Middle East Experience

The deal includes Israel releasing two Syrian prisoners in exchange for the release of the young woman who crossed into Syria's border.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Netanyahu says using ties with Putin to secure Israeli's release from Syria

Israel is reportedly negotiating with Syria on the release of a woman who mistakenly crossed the border in exchange for the release of two Golan residents imprisoned in Israel.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel in quiet talks with Syria on prisoner swap

Egypt’s parliament is ramping up efforts to deal with the US Congress’ criticism of the human rights situation in Egypt, as it passed a motion to send delegations to the United States.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egyptian parliament hopes to counter US Congress criticism on human rights

A delay in the arrival of vaccines has postponed the start of Tunisia’s vaccination campaign..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Tunisia's virus vaccines delayed until March: official

Education Ministry: Students in grades 5, 6, 11 and 12 will learn in capsules of up to 20 students
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Coronavirus: Will your child’s school open on Sunday?

Temperatures have already dropped considerably, and will become even colder.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: More than just sweater weather: Israel meets snowstorm

‘Someone who does not fulfill command [of protecting life] rejects the good which God granted his world and possibility of getting out of the distress caused by the coronavirus,’ said chief rabbi.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Chief Rabbi Lau suspends rabbinical judge for refusing COVID vaccine

A Turkish man has been arrested for pushing his pregnant wife off a cliff in 2018, then claiming her life insurance following her death, UK’s The Sun publication reported on Wednesday.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Forty-year-old Hakan Aysal reportedly pushed his wife off a 1,000-foot cliff while the couple were on vacation in Butterfly Valley in Mugla, Turkey.Aysal’s wife Semra Aysal, who was 32 years old at the time of the incident, was seven months pregnant when she and her husband were taking photos on the cliff. She and the couple’s unborn child were killed instantly following the fall.The couple reportedly stayed on top of the cliff for three hours “so that he could make sure no one was around.”“In the indictment prepared for the crime of ‘deliberate murder’ against the husband, it stated he planned an ordeal in order to get the guarantee of £40,865 [$56,605] from insurance,” according The Sun.Aysal reportedly made the insurance claim shortly after his wife’s death, “but it was declined when news of the investigation was unveiled.”Following the wife’s death, her brother reportedly said the family found out that Aysal had taken three loans on behalf of his wife while she was still alive.In a statement carried by The Sun, Aysal denied killing his wife, saying: “After taking a photo, my wife put the phone in her bag. Later she asked me to give her the phone. I got up and then heard my wife scream behind me when I walked a few steps away to get the phone from her bag. When I turned back, she was not there. I did not push my wife.”The investigation is currently active, and Aysal remains in custody.Read more:Murders of three women spark anger in Lebanon as domestic violence doublesTeen girl’s rape and murder sparks outcry, protest in Nepal‘I will not be silenced’: Kuwaiti women launch #MeToo movement to stop harassment
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Turkish man arrested for pushing pregnant wife off cliff, claiming life insurance

The United Arab Emirates recorded 3,294 new cases of COVID-19, 3,431 recoveries and 18 deaths on Thursday, the country’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) reported.The UAE conducted 171,667 coronavirus tests within the last 24 hours.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.According to NCEMA UAE’s website, Thursday’s figures brought the total number of active cases to 13,438, and deaths to 1,073.The 18 coronavirus deaths recorded on Thursday were due to underlying health complications, the NCEMA tweet cited.The UAE continues to ramp up its vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus. On Wednesday alone, state news agency WAM announced the vaccinations of 85,681 people, brining the cumulative total to 5,284,406 doses, amounting to 53.43 doses per 100 people.Read more:UAE vaccinates 40 percent of population, 48 percent of elderly residentsUAE’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed receives a letter from president PutinOver 60 pct of UAE residents expect vaccine to restore normalcy in a year: Study
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE records 3,294 new COVID-19 cases, 3,431 recoveries and 18 deaths

Jerusalem woke up to the rare experience of seeing its holy sites covered in snow on Thursday, with the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall under a layer of white after an overnight snowstorm.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Before dawn children were up hurling snowballs at each other outside the Old City gates, as the faithful trudged to sites holy to Judaism, Islam and Christianity.The snowstorm began on Wednesday evening, leading the authorities to shut down public transportation and block the main road to Jerusalem.But as it eased overnight the municipality said it would resume services, and people even drove to see the spectacle.“We came in from Tel Aviv to play in the snow,” said Ben Miller. “It’s a rare occasion that we get snow in Jerusalem. The last time, I think, was 2013.”Read more:Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk begins to see snowfall as Kingdom expects weekend thunderstormsSaudi Arabia experiences worst cold spell since 2016Refugees prepared for strongest snowstorm in years affecting the Levant: UNHCR
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Snow in the Middle East: Jerusalem’s holy sites appear under a layer of white