Middle East Experience

The book “Haifa Republic” is a noble effort to salvage a worldview that no longer has anything to offer..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The Two-State Solution Is Dead—and Liberal Zionists Can’t Save It

A host of firework displays are set to light up the skies at some of the United Arab Emirates’ key landmarks on New Year’s Eve as revellers set to ring in 2022.In Dubai, there will be a total of 36 firework displays across 29 locations as the emirate.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.End-of-year celebrations will take place at Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab, with the landmark to host a musical line-up and a fireworks display, and the annual fireworks extravaganza at the Burj Khalifa where visitors can also expect to see pyrotechnics And spectacular light shows.Dubai’s Global Village is also set to host eight different firework shows, according to the Dubai Media Office, while Dubai’s Atlantis hotel will ring in the New Year with a 30-band live performance, fireworks and a special guest appearance from international singing star Robbie Williams.At Ain Dubai, in Dubai’s Bluewater’s, residents can watch fireworks, drone shows and several performances.At Expo 2020 Dubai, spectators can enjoy a drone countdown to 2022, and two firework displays, earmarked for midnight and at 3am.Billed as the longest New Year celebration in the world, spanning the time zones of all participating countries at the event, the Expo festivities will take place at various locations across the site over a 13-hour period.At the site, 12 international and Dubai-based DJs are lining up to give 2021 a record-breaking send-off, with acts including, Armin van Buuren, DJ Skip, Kanika Kapoor, Anyasa and Dimitri Vegas.There will also be a Time-Square-style ball drop at al-Wasl Plaza ahead of the clock chiming midnight.Dubai Festival City Mall is also hosting a New Year’s Eve spectacular with a laser, light and fountain show, fireworks and live entertainment, with Dubai’s La Mer is also scheduled to put on a firework display at midnight.In Abu Dhabi, the emirate is attempting to break three Guinness World Records as part of the Sheikh Zayed Festival’s New Year’s eve celebrations, including a 40-mimute firework display and a gigantic drone show at al-Wathba, with the emirate’s Yas Island will close 2021 with firework displays and live music.Abu Dhabi’s Corniche will host a New Year’s Eve celebration with a firework display, while at al-Maryah Island, with Arab pop stars Hussain al-Jassimi, Balqees and Elissa are to perform at a concert ahead of a fireworks show.Read more:Thunderstorms, heavy rainfall reported across the UAE ahead of NYE celebrationsExpo 2020 Dubai to host ‘world’s longest New Year’s Eve celebration'
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Fireworks show, celebrity performers planned across the UAE on NYE to ring in 2022

Every year in December, the team at Qantara.de takes a look back at the articles that proved most popular with our readers. This year is no different. Here is a run-down of the stories that mattered most to you in 2021. Happy New Year to all our readers!.
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Best of Qantara.de 2021: Top ten most-read articles on Qantara.de

The UAE has reported another increase in daily coronavirus cases, with 2,426 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said on Friday.The ministry also reported 875 recoveries in the previous 24 hours and two new virus-related deathsFor more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The numbers reflect a climb from 2,336 cases of COVID-19 infections reported on Thursday.To date, there have been 761,937 cases of COVID-19 in the country, 745,055 recoveries and 2,164 deaths.Cases in the Gulf country have been steadily rising at slow rates in recent months, with Friday’s figures reflecting the highest number of new cases in nine months.However, 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.Read more:UAE reports another incline in daily COVID-19 cases, records 2,366 cases in 24 hours
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE reports another daily rise COVID-19 cases, records 2,426 cases in 24 hours

As the traditional dance is increasingly associated with nightclub culture, Amie Sultan seeks to change perceptions of the artform and those who perform it..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: ‘Belly dance is being hidden in Egypt’: the performer hoping for Unesco heritage status

A breakdown on what you need to know about the Russian new year holiday and how it's celebrated in Israel.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: What is Novy God? What you need to know about the Russian new year

Israel Police forces were attacked by settlers throwing stones, after arriving at Kumi Ori, near Yitzhar, to demolish an illegal structure. A number of police officers and settlers were injured.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Security forces attacked by settlers over evacuation of illegal structure

Iran said on Friday the current US administration is also “responsible” for the assassination two years ago of its revered commander Qassem Soleimani, as the Islamic republic started commemorations to mark his death.Former US president Donald Trump sent shock waves through the region on January 3, 2020, with the targeted killing of General Soleimani, who was commander of the Quds Force, the foreign operation’s arm of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.He was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad ordered by Trump, along with his Iraqi lieutenant Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes, infuriating Iran and its allies.“The US government bears definitive international responsibility for this crime,” Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement posted on Twitter to mark the second anniversary of Soleimani’s killing.“Undoubtedly, the criminal act of the United States in martyring general #Soleimani is a clear manifestation of a ‘terrorist attack’ that was orchestrated and carried out in an organized manner by the then US government for which the White House is now responsible,” it said, in reference to President Joe Biden’s administration.Five days after Soleimani’s killing, Iran retaliated by firing missiles at a US air base in Ain al-Assad housing American troops in Iraq, and another near Arbil in the north.No US troops were killed in those strikes but Washington said dozens suffered traumatic brain injuries from the explosions.Trump said at the time that the drone strike came in response to a wave of attacks on US interests in Iraq, warning he would hold Iran responsible if such assaults continued.The foreign ministry’s statement came as Iran prepared on Friday to launch week-long activities to commemorate Soleimani’s killing.Authorities said the main event of the remembrance will be held on Monday, without elaborating.They added that on January 7 a display of “Iran’s missile capabilities” will be held.Iranian officials have pledged repeatedly that Soleimani will be avenged.On the first anniversary of his killing then judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi -- who is now Iran’s president -- warned that even Trump was not “immune from justice” and that Soleimani’s killers would “not be safe anywhere in the world.”During the former US president’s term in office, tensions between Washington and Tehran were at an all-time high.In 2018, Trump walked away from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.The two countries were also on the brink of direct military confrontations on at least two occasions.Read more:Iran, Hezbollah planning attacks on US to retaliate for Soleimani slaying: OfficialsIsrael, Iraqi Kurdistan aided in US killing of Iran’s Qassem Soleimani: ReportIraq wants US, Iran to respect its sovereignty a year after Soleimani’s killing
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Biden White House also ‘responsible’ for Qassem Soleimani killing: Iran

The decision to downgrade Pluto may have been rooted in astrology, not science. Under Galileo's definition of planet, our solar system might even have 150 planets.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Make Pluto a planet again? Removing the 9th planet may be wrong - study

Residents threw stones at the forces and blocked axes by burning tires.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 3 soldiers lightly injured during evacuation of illegal structures near Yitzhar