Middle East Experience

Cyprus police have not confirmed the Israeli statement that Iran was behind the attack.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Alleged Iran-hired hitman not cooperating with Cyprus authorities

Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency has issued a warning to the public on Thursday, urging them to be cautious of sea snakes on beaches as temperatures begin to fall.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The agency stated that anyone who encounters a sea snake should not touch or try to catch it.“Anyone encountering a sea snake is urged to avoid touching it or trying to catch it, and to inform the beach’s management or call Abu Dhabi Government call center on 800 555. Anyone bitten by a sea snake must go to hospital immediately,” it said in a statement posted to Twitter.They added that sea snakes, known as “Bu jinn,” in the local Arabic dialect, do not usually cause harm to people unless they are provoked. They can often be found in shallow waters when they are feeding and breeding.“They swim to shallow waters to feed and breed and can be seen swimming in open waters or close to beaches, especially on Saadiyat Island and at Abu Dhabi Corniche.”Sea snakes usually prefer cooler temperatures of around 22 degrees Celsius, which is in the range of temperatures during the winter months in the United Arab Emirates.Despite being considered mild tempered, they are very poisonous.There are 70 known species of the sea snake, six of which can be found in the UAE.Read more:Abu Dhabi launches tier system for reopening schools based on vaccine ratesAll UAE govt employees granted paid leave to visit Expo 2020UAE overcame COVID-19 crisis, life returning to normal: Abu Dhabi crown prince
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Abu Dhabi warns beachgoers about poisonous sea snakes

The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia on Thursday condemned the Houthi attacks that targeted Abha airport in the Kingdom.Saudi Arabia’s air defense intercepted a booby-trapped drone launched by the Houthis towards Abha International Airport early Thursday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Shrapnel was scattered and had fallen in the vicinity of Abha airport, according to a statement released by the Arab Coalition which added that the attack caused “minor injuries” to four of the airport’s employees and some broke windows.“The Houthis tried again to target Abha airport. This attack resulted in the injury of four innocent civilians. We condemn the outrageous attacks by the Houthis against civilians,” a Twitter post by the Embassy on Thursday stated.It added that it hoped for the injured to recover from the attack.The embassy urged the Iran-backed Houthis to focus on “peace rather than violence” and to “work on a diplomatic solution” with the United Nations.In September, a Houthi attack targeting the same airport left eight injured and damaged a passenger aircraft.Read more:Saudi air defenses intercept Houthi drone targeting Abha airport, four injuredTwo children killed in Houthi missile strikes on Yemen's MaribArab Coalition destroys Houthi militia site used to launch booby-trapped drones
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US embassy in Saudi Arabia condemns Houthi attacks on Abha airport

The CIA on Thursday announced new “adjustments” to its organizational structure and approach, which include two new mission centers, one of which is solely focused on China.Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Bill Burns made the moves public in a statement from the agency. The agency said that the adjustments would best position the CIA to address current and future national security challenges.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“These changes resulted from the strategic reviews Director Burns launched this past spring that focused on areas including China, technology, people, and partnerships,” the CIA said.The China Mission Center (CMC) will address the global challenge posed by Beijing. But Burns was quick to note that the threat is from the Chinese government, not the Chinese people.“CMC will further strengthen our collective work on the most important geopolitical threat we face in the 21st century, an increasingly adversarial Chinese government,” Burns said.The CMC comes after a similar task force was formed at the Pentagon by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.Ties between Washington and Beijing have soured in recent years. The Biden administration has doubled down on efforts to reign in what it says is unfair competition and human rights violations by China.The New York Times reported that the latest moves also including shutting down missions centers focused on Iran and North Korea, which former CIA Director Mike Pompeo created. According to the NYT, the two centers will now be pushed back into the regional centers for the Middle East and East Asia.In the CIA statement Thursday, Burns said that the agency would continue “to focus sharply on other important threats,” including Russia, North Korea and Iran.A senior CIA official told the NYT that closing the mission centers focused on Iran and North Korea was not a reflection of the CIA’s view that threats had lessened from the two countries.Another center launched by Burns is the Transnational and Technology Mission Center. This will look at new and emerging technologies, economic security, climate change and global health.In an effort to lure more people into applying to the CIA, Burns also announced changes to the application process. A CIA Technology Fellows program has been created to “bring promising experts” to the CIA for one to two years.“Throughout our history, CIA has stepped up to meet whatever challenges come our way…. And now facing our toughest geopolitical test in a new era of great power rivalry, CIA will be at the forefront of this effort,” Burns was quoted as saying. “There’s no doubt we have the talent for the job.”Read more: China will soon surpass Russia as a nuclear threat: US military
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: CIA announces new China Mission Center, folds Iran and North Korea centers

The UAE became the first country in the Gulf to commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, according to a government announcement on Thursday at Expo 2020 in Dubai.“The major economic opportunities offered by the path to net zero directly support a vision to develop the Emirates into the most dynamic economy in the world,” the government said in a statement carried by state news agency WAM.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said the country will invest 600 billion dirhams ($163.4 billion) in renewable energy.“We are committed to seize the opportunity to cement our leadership on climate change within our region and take this key economic opportunity to drive development, growth and new jobs as we pivot our economy and nation to net zero,” he said.The UAE began financing clean energy projects 15 years ago and has invested over $40 billion in the sector to date.The UAE is a major oil and gas producer. Thirty percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is directly based on oil and gas output, according to OPEC.The government doesn’t plan to move away from fossil fuels any time soon. State energy giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC) is set to increase its oil-production capacity to five million barrels a day from just over four million within a decade.Yet that expansion could still be compatible with a net-zero goal as defined by UN rules, which only account for emissions generated within a country’s borders. The UAE would only be responsible for implementing measures to cut emissions from the extraction and processing of exported fuel.With BloombergRead more:UAE energy firm TAQA plans to expand its renewables portfolio in shift away from oilUAE asks to host 2023 climate change conference COP 28Dubai aims for zero emissions from public transport by 2050
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE commits to net zero by 2050, first among Gulf countries

Pupils also show interest in computer science, other IT-related subjects due to work and study-from-home culture..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE: More students look to study psychology after Covid-19

Lebanon registered 519 new coronavirus cases and five deaths in the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry reported Thursday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon records 519 coronavirus cases, five deaths in 24 hours

A consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public investment fund (PIF) officially took over Newcastle United, the Premier League announced on Thursday.“Following the completion of the Premier League's Owners' and Directors' Test, the club has been sold to the consortium with immediate effect,” the Premier League statement said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Developing
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s PIF officially takes over Newcastle United

Responding to today’s vote at the Human Right Council, where not enough states voted to extend the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen, following pressure by Saudi Arabia and other coalition partners, Heba Morayef, Middle East and North Africa Regional Director at Amnesty International, said: “This vote is an abandonment of the ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Yemen: Saudi Arabia forces an end to mandate of only international mechanism to investigate HR abuses

A spokesman for the US Navy said that he was unaware of any unsafe interaction with Iran in the last two days.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: US vessel intercepted by IRGC speedboats in Persian Gulf - report