Middle East Experience

Reports and proposals to be considered at the United Church of Canada’s 44th General Council include supporting BDS and to cease referring to Israel as a Jewish state.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Rabbis decry Canadian church proposals on BDS, Israel 'apartheid'

The UAE reported on Thursday 3,014 COVID-19 infections and four new deaths in 24 hours after conducting 504,831 tests.This raised the country's death toll to 2,204.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The daily reported recovery is 1,067, a drop from 1,285 recoveries on Wednesday. The total recovery count is 764,731.The UAE boasts a 93 percent fully vaccinated population, with 23,141,751 doses administered since the beginning of the pandemic.In light of these developments, all in-person exams have been postponed to January 28, according to a statement from the government body, the UAE’s official WAM news agency reported.Meanwhile, entry into the UAE capital city of Abu Dhabi now requires a booster shot for the virus.Case numbers in the emirates and the wider Gulf have been climbing rapidly in recent weeks after the first cases of the omicron variant were recorded in December.Read more:Saudi Arabia marks drop in COVID-19 infections after daily count neared 6,000Thailand to resume quarantine-free travel from February 1 after pause due to omicronPrior COVID-19 infection more protective than vaccine during delta surge: US study
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE reports 3,014 COVID cases, four new deaths in 24 hours

A bomb blast ripped through a crowded market in eastern Pakistan on Thursday, killing three people and wounding over 20, police said.“It was a bomb blast,” a police spokesman Arif Rana told Reuters, saying a time device rigged to a motorcycle exploded outside a shop in the market.A nine-year-old boy is among the three dead, he said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A newly formed separatist group based in southwestern Balochistan province claimed responsibility in a text message sent to a Reuters reporter.It said a bank was the target of the attack. Police said they were investigating, saying it was premature to link this to Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 cricket tournament scheduled to start in a week or so.Baloch separatists have been fighting a low-key insurgency against the Pakistani government to demand a greater share in the local mineral rich resources.They are known to attack government interests or Chinese projects in the province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, but an attack in a city like Lahore is rare.China is involved in the development of the Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea and other projects in the province as part of a $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is itself part of Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative.Read more:Pakistani Taliban claim killing of police officer in IslamabadPakistani police officer, two militants killed in Islamabad clashTwelve Syrian police wounded in bus blast: State media
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Bomb blast in Pakistan’s Lahore kills three, injures 20

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received Russian special envoy for Syrian settlement Alexander Lavrentiev, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The two reviewed the latest developments in Syria, as well bilateral relations between the two countries, according to SPA.“The Russian envoy conveyed the greetings of [Russian] President Vladimir Putin to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, while [the Crown Prince] conveyed his greetings to [Putin],” SPA reported.Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Adviser, Dr. Musaed bin Muhammad al-Aiban and the Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali al-Humaidan also attended the meeting.From the Russian side, the envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department, Ambassador Alexander Kinshak were attendees too, according to SPA.Read more: Saudi Arabia marks drop in COVID-19 infections after daily count neared 6,000UAE ambassador to US: Houthis used missiles in attack on Abu Dhabi
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince meets Russian special envoy for Syrian settlement

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has unveiled ‘Boutique Group’ to develop historical palaces into luxury boutique hotels, the Kingdom's Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Thursday.Boutique Group is a “a new hospitality brand that will manage and convert a collection of iconic historic and cultural palaces in Saudi Arabia into ultra-luxury boutique hotels. The company will revive the vibrant heritage and culture of Saudi Arabia to create a new and unique hospitality experience,” the PIF announced in a statement on Thursday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Yasir al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, said, “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's launch of the Boutique Group underlines PIF’s mandate to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors in Saudi Arabia that can help drive the diversification of the economy and contribute to non-oil GDP growth.”He added, “The group will enhance the Kingdom’s already unique tourism offerings, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading regional and international tourism and cultural destination and contributing to Saudi Vision 2030.”The first phase of the project will focus on the development of three palaces including al-Hamra Palace in Jeddah, Tuwaiq Palace and Red Palace in Riyadh.Al-Hamra Palace will reportedly offer 77 keys, including 33 luxury palace suites and 44 luxury villas in Jeddah. Tuwaiq Palace will provide 96 keys of 40 luxury palace suites and 56 luxury villas. Whereas Red Palace will offer 71 keys, including 46 luxury suites, and 25 luxury guest rooms.Read more:UAE's Masdar has ambitions for 100 GW of renewable energy capacity: MinisterSaudi Arabia marks drop in COVID-19 infections after daily count neared 6,000LG to establish regional headquarters in Riyadh: Report
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia: ‘Boutique Group’ to develop historic palaces into boutique hotels

The event is taking place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) until 22 January. Young bookworms in Qatar can now unlock access to a vast collection of works by authors all the way from Italy at the 31st edition of the Doha International Book Fair (DIBF), when they visit the Italian embassy’s booth. ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Children can embark on a cultural journey to Italy at Doha's book fair

Washington will not resume economic aid to Sudan until violence is ended and a civilian-led government is restored, a statement from the US Embassy in Khartoum said after two senior US diplomats ended a visit.US Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee and Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield met with families of people killed during anti-coup protests during their visit to Sudan.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The diplomats also met with military leaders in the country who “offered their commitment to inclusive national dialogue, the political transition, and the establishment of a civilian-led government based upon consensus,” the statement read.They also made clear that the US would consider measures “to hold accountable those responsible for failure to move forward on these goals.”
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: No US aid for Sudan until civilian-led government restored, violence ended: Statement

In the early nineties, a revolution in Syrian drama began..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Syrian-Lebanese productions usher in Arab drama revolution

Otaiba said “Attacking a country that is not in combat makes a very clear case” to reinstate the Houthi terrorist designation..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE reveals missiles, drones used in Houthi attack, some intercepted

Palestinian sources said that the PCC meeting, which was scheduled to take place on January 20, was delayed due to the tensions between Fatah and other PLO factions.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: PLO decision-making body to convene next month amid rising criticism of Abbas