Middle East Experience

The outline for malls and other shopping complexes was devised by the National Security Council and the Health Ministry and presented at the last cabinet meeting. 
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: COVID-19 cabinet approves malls outline - Green Pass to apply in most places

Britain said on Friday it condemned a launch of ballistic missiles by Iran in war games conducted this week.“These actions are a threat to regional and international security and we call on Iran to immediately cease its activities,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.On Friday, Iran fired multiple ballistic missiles at the close of five days of military drills that generals said were a warning to arch-enemy Israel.“These exercises were designed to respond to threats made in recent days by the Zionist regime,” Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri told state television.“Sixteen missiles aimed and annihilated the chosen target. In this exercise, part of the hundreds of Iranian missiles capable of destroying a country that dared to attack Iran were deployed,” he added.Read more:Iran IRGC chief says military drill warning to IsraelLift sanctions to dispel concerns over Iran nuclear program, Tehran tells WestIsrael can strike Iran ‘tomorrow’, Hezbollah might hit back: New Air Force chief
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UK condemns Iran’s launch of ballistic missiles during drills

Al Dhafra Festival offers the top 10 winners in each category prizes ranging from $1,300 to $13,600..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: All eyes on valuable prizes as camels compete in Al Dhafra festival

From a Somali love story to a deep dive into Congolese rumba, Guardian writers pick their favourite recent world cinema releases..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The world on screen: the year’s best movies from Africa, Asia and Latin America

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) sold six percent of the share capital of Saudi Telecom Company (STC) worth $3.2 billion, the second-largest transaction ever on the Tadawul exchange after the Saudi Aramco IPO in December 2019.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The secondary public offering of the telecoms group was oversubscribed by retail and institutional investors and was announced on Tuesday.Saudi PIF will remain the majority shareholder with a 64 percent stake in the company.The sale of 120 million shares was also the first-ever secondary public offering on the Tadawul market.It was the largest secondary follow-on transaction in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in the last three years.“The strong interest that this offering has generated from domestic and international investors is testament to STC’s enduring strengths and exciting prospects for the future,” said Yazeed al-Humied, PIF Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments.The sale follows the listing of ACWA Power in October, which debuted at $1.2 billion.Saudi Aramco broke international records with its 2019 IPO that raised $29.4 billion.Bourse owner Saudi Tadawul Group listed its own shares on December 8, raising as much as $1 billion.“The healthy reception of PIF’s secondary offering highlights the maturity of the Saudi Capital Market, emphasizing its depth, resilience and strength in response to positive regulatory and economic policies,” said Khalid al-Hussan, CEO of the Saudi Tadawul Group.Read more: Saudi Tadawul Group opens almost 10 pct above listing price in Riyadh market debutSaudi Tadawul Group to offer 30 pct of company’s capital in IPOSaudi bourse operator Tadawul prices IPO at top of range, raises $1.01 bln
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Telecom Company lists .2 bln worth of shares, second-largest on Tadawul

Argentina’s Boca Juniors won the ‘Maradona Cup’ after beating their Spanish counterpart Barcelona on penalties in a friendly match at Mrsool Park stadium in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on Tuesday.Ferran Jutgla gave Barcelona the lead in the 50th minute but Exequiel Zeballos levelled mid-way through the second half and the match finished 1-1.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Boca Juniors then won the cup in a penalty shootout.The match was held in memory of the late Argentine football player Diego Maradona, as part of Riyadh Season.Family members of the late Maradona attended the match held in his honor and took photos with Turki Al al-Sheikh, the Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA).Football legend Diego Maradona, widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest ever players, died of a heart attack in November 2020 in Buenos Aires.Maradona, who died at the age of 60, had battled health issues and underwent emergency surgery prior to his death.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince receives minister of sports, al-Hilal football playersArgentinian soccer superstar Maradona dies of heart attackOld container promises treasure trove of Maradona memorabilia
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Boca Juniors beats Barcelona in Riyadh match honoring Maradona

Electronic dance music DJ Deadmau5 has canceled his appearance at Riyadh’s MDLBeast Soundstorm music festival after a crew member tested positive for COVID-19, a post on his official Twitter account said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The ‘Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff’ producer was originally slated to play a set on Thursday, the first day of the four-day festival, which is being held north of Riyadh.“Unfortunately Deadmau5 will no longer be appearing at SoundStorm as a close contact in his immediate crew has tested positive for COVID,” the post said.“Out of abundance of caution, he and his team are quarantining and not able to travel to Saudi Arabia for the performance on December 16th, 2021.”“He’s looking forward to returning to Saudi Arabia in the future when all are well.”Soundstorm, which runs from Thursday to Sunday, is the second incarnation of the dance music extravaganza that was first held in 2019.Other notable names on the 150-strong lineup include Afrojack, David Guetta, Steve Aoki, and Tiësto.The 2019 festival opened to a massive audience of more than 130,000 on the first day alone.Organizers have said they expect more than 500,000 people to attend the festival in Riyadh’s Banban region this year.Tickets start at $36 (135 riyals) and go up to $800 (2,999 riyals) for a four-day VIP pass.Read more: MDLBEAST bringing David Guetta, DJ Snake, Tiesto to Riyadh’s SOUNDSTORM 2021XP: Riyadh to host GCC region’s first music conference in DecemberSaudi festival organizer MDLBEAST launches record label featuring Afrojack
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Deadmau5 cancels MDLBeast Soundstorm set after crew member catches COVID-19

Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday new exemptions for non-Saudi spouses of citizens entering the Kingdom, according to a statement from the Kingdom’s interior ministry.“An official source in the Ministry of Interior stated that based on the continuous follow-up to the pandemic situation of the coronavirus and what was recommended by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom, it was decided to exclude the husband of the citizen, the wife of the citizen, the children and parents of non-Saudi citizens and domestic workers who accompany citizens from outside the Kingdom from the requirement of conducting a PCR test before coming to the Kingdom,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia issues new COVID PCR test exemptions for non-Saudi spouses of citizens

This weekend will see around half a million people descend on Banban, north of Riyadh, for four days of festivities and music from some of the world’s biggest acts, according to organizers’ estimates.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Unimaginable just a few years ago in a Kingdom, the second edition of MDLBeast’s Soundstorm is a testament to the rapid reforms ushered in by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Last year’s Soundstorm saw more than 130,000 people attend just the first day of the festival, according to organizers.Internationally renowned names such as David Guetta, Afrojack, Tiësto, and Steve Aoki, are slated to perform alongside a host of local talent.Saudi DJs including Cosmicat, Zone+, Anmarz, and Spaceboi will also take the stage.Alongside electronic dance music producers, the festival will see a number of Arabic musicians perform including Nancy Ajram, Amr Diab, Rashid al-Majid, and Myriam Fares.The performances will be spread across a sprawling site consisting of eight different stages with a spectacular arrangement of pyrotechnics and lighting shows.One of the stages, dubbed the ‘Big Beast,’ is billed as the tallest in the world.The MDLTOWN section of the festival site will offer partygoers a respite from the electronic beats, with a laid-back selection of art galleries and clothes shops to browse before heading back to the dancefloor.Tickets range from $36 (135 riyals) to $799 (2,999 riyals).A standard Storm Chaser ticket allows admission to the festival and shuttle buses from the Holiday Inn Hotel in Riyadh’s financial district running every hour from 3 p.m.Storm Blazer tickets, which cost $146 (549 riyals), allow fast track entry and access to the ‘golden circle’ in front of the main stage.VIB (very important beast) tickets, costing $799 (2,999 riyals), allow fast-track entry and parking, and access to the VIP lounge that offers upscale food and drink.Read more: Deadmau5 cancels MDLBeast Soundstorm set after crew member catches COVID-19MDLBEAST bringing David Guetta, DJ Snake, Tiesto to Riyadh’s SOUNDSTORM 2021XP: Riyadh to host GCC region’s first music conference in December
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: MDLBeast: What to expect from Saudi Arabia’s blockbuster Soundstorm music festival

Three European powers on Tuesday warned of..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: European officials say nuclear talks 'reaching end of road' as Tehran warns of blame game