Middle East Experience

An Egyptian lawyer proposed an initiative for couples in Egypt to sign a contract with a set of rules to avoid quarrels that lead to divorce.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Can ‘experimental marriage’ decrease divorce rate in Egypt?

Saudi Arabia’s Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) on Monday sentenced a detained Saudi citizen to five years and eight months in prison for several charges, including “seeking to execute foreign agenda inside the Kingdom” in order to harm public order, according to Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.The SCC said the citizen had been involved in activities targeting the country’s internal security.For the latest headlines, visit our Google News channel online or via the app.“The court ruled, in a public session attended by Asharq al-Awsat and a number of media outlets, to convict the defendant” with several charges, including “incitement to change the Basic System of Governance” and “seeking to execute foreign agenda inside the Kingdom using the internet,” the newspaper reported.The report added that the detainee was sentenced for five years and eight months “with suspension of a two-year and 10-month of punishment out of consideration for her conditions, with the suspension being considered null if she commits any crime within the next three years.”Read more: Riyadh court dismisses Saudi female prisoner’s torture, harassment claimsAccording to Asharq al-Awsat, the court’s judge said the detainee pled guilty to all charges brought against her, adding that she was convicted in accordance with Saudi Arabia’s law regarding crimes of terrorism and its financing.The judge said that the confessions were documented voluntarily without coercion, Asharq al-Awsat reported.“The judge stated that the verdict issued against the defendant was based on the evidence that she committed criminal acts under Article 43 of the Law on Combating Terrorism Crimes and Its Financing, and the decision also included the application of the additional punishment stipulated in Article 53 of the same system,” the newspaper said.The detainee’s family (her legal representatives) and the representative of Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) were present at the court’s sentencing session.Read more: Saudi Arabia sentences corrupt judge, others to prison, issues fines
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi charged with ‘executing foreign agenda’ to be released upon sentence suspension

Oman’s expatriate worker population fell by more than 270,000, or nearly 16 percent, from the end of 2019 to November 2020, data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information showed.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Oman had 1.44 million non-Omani workers as of November, according to the data, down from 1.71 million expatriate workers at the end of last year.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the appMany foreign workers have left Gulf countries this year as their hydrocarbon-dependent economies were simultaneously hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the drop in oil demand and prices that came with it.Read more: Oman discusses plans for replacing expats with locals in government firmsThe International Labour Organization said earlier this year that it expected an expatriate exodus from the Gulf to be larger than after the 2008-2009 financial crisis and the 2014-2015 plunge in prices for oil, the region’s main export.More than 340,000 foreign workers left Oman in 2010 following the financial crisis.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: More than 270,000 expatriate workers left Oman this year

The United Arab Emirates detected 1,027 new coronavirus cases, which raised the total number of recorded cases in the country to 202,863, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced on Monday.The Ministry also announced three deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 660.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The MoHAP announced the latest results after conducting 100,946 additional tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.The Ministry also noted that an additional 1,253 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 179,925.Read more: Coronavirus vaccine with ‘non-halal’ ingredients permissible for Muslims: UAE CouncilAccording to the Ministry, the infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and receiving the necessary care, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.In a statement on Monday, the Ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences to the families of those deceased and wished COVID-19 patients a speedy and full recovery.It called on all members of the society to cooperate with health authorities, adhere to the instructions and physical safe distance to ensure the health and safety of all.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE detects 1,027 new COVID-19 cases, 1,253 in 24 hours

Saudi Arabia on Monday detected 119 new coronavirus cases, the Ministry of Health said, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 362, 339.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The number of recovered cases in the Kingdom rose by 174 to 353,353. The death toll rose by 11 to 6,196.Riyadh reported 40 new COVID-19 cases, while the Eastern Province had 25 cases, and Mecca had 24.Saudi Arabia on Monday extended a suspension on all international commercial flights and entry into the Kingdom through land and sea ports for another week, according to an interior ministry source, over the emergency of a new COVID-19 strain.Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia’s top aviation body confirmed it will allow airlines operating in the Kingdom to fly out non-Saudi Arabian passengers starting immediately, according to an official statement from the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation.Read more: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia extends suspension of international flights by another week
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia detects 119 COVID-19 infections

On the backdrop of announced fourth elections, right-wing circles see the hearing last week on the controversial Nationality Law as evidence that the Supreme Court leans toward the left.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: As new elections loom, Israel’s Supreme Court deliberates Nationality Law

Members of the Joint List are angry over what seems to be rapprochement, perhaps even a political deal, between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Knesset member Mansour Abbas.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israeli right, Arabs fume over talks between Netanyahu, Joint List senior

The Rising Stars will be collaborating with WBC Cares and the Amir Khan Foundation to help kids achieve their dreams..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Amir Khan meets the ‘Rising Stars’ in Dubai

Israel's vaccination drive is in high gear, operating seven days a week, 24 hours per day, including on the Sabbath.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel leads in vaccinations

Israeli forces stormed the courtyards of the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, firing teargas canisters and rubber bullets at random, according to local reports..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Israeli forces raid West Bank hospital, injure pregnant Palestinian woman, paramedic