Middle East Experience

The United Arab Emirates will give favorable treatment to a locally-owned conglomerate after it pledged on Saturday to hire thousands of citizens, days after the government unveiled a $6.5 billion plan to get more Emiratis in private sector jobs.Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Twitter thanked shopping mall giant Majid Al Futtaim for its commitment and said it would be given priority in government contracts.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Majid Al Futtaim, which generated 15.6 billion dirhams ($4.25 billion) in revenue in the first half of the year, earlier said it would hire 3,000 Emiratis over the next five years.“We have a collective sense of responsibility to support and upskill the talented and ambitious national workforce that exists in the UAE," Chief Executive Alain Bejjani said.Around 411 of the 13,700 it currently employs in the UAE were Emirati, said the company, which is one of the largest shopping Centre operators in the Middle East.Majid Al Futtaim also operates in Africa and Central Asia and in sectors like hotels, real estate development and project management.The government on Sunday announced it would spend 24 billion dirhams ($6.5 billion) on benefits and subsidies to get 75,000 Emiratis into the private sector over the next five years.Most Emiratis currently work in government roles where the pay, benefits and working hours are often better than the private sector where most positions are filled by foreigners.Read more:Top mall operator Majid Al Futtaim to expand in expectation of revenue boostUAE to pursue aggressive timeline on trade talks with eight countries: Trade ministerUAE’s ‘Projects of the 50’ will boost Emiratization in the private sector: ExpertsUAE government wants Emiratis to fill 10 pct of private sector jobs by 2026
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE to give Majid Al Futtaim favorable treatment after local hiring pledge

Study reveals foreign landmarks around the world people were Googling the most..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Burj Khalifa tops list of most desirable landmarks to visit in the world

The Director of a power plant near Sidon said it came within three days of closing down, and was saved by an Iraqi fuel delivery..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Sidon power plant came within three days of shutting down

Gregg Prentice, 61, led the Hillsborough County Election Integrity Committee and was a critic of the vaccine, mask mandates, and other preventative measures.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Republican committee member who opposed mask mandates dies of COVID-19

The gunmen said that they have formed a “Joint Operations Room” consisting of representatives of various Palestinian factions to repel a possible “invasion” by the IDF.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Jenin gunmen ready to foil possible IDF ‘incursion’

The Phase II trial had been approved and kicked off in December 2020, around the time the first vaccines arrived in Israel
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel to dose last BriLife Phase II trial participant on Sunday

PM Naftali Bennett went against the WHO's recommendation by approving the booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Naftali Bennett’s 5 reasons for giving a third COVID-19 shot in Israel

Lebanese authorities have seized 20 tonnes of ammonium nitrate — the same chemical behind a deadly explosion last year at Beirut's port — in the eastern Bekaa Valley, state media reported on Saturday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Authorities seize dangerous fertiliser in east Lebanon

It is time to stop the politicization of our religion. 
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Religion is not a political tool - editorial

Al-Jeddawi archaeological agency in the Egyptian city of Esna was revived after 300 years of neglect, following two years of restoration works in cooperation with USAID.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Ancient trade facility restored in Egypt