Middle East Experience

The Egyptian state and its institutions have been waging a fierce campaign against the preachers of Egypt’s Salafi movement over ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Cairo cracks down on Salafist preachers

Jebel Ali Port authorities are continuing an extensive investigation on the cause of a fire that erupted onsite overnight Wednesday, the Dubai Media Office said in a press statement.The explosion and fire that broke out in a container within a ship anchored in the port immediately before midnight, was brought under control within 40 minutes by the Civil Defense and Dubai Police, the statement added.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The fire was attributed to a natural accident, with the container storing flammable materials, a Dubai Government official told Al Arabiya.Casualties were avoided due to the quick action of Jebel Ali Port’s officials who ordered an evacuation of the vessel and the immediate area when a leakage and smoke was seen, the media office said.The crew of the ship numbered approximately fourteen, as reported.A fire safety industry source told Al Arabiya English that Jebel Ali Port uses machinery to fulfil tasks, with a skeleton crew of staff only ever required at the time of the blast. “This is likely why there were no deaths and only minor injuries,” the source said.The source added a caveat that the blast itself wasn’t as bad as it seemed.“The chemicals caused a huge bang, with flames and smoke, and although it looks massive, it will have been contained pretty quickly and easily,” he said.The ship had 30 containers, some with flammable materials, Dubai Police chief Abdullah Al Marri told Al Arabiya. Initial reports indicated that there may have been some friction or heat present that led to the explosion, the police chief added.Port operations were not affected in any way due to the incident, which occurred in the older Terminal 1, used for small ships, the statement said. Terminal 2, 3 & 4 of the Port, where big ships dock & offload their cargo, continued normal operations even during the incident.Read more:Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port fire: A timeline of explosions in the UAEFire at Dubai port natural accident from container with flammable materials: Govt
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Extensive investigation underway in Dubai to find cause of Jebel Ali Port fire

A small training aircraft with three people onboard crashed on Thursday in Lebanon’s mountainous Keserwan district, north of the capital Beirut, aviation sources said.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Initial reports suggested the pilot and two passengers were killed, the sources said.The Cessna 172 plane belonged to flight training firm Open Sky Aviation and had taken off from Beirut airport at 1.30 p.m. local time before crashing 20 minutes later in the village of Ghosta.“It was very foggy in the area ... the airplane hit rocks above a house,” Ziad Maalouf, who was in the area and heard the crash, said. “After hearing the bang we ran out and we saw the remains of people.”Open Sky could not immediately be reached for comment.The minister of public works was at the airport and an official statement was expected soon.Read more: Extensive investigation underway in Dubai to find cause of Jebel Ali Port fireFire at Dubai port natural accident from container with flammable materials: GovtExplosion, fire off container ship docked at Dubai's Jebel Ali port
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Training airplane crashes in Lebanon, three people feared dead

Saudi Arabia has recorded 1,257 new COVID-19 cases and 12 virus-related deaths during the last 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health.Thursday’s figures bring the Kingom’s total death toll from COVID-19 to 7,933 and its overall number of recorded cases to 497,773.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The capital city Riyadh saw the most new cases, with 319 recorded.The Eastern Province had the second-highest number of new infections with 277, while Mecca had the third-highest with 252.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read more:UAE logs 1,539 new COVID-19 cases, two deaths in 24 hoursEU and Swiss agree on COVID-19 vaccine certificate recognitionUAE updates COVID-19 rules for entering ministries, federal entities, service centers
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia records 1,257 new COVID-19 cases, 12 deaths in 24 hours

With his pleasant persona, political record and status as an international statesman, new President Isaac Herzog could be the answer to the divides that have plagued Israeli society for years.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Herzog inauguration marks new beginning for Israelis

In a first open disagreement, Washington condemned Jerusalem for demolishing the family home of a Palestinian assailant, while Jerusalem said its first priority is the safety of Israeli citizens.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Bennett bristles under US criticism for punitive house demolition

Soaring prices lie at the core of Erdogan’s sagging popular support and he seems to have few tools to curb the unruly uptick.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkey’s inflation spirals out of control

Lebanon recorded 400 new coronavirus cases and two deaths in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry said Thursday, as it announced a new two-day..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon records 400 new virus cases, announces jabs drive

Speechwriter for Kofi Annan at the United Nations who drew on his experience as a commentator for British newspapers..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Edward Mortimer obituary

It takes more than speeches on the need for unity to overcome the current state of affairs.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: My Word: Presidents and present-day politics