Middle East Experience

Parliamentary committee accuses ambassador of interference over tweet in support of recognising interim government..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UK’s ambassador drawn into Libyan political crisis after elections called off

More than a dozen migrants drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean to find better opportunities in Europe.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Bodies of drowned migrants wash up on Libyan shore

The UAE reported the highest number of daily coronavirus cases in almost six months, as it recorded more than 1,800 infections on Sunday.The Ministry of Health reported 1,803 cases of COVID-19 infections, 618 recoveries and two deaths on Sunday.Cases in the Gulf country have been steadily rising at slow rates in recent months, but the last time the number of daily infections was this high was at the end of June when the UAE reported 2,184 cases on June 29.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The country has not specified whether any of the new cases where of the omicron variant, though it announced that it reported its first case of the new, highly transmissible variant on December 1.The UAE remains one of the top countries in the world when it comes to vaccination rates and has managed to report low numbers of cases and deaths in recent months while remaining open to business.The UAE has reported in November that 100 percent of the population has received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 90.3 percent have been fully vaccinated.The Gulf country also made COVID-19 vaccine booster shots available for everyone over the age of 18 amid rising concerns over Omicron.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read more:UAE restricts entry to government sites to vaccinated only amid COVID surge concernsExpo 2020 Dubai suspends some activities as precaution amid COVID-19 surge concernsEmirates, Hosn offer new solution to ease COVID travel requirements to EU countries
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE reports over 1,800 COVID-19 cases, highest daily infections since July

The drug is supposed to arrive in Israel this week
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel give emergency use approval to Pfizer’s oral COVID treatment

A number of armed Gaza terror factions began a large-scale drill amid high tensions in the West Bank and unconfirmed reports that Egyptian mediation efforts with Israel had failed.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Gaza terror groups launch military exercise amid growing West Bank tensions

An INSS fellow also said that nuclear treaty moves should be coordinated with US, and that adding jobs for Gazans won't pacify Hamas.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Public doesn’t think Israel won May Gaza war, but was justified - INSS

Israel will allow Palestinian-Americans to land at Ben-Gurion in order to advance negotiations on US visa waivers for Israelis.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Palestinian-Americans to be allowed to land at Ben-Gurion Airport - report

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has announced that it will commence a Monday to Friday working week from January 1, 2022, with Saturday and Sunday as the universal weekend.The new ADGM working week arrangement serves to bolster the UAE’s lead as the first nation in the world to initiate a four and half day work week, the company statement read.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.In December the UAE announced alignment of its working week with most global markets and changing to a Saturday-Sunday weekend from the New Year.Ahmed Jasim Al-Zaabi, chairman of ADGM, wrote: “As an IFC strategically positioned along the East-West trade corridors, ADGM has been a vital partner and business enabler to local and international stakeholders and customers, augmenting their expansion plans and business objectives.”“With the working week in sync with the rest of the global markets, new and more market participants can benefit from the vast business opportunities and investment possibilities in the UAE and wider MENA region with ADGM as their nexus to growth.” he added.“ADGM remains committed and will continue to advance the economic competitiveness and sustainability of Abu Dhabi and the UAE through its innovativeness, robust regulatory frameworks, connectivity and world-class services.”Abu Dhabi Global Market has more than 3700 registered entities.Read more:International banks in UAE to switch to Mon-Fri work week
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Abu Dhabi Global Market switches to Monday to Friday working week

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior on Monday announced that a man had been executed in Riyadh for planning to target public civilian gatherings through a suicide mission under the direction of ISIS.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The ministry said the man had an explosive belt and photographs of the target with him.The man had also sworn allegiance to ISIS and adopted their ideas, the Kingdom’s interior ministry added.In October, Saudi Arabia executed a citizen in the Eastern Province with links to a terrorist cell. He had killed security men and a citizen, and was in possession of materials for making a Molotov cocktail bomb, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.The terrorist cell aimed to destabilize the country’s internal security, according to SPA.Read more:GCC: New Unified Military Command headquarters in Riyadh a ‘message of determination’Saudi Arabia executes citizen for terrorist cell links, murderSaudi Arabia executes man for smuggling weapons in planned attack on security forces
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia executes man for planning attack under direction of ISIS

The Iraqi capital Baghdad on Saturday celebrated the renovation of the historic heart of its book trade,..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Baghdad rediscovers Al-Mutanabbi Street after renovation