Middle East Experience

The US is putting pressure on European allies to agree on potential sanctions against Russia, worried about slow progress despite weeks of talks and heightened concerns that President Vladimir Putin could soon invade Ukraine, said people familiar with discussions that have taken place this week.The Biden administration has also discussed the range of possible actions by Moscow it believes should trigger retaliation, the people said. Aside from sending troops into Ukraine, it could include any effort to engineer a coup against Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy or other acts to destabilize his government.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The talks between the US and bigger European powers come as meetings this week with Russia failed to shed light on Moscow’s intentions. While Putin has denied he currently plans to invade Ukraine he is demanding security guarantees from NATO that the security alliance says it cannot deliver, and he’s continuing to build a massive troop presence on the border.Presenting a united front on economic deterrence is a crucial lever in the attempts to steer Putin off military action, especially as there are no set dates for further discussions with Moscow. Russian officials stepped up their rhetoric on Thursday, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov saying the talks with Western nations were at “a dead end.Those comments hit the ruble, which was the worst performer on the day against the dollar in emerging markets.The US prodding on sanctions underscores a growing sense of impatience in the Biden administration about the European stance. For one thing, American officials are unhappy that European nations haven’t agreed on the exact sanctions they’d roll out if Russia invades Ukraine. For another, the US worries European leaders are ill-prepared to respond if Putin takes action that falls short of an all-out invasion, such as cyberattacks or stepped-up disinformation campaigns.One person familiar with the US position said European officials acknowledged at the NATO meetings this week they were poorly prepared to respond to a so-called “hybrid attack by Russia,” and wanted to know what the US triggers for action were, and how it would ramp up its response. White House spokespeople had no immediate comment.For months the US and its European partners have been working on a package that could include measures targeting Russia’s largest banks and export controls on advanced technologies in key industries and high-tech goods.Some big western European members of the European Union have raised questions about the impact some of the penalties under discussion could have on their own economies, according to people familiar with the discussions. That includes the potential that Putin responds by cutting off crucial gas supplies to Europe.The allies are working through economic impact assessments and technical discussions about the proposed measures, and the Biden administration is looking at ways to mitigate the impact the sanctions might have on Europe’s energy supplies. European natural gas prices surged as much as 16 percent Thursday on the reality that Russia and the US remain far from bridging their differences.The strongest ideas on the table, such as cutting Russia off the Swift international payments system, are seen as a no-go for some countries. A number of European governments have also proposed carve-outs and introducing some financial measures gradually, two of the people told Bloomberg News.The bulk of any EU-wide response would have to be unanimously agreed by all 27 member states. The hope, one person said, is that a package can be finalized when the bloc’s foreign ministers next meet on Jan. 24.Read more: US envoy warns of escalation amid ‘drumbeat of war’ in Russia tensions
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US pushes Europe to sort sanctions plan with wary eye on Russia’s Putin

An explosion from a hand grenade hit the headquarters of Iraqi parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi’s Taqaddum party in Baghdad early on Friday wounding two guards, police sources said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The blast caused damage to the building’s doors and windows, police said.No group claimed responsibility and there was no comment from al-Halbousi or the Iraqi government immediately for the incident.A similar incident hours later targeted the Baghdad headquarters of the Azm party of another Sunni Muslim politician, Khamis al-Khanjar, police said, but caused only light damage.There was no claim of responsibility for the second incident.Iraq’s parliament, newly elected after an October 10 general election in which the powerful Shia Islam cleric Moqtada al-Sadr was the biggest winner, voted to reinstate al-Halbousi for his second term as speaker on Sunday.Iran-backed Shia parties and which rival Sadr, opposed the selection of al-Halbousi.Read more:Rockets target US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraqi woman, girl injured: OfficialsAt least six people killed as scaffolding collapses at Iraq shia pilgrimage siteIraq's new parliament elects speaker in first step towards establishing a government
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Grenade explosion rocks Iraqi parliament speaker's headquarters, wounds two

Ten injuries were reported after a fire broke out during maintenance on a gas liquefaction unit at Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi refinery on Friday.Seven of the injured were transferred to al-Adan Hospital to complete treatment, of which five of them experienced severe burns and two with moderate burns, according to a statement by the Kuwait National Petroleum Company.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Three minor burn victims were being treated at the refinery clinic, according to the statement published in a Twitter thread.The fire was reported at the Gas Liquefaction Unit No. 32 at the Mina al-Ahmadi Refinery.The company claimed to have activated the emergency plan, and reported that the firefighting teams were able to “fully control the fire.”The company also confirmed that the refinery and export operations were not affected by the fire since the damaged unit was out of service.The refinery was built to handle 25,000 barrels of oil a day to supply Kuwait’s domestic market primarily with gasoline and diesel.The facility recently underwent an expansion to reduce its emissions and boost capacity to 346,000 barrels a day.Kuwait, a nation home to 4.1 million people, has the world’s sixth-largest known oil reserves.With Reuters and The Associated Press.Read more: Explosion, fire at Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi Refinery result in minor injuriesKuwait concludes refining expansion to produce less polluting fuel: KUNA
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Fire at Kuwait's Mina al-Ahmadi refinery leaves 10 injured, five with severe burns

Saudi Arabia has recorded another highest-ever number of new daily COVID-19 cases, with 5,628 new infections and two virus-related deaths reported on Friday, according to the Ministry of Health.Of these cases, 287 are deemed critical.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Case numbers have been climbing rapidly in recent weeks as the more-transmissible omicron variant spreads.The daily recovery count on Friday touched 3,511, bringing the total recoveries to 558,546.Saudi Arabia recorded its first case of the omicron variant in early December, thought to have come from an undisclosed north African country. The total number of cases in the Kingdom has now reached 604,972.There are now 8,903 COVID-related deaths in the country.Health authorities continue with the Kingdom's vaccination plan in effort to get the majority of the population vaccinated.The country has updated its COVID-19 restrictions, announcing new fines of $266 (1,000 Saudi riyal) for those who break social distancing rules, and $266,000 (100,000 riyal) for repeat offenders.The Kingdom also reintroduced social distancing measures at Mecca’s Grand Mosque and other public places in recent weeks.Mask mandates in public places, indoors and outdoors, were also reintroduced.Read more:Hong Kong to suspend transit flights from 150 high-risk countries due to COVID-19US Supreme Court blocks Biden COVID-19 vaccine-or-test policy for large businessesAjman gov't employees must use annual leave, unpaid leave if exposed to COVID twice
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Total COVID-19 cases pass 600,000 mark in Saudi Arabia with 5,628 new cases

Levan Kogeashvili was hit by gunfire while on the way to work.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israeli killed during Kazakhstan riots laid to rest in Ashdod

A Jew disguising himself as a blind Muslim man was caught by guards trying to sneak onto the Temple Mount against regulations.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Jew disguised as Arab caught trying to sneak onto Temple Mount - report

During the past two years, the Arab public has enjoyed the fruits of this dramatic Syrian-Lebanese revolution..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The Arab world's drama revolution

The Chinese government made a series of assurances related to human rights ahead of hosting the Games, including on respecting media freedom..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: China: World must use Winter Olympics to demand human rights improvements

Gaza officials estimate that it will take $479 million to rebuild homes and infrastructure damaged in the war..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: In Gaza, slow pace of reconstruction breeds frustration among Palestinians

Human traffickers typically overload the dinghies, leaving them barely afloat and at the mercy of waves as they try to reach British shores.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Some 30 migrants rescued, one dead as dinghy capsizes in Channel