The IHRA definition is not legally binding, and is meant to be a tool for countries to identify hatred and discrimination against Jews.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Erdan pushing for UN adoption of IHRA definition of antisemitism
‘It is not Lebanon and Gaza — this is the hottest and most active border’
IDF officials link the success in thwarting drug smuggling through the Egyptian border to the rise of crime in the Bedouin sector inside Israel
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: ‘It is not Lebanon and Gaza — this is the hottest and most active border’
Coronavirus: Has Israel reached herd immunity?
There are three reasons behind Israel still not returning to normal life.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Coronavirus: Has Israel reached herd immunity?
UAE reports 2,018 COVID-19 cases and four deaths
The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday reported 2,108 new coronavirus cases and four deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 430,313 and the death toll to 1,406, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).The number of recoveries rose by 2.651 to 410,736.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated pageWAM reported that the UAE conducted 208,085 COVID-19 tests in 24 hours.The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed has enabled ADNOC and other organizations in the United Arab Emirates “to more effectively navigate the challenges which arose in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber said on Sunday.As studies show smokers are more likely to suffer severe complications from COVID-19, doctors in the UAE are urging tobacco users to stub out the habit.Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic looked at more than 7,000 people with COVID-19 and the results showed that people who smoke have a higher risk of hospitalization and death from the virus.Read more:‘Kick the habit’, say UAE doctors as studies show higher COVID-19 risks for smokersLiquidity in UAE banking sector returns to pre-COVID levelsUAE daily COVID-19 cases continue to drop below 2,000, seven deaths reported
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE reports 2,018 COVID-19 cases and four deaths
Why Somalia is important for Egypt in Nile dam crisis
Egypt seeks to consolidate relations with Somalia for its important role in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis and to counter Turkish influence in the Horn of Africa.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Why Somalia is important for Egypt in Nile dam crisis
Saudi Arabia reports 354 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reported 354 new coronavirus cases and five deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 383,106 and the death toll to 6,578, according to the Ministry of Health.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The number of recoveries rose by 204 to 373,130.The Kingdom has 3,398 active COVID-19 cases, 560 of which are critical cases.Saudi Arabia’s economy rose 2.5 percent from the previous three months, according to data on Tuesday that showed an upturn from the depths of the coronavirus pandemic towards the end of 2020.The Kingdom’s economy had shrunk 3.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020Read more:Saudi Arabia’s economy rises 2.5 pct as COVID-19 impact easesSaudi Arabia registers 348 new COVID-19 cases, four deathsSaudi Arabia administered over 2 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccine: Ministry
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia reports 354 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours
Frenchman held in Iran on spy charges ‘was a tourist,’ says his sister
The sister of a Frenchman being held on suspicion of espionage in Iran told French media on Tuesday her brother was a tourist and the case against him was baseless.Benjamin Briere was arrested in May 2020, allegedly while flying a drone.He is facing charges of espionage and “propaganda against the system,” according to a lawyer representing another French national held in Iran.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Briere’s sister, Blandine Briere, said he was a tourist on a road trip that began in 2018 and took him first to Scandinavia and then to Iran.“His dream was to travel with his campervan, meet new people and discover new landscapes,” she told France Info radio.“The accusations are baseless. He was a tourist who was hoping to snap pretty pictures. And here we are, in the middle of an outrageous story.”Briere said her brother called her regularly during his travels, but in May 2020 the calls stopped.“Suddenly there was no more news,” she said.She contacted the French embassy in Iran and was eventually told that Benjamin had been arrested.Commenting on Iranian claims that her brother was taking photographs in a prohibited area using a drone when he was arrested, Briere told Le Point magazine: “We’re talking about a simple gadget, a drone you can get for 100 euros ($120) in any shop, meant for tourism photos, that’s all.”Briere is being held in Vakilabad prison in Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city, in a cell with a dozen other prisoners, according to Le Point.“Benjamin is holding up physically, even if it’s very tough,” his sister said, adding she had spoken to him twice on the telephone over the past two months.On Monday, a spokesman for the French foreign ministry said Briere was “benefitting from consular protection” and that its embassy in Tehran was in “regular contact” with him.“We get regular updates from Benjamin, but 10 months after his arrest that’s no longer enough,” Blandine Briere said. “We need to be sure that France will do everything to get him out of there.”Read more:New charges against British-Iranian aid worker Zaghari-Ratcliffe ‘unacceptable’: UKIran arrested French tourist nine months agoJailed French tourist in Iran Benjamin Briere faces spying charges: LawyerArrests of foreigners in Iran – especially dual nationals, who are often accused of espionage – have multiplied since former US president Donald Trump in 2018 unilaterally withdrew the United States from a nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed harsh sanctions against Tehran.Iran has conducted several exchanges of foreign prisoners, including researchers, with countries holding Iranian nationals.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Frenchman held in Iran on spy charges ‘was a tourist,’ says his sister
Over 100 migrants transported out of Yemen on UN-sponsored flight: Arab Coalition
A total of 160 African migrants were transported out of Yemen on a UN-sponsored flight, the Arab Coalition said on Tuesday.The Arab Coalition said the flights were organized in coordination with the international-recognized Yemeni government and come as part of the coalition’s humanitarian efforts.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The migrants were transported out of the country after a fire caused by the Iran-backed Houthi militia killed dozens of migrants at a detention center last week.“The Houthi militia committed a gross and heinous violation of the right of migrants in Sanaa,” the coalition said in a statement.Survivors and local rights activists said the deadly blaze erupted when guards fired tear gas into the crowded warehouse, trying to end a protest against alleged abuses and ill-treatment at the facility.The Houthis have not made a statement about the incident and have prevented the United Nations migration agency from accessing injured migrants at hospitals.The Yemeni embassy in Washington said it “categorically condemned the heinous crime committed by the Houthi militias against African migrants detained in prisons of Houthis in Sanaa,” in a statement on Twitter.Read more:Fingers point to Yemen Houthi militia for starting fire that killed African migrantsMigrants call for international probe into Yemen fire that killed at least 44
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Over 100 migrants transported out of Yemen on UN-sponsored flight: Arab Coalition
Why has Gulf aid to PA declined in recent years?
Official Palestinian data showed that Saudi support for the Palestinian 2020 budget drastically declined, raising many questions about the future of the Palestinian Authority on the economic and financial levels.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Why has Gulf aid to PA declined in recent years?
UAE announces new COVID-19 measures for Ramadan
The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced it would be implementing new measures during the month of Ramadan as a precaution against the coronavirus.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Ramadan – which will start on April 13 or 14 pending the moon sighting – is the month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. It is often celebrated with large gatherings, group prayers at mosques, and several other communal activities.During the month, everyone must avoid family gatherings and food exchanges with people who are not members of the same household, the Ministry of Health and Prevention said.“For the health & safety of society, we advise all to avoid evening gatherings during Ramadan, limit family visits, & avoid distributing & exchanging meals between homes & families. Only members of the same family living in the same house can share meals,” the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said.Collective Iftar tents, and meals in front of mosques or other public places are strictly prohibited, NCEMA added.Restaurants will not be allowed to distribute meals, according to NCEMA.Meals can be distributed only in labor accommodations. However, those who want to donate meals to workers must reach out to the management of the accommodation and a restaurant to distribute meal packets.Taraweeh prayers, which are the additional ritual prayers performed by Muslims at night after the Isha prayer during the holy month of Ramadan, will only be allowed under strict guidelines. Isha and Taraweeh prayers will be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes, NCEMA said. “Mosques will be closed immediately after the prayer, while women’s prayer areas, other facilities, and external roads praying areas will remain closed.”The UAE urged everyone to adhere to the new measures and instructions, adding that officials will conduct intensive inspection campaigns during Ramadan, and legal measures will be taken against all violators, whether individuals or institutions.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE announces new COVID-19 measures for Ramadan