Middle East Experience

Israel has played – and continues to play – a significant role in the fight for a cure for corona.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: The world is fighting for a COVID treatments, here’s how Israel is helping

Residents talk about how they are going to watch this epic duel..
Source: Your Middle East
Full Article: T20 World Cup: India, Pak expats in UAE await biggest cricket fest of year

Federal prosecutors in the United Arab Emirates said Sunday they’ve launched a major investigation into Dubai-based real estate developer Union Properties.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A statement carried by the state-run WAM news agency said the investigation involved allegations of the firm selling property at less than its real value and hiding the name of the beneficiary of the sale, as well as forging documents and other violations.Union Properties, known for building Dubai Motor City, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Filings on Sunday to the Dubai Financial Market showed shareholders wanted a vote later this week to possibly remove its board of directors. Separately, the company said one of its subsidiaries was involved in a lawsuit seeking nearly $1 billion, without elaborating.Read more: Dubai sets historic record in property sales in Q3: ReportDubai property prices rise by 4.4 pct, rents continue to fall: CBREDubai’s Emaar Properties reports drop in Q2 profit, H1 property sales hit record
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE investigates Union Properties executives over financial irregularities: WAM

Saudi Arabia wants to be the biggest supplier of hydrogen, the country’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud said on Sunday.The Kingdom also plans to manufacture electric cars, the minister added. Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry is building an artificial intelligence (AI) team with a multi-billion riyal budget, Yehia Khoja, an adviser at the ministry, said on Sunday at the Youth Green Summit.Read more: Saudi Arabia targets net zero emissions by 2060: Crown PrinceSaudi’s Middle East Green Initiative Summit to welcome 20 regional heads of state‘Dangerously narrow’ window for green recovery: Prince Charles at Saudi forum
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia wants to be top supplier of hydrogen: Prince Abdulaziz

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the inaugural Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum in Riyadh on Saturday, announcing that Saudi Arabia aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2060, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Kingdom will also join the Global Methane Pledge to contribute to cutting global methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030, as part of its commitment to deliver a cleaner, greener future.The ‘green’ forum is set to take place annually in the Saudi capital.InitiativesIn his opening speech at the forum, the Crown Prince said the Kingdom has launched initiatives in the energy sector designed to reduce carbon emissions by 278 million tons annually by 2030. This is more than doubling delivery against the emissions reduction target set forth at the announcement of the SGI summit in early 2021.Read more: Saudi Aramco aims to achieve net-zero emissions from operations by 2050: CEOHe added that the first phase of afforestation initiatives has started, planting more than 450 million trees, rehabilitating eight million hectares of degraded lands, and allocating new protected areas, bringing the total protected areas in Saudi Arabia to more than 20 percent of its total area.The country is also taking the lead in building a center for climate technologies in the Middle East and North Africa, according to SPA.The Kingdom announced that at least 30 percent of cars in its capital Riyadh would be electric by 2030, as part of a plan to halve carbon emissions in the city of 8 million people over the next nine years.According to SPA, the initiatives announced at the SGI Forum represent investments worth more than 700 billion riyals ($186.61 billion), which contributes to developing the green economy, creating quality job opportunities, and providing significant investment opportunities for the private sector in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.ObjectivesAs part of its objectives, SGI affirms the Kingdom’s pioneering role and work to bring about a qualitative shift internally and regionally towards climate change to build a better future and improve the quality of life, SPA reported.Since the launch of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in 2016, Saudi Arabia made effective efforts to protect the environment and reduce the effects of climate change. SGI takes these efforts to the next level by unifying all sustainability efforts in the Kingdom to increase reliance on clean energy, offset the impact of fossil fuels and combat climate change.The initiative aims to combine environmental protection, energy conversion, and sustainability programs to achieve three comprehensive goals aimed at building a sustainable future for all by reducing carbon emissions, afforestation of areas in Saudi Arabia, and protecting land and sea areas.When it comes to energy, reducing carbon emissions is critical to slowing the effects of climate change and rebalancing the environment, SPA reported.ResponsesThe United Nations praised what it called Saudi Arabia’s “bold” climate action plans after the Kingdom officially submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) emissions pledge. For his part, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Saturday and welcomed the green initiatives announced by the Kingdom to reduce greenhouse gases emissions.King Salman asserted the Kingdom’s interest in environmental issues, clean energy and climate change as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.The United Kingdom’s Prince Charles said the Saudi Green Initiative and a wider Middle East Green Initiative, will help accelerate the great progress already made.He pointed out that the Kingdom’s global leadership in energy transition is critically important.“I can only say that it is enormously encouraging to see the commitment to diversifying its energy mix, recognizing the cascading economic and social environment benefits that renewable energy provides,” Prince Charles said.Read more:Saudi Arabia able to produce, integrate new forms of energy: Prince AbdulazizUN praises Saudi’s ‘bold’ climate action plans after emissions pledgePragmatic approach needed for climate action; oil, gas remain important: ADNOC CEO
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s Green Initiative plan for net zero emissions explained

National days and honour days at the world fair are opportunities to celebrate each of Expo’s 200-plus international participants..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Expo 2020 Dubai: EU celebrates Honour Day with gala of music and dance

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Ahmad bin Sulaiman al-Rajhi issued a decision on Sunday to nationalize marketing professions, providing more than 12,000 jobs for Saudi Arabians, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Al-Rajhi issued a ministerial decision restricting work to Saudis in the professions of secretarial, translation, stock keeper and data entry in all regions of the Kingdom.The minister issued the decision to localize marketing professions at a rate of 30 percent for establishments with five or more employees, which will come into effect on May 8. This comes in “continuation of the Ministry’s efforts to provide an appropriate and stimulating work environment for male and female citizens, and to expand the circle of their participation in the labor market,” SPA reported.The ministry will also provide packages of incentives related to supporting private sector establishments in employing Saudis.Read more:Saudization of remote customer service jobs comes into effect in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia to offer customer service jobs for citizens only to increase SaudizationSaudi Arabia’s Green Initiative plan for net zero emissions explained
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia will nationalize marketing professions to increase Saudization

Saudi Arabia’s push for firms to set up regional headquarters in Riyadh is proving successful and is not aimed at dismantling corporate operations elsewhere, a senior Saudi official said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The world’s top oil exporter and largest Arab economy has given foreign firms until the end of 2023 to set up headquarters or risk losing out on government contracts as it competes for foreign capital and talent.Fahd al-Rasheed, president of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, told Reuters there has been “a lot of success” in attracting multinationals and that details would be announced at Saudi’s flagship investment forum FII which starts on Tuesday.“Companies want to move here. Once they learn about the investment opportunities and the kinds of full offer that we provide them, they immediately decide to (come),” Rasheed said, speaking on the sidelines of a Saudi climate forum on Saturday.“It’s not about dismantling what companies are doing in other cities in the region,” he said, also urging multinationals without a regional presence to set up shop.Saudi Arabia has yet to disclose how many companies have relocated under the drive by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to make the kingdom a regional business hub.Several foreign companies, including PepsiCo, Schlumberger and Bechtel, agreed earlier this year to set up regional offices in Saudi Arabia rather than overseeing operations remotely from Dubai.Saudi media companies in Dubai have also started to move staff to Riyadh, sources said last month.“We’re giving incentives per sector, it’s not a blanket incentive process,” Rasheed said, adding that it would be “super easy” to lure the investment banking sector.He cited the Crown Prince’s plan to wean the economy off oil by building new industries and launching megaprojects, and a specific strategy for Riyadh due to be announced soon.“Just the Riyadh Sustainability Strategy, it’s a $40 billion investment opportunity for the private sector. This needs to be structured by investment banks, so the opportunity is unprecedented across the globe,” he said.Saudi Arabia plans in the next decade to double the population and economy of its capital city, currently home to some 7 million people, and has moved to improve quality of life.Read more:Saudi Arabia targets net zero emissions by 2060: Crown PrinceSaudi Arabia will nationalize marketing professions to increase SaudizationSaudi Arabia wants to be top supplier of hydrogen: Prince Abdulaziz
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi push on company headquarters showing success: Official

An alleged £150 million figure to sign former British football star David Beckham as an ambassador for Qatar 2022 has been slammed as pure sensationalism, a source with knowledge of the deal confirmed to Doha News..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Confirmed: Beckham to be Qatar 2022 ambassador but sources rubbish reported price tag – Doha News | Qatar

The council will support the region’s development plan..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE: Sheikh Hamdan announces launch of Hatta Merchant’s Council