Middle East Experience

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underwent surgery Wednesday to treat appendicitis, the Saudi Press Agency reported.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.According to the SPA, the laparoscopic surgery, which was performed at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, was successful.The crown prince has since been discharged from the hospital.Read more:Saudi Arabia launches Soudah Development Company that will lead a $3 bln projectBiden to hold phone call with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman soon: White House
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince undergoes successful surgery: SPA

The United Arab Emirates reported a significant rise in the number of new coronavirus fatalities with health officials recording 18 new deaths in the past 24 hours on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The virus-related death toll in the UAE is now 1,182.The rate of infections in the country seems to have slowed down as officials reported a slight drop of 3,025 new cases on Thursday.The UAE had been recording over 3,200 for a few weeks after the tourist-hub emirate of Dubai welcomed a surge of tourists over the holiday season.The total number of confirmed infections in the country has risen to 381,662, according to the ministry.Meanwhile, the number of recoveries in the UAE rose to 375,059 after 4,678 people recovered from the coronavirus in the last 24 hours.The UAE has been leading one of the world’s most effective vaccination programs. The country has plans to innoculate at least 50 percent of its population by March.Read more:UAE vaccinates 3.48 million people against COVID-19Abu Dhabi Culture Summit to focus on creative solutions for post-COVID-19 environmentAlpecin-Fenix withdraw from UAE Tour after positive COVID-19 test
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE reports rise in COVID-19 deaths as infection rate drops slightly

The Israeli government has launched a "Green Pass" program that allows vaccinated individuals to go to concerts, the gym, hotels and more.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Vaccine pass required to attend Israeli concert

Moscow played a central role in the release of the Israeli woman who crossed the border into Syria, but might prove less helpful on Iranian entrenchment in Syria or the Palestinian issue.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Netanyahu’s friendship with Putin benefits Israel, but has limits

The Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has been sanctioning private schools and institutes in its areas of control in northeast Syria and arresting teachers for not following the Kurdish curriculum in their educational systems.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Authorities in northeast Syria struggle to impose Kurdish curriculum

Turkey’s government goes on the defensive as the main opposition presses for answers on how the central bank ended up with negative reserves.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Where is the money? Erdogan feels the heat over foreign reserves drain

A pilot project for the solution is currently being implemented at a kibbutz dairy farm in Israel.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israeli tech turns animal waste into odorless, powdered fertilizer

The genealogy testing company was just acquired by US investment firm Francisco Partners for an estimated $600 million.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: MyHeritage CEO: Our acquisition rewards our workers and helps us grow

Honduras and Guatemala, the latter of which has an embassy in Jerusalem, are among the countries that received donated vaccine doses from Israel, diplomatic sources confirmed.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: First COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Honduras from Israel

Reuters reports the US intelligence assessment concluded "the crown prince approved and likely ordered the murder of Khashoggi.”
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: US readies report on Khashoggi killing