Middle East Experience

The Health and Tourism ministries announced a new policy that will allow entry to small tour groups even if the travelers do not qualify as fully vaccinated.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Will a fifth COVID-19 wave enter Israel with the two-shot tourists? - analysis

Saudi Arabia has announced a comprehensive transformation strategy toward a green future. But what are the real drivers of the world's biggest oil exporter's..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: COP26 climate conference: Saudi Arabia's climate strategy – greenwashing or genuine transformation?

Saudi Arabia’s top energy official said on Wednesday that efforts to combat climate change should not undermine global energy security or shun any particular energy source.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The comments from the top producer nation in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) come as the UK hosts of the UN climate summit underway in Scotland push to secure ambitious pledges from world leaders to slash greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from oil, coal and gas.“It is imperative that we recognize the diversity of climate solutions, and the importance of emissions reduction as stipulated in the Paris Agreement, without any bias towards or against any particular source of energy,” Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said at the summit.He added that negotiators should be “conscious of the special circumstances of the Less Developed Countries”, some of which have been resisting calls for aggressive moves away from fossil fuels because of the economic costs.“We should work together to help these countries mitigate the impact of climate change policies, without compromising their sustainable development,” he said.Read more: Saudi Arabia Energy Minister: Gradual oil production increase is the right moveUAE and IRENA launch platform to accelerate renewable energy projectsIndia strengthens ties with GCC nations, invites them to invest in sustainable energy
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi minister says climate fight shouldn’t shun any particular energy source

Saudi Arabia’s women have made great strides in economic, social, and humanitarian aspects over the past few years thanks to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program which aims to increase women’s inclusion in the workforce.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Saudi Arabia’s 50 most influential women are “women who are becoming role models” for their achievements, according to a list published on Monday by Arabian Business.“We cannot do Saudi women and their achievements justice with any list,” according to Arabian Business, a weekly business magazine published in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 outlined that to enable a thriving economy of the future, it will need to increase employment, with ensuring more jobs are available to women.Employing Saudi Arabia’s talented, educated women and giving them prominent roles in the Kingdom’s workforce has been considered an integral strategy to create a more diverse and sustainable economy.Here are Saudi Arabia’s 50 most influential women, according to the magazine:• Asma al-Juaib• Afnan al-Shuaibi• Alaa Aref• Amal Assiri• Eman Abduladheem• Basma al-Mayman• Bayan al-Sadek• Bayan Zahran• Tamara al-Gabbani• Hasna al-Oufi• Hanan al-Samari• Hayat Sindi• Khulood al-Attar• Khawla al-Kuraya• Hanan al-Samari• Dania Arkoubi• Dania Aqeel• Dina Madani• Rabaa al-Othaim• Rania al-Turki• Rania Nashar• Rasha al-Hoshan• Raneem Bagdo• Raha al-Muharaq• Reem Turki• Princess Reema bint Bandar• Sara al-Jishi• Saria Abdeen• Sumaya al-Sulaiman• Shahad al-Jifri• Shenen Hameed• Shihana Alazzaz• Ghada al-Mutairi• Ghandoura Shams al-Ghandoura• Fatma al-Qudaihi• Fatma Batoug• Lubna al-Olayan• Lujain Abulfaraj• Luluwa al-Hamoud• Lina al-Maeena• Mariam Fikteshlo• Mariam Moosali• Muna al-Thaqafi• Nujood al-Kuraithi• Nujood al-Maleek• Nahla al-Mashooq• Nawal al-Jaueni• Princess Noura al-Faisal• Haifa al-Lail• Haifa al-MansourRead more:The changing roles of women in the Saudi workforce under Vision 2030Saudi Arabia moves up global women inclusion rankings: World BankSaudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture achieves workplace gender balance
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s 50 most influential women listed

As the war against Tigrayan rebels spreads, anti-Americanism is increasing—but mediation by Western powers is the country’s last best hope..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Why Ethiopia Should Trust the West

Kuwait is to limit the number of visas it issues for Lebanese nationals as a diplomatic row festers between Beirut and Gulf states, a security source in the emirate said Wednesday.“A verbal decision has been taken to be stricter in granting tourist and business visas to Lebanese,” the source told AFP, asking not to be identified.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The source stressed that no official decision had been made and that visas for visitors from Lebanon have not been suspended.Like neighboring Saudi Arabia, Kuwait recalled its ambassador from Beirut after Lebanon’s information minister criticized an Arab-led military intervention in the Yemen conflict, sparking a row with Gulf states.Kuwait, home to some 50,000 Lebanese, has also asked Beirut’s charge d’affaires, its highest-ranking diplomat in the emirate, to leave the country.Lebanon’s ambassadors to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on Wednesday met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut to discuss the impact of the crisis on the country’s expatriate community.They expressed “fears of worsening repercussions on bilateral ties between Lebanon and Gulf states and the interests of Lebanese living in these countries,” according to a statement from the premier’s office.More than 300,000 Lebanese live in Gulf Arab states, providing a key lifeline for Lebanon’s faltering economy, according to the Gulf Labor Markets and Migration think tank.The latest diplomatic row has turned into a showdown over Lebanon’s powerful Shiite movement Hezbollah which is backed by Iran, the regional rival of Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia.Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has said Hezbollah’s dominance of Lebanese politics made “dealing with Lebanon pointless for the kingdom.”Kuwait, which has a sizeable Shiite community, is currently holding 16 of its own nationals suspected of helping to finance Hezbollah, according to local media.In 2015, Kuwait said it dismantled a cell accused of collusion with Iran and Hezbollah.Saudi Arabia also announced a ban on Lebanese imports.The kingdom is Lebanon’s third-largest export market, accounting for six percent of the country’s exports in 2020, worth around $217 million, according to Lebanon’s chamber of commerce.Read more: Resignation of Lebanon minister could solve Gulf row: Arab League
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Kuwait to limit visas for Lebanese over Gulf row

The UN cultural agency UNESCO on Tuesday re-elected French-Moroccan Audrey Azoulay as its director-general for a second mandate, with the former French culture minister hailing a new confidence and unity in the organisation..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: French-Moroccan Audrey Azoulay re-elected as UNESCO chief

SEVERE DROUGHT AND FOOD INSECURITY IN SOUTHERN ANGOLA..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: ESWATINI THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN

The two teams went head to head in a friendly match organised by Generation Amazing at Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar girl's team strikes victory against Afghan footballers at World Cup stadium – Doha News | Qatar

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson the kingdom is committed to the security and stability of the global energy markets, Saudi state news agency (SPA) said on Wednesday.Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a phone call with Johnson, stressed “the kingdom’s commitment to boosting the security and stability of global energy markets in light of the safe technologies available to manage and reduce carbon emissions,” SPA reported.Read more: Saudi minister says climate fight shouldn’t shun any particular energy source
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Crown Prince tells British PM kingdom is committed to energy market’s stability