Middle East Experience

Oman’s Ministry of Health has announced its first two cases of COVID-19 omicron variant, according to a state news agency report.This comes on the day British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the first patient had died after contracting the omicron variant of the coronavirus.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Israeli researchers said on Saturday they found that a three-shot course of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine provided significant protection against the new Omicron variant.The findings were similar to those presented by BioNTech and Pfizer earlier in the week, which were an early signal that booster shots could be key to protect against infection from the newly identified variant.Read more:First UK patient has died from omicron variantTwo weeks into the Omicron outbreak: Where to from here?Israeli study finds Pfizer COVID-19 booster protects against Omicron
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Oman detects first two cases of COVID-19 variant omicron

Wherever there is a Hamas presence, there is devastation..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The destructive designs of Hamas in Lebanon

Turkey's lira crashed as much as 7% to a record near 15 to the dollar on Monday, gripped by worries over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's risky new economic policy..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Turkish lira plummets to record low over Erdogan's risky policies

In the fifth edition of the Global Knowledge Index leaders for 2021 unveiled on Monday, the UAE was ranked 11th globally and first in the Arab World.Switzerland came in the first place globally for the fifth year in a row, followed by Sweden, the US, Finland, and the Netherlands.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.GKI 2021, this year’s edition of the knowledge index included 155 variables, selected by more than 40 international sources and data bases.The Global Knowledge Index, aims to measure knowledge globally as a comprehensive closely connected with sustainable development and with different dimensions of modern human life, and is prepared by ), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Dubai-based Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF).The GKI, produced annually since 2017, is a summary measure for tracking the knowledge performance of countries at the level of seven areas, namely pre-university education, technical and vocational education and training, higher education, research, development and innovation, information and communications technology, economy and the general enabling environment.Oher countries in the GKI global leader list up to the 100th position included Qatar at the 38th place, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at 40, Kuwait (48), Oman (52), Egypt (53), Bahrain (55), Tunisia (83), and Lebanon (92).Morocco was at 101 globally, followed by Jordan (103), Algeria (111), Iraq (137), Sudan (145), Mauritania (147) and Yemen (150).Globally, the country level participation at GKI 2021 was at 154, compared to 138 last year.“The world is not completely out of the grip of COVID-19, but without doubt what stands out as we negotiated these trying times, is the relentless quest for knowledge that led us to develop vaccines as well as remedial and precautionary measures against the virus. Obviously, this continuing focus on knowledge and its triumph is what has led us to bring back careful normalcy in our daily life, and what has enabled this face-to-face meeting today,” said Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO, MBRF.He said this year there has seen an extended participation in GKI endeavor, globally as well regionally, signifying the increased commitment towards reinforcing knowledge as a key driver for economic and social growth. The Arab countries which debuted this year included Iraq and Palestine, joining the portfolio of 16 regional countries in the index.“When the word stands at these challenging crossroads, the increased global participation at GKI is a robust indicator of how knowledge is the single most factor that will help world nations prosper and lead in front for the benefit of posterity with sustainable focus. In this context, the GKI series has developed into an accepted and prudent benchmark in assessing knowledge-based societies and their growth,” said Dena Assaf of the UN.“It is encouraging to see that in certain key branch indexes that drive knowledge, innovation and education, Arab countries have been faring well and is firmly on the road to progress. Significantly, it shows the positive impact of the awareness that the new world is largely shaped and led by countries that have an edge in knowledge,” said Khaled Abdel-Shafi, Regional Hub Manager, UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States (UNDP-RBAS).The launch ceremony was also immediately followed by a ministerial panel on ‘Rethinking Policymaking in the Age of Knowledge,’ with the participation of Hussain Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education, Dr. Tarek Shawki, Minister of Education, Egypt, Ahmed Hanandeh, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Jordan, Dr. Fadia Kiwan - Director General, Arab Women Organization, and moderated by Dr. Hany Torky - Manager, Knowledge Project, UNDP-RBAS.The average global performance rate at GKI 2021 stood at 48.4 per cent, while for the seven branch indexes of the index, the best performance was for pre-university education at 60.8 per cent, followed by enabling environment (55.3), economy (52.9), technical learning and professional training (51.2), higher education (46.1), ICT (43.3), and research and development and innovation (31.4).GKI is produced annually since 2017 by the Knowledge Project, a partnership between UNDP-RBAS and MBRF.The index includes 155 variables, selected from over 40 sources and international data bases including the UNESCO, World Bank, ITU, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Labour Organization (ILO) etc.“Over the years the Knowledge Project and GKI have been able to facilitate a strategic and forward-looking policy push among countries and decision makers to give more weightage to knowledge-centric development. This shift in developmental vision is imperative in times when sustainability has also become a core issue that needs to be addressed with alacrity, and the institution of GKI has added immense value to this context,” said Dr. Hany Torky, Manager, Knowledge Project, UNDP-RBAS.Read more: Comprehensive plan for development of Arab culture to be discussed at UAE conference
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE ranks first in the Arab world,11th globally in latest Global Knowledge Index

The Arab Coalition confirmed it has carried out 31 operations against the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen’s Marib and al-Jawf areas, according to a statement.The targeted operations during the past 24 hours resulted in the destruction of 20 military vehicles and killed more than 210 militants, the coalition added.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Also on Tuesday, the coalition’s air forces destroyed four drones in Yemeni airspace.Read more: Gulf Cooperation Council summit aims to signal solidarity amid Iran tension
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Arab Coalition carries out 31 operations against Houthis in Yemen’s Marib, al-Jawf

Supporting the nation’s transition to a creative and knowledge-based economy, the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) is promoting culture and community through its unique public art displays from around the world, with two new sculptures that pay tribute to the UAE.Located in Gate District 6 (Podium Level) at DIFC, the ‘Pillar of Fortitude’ by renowned artist Helidon Xhixha, alluding to the numeric 1, represents the seven Emirates of the UAE.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A winner of the 2016 London Design Biennale Public Medal for his best installation, Helidon was inspired by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, when he declared 2021 as the Year of the 50th.Contemporary artist Mia Fonssagrives Solow, known for her refined and whimsical aesthetic in both figurative and abstract forms, is showcasing four art pieces in Red (Bone Form), Green (Apple Form), White (Sale Form), and Black (Eggplomb), representing the colors of the UAE flag. Using enamel on fibre glass, the uniquely displayed pieces are strategically placed in front of the Gate Building flags.The unveiling of new public art displays at the DIFC comes at a time when the UAE is focused on boosting the country’s cultural and creative sectors to support the economy and reflect the inclusive participation of young people and global stakeholders.DIFC is committed to the arts and will continue to encourage artists and creatives from around the world to promote their work at the urban vibrant destination.Read more: Expo 2020 Dubai visit numbers cross the 6.3 mln mark
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Paying tribute to the UAE, DIFC expands its public artwork with two new sculptures

Global pharmaceutical giants are continuing to deny low and lower-middle income countries in East Africa, the Horn and Great Lakes enough Covid-19 jabs to vaccinate their populations to ensure the rights to life and to health, Amnesty International said today in a new public statement..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: East Africa: Global pharmaceutical firms must improve vaccine distribution across the region to save lives

The US is growing increasingly frustrated with the crackdown on press freedom in Lebanon and the use of military courts to try civilians, officials have told Al Arabiya English in recent days.Washington’s anger comes ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections next year and after a military court in Beirut sentenced a local journalist to thirteen months in prison for “insulting the military.” The sentenced journalist had simply criticized the Lebanese Army.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Radwan Mortada was tried in absentia after slamming Lebanese officials during televised remarks earlier this year and saying that the army was to blame for the Aug. 4 Beirut port blast.He has also accused the judge leading the explosion of being close to the US and being “weak.”“The support [Judge Tarek] Bitar has from America and some of the right-wing Lebanese parties only increases my apprehension and concern,” Mortada said in an interview after being sentenced last month.Despite Mortada working for a pro-Hezbollah newspaper - which consistently criticizes America, while supporting Iran – US officials have decried the use of military courts for civilians.“Governments should protect the rights of all persons to voice their views without fear of intimidation, even in cases where we do not agree with those views,” a State Department official told Al Arabiya English.In Lebanon the Publications Court is where journalists are supposed to face any legal actions.The Military Court was formed to bring legal action against security personnel, but it has often been used against those accused of endangering national security or terrorism.The Lebanese Army command does not, however, have a direct role in the military court, which falls under the Defense Ministry.“The LAF [Army] command technically has no oversight over a military court system that reports to the Defense Ministry and Lebanon's political powers that be,” said Aram Nerguizian, a senior associate at Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). “This has turned into a recurring crisis and source of acrimony for LAF leadership,” he said.In another case involving a Lebanese civilian, Shaden Fakih was summoned last month to the Military Court for harming the reputation of the Internal Security Forces (ISF).Her trial date was set for June 24, 2022, after being questioned by the ISF for a video she posted asking the local police to deliver her a sanitary pad during coronavirus lockdown measures.In Fakih’s case, no law addresses how social media postings should be dealt with.But both cases have drawn local and international condemnations.“The use of courts, particularly military ones, to prosecute defamation cases against civilians undermines freedom of expression,” the State Department official said.It is not the first time the military court has made international headlines.Hanin Ghaddar, a former journalist and current fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, was sentenced to prison, also in absentia.Contrary to Mortada, Ghaddar was a vocal critic of the Iran-backed Hezbollah.Like Mortada, Ghaddar was tried after criticizing the Lebanese Army for the way it was treating Hezbollah.“I believe the military court [is] one of the most oppressive tools in Lebanon, as it is clearly politicized and goes after opponents of the political class,” Ghaddar said.She cited the sentencing of Mortada as an example of how all the political class could “infiltrate the tribunal.”“However, it is clear that the majority of its victims are critical of Hezbollah and its allies, indicating the political affiliation of the military tribunal - its head and judges,” Ghaddar told Al Arabiya English.She said that Washington - the largest donor of resources and weapons to the Lebanese army - needs to increase its pressure on the military to stop going after civilians.“This is even more significant today as we see more attempts by the political class to protect itself, and with the elections date nearing,” Ghaddar said, alluding to next year’s elections.The Lebanese Army did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.Meanwhile, US officials have conveyed their concerns to the appropriate authorities and will continue to report on the matter “publicly in our annual Human Rights Report to Congress,” the State Department official said.Read more: ‘Lebanon has become a police state:’ Authorities bow to Turkish pressure, sue TV host
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US watching closely as Lebanese military court tries civilians

Kuwaiti authorities have held eight individuals since 4 November without charge and interrogated all of them for several days without granting them access to a lawyer, rendering their detention arbitrary, Amnesty International said today ahead of their first hearing on 15 December. Between 4 and 6 November, Kuwaiti security forces detained Habib Ghadanfari, Jamal al-Shatti, ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Kuwait: Authorities must release arbitrarily detained individuals

A regular survey of experts on matters relating to Middle Eastern and North African politics and security..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: A Ticking Time-Bomb?