Middle East Experience

The Ramon Foundation participates in preparing the mission of Israel’s second-ever astronaut Eytan Stibbe — a first nonprofit organization to be partnered with such a mission.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel ventures into space, for the second time

Arab Coalition successfully intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden boat in the Red Sea, launched by Iran-backed-Houthi militia in Yemen on early Wednesday.The Arab Coalition also reported that a merchant vessel was slightly damaged as a result of a shrapnel from the terrorist attempt."The terrorist acts of the Houthi militia, with Iranian support, threaten navigation and global trade", the Coalition added.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the appEarlier on Wednesday a British maritime security company, Ambrey, said that a Greek-operated tanker was damaged by a mine at a Saudi Arabian terminal, damaging its hull.The blast happened early Wednesday and struck the MT Agrari, a Maltese-flagged, Greek-managed oil tanker near Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia.“Their vessel was attacked by an unknown source,” a statement from the Agrari’s operators said. “The Agrari was struck about 1 meter above the waterline and has suffered a breach. It has been confirmed that the crew are safe and there have been no injuries.”+wires.Read more:Arab Coalition intercepts 5 explosive-laden drones launched by Yemen’s HouthisUS set to designate Iran-backed Houthi militia as terrorist organizationGlobal oil markets well supplied, says IEA after attack on Saudi oil facility
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Arab Coalition destroys explosive-laden boat, reports minor damage in merchant vessel

Iran has released Kylie Moore-Gilbert, an Australian-British academic jailed in Iran for espionage, in exchange for the release of three Iranians detained abroad, the official IRIB news agency reported on Wednesday.Iran has exchanged “Zionist spy” Moore-Gilbert with three Iranians who were arrested abroad for violating sanctions on Iran, IRIB said.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.IRIB did not say in which country the three Iranians, who it described as “economic activists,” were detained.Moore-Gilbert was arrested in Iran in 2018 and had been serving a 10-year sentence on espionage charges, which she rejects.Read more:Australian academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert moved to Tehran’s notorious Evin prisonAustralia investigating reports that Iran moved detained academic Kylie Moore-GilbertTwo female inmates dead at Iran's Qarchak prison where Kylie Moore-Gilbert is jailed
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran releases Australian-British academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert in prisoner swap

The International Support Group for Lebanon Tuesday expressed its concern regarding Cabinet formation delays and urged Lebanese authorities to implement immediate reforms..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: ISG urges Lebanese leaders to form govt, implement reforms

The judge leading Lebanon’s probe into the deadly Beirut port blast wants three members of the cabinet investigated over their possible responsibility in the disaster, a judicial source said Tuesday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanese magistrate wants cabinet members investigated over blast

Turkey and Germany traded barbs on Tuesday after German soldiers boarded a Turkish vessel on behalf of an EU military mission in the Mediterranean, with Berlin calling its NATO ally’s protests unjustified and Ankara saying the move was illegal..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Turkish-German tensions escalate over ship search

Saudi Arabia announced new penalties for abuse against women on Wednesday that include imprisonment and hefty fines for any physical, psychological, or sexual assaults against women in the Kingdom.The Saudi Public Prosecution Office has mandated a minimum jail sentence of no less than one month, and up to one year, for the act of attacking a woman.Read more: Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency years in the makingIn addition, there will also be a minimum fine of 5,000 Saudi riyals – $1,333 US dollars – and a maximum fine of 50,000 Saudi riyals, or $13,332 US dollars.The news coincided with the observance of the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, commemorated every year on November 25.Women’s rights in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia has made significant legal reforms for women over the past few years, including granting women the right to drive and the ability to apply for passports and travel freely without the permission of a male guardian.Read more: Saudi Arabia put women’s empowerment at the ‘core of its agenda,’ says G20 chairSaudi Arabian women have also greatly benefitted from economic legal reforms in the past three years, according to a World Bank report released in January, which concluded the Kingdom’s economy made the biggest progress globally toward gender equality since 2017.Amendments have been adopted in Saudi Arabia to protect women from discrimination in employment, to prohibit employers from dismissing a woman during her pregnancy and maternity leave, and to prohibit gender-based discrimination in accessing financial services.Read more: Top 10 moments for Saudi Arabian women since Vision 2030Saudi Arabia had a year of “groundbreaking” reforms in 2019 that allowed women greater economic opportunity in Saudi Arabia, the World Bank’s “Women, Business and the Law 2020” study found.The Kingdom “equalized the retirement age for women and men at 60 years, extending women’s working lives, earnings, and contributions,” the report said.Women under threat during the coronavirus pandemicViolence against women and girls, in particular domestic violence, has spiked worldwide since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.The consequences of COVID-19 and preventative measures increases risks of violence for women, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).Read more: Coronavirus: A Jordanian woman pleads for help as domestic abuse cases rise globally“Stress, the disruption of social and protective networks, loss of income and decreased access to services all can exacerbate the risk of violence for women,” according to a WHO report.Read more:Saudi Arabia will be among first countries to receive coronavirus vaccine: CabinetBodour Al Qasimi, first Arab woman to head the International Publishers AssociationSaudi Arabia tells UN Yemen’s Houthis to blame for attack on Aramco station in Jeddah
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia cracks down on abuse against women with prison term, up to ,332 fine

A mine has exploded and damaged a Greek-managed oil tanker off Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast near Yemen, where the kingdom is battling Houthi rebels..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Mine explodes, damages oil tanker off Saudi Red Sea coast

Israeli officials should urge the new administration to maintain U.S. economic leverage over Iran while avoiding the personal vendettas and public policy feuds of the…..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: How Israel Should Prepare for Biden’s New Approach to Iran

"We can't keep going like this," says Sar-el CEO Keren Dahan
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Sar-el might close its doors after decades bringing volunteers to Israel