Forty-eight government officials and employees in Saudi Arabia have been charged with corruption, according to the Kingdom’s anti-graft authority.The officials and employees worked for the ministries of defense, interior, justice, municipal and rural affairs and housing, education, and environment, water and agriculture, the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) said on Thursday.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Some also worked for the Presidency of State Security, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, and the General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection.The charges made against them include bribery, abuse of power and forgery, Nazaha said in a statement.Seventeen other citizens and expatriates were also arrested for their involvement in corruption, the authority added.Arrests followed thorough investigations into the alleged roles of 411 people in corruption.Upon completion of legal procedures, the cases will then be referred to the courts, Nazaha said.The anti-corruption body has cracked down on anyone exploiting the public office for personal gain, or harming the public interest in any way.Nazaha issued several criminal cases against dozens of citizens and residents, including government employees, last month. The crimes included bribery, embezzlement of public funds, and fraud.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s anti-corruption body issues several criminal cases in latest crackdownSaudi Arabia’s anti-corruption body says accused stole more than $100 mln
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia charges 48 govt officials, employees with corruption
Yemen’s President, US envoy discuss Houthi militia, Iran’s interference
Yemen’s President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi met with US special envoy to Yemen Timothy Lenderking on Thursday to discuss the Houthi militia’s crimes in the country and Iran’s interference in the ongoing conflict, the Yemeni leader’s office said. Hadi affirmed that the US would continue to help the internationally-recognized government confront Iranian interference in the country, his office added. For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Houthis’ ongoing crimes and attacks have prevented Yemen from being at peace, the president said,Iran has been supplying the Houthis with weapons and military equipment in its war against the Yemeni government since 2014.The Houthis – who now control the Yemeni capital Sana’a – have carried out thousands of attacks in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. For his part, Lenderking reaffirmed Washington’s support for the Yemeni government, as well as its strong ally Saudi Arabia, especially when it comes to confronting and condemning the threats posed by the Iran-backed Houthis. The US is working towards reaching a permanent agreement in Yemen with all of its involved partners, the special envoy said, adding that the new administration will ensure that Yemen’s stability and security is preserved. Read more:US to continue pressure on Iran-backed Houthis for attacks in the region: ReportSaudi Arabia’s FM, US counterpart discuss Abha airport attack, regional developments
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Yemen’s President, US envoy discuss Houthi militia, Iran’s interference
Despite coronavirus, Suez Canal records high revenues
Despite the negative repercussions of the outbreak of the coronavirus on global trade, the Suez Canal took in $5.61 billion in 2020, its third-highest total ever.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Despite coronavirus, Suez Canal records high revenues
Joint List splits as elections near
Ra'am has left the Joint List, saying it can't do the work needed to effect decision-making in Israel while tied to lawmakers who refuse to engage in the political process.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Joint List splits as elections near
What’s next for Turkey in Libya after election of new interim leaders?
Universal goodwill messages to Libya’s new interim leadership indicate how complex the Libyan file has become for all foreign actors in the country ahead of potentially clamorous elections in December.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: What’s next for Turkey in Libya after election of new interim leaders?
Oman closes land border, parks and beaches as vaccine rollout continues
The sultanate's anti-virus committee announced several new restrictions on travel and gatherings on Wednesday.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Oman closes land border, parks and beaches as vaccine rollout continues
Turkey aims for moon by 2023 as UAE reaches Mars
Turkey's president announced he wants to send a spacecraft to the moon by Turkey's centennial the same day regional rival the United Arab Emirates reached Mars.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkey aims for moon by 2023 as UAE reaches Mars
Opposition Turkish MP regains seat after jail
A prominent Turkish opposition lawmaker regained his seat in parliament on Thursday after spending part of the past four years in jail on fiercely disputed espionage charges..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Opposition Turkish MP regains seat after jail
Democracy at 'all-time low' following coronavirus pandemic driven by authoritarian regimes in the MENA
The Democracy Index in 2020 has hit an all-time low since the index was first produced in 2006..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Democracy at 'all-time low' following coronavirus pandemic driven by authoritarian regimes in the MENA
New ministers of state at foreign ministry named in UAE reshuffle
The United Arab Emirates announced on Wednesday a cabinet reshuffle, appointing Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, the former UAE ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Khalifa al-Marar, former assistant minister of political affairs, ministers of state at the foreign ministry. The UAE government communications, however, did not specify which roles the two men would take up..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: New ministers of state at foreign ministry named in UAE reshuffle