Middle East Experience

talks were underway to arrange the return of other artefacts from the National Museum in Beirut to Syria..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanese museum returns artefacts from Syria’s Palmyra

The Digital Twin in urban planning is a three dimensional, virtual copy of the Built environment offering diagnostics, forecasting and visualization..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: What is a Digital Twin?

A roundup of the coverage of the struggle for human rights and freedoms, from Cambodia to Costa Rica..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Kill the Bill and period protests: human rights this fortnight – in pictures

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reported on Saturday 4,608 COVID-19 cases and two new deaths in 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health.This brings the total deaths caused by the virus to 8,918, while the critical case count on Saturday rose to 637 from 591 on Friday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Despite a global increase in case numbers in recent weeks as the more-transmissible omicron variant spreads, the Kingdom has marked a drop in cases for two consecutive days. Saudi Arabia recorded its first omicron case in early December, thought to have come from an undisclosed north African country. The total number of cases in the Kingdom has now reached 647,819.Meanwhile, 4,622 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours in contrast to 6,090 on Friday, adding to the total recovery tally of 594,762.So far, the Kingdom has administered 55,042,256 vaccine doses. Health authorities continue with the Kingdom’s vaccination plan in an effort to get the majority of the population vaccinated.On Tuesday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization chief said that the pandemic is “nowhere near over,” cautioning against a narrative that the fast-spreading omicron variant is risk-free.In recent weeks, the Kingdom introduced new COVID-19 restrictions and fines of $266 (1,000 Saudi riyal) for those who break social distancing rules, and $266,000 (100,000 riyal) for repeat offenders.Social distancing is required at Mecca’s Grand Mosque and other public places. Masks are also required in public places, indoors and outdoors.Read more:Rio carnival postponed as COVID-19 cases surge in BrazilUS to suspend 44 China-bound flights in response to restriction on American carriersHong Kong locks down thousands in COVID-19 housing block
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia marks further drop in daily COVID-19 infections with 4,608 new cases

“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.”..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Abu Dhabi as ‘terrorist acts’, impact on war unclear

Fighting raged for a third day Saturday between ISIS and Kurdish forces in Syria after the terrorist group attacked a prison housing extremists, in violence that has claimed over 70 lives, a monitor said.The assault on the Ghwayran prison in the northern city of Hasakeh is one of ISIS’s most significant since its “caliphate” was declared defeated in Syria nearly three years ago.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“At least 28 members of the Kurdish security forces, five civilians and 45 members of ISIS have been killed” in the violence, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.ISIS launched the attack on Thursday night against the prison housing some 3,500 suspected members of the terrorist group, including some of its leaders, said the Observatory.Hundreds of extremist inmates had since been detained and around 10 were believed to have escaped, said the Observatory, a Britain-based monitor that relies on sources inside war-torn Syria for its information.“The exceptional situation continues in and around the prison,” said Farhad Shami, spokesman for the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).The fighting on Saturday morning was taking place north of the prison, he added.ISIS said in a statement released by its Amaq news agency that its attack on the jail aimed to “free the prisoners.”ISIS has carried out regular attacks against Kurdish and government targets in Syria since the rump of its once-sprawling proto-state was overrun on the banks of the Euphrates in March 2019.Most of their guerrilla attacks have been against military targets and oil installations in remote areas, but the Hasakeh prison break could mark a new phase in the group’s resurgence.The Kurdish authorities have long warned they do not have the capacity to hold, let alone put on trial, the thousands of ISIS fighters captured in years of operations.According to Kurdish authorities, more than 50 nationalities are represented in a number of Kurdish-run prisons, where more than 12,000 ISIS suspects are now held.The war in Syria broke out in 2011 and has since killed close to half a million people and spurred the largest conflict-induced displacement since World War II.Read more:Kurdish forces kill 16 ISIS members in Syria prison clashes: MonitorUS-coalition against ISIS faces dual attacks in Syria and Iraq by Iran-backed groupsISIS gunmen kill 11 soldiers in east Iraq: Military source
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: More than 70 dead in fighting after Syria jail attack: Monitor

Retired general Yair Golan's comments, highlighted by his recent description of violent settlers as “subhuman,” have rattled Israel’s delicate governing coalition..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Israeli general turned-critic of settlements rattles governing coalition

Treatment options for those who have sustained such injuries are currently lacking, though the ketogenic diet has been used as a treatment among children with epilepsy for almost 100 years.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Ketogenic diets likely to reduce damage from traumatic brain injury - study

Iran rejected Russia's proposal and the US distanced itself from Russia's attempts at an interim agreement, according to a report.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Russia offered Iran interim nuclear deal with US' knowledge - report

The diplomatic adviser to the UAE President Anwar Gargash met with the US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking on Saturday, the official WAM news agency reported.The officials met five days after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis attacked the country’s capital city, Abu Dhabi.Lenderking reiterated that the US stands with the UAE in the face of “the Houthi terrorist attack,” WAM reported.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The UAE official also held a phone call with Hans Grundberg, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Yemen on Friday, where the duo reviewed the nature of the Iran-backed Houthi attack in Abu Dhabi that led to a fuel tanker explosion killing three.In both these instances, Gargash stressed the need for the international community to take a “firm stance against these hostile and terrorist acts that threaten international peace and security.”He stated that the group repeatedly violated international laws and agreements, primarily, the Stockholm Agreement, which Gargash says is evident in the port of Hodeida which is reportedly being used for “maritime piracy and war financing.”According to the WAM report, Gargash renewed his appreciation for the US’ position which condemned and denounced the attack and called for working with the US and the international community to stop the Houthi disregard for the security and stability of the region.Referring to the position of the UN Security Council, which unanimously condemned the attacks, Gargash says that the Iran-backed militia requires a “serious international position towards the encroachment on the security of the countries of the region and the Yemeni people, and their continuous threat to international maritime navigation.”The UAE official also reiterated that “appropriate international pressure” may help reach a ceasefire agreement and aid in finding a political solution to the Yemeni crisis.“The Houthis have never committed to any agreements and pledges, and will not do so without clear international pressure,” WAM quoted Gargash as saying.The Iran-backed militia frequently target civilian areas and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia with explosive-laden drones and ballistic missiles.The Arab Coalition has been carrying out attacks against legitimate military Houthi targets in Yemen in recent months, warning civilians to not approach or gather around the targeted sites beforehand.However, the recent drone attack in Abu Dhabi marks the first reported Iran-backed Houthi incident on UAE soil.Lenderking's Gulf visitIt was announced earlier this week that Lenderking is heading to the Gulf and London to “reinvigorate peace efforts,” the US State Department said announced. “The Special Envoy and his team will press the parties to de-escalate militarily and seize the new year to participate fully in an inclusive UN-led peace process,” the State Department said ahead of his visit.He will focus on the “urgent need to mitigate the dire humanitarian and economic crises facing Yemenis.”Read more:Arab Coalition strikes in Yemen kill 40 Houthi ‘terrorists,’ destroy five vehiclesArab League to host extraordinary meeting to discuss Iran-backed Houthi attack on UAEArab Coalition says reports of casualties at Yemen Houthi-run prison ‘baseless’
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE official Gargash meets US special envoy to Yemen