Middle East Experience

A thorough, non-political investigation of how the Gilboa prison break happened is needed immediately to ensure that something like this never re-occurs.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Gilboa prison break must be thoroughly investigated - editorial

A police volunteer died and an officer is in serious condition after a car ramming in Nahariya • Three others shot in criminal murders over the holiday.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel Police officer, volunteer run over in Nahariya

Hamas' military wing has stated that the six prisoners recaptured after a prison break must be returned in any swap deal.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Hamas says recaptured jailbreakers must be part of swap deal

The United Arab Emirates’ Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building – will be lit up in green and white on Thursday to mark Saudi Arabia’s 91st National Day amid a host of events to celebrate the Kingdom’s anniversary.Spectators can watch Dubai’s iconic landmark illuminated in the colors of the Saudi flag between 8pm and 9pm in a special projection to mark the bonds between the two GCC countries, followed by a special performance of the Saudi National Anthem by the Dubai Fountain.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The UAE’s leaders have also sent messages of congratulations to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to mark the Kingdom’s National Day.Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai, posted a video on Twitter depicting the Gate Building at Dubai International Financial Center lit up with both countries’ flags and pictures of the leaders.“The Saudi National Day every year is an occasion dear to all of us. An occasion in which we renew brotherhood and establish love and proceed from it towards a better and beautiful future of two peoples united by ambition that knows no bounds,” he wrote.Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, also sent a message of solidarity on Twitter, writing: “Congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, my brother the Crown Prince, and the Saudi people on their 91st National Day. Our two nations stand as one and we celebrate all your achievements. We look forward to a bright future together.”Across the emirates, electronic billboards have also beamed messages of friendship between the two nations.In Abu Dhabi, several Yas Island venues, including Etihad Arena and Yas Mall, will also be basked in colors of the Saudi flag, while a mass fireworks display will be held in Yas Bay at 9 p.m.Saudi National Day is celebrated annually on September 23 to commemorate the renaming of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 following a royal decree from King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud.Earlier this month, Saudia Airlines repainted one of its planes to resemble the carrier’s old aircrafts in celebration of Saudi Arabia’s 91st National Day.The airline shared a video of workers repainting the aircraft to look like Saudia’s planes from the 1980s and 1990s, which had a green stripe across it that was the company’s logo from 1981 to 1996.“With our past, we have built a glory over the clouds,” Saudia said in a tweet.This year, Saudi Arabia marks the occasion as a national holiday, with celebrations across the Kingdom.Read more:Saudia Airlines repaints planes to commemorate Saudi Arabia’s 91st National DayMBC reveals special Saudi National Day coverage planDubai’s Burj Khalifa lights up in green, white to mark 90th Saudi National Day
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi 91st National Day: UAE to host events, light up Burj Khalifa in celebration

While more than five months have passed since the last round of negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam was held in Kinshasa, Congo seems to be preparing to host Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia for a new round of talks in the hope of resolving the decadelong crisis.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Congo renews push to resolve Nile dam dispute

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz wished prosperity on the nation ahead of the Kingdom’s 91st National Day on Thursday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The comments were made during a virtual session of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday.King Salman also commemorated his predecessors including the country’s founder, King Abdulaziz.Saudi National Day is celebrated annually on September 23 to commemorate the renaming of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 following a royal decree from King Abdulaziz.Leaders of the neighboring United Arab Emirates congratulated King Salman on the occasion of Saudi National Day.Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed said on Twitter that the “two nations stand as one,” adding that “we look forward to a bright future together.”Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid said on Twitter that Saudi National Day is “an occasion in which we renew brotherhood and establish love and proceed from it towards a better and beautiful future.”The Council of Ministers also discussed various geopolitical concerns including cooperation between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, US, UK over the war in Yemen.Read more:Saudi 91st National Day: UAE to host events, light up Burj Khalifa in celebrationSaudia Airlines repaints planes to commemorate Saudi Arabia’s 91st National DayMBC reveals special Saudi National Day coverage plan
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi King Salman wishes prosperity on nation ahead of National Day

The UK will lift restrictions on vaccinated travelers from the United Arab Emirates starting October 4 after a “technical issue” was resolved, British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced on WednesdayOn Twitter, Shapps said: “We will be accepting vaccination certificates from Oct 4 following updates to their vaccination app. As a major transport hub which is home to many British expats, this is great news for reopening travel, boosting business and reunited families.”For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Earlier this week, Al Arabiya English reported that vaccinated residents from the UAE will be able to visit the UK without the need to quarantine if they have one of three UK-recognized vaccines; Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca, according to a British official.Simon Penney, Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for the Middle East, had first told ARN News that the move will help facilitate travel between the two countries.In an interview with the news outlet, Penney said the UK was working to resolve a slight technical issue with vaccine certificates, which once fixed will allow for travel between the UAE and the UK.Shapps’ tweet has confirmed this issue has now been ironed out.Penney said that fully vaccinated individuals who have taken one of the three UK-recognized jabs will likely be granted entry to the UK from October 4.Shapps announced on Friday that from October 4 the UK’s COVID-19 travel rules will be overhauled and its traffic light system replaced with a single red list, mandating hotel quarantine, alongside rules and regulations on unvaccinated travelers from other countries.The UAE is currently on the soon-to-be-scrapped amber list.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.On Saturday, James Cleverly, Minister of the Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, write on Twitter: “Delighted that international travel is opening up.”“We are finalizing arrangements with the UAE to include their nationals and residents in our plans to open up to the fully vaccinated from other countries from October 4.”Read more:UK-UAE travel update: COVID-19 vaccine requirements announced by British officialEmirates airline welcomes UK’s decision to add UAE to its ‘amber list’ for travelUK’s green and amber lists could be replaced in travel rules shake-up: Reports
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UK to accept UAE COVID-19 vaccination certificates from Oct. 4, lift restrictions

Compulsory COVID-19 mask rules in some areas of the United Arab Emirates have been relaxed as the country records a drop in virus cases, according to the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA).For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.NCEMA announced Wednesday that people exercising in public places, using private transportation with members of the same household, using swimming pools, beachgoers, medical center patients, and customers of beauty salons and barber shops will no longer be required by law to wear a mask.Members of the public must still maintain a distance of two meters from one another, NCEMA added.Local authorities will be obligated to erect signs in places where masks are no longer compulsory.A nationwide mask mandate was introduced in response to the spread of COVID-19 in early 2020.Offenders previously faced an $816 (AED3,000) fine for not wearing a mask in public.The UAE implemented an aggressive vaccination program in 2021 to combat the spread of the virus.Widespread testing and vaccination led to a dip in COVID-19 cases in August 2021, NCEMA said, which precipitated the change in mask rules on Wednesday.NCEMA and the country’s health ministry stressed the importance of adhering to the remaining rules requiring masks in public, in a statement carried by the official news agency WAM.Read more: Watch: First cars enter Abu Dhabi from Dubai without need for COVID-19 entry testsAbu Dhabi to remove COVID-19 testing requirement at border starting Sep. 19UAE records lowest new daily COVID-19 cases in 2021
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE relaxes compulsory COVID-19 mask rules

According to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, 33 countries boycotted the Durban IV conference today in New York over concerns about anti-Semitism and because the platform would be exploited to attack Israel.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel marks diplomatic victory as 33 countries boycott Durban IV conference

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman has met with US Envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking to review and discuss the latest developments in Yemen.“Met with #USEnvoyYemen Tim Lenderking to review the latest developments in Yemen, and discuss mutual efforts to support the Saudi peace initiative and UN efforts to reach a political resolution that achieves security and stability for the Yemeni people and the region,” Prince Khalid tweeted on Wednesday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The meeting comes as the Iran-backed Houthis have ramped up attacks on Saudi Arabia’s southern border cities in recent weeks.Earlier on Monday, the Arab Coalition has destroyed two booby-trapped boats belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi militia near the coastal area of As-Salif, thwarting an imminent attack.The continued threat is in violation of the Stockholm Agreement, the coalition said, adding that the Houthis continue to “launch hostilities from Hodeidah.”Read more:Arab Coalition destroys two booby-trapped Houthi boats, thwarts attackUN condemns executions by Yemen’s Iran-backed HouthisFamily of Yemeni officer shares final letter after Houthis carry out execution
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Deputy Defense Minister meets with US Envoy to Yemen