Middle East Experience

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on ABC that Biden’s commitment to a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel is the only way forward for the region.Blinked added that the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was “critical to putting the US in a position to make a pivot to building something more positive.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank on Wednesday and Thursday as part of Washington’s efforts to build on the Gaza truce.“That has to start now with dealing with the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza. Then reconstruction, rebuilding what’s been lost. And critically, engaging both sides in trying to start to make real improvements in the lives of people so that Israelis and Palestinians can live with equal measures of security, peace, and dignity,” Blinken said.Blinken stressed that if a positive engagement was not met, the cycle of violence was likely to continue.“Look, ultimately, it is the only way to ensure Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state and, of course, the only way to give the Palestinians the state to which they’re entitled. That is where we have to go. We have to start putting in place the conditions that would allow both sides to engage in a meaningful and positive way toward two states,” Blinken said.Blinken stressed the US’ past work with trusted independent parties to help with reconstruction in Gaza, adding that the challenge would be to empower Palestinian Authorities.“The fact of the matter is Hamas has brought nothing but ruin to the Palestinian people. Its gross mismanagement of Gaza while it has been in charge, and, of course, these indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israeli civilians which have elicited the response that they did because Israel has a right to defend itself,” Blinken replied.“So I think what’s the real challenge here is to help the Palestinians and particularly to help moderate Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority deliver better results for their people. And, of course, Israel has a profound role to play in that too,” he added.Blinken commented on the progressive Democrats bill to halt arms sales to Israel, saying that the administration was committed to working in full consultation with Congress on arms sales.“The president has been equally clear we’re committed to giving Israel the means to defend itself, especially when it comes to these indiscriminate rocket attacks against civilians. Any country would respond to that, and we’re committed to Israel’s defense,” Blinken said.Despite confrontations between Israeli police and Palestinians at a Jerusalem holy site on Friday, there were no reports of Hamas rocket launches from Gaza or Israeli military strikes on the enclave as of Saturday morning.The ceasefire began before dawn on Friday, and Palestinians and Israelis are now assessing the damage from 11 days of hostilities in which Israel pounded Gaza with air strikes and militants fired back rockets at Israel.Palestinian officials put the reconstruction costs at tens of millions of dollars and medical officials said 248 people had been killed in Gaza. The devastation has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in the densely populated enclave.- with The Associated PressRead more:Blinken to visit Israel, West Bank to discuss Gaza ceasefireBlinken says unclear if Iran ready for nuclear pact return
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Two-state solution for Palestine, Israel is the only way forward for region: Blinken

About 90 Indian nurses who were left stranded in the United Arab Emirates after their hopes of a new job turned out to be a bogus recruitment scam have been offered a lifeline after a hospital stepped forward with offers of employment.Health worker Ambily MB, who is one among the many stranded in the UAE after falling victim to the con, is among those finally relieved that her plight, after three months of uncertainty has finally come to an end.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Ambily had worked in the medical and surgical ward of a hospital in India for seven years before she arrived in the UAE last March with high hopes. These hopes soon turned to dread as, along with many other nurses, Ambily, realized that she had fallen prey to a job scam.VPS Healthcare, one of the largest healthcare groups in the UAE, has come to lend a helping hand to these nurses after learning about their hardships.The group has been receiving job applications and inquiries from nurses for the last four weeks.Sanjai Kumar, chief human resources officer at VPS Healthcare, said the group has selected eligible candidates through a special interview conducted recently.“We have given special consideration to eligible healthcare workers who have been trapped for a long time and facing financial issues,” he said. “To date, 41 health workers who have completed the process have already joined the hospitals under VPS Healthcare.”The healthcare workers who do not have a valid medical license will be joining as a patient aide or service assistant.VPS Healthcare Chairman and Managing Director Dr Shamsheer Vayalil has instructed his team to provide all possible assistance to qualified trainee nurses to obtain licenses.“We will be initiating and assisting them in processing DoH/DHA Licenses,” said Kumar. “In addition to those who had already joined us, 49 more will be joining our medical team upon issuance of an employment visa.”“All the relevant expenses, including their RT-PCR test and BLS above the usual regulatory expenses, are being taken care of by VPS Healthcare as a special case.”Meanwhile, health workers thanked VPS Healthcare for offering help during the crisis.Ambily, a resident of Kottayam district in Kerala, said: “I was working as a registered nurse in a leading hospital in Kerala.”“I came to the UAE with high hopes but was shocked when I found out about the scam. I have paid about 200,000 rupees ($2,756) to the recruitment agency.”“They had not returned us a single penny. I cannot go back to India in empty hands as my family is struggling to pay back the money we arranged to pay the agent.”“This job has come as a blessing to me. I am confident that I would clear the procedures to obtain the medical license. Also, I am happy to be back at work when our services are very much required for the community.”Ambily, the mother of a seven-year-old child, came to the UAE along with her sister Asha MB hoping to find a solution to her family’s financial crisis. The recruitment company promised to pay $1,225 a month along with accommodation and food. VPS Healthcare has given a job to Asha also.Asha said: “What happened was unbelievable, and the agents were not even willing to return our money. The recruiting company had made big promises in their social media ads.”“They said we would be able to get work at the vaccination center immediately after the quarantine period, and the license was not an issue. They tricked all of us.”“When asked 20 days later, they had nothing to say about the job. So, we applied to VPS Healthcare and other healthcare groups on our own.”VPS Healthcare officials also warned healthcare workers to beware of job scams.Rani Elsa Oommen, chief nursing officer at the group, said: “Candidates should verify the information related to the institution and apply only after confirming the authenticity of the advertisement.”Last year, Dubai Police arrested a gang who conned 150 job seekers with tempting job opportunities and attractive salaries during the coronavirus pandemic.“The gang would lure victims by posting fake job opportunities with attractive salaries, and then ask the victim for money for some alleged reasons such as recruitment fees, taxes or booking an interview appointment,” Brigadier Jamal Salem al-Jalaf, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation (CID) at Dubai Police, said at the time.Read more:International Nurses Day 2021: Frontline heroes tell of their own COVID-19 battlesDubai Police arrest fake recruitment gang who scammed 150 job seekersExhausted by COVID-19 fight, Lebanese nurses want pay not praise
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Bogus job scam leaves 90 Indian nurses stranded in the UAE, hospital offers help

A regional COVID-19 vaccination site for Chinese nationals has been launched in Dubai under a deal between the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Chinese Embassy in UAE, according to state news agency WAM.The launch follows a meeting in the UAE in March between Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, where it was agreed to set up a regional vaccination center.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Under the program, dubbed ‘Spring Sprout Action’ and administered by the Dubai Health Authority, Chinese nationals over the age of 16 who hold a short-term visa without UAE residency will be provided in Dubai with two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.Sinopharm received approval by the World Health organization in May 2021 for emergency use.Chinese nationals temporarily visiting the UAE can visit the official websites of the Chinese Embassy in the UAE and the Consulate-General in Dubai for details.China and the UAE have cooperated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing expertise, resources, and technology, acccording to WAM.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A new factory in Abu Dhabi will start manufacturing a COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm later this year under a joint venture between Sinopharm and Abu Dhabi-based technology company Group 42 (G42).The UAE Government has already included all citizens and residents in its national vaccination campaign.Read more:UAE surpasses 10 million COVID-19 vaccine dosesNew Abu Dhabi plant to make COVID-19 vaccine from China’s SinopharmDubai expands COVID-19 vaccination drive to 12-year-olds and up
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Regional COVID-19 vaccination site for Chinese nationals launched in Dubai

The Arab Coalition on Monday thwarted an imminent attack launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in the south of the Red Sea, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The Houthi militia continues to threaten shipping lines and global trade,” the Arab Coalition spokesman said.“The militia uses the Stockholm Agreement as an umbrella to launch hostile attacks from al-Hodeidah Governorate,” the spokesman added.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Arab Coalition thwarts Houthi attack in south of Red Sea: SPA

Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts US and other international forces, was attacked with a rocket on Monday, but no one was hurt, a coalition spokesman said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.US Army Colonel Wayne Marotto, spokesman for the US-led international military coalition, tweeted that initial reports suggested the attack took place at 1:35 p.m. (1035 GMT). He said the damage was being assessed.The United States accuses Iranian-backed militia groups of launching regular rocket attacks against its troops in Iraq. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Monday’s attack.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iraq’s Ain al-Asad base, where US forces work, attacked with rocket: US Coalition

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Jerusalem, Ramallah, Cairo and Amman this week for discussions on maintaining the fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Blinken visits Middle East to bolster Israel-Hamas cease-fire

Sultan Haitham has attempted to introduce economic and political reforms in the past year.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Protests in Oman over job losses, economy

The Higher Organising Committee of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX 2021) opened the door on Monday for participation in the Best Poems Describing Birds and Hunting, a much-awaited poetry competition, held as part of the 18th edition of ADIHEX..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Abu Dhabi organisation announces much-awaited poetry competition

With flight ban till June 14 and charter flights out of bounds, vaccinated residents seek exemption to return..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Covid-19: Vaccinated Indian expats appeal for UAE return

Lebanon recorded just 150 coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, the lowest figure in nearly a year, alongside seven deaths, the Health ministry reported Monday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon records lowest number of coronavirus cases in 10 months