Middle East Experience

Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel first minister to condemn the settler violence against left-wing Israeli activists and Palestinians.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Ministers take hours to condemn West Bank settler violence

Queen Elizabeth’s grandson Prince William will visit the United Arab Emirates next month, his office Kensington Palace announced on Friday, as Britain seeks to step up its relationship with the Gulf state.William, the Duke of Cambridge, will visit Dubai on Feb. 10, with his trip coming as the UAE marks its 50th year and coinciding with UK National Day being held at Expo 2020 Dubai, his office said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The bond between the UK and the UAE is deep and strong and Prince William’s visit will highlight and build upon these links as he has the opportunity to engage with young Emiratis, leaders from government and committed conservationists,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.Britain has been looking to the Gulf countries for trade deals as part of its post-Brexit strategy to build new ties around the world.In September, the oil-rich Gulf state pledged to invest 10 billion pounds in British clean energy, infrastructure, technology and life sciences, expanding its “sovereign investment partnership” with the UK government.Read more: Expo 2020 Dubai sees 7 mln visits, organizers impose heightened COVID-19 measures
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UK’s Prince William to visit UAE next month

Iran notified Turkey of a ten-day cut to natural gas flows but talks are ongoing to start flows earlier, officials said..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Turkey orders cuts to gas use by 40% as flow halted from Iran

The UN Security Council blasted the Iran-backed Houthis on Friday for the “heinous terrorist attacks in Abu Dhabi.”“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attacks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Monday, 17 January, as well as in other sites in Saudi Arabia,” a statement from the Security Council said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The meeting, requested by the UAE, was held behind closed doors.The Security Council expressed its condolences to the families of the victims killed from India and Pakistan, and wished a speedy and full recovery for those injured.The members also reaffirmed that “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.”Speaking to reporters after the meeting, UAE Ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh said she had presented the Security Council with details of the origins of the Houthi attack.She said it showed “clearly that Sanaa, amongst other places of origin, were the place that these cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones were launched indiscriminately at my country in order to target the maximum number of civilians and civilian infrastructure.”The UAE diplomat added: “The attack on the UAE is an attack that is a violation against all international norms. It is a violation of international law.”Nusseibeh was quick to point out that the UAE supported the UN special envoy for Yemen and the need for a political process to end the war in Yemen. “We have spent years supporting those efforts and will continue to do so.”Read more: UAE has ‘legal’ right to self-defense against Houthi terrorist acts: Gargash
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UN Security Council slams Houthi’s ‘heinous terrorist attacks’ on Abu Dhabi

The US Treasury Department on Friday sanctioned three Lebanese men linked to Hezbollah and ten companies based in Lebanon, Zambia and Germany.A statement from the Treasury Department said that Friday’s announcement showed how Hezbollah gained access to the international financial system to raise funds “in support of its acts of terrorism and other illicit activities.”For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“These actions undermine the stability, security, and sovereignty of the Lebanese people,” the statement read.For his part, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said that Washington was committed to disrupting Hezbollah’s attempts to evade sanctions.“Today’s action exposes and targets Hezbollah’s misuse of the international financial system to raise and launder funds for its destabilizing activities as the Lebanese people suffer during an unprecedented economic crisis in Lebanon,” he said.Friday’s move comes just days after three other men and their Lebanon-based travel company were designated for facilitating and laundering finances to Hezbollah.Read more: End Hezbollah’s terrorist hegemony, Saudi envoy tells Lebanon’s politicians
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US slaps sanctions on Hezbollah-linked men, companies for second time this week

Qatar Airways previously demanded $618 million in contractual compensation from airplane manufacturer. Airplane manufacturer, Airbus, has terminated a contract with Qatar Airways for 50 smaller A321neo jets on Thursday as a months-long dispute between the two companies continues to escalate. Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that the latest development came during a ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Airbus revokes Qatar Airways contract for 50 A321neo jets amid escalating rift

The economic crisis has led to an exodus of doctors and nurses, forced private hospitals to close some departments and put further strains on the state sector..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon’s healthcare system on brink of collapse amid crisis

Rescue workers have been pulling bodies from rubble after the site was destroyed in an air strike..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Dozens killed in Yemen prison air strike carnage

COVID-19 infections have decreased in 19 states plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Is COVID-19 retreating in the US? Data paints encouraging scenario

The Gulf’s nascent exchange-traded fund industry took another step forward this week with the launch of the first vehicle that invests in stocks from a neighboring country.Chimera Capital LLC has listed the Chimera S&P KSA Shariah exchange-traded fund in Abu Dhabi. The product will allow traders in the UAE to track Saudi stocks via a local bourse -- a first for the Gulf’s fledgling ETF market.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The fund tracks the S&P Saudi Arabia Shariah Liquid Top 30 35/20 Capped Index, which is up 44 percent over the past year. The gauge tracks the top 30 largest and most liquid Shariah-compliant stocks listed in Saudi Arabia.“The next obvious market was Saudi Arabia -- it’s the biggest market in the region,” Sherif Salem, the firm’s chief investment officer of public markets said in an interview.The fund’s asset under management rose to 70 million dirhams ($19 million) by the end of the week, he said.Gulf investors can choose between eight different equity-focused ETFs in the region, with three in Saudi Arabia, two in Qatar and three in the UAE. Exchanges in the UAE are stepping up efforts to diversify their product offerings and boost trading activity.Read more: Saudi Arabia to auction up to three mining licenses in 2022: Minister
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Fund in Abu Dhabi tracking Saudi shares is a first for Gulf ETFs