Middle East Experience

Three lives were saved within a span of few hours after the family of a two-year-old Indian boy donated his organs after he passed away..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE: Sign up to be an organ donor and save lives

Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel plans to establish a committee to investigate how social media companies censor and present content and possibly hold them legally accountable.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel to hold social media companies liable for content - editorial

Alex Saab, a fugitive Colombian businessman accused of acting as a money launderer for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s regime, has been extradited to the US from Cape Verde, the US Justice Department said on Saturday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Saab is set to make his first court appearance on Monday, October 18 in a court in the state of Florida, the department said in a statement.The agency also expressed its “gratitude to the Government of Cape Verde for its assistance and perseverance with this complex case and admiration for the professionalism of Cabo Verde’s judicial system.”Saab and his business partner Alvaro Pulido are charged in the US with running a network that exploited food aid that was meant for Venezuela, an oil rich nation grappling with an acute economic crisis.Facing up to 20 years in prison, they both allegedly moved around $350 million out of Venezuela into accounts they controlled in the US and other countries.Saab, who is also a Venezuelan national and has a Venezuelan diplomatic passport, was indicted in July 2019 in Miami for money laundering, and was arrested during a plane stopover in Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa in June 2020.Venezuela halts talks after Saab’s extradition Venezuela reacted furiously to Saturday’s extradition, suspending talks with the US-backed opposition on ending the country’s political and economic crisis.According to the Associated Press, Venezuela’s government said Saturday it would halt negotiations with its opponents in retaliation for the extradition Saab, who prosecutors believe could be the most significant witness ever about corruption in the South American country.Jorge Rodríguez, who has been heading the government’s delegation, said his team wouldn’t travel to Mexico City for the next scheduled round of negotiations.The announcement capped a tumultuous day that saw businessman Saab placed on a US-bound plane in Cape Verde after a 16-month fight by Maduro and his allies, including Russia, who consider the Colombian-born businessman a Venezuelan diplomat.A few hours after news of Saab’s extradition blew up Venezuelan social media, six American oil executives held on house arrest were taken back to jail by security forces — a sign that relations between Washington and Caracas could be upended after months of quiet diplomacy since Joe Biden entered the White House. Families of the men known as the Citgo 6 — for the Houston subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company where they worked — expressed frustration with both governments.“The fact that Mr. Saab is in the US before my father is a disgrace,” said Cristina Vadell, whose father, Tomeu Vadell, is among the Americans serving out long sentences on what the US government considers trumped-up charges.“This is additional proof that these Americans are held hostage in Venezuela, and President Biden’s administration needs to recognize this and win their release immediately,” she added.With AgenciesRead more:Detained Colombia businessman Alex Saab was ‘negotiating with Iran for Venezuela’Venezuela’s Maduro pardons more than 100 opposition lawmakersOnce prosperous, more than 75 pct Venezuelans now living in extreme poverty: Survey
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Colombian businessman Alex Saab extradited to US: Justice department

The United Arab Emirates’ Minister of Foreign Affairs concluded an official visit to the US on Saturday, during which he met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.The meeting resulted in the announcement of two trilateral working groups – the first one on religious coexistence and the other on water and energy issues.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The UAE top diplomat’s visit to the States set an example for joint action between allies to reinforce regional peace and stability in a way that would help meet the aspirations of the nations of the region,” WAM said.Sheikh Abdullah said that UAE-US relations have been steadily and significantly growing over the past period and culminated in a privileged and fruitful partnership, adding that the UAE values tolerance and peaceful coexistence.Blinken said the strategic relations between the two nations and their importance in underpinning peaceful coexistence in the region, according to WAM.He added that the normalization of ties between Arab nations and Israel will contribute to achieving stability in the region.“We are working together for delivering a bright future for the peoples of the region,” Blinken was quoted by WAM as saying.During his US visit, the foreign affairs minister met with the members of the American-Jewish Committee and discussed the strategic relations between the two nations and their role in underpinning the pillars of peace and stability in the region, WAM reported.The meeting covered the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement and its key role in forging sustainable solutions conducive to strengthening peace and stability in the region.Also during his visit, Sheikh Abdullah met with US National Security adviser Jake Sullivan and “discussed with him the efforts made by the two nations to help establish peace and stability in the region.”Read more:US Secretary of State to meet Israel, UAE counterparts to discuss Abraham AccordsUAE’s Abdullah bin Zayed meets US, Israel FMs, plans to bolster religious coexistenceUS warns of ‘other options’ if diplomacy fails on Iran nuclear program
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE FM concludes US visit after meeting Secretary Blinken, Israeli FM

Microsoft heiress and eldest daughter of Bill Gates, Jennifer Gates married Egyptian equestrian Nayel Nassar in a secret Muslim ceremony followed by a civil ceremony on Saturday in New York, the New York Post reported.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Rural roads were shut down by authorities on Saturday for the $2 million wedding to take place and saw hundreds of guests driven to the ceremony in SUVs at her $16 million Westchester horse farm.The couple’s wedding plans were revealed after online news media the Daily Mail reported that the pair were planning the ceremony on Wednesday. Following the report, photos of tents being set up at the estate surfaced on social media.Masses of hydrangeas and other plants were wheeled in and pastry chefs from French shop Laduree carried a huge two-tiered white wedding cake into the property as the couple geared up for a second civil ceremony on Saturday, the Daily Mail reported.Coldplay and folk musician Harry Hudson were scheduled to perform at the wedding reception.Gates first shared the news of her engagement to Nassar, 30, in January 2020.“Nayel Nassar, you are one of a kind,” she said in a social media post alongside a photo that showed her engagement ring.“Absolutely swept off my feet this past weekend, surprising me in the most meaningful location over one of our many shared passions. I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives learning, growing, laughing ang loving together. Yes a million times over.”The wedding comes one month after Melinda French Gates threw an intimate outdoor party for her daughter, which was attended by the people closest to Jennifer.“Thank you for this incredibly special celebration, @melindafrenchgates,” Jennifer tweeted on September 14 alongside a series of photos from the outdoor bash, including a smiling snap of Melinda, 57.“So deeply grateful for all the amazing women in my life who advise, support, and uplift me. [Cheers] to this new chapter!” she added.Read more:Jennifer Gates gets engaged to Egyptian millionaire Nayel NassarBill Gates success story in 6 stepsBill Gates, Melinda French finalize divorce: Business Insider
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Jennifer Gates marries Egyptian Nayel Nassar in Muslim ceremony, mln wedding

The Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia operated at full capacity on Sunday, with worshippers praying shoulder-to-shoulder for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.This comes after Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry approved easing the country’s strict COVID-19 precautionary measures, which includes operating Mecca’s Grand Mosque at full capacity, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The Kingdom will also allow gatherings and will lift some mask mandates for those who have received both COVID-19 vaccine doses, the interior ministry announced.Masks in open spaces will no longer be mandatory for fully vaccinated people, although members of the public must still wear them in closed spaces and areas that are not monitored by the Tawakkalna tracing app, the ministry added in a statement carried by SPA.Social distancing regulations will also be dropped, and public places, transport, restaurants, cinemas, and other gatherings monitored by Tawakkalna will be allowed to operate at full capacity once again for people who have received both vaccine doses.Social distancing stickers removed in Mecca Workers removed floor markings that guide people to social distance in and around the Grand Mosque, which is built around the Kaaba, the black cubic structure towards which Muslims around the world pray.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Pictures and footage on Sunday morning showed people praying side by side, making straight rows of worshippers that are formations revered in performing Muslim prayers, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold last year.While social distancing measures were lifted, the authorities said visitors must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus and must continue to wear masks on mosque grounds.Saudi Arabia announced in August it will begin accepting vaccinated foreigners wanting to make the Umrah pilgrimage.The Umrah can be undertaken at any time and usually draws millions from around the globe, as does the annual Hajj, which abled-bodied Muslims who have the means must perform at least once in their lifetime.In July, only around 60,000 inoculated residents were allowed to take part in a vastly scaled down form of the annual Hajj.With AFPRead more:Saudi Arabia to begin lifting some COVID-19 restrictions from Sunday: MinistrySaudi Arabia’s new COVID-19 vaccination rules come into effectSaudi Arabia appoints new health, Hajj and Umrah ministers
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia allows full capacity at Mecca’s Grand Mosque as COVID-19 rules eased

Once used in the hunt for fugitive criminals, the global police agency’s most-wanted ‘red notice’ list now includes political refugees and dissidents..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Has Interpol become the long arm of oppressive regimes?

Nuclear negotiations designed to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will resume on 21 October, an Iranian official said on Sunday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: 'Preparatory' Iran nuclear talks to resume in Brussels this week – Doha News | Qatar

Dubai Crown Prince opens 41st edition of Gitex Global x Ai Everything exhibition at DWTC..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Dubai is a safe destination for international trade shows, says Sheikh Hamdan

Health ministry reveals new technological innovations at Gitex Global..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE: You can now issue birth certificates through WhatsApp