Middle East Experience

After National Team roster confusion, new and old Israel players were welcomed for World Cup qualifiers.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Blue-and-white preps for pair vs Germany

There have been other reactions from athletes and sports organizations worldwide to the ongoing crisis, with many condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: UEFA Champions League final game set to be moved out of Russia

Anti-war protests have taken place in 40 different Russian cities on Thursday.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Russian police detains hundreds in anti-war, pro-Ukraine protests

The libraries are managed by the Assabil group, which was founded in 1997 to promote free access to books and culture..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Public libraries get new lease of life in Lebanon

How does a couple balance custody sharing with work, when whole schools are closed without warning, or children face multiple rounds of having to quarantine at home?
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: How corona impacted international couples

He also expressed his belief that other countries would join the EU member states and NATO in sending "a clear and indisputable message" to Russia.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Herzog joins call for Israelis to immediately leave Ukraine

Russia has “eliminated” Ukraine's air defences and is looking to mass overwhelming forces around the capital Kyiv, a senior Western intelligence officer said Thursday. He spoke as Russian land forces sought to push deeper into the neighbouring country after launching an invasion with a barrage of pre-dawn air strikes on key military facilities. “The Ukrainians do not have sufficient air defence to deal with this kind of air campaign. Those air defences are now effectively eliminated. They no longer have an air force to fly and protect themselves,” the official said on condition of anonymity. “Essentially the Russians now have complete air superiority over Ukraine.”For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The official said Ukrainian forces were putting up stiff resistance in the face of a multi-pronged attack from the Russian military -- especially around the city of Kharkiv and along the eastern frontline. But the Kremlin's forces had managed to capture key airfields around Kyiv and could look to funnel troops through these footholds that would eventually link up with troops heading south from Belarus. “A lot will depend on the resistance that the Ukrainians can put up, but I'm confident that the Russians will in the coming hours seek to apply an overwhelming force on the capital,” the official said.He said intelligence suggested Russia would look to remove the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky “either through 'decapitation' or through other pressure”.There are also indications the Kremlin intends to carry out a “liquidation” campaign against political opponents left in the city. “We should be very concerned about the potential for very large violence in that city as the Russians take control.”Read more:Russia’s military says first day of Ukraine invasion ‘successful’Germany’s chancellor: Russia is trying to wipe Ukraine off the mapUkraine says Russia forces capture Chernobyl power plant
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Russia has ‘complete air superiority’ over Ukraine: Western intel official

UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the Russian attack on Ukraine via telephone, the US State Department announced in a statement Friday.It said that the duo discussed Russia’s “premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attack” against Ukraine and “the importance of building a strong international response to support Ukrainian sovereignty through the UN Security Council.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.On Wednesday, Sheikh Abdullah stressed the “strength” of ties to Russia in a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in a phone call.The minister discussed with Lavrov the friendship relations and strategic partnership between the two countries, according to reports.They also “reviewed a number of regional and international developments and issues of common interest.”Read more:Ukraine President Zelensky accuses Russian forces of targeting civiliansRussia could enter areas outside Kyiv today: Ukraine ministerUkraine’s president vows to stay put as Russian invaders approach
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE foreign minister, US secretary of state discuss Russian invasion: State dept

Taiwan will join “democratic countries” in putting sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, the government said on Friday, with the world’s largest contract chipmaker TSMC adding it would comply with all export control rules.The crisis is being watched closely in Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory and which has faced increased military pressure from Beijing over the last two years.“We very harshly condemn such an act of invasion and will join democratic countries to jointly impose sanctions,” Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters in Taipei without giving details.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Taiwan Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua said the island will “harshly scrutinize” exports to Russia and “coordinate” with unspecified allies on further actions. She also did not elaborate.The foreign ministry said in a statement the island, which is key to the global semiconductor supply chain, will “coordinate closely with the United States and other like-minded countries to adopt appropriate measures in order to free Ukraine from the horrors of war.”Asked about the sanctions, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC), a major Apple Inc supplier and Asia’s most valuable listed company, said it would follow export control rules.“TSMC complies with all applicable laws and regulations and is fully committed to complying with the new export control rules announced,” it said in a statement.“The company also has a rigorous export control system in place, including a robust assessment and review process to ensure export control restrictions are followed.”Russia is not a major market for Taiwan’s goods. Taiwan’s trade with Ukraine and Russia each accounted for less than one percent of its total, government data showed.The island’s natural gas contract with Russia is due to expire in March and Taiwan will diversify its supplies, the economic ministry said on Thursday.Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, speaking at an event in the southern city of Tainan, reiterated that Taiwan and Ukraine’s situations were not the same, and that the Taiwan Strait formed a “natural barrier.”The Taiwan military’s continuous improvement in its combat power, as well as the high attention paid to the region by “friendly and allied countries” give strong confidence in maintaining security, she added.“We must also consolidate our psychological defenses, strengthen preventive cognitive warfare operations, and prevent foreign forces and local collaborators from using false information to create panic and affect the morale of Taiwanese society by using Ukraine’s turbulent situation.”Read more:Biden’s own aides feared his sanctions wouldn’t stop Russia’s PutinTaiwan reports nine Chinese aircraft in its air defense zoneTaiwan watching Chinese moves amid Ukraine crisis, but no immediate alarm
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Taiwan to join ‘democratic countries’ in sanctions on Russia

Russia has bombed 33 civilian sites in its assault on Ukraine in the last 24 hours, Kyiv’s interior ministry said on Friday as Russian troops advanced on the capital, according to Interfax news agency.“The Russians say they are not striking civilian objects. But 33 civilian sites have been hit over the last 24 hours,” the agency quoted an official at Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, Vadym Denysenko, as saying.Earlier, Reuters reported that two children were killed from Russia’s attack, citing a Ukrainian interior ministry official.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that invading Russian forces are targeting civilian areas, praising his countrymen for their “heroism” and assuring Kyiv is doing “everything possible” to protect them.He spoke as Moscow’s forces reached the capital, with explosions heard in the city that the government described as “horrific rocket strikes.”“Ukrainian air defense systems are defending our skies,” he said. “Ukrainians are demonstrating heroism.”“All our forces are doing everything possible” to protect people, he added.The Ukrainian leader called on people to show “solidarity” and help the elderly find shelter and “access to real information.”Read more:UK Defense Secretary says Russia plans to take whole of Ukraine but is failingRussian foreign minister to hold talks with Donbass officialsICC says very ‘concerned’ by Russian invasion of Ukraine
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Two children dead after Russia hits 33 civilian sites in Ukraine: Ministry official