Middle East Experience

The movement's deputy Foreign Minister said it was the responsibility of countries like the United States to help Afghanistan recover after decades of war.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Afghan Taliban leaders appeal for help as migrant crisis looms

Few people are wondering what Eilat looks like; many more are wondering why Israel allowed an international beauty pageant to take place within its borders while it is not allowing foreigners entry.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Miss Universe: Israel has no time for PR amid Omicron - editorial

A new Netflix drama series showcasing Istanbul's Jewish community in the 1950s depicts a once multicultural city. It is a production that pulls no punches, exposing dark chapters in modern Turkish history. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Jews in Turkey: Netflix’ “The Club” and Istanbul’s difficult past

A New York Times investigation found that the American air war in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan has been plagued by flawed intelligence, poor targeting and thousands of civilian deaths..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: What to Know About the Civilian Casualty Files

The British government is monitoring the latest COVID-19 data on an almost hourly basis and will do whatever is necessary to tackle the spread, health minister Sajid Javid told Sky News on Sunday.New COVID-19 restrictions are inevitable as without them Britain will see public services such as the National Health Service (NHS) on the verge of collapse, Khan said.“I think it’s inevitable,” Khan told the BBC when asked about the likelihood of further restrictions. “If we don’t bring in new restrictions sooner rather than later you’re going to see even more positive cases and potentially public services like the NHS on the verge of collapse, if not collapsing.”For the latest coronavirus updates, visit our dedicate page.Javid said analysis of the data suggested around 60 percent of all new COVID-19 cases in England are the fast-spreading omicron variant, but the country was in a better position than last Christmas thanks to things such as vaccinations and testing.Asked about reports of possible further measures, Javid said: “We will do what is necessary but it has got to be backed up by the data ... we are watching the data, discussing it with our scientists and our best advisers almost on an hourly basis and we will monitor that very carefully we will keep the situation under review.”Read more:UK feels tighter border controls not effective in COVID fight: PM’s spokesmanSaudi Arabia urges against travel outside Kingdom amid COVID-19 concernsLondon mayor Sadiq Khan declares ‘major incident’ over omicron spread
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: New COVID-19 restrictions ‘inevitable’ in UK: Health minister

Iran has detected its first case of infection by the new omicron variant of the coronavirus, state TV reported Sunday.The announcement comes as the variant spreads around the globe less than a month after scientists alerted the World Health Organization to the concerning-looking version.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section. Iran has vaccinated some 60 percent of its population of roughly 85 million people with two doses of coronavirus vaccines.The coronavirus has killed more than 131,000 people in Iran, the worst fatality rate in the Middle East. On August 24 alone, 709 people died of the illness. The number of deaths has decreased in recent months due to the vaccination, experts say.Iran accelerated vaccinations in recent weeks. More than 50 million Iranians have received their second shots, and 3.5 million have received the third shots.Only 7 million Iranians had received vaccinations when President Ebrahin Raisi formed his administration in late August.Iran generally uses the China-made Sinopharm vaccine, though the Russian Sputnik-V and the vaccine made by the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca are also in use.Iranian officials urged people who got two doses of vaccine to get their third dose as soon as possible.Read more: London mayor Sadiq Khan declares ‘major incident’ over omicron spreadSaudi Arabia urges against travel outside Kingdom amid COVID-19 concerns
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran announces detection of its first omicron COVID-19 variant case

The United Arab Emirates has announced January 1 as a New Year holiday for the public sector, giving employees of all ministries and federal entities a three-day weekend.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The New Year holiday for all ministries and federal entities has been announced as Saturday, [January 1, 2022], with official duty to resume on Monday, [January 3]” the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Sunday.“The announcement was made Sunday in a circular issued by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and is based on the new weekday work system in the federal government sector.”Earlier this month, the UAE announced it will shift to a working week of four and half days with a Saturday-Sunday weekend from the start of 2021 to better align its economy with global markets, but private companies will be free to choose their own working week.The oil-producing Gulf state, the region's commercial, trade and tourism hub, currently has a Friday-Saturday weekend. From January 1, however, the weekend will start on Friday afternoon, including for schools, a government circular said.“Each company, depending on the sector they operate in and what suits and serves their business best, can choose the weekend they decide for their employees,” Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation Abdulrahman al-Awar told Reuters.The government also said the longer weekend would improve employees' work-life balance.The UAE said the move would “ensure smooth financial, trade and economic transactions with countries that follow a Saturday-Sunday weekend, facilitating stronger international business links and opportunities” for UAE-based and multinational firms.The change will impact state entities like the central bank, which would communicate details about the new working hours to commercial banks, said al-Awar, adding that UAE stock exchanges would also be more integrated with global markets.“This change will enhance the integration of the banking sector in the UAE with the banking community internationally... it will eliminate the gap that existed in the past,” he said.With ReutersRead more: UAE government moves to 4.5 day working week, weekends to be on Saturdays, SundaysDubai Financial Market to shift to Monday to Friday weekUAE minister urges private sector to adopt shorter work week, adjust benefits
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE announces New Year holiday, three-day weekend for public sector

Devlet Bahceli said that the new economic policy would succeed despite a..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Erdogan faces backlash from business community over monetary policy

Qatar has conducted its first-of-its-kind research to explore the results of excessive use of digital devices among adolescents..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar experts take first steps to help teens with internet addiction

The decision has been described as..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Clashes erupt between French police, fans following 'racist' ban on FIFA Arab Cup celebrations