Middle East Experience

The G20 summit deals with practical issues, not political, empowering women, improving the global trading system, it at all becomes much easier when you’re trying to deal with practical problems, says Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir.Al-Jubeir wished that the summit was held physically so that people can witness what Saudi Arabia has accomplished in terms of educating the youth, empowering women, and creating a technology-based society.Read more: Saudi Arabia will be ‘one of the first’ to procure coronavirus vaccine: KSRelief head“COVID-19 pandemic has prevented most of the meetings from happening physically. It would have been nice to have thousands of people come to walk the streets, meet Saudi men and women. See the changes that have happened in the country, feel the changes that happened,” he added.“The world has always been connected, but to a much less extent. With time it became more connected. First, by ships 200 years ago, it took 3 to 4 weeks to go from the Middle East to Asia or America, now we are connected by the Internet via zoom to where we can have virtual meetings around the world with multiple participants.” al-Jubeiri added.“Nations became more connected through international organizations like the United Nations, the World Health Organization, World Bank, IMF, World Food Program.”, he added.“I believe that the world is now a small village, and when one neighborhood in the village has a problem, the rest of the village has a problem. If there’s a disease at one end of the world, it takes hours before it reaches other ends.”al-Jubeir considers that the G20 countries have taken significant steps to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.“Together we can achieve a lot more than if we operate independently,” concluded al-Jubeir.G20 Riyadh SummitSaudi Arabia holds the 2020 presidency of the G20, which rotates among members, and will be hosting the G20 summit across Saturday November 21 and Sunday November 22.Due to the coronavirus, this year’s Riyadh summit is being held virtually, with leaders and ministers attending via webcam.The build-up events, ranging from Women 20 to Business 20, have also taken place virtually.Addressing the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic is top of the agenda this year, as countries try to rebuild from the devastating economic impact of the virus.The environment has also featured, with the looming threat of climate change everpresent on the agenda.This year’s agenda also has a sharper focus on culture than previous years, with culture ministers pledging to support the $2.3 trillion cultural economy in a meeting on November 4.Read more: G20 Riyadh summit taking place under exceptional circumstances: Saudi Arabia's FM
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Al-Jubeir: G20 countries have taken great steps to combat the coronavirus pandemic

Without a doubt, the president’s attempts to undermine faith in the integrity of the election are dangerous to democracy.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Five reasons Trump's election challenge will not lead to civil war

Starting on Saturday morning, travelers arriving in England from Israel will not have to enter quarantine.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: UK lists Jerusalem separately from Israel on COVID-19 travel advisory

This is the largest amount of vaccines from any one company to be sold to Israel.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel to sign for 10 million doses of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine

A New York-based firm pulled out from the audit after Lebanese authorities failed to hand over essential documents on time..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Forensic audit firm drops Lebanon over missing data: presidency

Lebanon confirms 1,709 new coronavirus cases, 16 deaths..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon confirms 1,709 new coronavirus cases, 16 deaths

Jordan will open a consulate in the Western Sahara, Morocco said on Thursday, in a show of support for Rabat after the disputed territory’s Polisario movement declared the three decades-old truce with the kingdom over..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Jordan opens consulate in Laayoune in support for Morocco’s sovereignty

Professor Amna Nosseir sparked a public outcry after she said there is no text in Islamic law that prevents a Muslim woman from marrying a Christian or Jewish man..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Al-Azhar professor sparks fierce debate with 'misinterpreted' comment on Muslim women marrying non-Muslim men

Visiting Israel before the end of the administration he serves, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's grandiose gestures and warm reception were clearly the last hurrah of a relationship with a time limit.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: In last days of Trump administration, Pompeo showers gifts on Israel

Ankara’s departure from a much-criticized policy to keep interest rates low offers hope for a currency recovery but threatens economic recession and fresh livelihood grievances for the populace.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkey’s landmark rate hike augurs economic contraction