly skilled workers from India by 2030.India is the second largest trading partner of the UAE, where each year billions of dollars in remittances are sent home by more than three million Indians working in the Gulf state.The UAE economy ministry said by 2030 the CEPA would add $9 billion, or 1.7 percent, to UAE gross domestic product, exports would increase $7.6 billion, or 1.5 percent, and imports would rise $14.8 billion, or 3.8 percent.The CEPA is expected to take 1.5-2 years to be implemented.The UAE is pursuing similar trade and investment deals with nations including Turkey and South Korea, and expects to soon finalise bilateral negotiations with Israel and Indonesia.It has also announced a raft of regulatory and social reforms in recent years to make business and life easier in the country where most of the 10 million population are foreigners.“We’re moving from a regional to a global hub,” Al Zeyoudi said, referring to the trade deals and policy announcements.Read more: Dubai-based TV maker Maser to invest $100 million in West Africa
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: India, UAE eye 0 bln in annual trade after signing trade pact