Middle East Experience

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has sent two relief planes to Afghanistan, carrying 1,647 food baskets and 192 aid bags, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Thursday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Supervisor General of KSrelief, Abdullah al-Rabeeah, stated that the aid comes via the implementation of the directives of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Al-Rabeeah also said that the Saudi relief air bridge to Afghanistan includes the operation of six relief planes, which carry essential food and aid, weighing 197 tons and 238 kilograms.KSrelief will be sending further aid carried by 200 relief trucks, which will be launched via a land convoy from Pakistan and distributed to families in Afghanistan, according to al-Rabeeah.KSrelief is the humanitarian arm of Saudi Arabia, as it manages, coordinates and supervises the Kingdom’s international aid.Read more:Saudi Arabia, WFP partnership dates back more than 45 years: KSrelief supervisorSaudi Arabia at UN stresses importance of international humanitarian aidSaudi Arabia’s KSrelief projects help those displaced in Marib: Yemeni minister
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia sends two relief planes to Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry stressed on Thursday the importance of Iran not having nuclear weapons. The two officials held a joint press conference in Cairo.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Prince Faisal said the Kingdom has strong and solid relations with Egypt.For his part, Shoukry said: “We have a special and strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia.”“We are working closely with Saudi Arabia to achieve security and stability in the region,” he added.The Saudi foreign minister also said the Kingdom and Iran did not hold “security talks” in Jordan, rejecting recent media reports.The two ministers also stressed the need for “foreign forces and mercenaries to leave Libya.”Read more:Saudi, GCC, Egyptian FMs attend joint ministerial meeting in RiyadhGulf states anticipate the nuclear dealSaudi FM chairs preparatory session for GCC ministerial summit
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi, Egyptian FMs stress importance of Iran not having a nuclear weapon

Iraqi Kurdish university campuses have become a hotbed of discontent..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Joblessness drives desperate young Iraqi Kurds to emigrate

This is now the second women's only beach in Qatar..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Ladies! There's a new beach for you to enjoy in Qatar

A third of people in the 420-million-strong Arab world do not have enough to eat, the United Nations said Thursday, highlighting that 69 million suffered from malnutrition last year.In a report, the world body’s Food and Agriculture Organization said that between 2019 and 2020, the number of malnourished in the Arab world rose by 4.8 million people to 69 million, nearly 16 percent of the population.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The increase in the levels of undernourishment has occurred across all income levels, in conflict-affected as well as non-conflict countries,” the FAO said.“In addition, nearly 141 million people did not have access to adequate food in 2020 – an increase of more than 10 million people since 2019.”It said the COVID-19 pandemic “brought another major shock,” with the number of undernourished people in the region increasing by 4.8 million compared with 2019.Conflict-hit Somalia and Yemen remained the worst-affected countries last year, with nearly 60 percent of Somalis going hungry and more than 45 percent of Yemenis undernourished.“Yemen had the highest prevalence of anaemia in 2020, affecting 61.5 percent of women of reproductive age,” it said.The FAO said hunger has increased by 91.1 percent in the Arab world over the past two decades.“Rates of stunting (20.5 percent) and overweight (10.7 percent) among children under five years of age were high in 2020,” the FAO noted.It said adult obesity, especially in the richer Arab states, was also on the rise.“The latest year estimate for the Arab region shows that 28.8 percent of the adult population was obese, i.e. more than double the global average of 13.1 percent.“High-income countries exhibited the highest prevalence of adult obesity in the region whereas the low-income countries had the lowest levels.”Read more:Half of Lebanon’s citizens live below the poverty line: World BankSaudi Arabia signs $40 mln WFP agreement to prevent famine and malnutrition in YemenSaudi Arabia’s KSrelief projects help those displaced in Marib: Yemeni minister
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Hunger on the rise in the Arab world, 69 mln suffered from malnutrition in 2020: UN

The US, Saudi Arabia, the UK and the United Arab Emirates issued a statement Thursday welcoming the agreement reached between Sudan’s military and the civilian government last month.But the so-called Quad for Sudan said protecting demonstrators from violence needed to remain a priority.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Last month, the “Quad” called for the immediate restoration of Sudan’s civilian-led government after a military coup.“We affirm our collective and individual support for the people of Sudan and their aspirations for a democratic, stable and peaceful nation. The ongoing protests demonstrate the depth of the Sudanese people’s commitment to transition. Protecting them from violence should remain a priority,” the four countries said.Welcoming last month’s agreement that saw the release of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, arrested in the coup, was just the “first step” to returning Sudan to its transition to democracy, the “Quad” said.“We urge signatories to live up to the commitments made in the political agreement. In this respect we note with appreciation the recent releases of political detainees, and the establishment of a committee of investigation to ensure that those responsible for violence against protestors are held accountable,” they said.Other requests from the “Quad” include the lifting of the state of emergency “in the near future” and a roadmap towards elections in “late 2023 or early 2024.”“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom reaffirm our readiness to support all those working for the democratic transition in Sudan,” they said.Read more: Sudan’s deal a clean slate for Hamdok but lost opportunity for real change: Analysts
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US, UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE welcome political agreement in Sudan, call for elections

Qatar Central Bank will begin the implementation of its reduction strategy for its support packages..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar's central bank to gradually reduce Covid-19 economic support measures

Fleetwood Town set up teams in Dubai and South Africa as part of the League One club’s international expansion effort..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Fleetwood start UAE & South Africa clubs

A new deal between Israel and Jordan represents a big step forward from the Abraham Accords..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Water-for-Energy Is Better Than Land-for-Peace

“Christmas is part of the culture of people born in this country,” Odeh said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Muslim MK Ayman Odeh puts up Christmas tree in Knesset