Middle East Experience

Since starting their company in 2016, Zohar and Frisch have traveled to Tanzania, Guatemala and India, among other countries, to source spices.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: These modern-day Jewish spice merchants want to revolutionize the spice industry

It is rare to hear criticism of Hamas in Gaza, but Palestinians have found a way to air their anger..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Palestinians vent against Hamas in rare online event

The first direct flight from the French capital of Paris touched down in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla International Airport on Thursday, marking the first direct flight from Europe to the Kingdom’s ancient city.Saudia Airlines carried 75 passengers aboard its Boeing 787 Dreamliner during the five-hour trip from Charles Del Gaulle Airport and was welcomed by Saudi officials, including AlUla Airport Director, Eng. Abdulwahab Bokhari.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Other passengers included Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Management and Marketing Officer, Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and Gérard Mestrallet, Executive Chairman of the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFALULA).Tourists arriving in AlUla are expected to make the trip to watch equestrian events as part of the destination’s Winter at Tantora Festival, including Pierre Durand, ex-Olympic Champion show-jumper.Timed to coincide with the winter event season in AlUla, the new flight will also welcome French visitors to explore the ancient desert city and take part in arts, music and other cultural events.The weekly, non-stop flight will operate from Jan. 30 to March 27 as the winter season events enter full swing.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s AlUla, Saudia welcome guests on world’s first ‘Museum in the Sky’Officials inaugurate first ever international flight to Saudi Arabia’s AlUla‘AlUla Moments’: Upcoming festival will launch in Saudi Arabia in December
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: AlUla ‘Says Bienvenue’ to France as Saudia first direct flight lands in ancient city

The latest round of talks to salvage the Iran nuclear deal in Vienna have been put on pause, the European Union coordinator Enrique Mora said Friday, calling for “political decisions” to break the deadlock.“Participants will go back to capital(s) for consultations and instructions to come back next week. Political decisions are needed now,” Mora tweeted.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The deal -- sealed in 2015 by Iran, the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- gave Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.However, after the US pulled out of the accord and reimposed sanctions in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump, Iran began dramatically stepping up its nuclear activities.Nuclear talks between Iran and Western powers are reaching their final stage and now require political input, E3 negotiators said the talks were reaching their final state. “January has been the most intensive period of these talks to date,” said the statement from the so-called E3: France, Britain and Germany.“Everyone knows we are reaching the final stage, which requires political decisions. Negotiators are therefore returning to capitals for consultation.”Talks aiming to rescue the faltering accord began in the Austrian capital in April and -- after a five-month suspension -- resumed in November.The EU has played the role of mediator, while Washington has been taking part only indirectly in the negotiations.But on Monday Iran for the first time said it was open to direct negotiations with the US, which quickly declared itself ready to hold talks “urgently.”The potential turning point came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in mid-January that it was a “decisive moment” in the negotiations, warning there were only “a few weeks left” to save a deal.Read more: US deputy special envoy for Iran leaves post, State Dept official confirms
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran nuclear talks paused, ‘political decisions’ needed

The first flight, operated by Qatar Airways and chartered by the United States government, departed Kabul for Doha on Wednesday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar resumes evacuation flights from Afghanistan

Rockets hit Baghdad International Airport’s causing “significant damage to one runway and to two civilian planes”,..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Rockets hit Baghdad airport, damage two civilian planes

Lebanon’s Bahaa Hariri said on Friday that he will continue the journey of his father, the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and would “enter the battle to take back” the country.Bahaa’s younger brother, Lebanon’s veteran Sunni Muslim leader Saad Hariri, a three times prime minister, said earlier this week that he would not run in a forthcoming parliamentary election and was suspending his role in political life, calling on his political party to do the same.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Saad’s decision opened a new phase in Lebanon’s sectarian politics and will accelerate the fragmentation of the Sunni community which his family dominated for 30 years with Saudi support.Bahaa, 55, who has not held public office before and largely kept away from politics, said in a recorded speech sent to news outlets that he “will fight the battle to restore the country and restore the sovereignty of the country from its occupiers.”A businessman whose interests include real estate investments in Lebanon and Jordan, Bahaa, a Lebanese-Saudi national, said that he would continue his father’s path.He added that “any misinformation or intimidation” alluding to a power vacuum among Lebanon’s Sunni Muslims “serves only the enemies of the country.”Saad cited Iran’s influence as one of the reasons he saw little hope of positive change for Lebanon.His move has injected huge uncertainty into Lebanese politics just months ahead of the election, in which Hezbollah’s adversaries had hoped to overturn a majority it won with its allies in 2018.Bahaa has been an open, fierce critic of his brother’s policy towards Iran-backed Shia group, Hezbollah.“The son of the martyr Rafik Hariri will not leave Lebanon, I am with you and very soon I will be among you,” Bahaa said in his speech.Read more: US ‘very concerned’ about Lebanon energy crisis
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Lebanon’s Bahaa Rafik Hariri says he will follow father into politics

The Lebanese government, in a letter to Gulf states, would say that the Lebanon “will not be a launchpad for activities that violates Arab countries,” sources familiar with the letter told Reuters on Friday.The Lebanese foreign minister will deliver the letter in response to a Kuwaiti proposal of confidence-building measures to end a diplomatic rift with Gulf states on Saturday in an Arab ministerial meeting in Kuwait. For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The letter would say that Lebanon respects UN resolutions to ensure civil peace and national stability of Lebanon and that the government commits verbally and actually to the disassociation policy, the sources added.Read more: US ‘very concerned’ about Lebanon energy crisis
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Lebanon govt says ‘will not be launchpad for activities that violate countries’

Those that are unhealthy may suffer from heart disease or type 2 diabetes.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Specific genes determine why some obese are protected from some diseases - study

The US is planning to reroute $67 million of military assistance for Lebanon's armed forces, as more than half of Lebanon's 6 million people have fallen into poverty.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: US plans to reroute M in aid towards Lebanon's armed forces