Middle East Experience

It's not just the virus that's a threat: Israeli society is starting to fracture under the strain.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: If Israel is to survive the coronavirus crisis, we need new leadership

Kuwait's new ruler Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Wednesday named Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad, deputy head of the country's National Guard, as crown prince of the US-allied OPEC member state.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The selection of Sheikh Meshal, which must be approved by the Gulf Arab state's parliament, “was blessed by the al-Sabah family,” state news agency KUNA cited a statement from theemir's office as saying.Earlier two members of Kuwait's ruling family posted messages on Twitter pledging allegiance to Sheikh Meshal as crown prince.Sheikh Nawaf assumed power following the death of his brother Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad last week, as the government tries to shore up finances strained by low oil prices and COVID-19.Diplomats and analysts say that due to his low-key style and age, Sheikh Nawaf, 83, may delegate a larger portion of responsibilities to his heir apparent, who would have to act swiftly to tackle domestic issues.The country's parliament speaker has said if the emir announces a crown prince on Wednesday, then lawmakers would vote on his choice on Thursday, the last day of parliament's term.Read more:Two Kuwait ruling family members voice support for Sheikh Meshal as crown princeAfter the death of Kuwait’s emir, how is the next ruler chosen?Kuwait names Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah as new emir
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Kuwait's Emir names Sheikh Meshal al-Sabah as crown prince: KUNA

Global art experts are set to meet virtually next month to discuss how the museum sector can survive and adapt amid the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.A new virtual symposium held by Louvre Abu Dhabi and New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU-AD) will bring together prominent global scholars, artists, and museum experts on November 16 to 18 for a public discussion on the future of art museums.Titled “Reframing Museums,” the symposium will address how museums can stay relevant in a rapidly changing world and how these institutions can implement innovative solutions to overcome challenges like COVID-19, among other topics.Read more: Museums respond to societies’ needs even during a global crisis, says Manal AtayaFeatured guests include the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the Louvre Jean-Luc Martinez, Director of the Hermitage Museum Mikhail Piotrovsky, Sharjah Art Foundation’s President Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, and Metropolitan Museum of Art Director Max Hollein.Many of the challenges museums face today were present before the coronavirus pandemic, according to NYU-AD Vice Chancellor Mariët Westermann.“But the pandemic has forced all museum directors, curators, users, and funders to address them head on,” Westermann said in a statement.These complex challenges need to be urgently addressed, according to Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi Manuel Rabaté, as “now, more than ever museums are vital in providing comfort, empathy, and understanding to communities during difficult times.”Creating a digital collectionThe coronavirus pandemic has made virtual exhibits more popular, including for Louvre Abu Dhabi.The museum – which reopened to the public in June after a 100-day closure – has used technology to widen its audience at a time when its in-person visitors are fewer due to global coronavirus preventative measures.The museum recently launched an online collection, featuring a selection of 120 “masterpieces,” which can be viewed free on the museum’s website.The project started in February 2019, but the new circumstances brought about by COVID-19 encouraged the staff to accelerate the museum’s digital presence, according to Faten Rochdy, head of the museum’s resource center unit.“This project allows viewers at home and around the world to dive deeper into our collection, which serves as a chrono-thematic journey of human creativity from Neolithic times to the present day,” Rochdy told Al Arabiya English.Some of the most remarkable pieces in the collection include an ancient plank idol with two heads from the island of Cyprus that dates back to between 2300-1900 BC, a page of the Blue Quran that dates back to the 800-900 AD, and a monumental lion from Spain from around 1000-1200 AD.Viewers are also given exclusive access to artwork that is kept in storage due to light sensitivity reasons, and not on display in the museum.The collection is available in in Arabic, English, and French.Creating new languageThe museum’s research center has also begun a new project focused on developing precise Arabic translations for art historical terms that did not previously exist.The project ‘Bil Arabi’ (“In Arabic”) aims to build a trilingual thesaurus of art history terms in Arabic, English, and French.It involves all Arabic speakers of the museum’s curatorial and the research center teams.The thesaurus is intended to be a reference tool for the museum, students, and academics.Read more:Four Jewish attractions to see in the UAEEgyptian artist Hany Genedy crafts pictures with saltFive questions: Meet the Hebrew-speaking Emirati building bridges between Israel, UAE
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Future of museums: Abu Dhabi’s Louvre, NYU to host prestigious meeting on challenges

Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court upheld a previous ruling prohibiting the celebration of the birth of a Jewish rabbi, which attracts hundreds of Israelis every year, in a move that may in part reflect popular rejection of normalization with Israel.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt’s ban of Jewish festival raises controversy

Turkey's lira touched a fresh record low against the dollar on Wednesday, hit by investor unease over possible US sanctions, fraught ties with the European Union and the ongoing Caucasus conflict.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The lira hit a record low of 7.87 against the US currency, weakening from a close of 7.8050 on Wednesday. By 1000 GMT it stood at 7.8550.It has lost 24 percent of its value this year on concerns over the central bank's depleted forex reserves, costly interventions in the currency market, and geopolitical issues.Concerns over possible US sanctions resurfaced after Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that Ankara would begin testing the Russian S-400 missile defense system.Tensions between Ankara and the EU appeared to rise after President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday decisions at an EU summit last week over disputes including maritime claims in the eastern Mediterranean had been insufficient to resolve disagreements.Erdogan and a Turkish Cypriot leader also announced on Tuesday the partial reopening of a Cypriot resort abandoned since the 1974 invasion by Turkey. This drew condemnation from Greece and the Greek Cypriot government.“The EU-related concerns over geopolitical tensions decreased in recent days due to a move towards dialogue. But as of this week, an increase in tensions in both Azerbaijan and the EU can be observed,” a banker said.Fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh is at its most intense in 25 years. Ankara's backing for Baku has set Turkey apart from other big nations, alarming NATO allies who seek a ceasefire.Investors were also assessing the Treasury's first eurobond issue since February. The treasury borrowed $2.5 billion in a dollar-denominated eurobond issue maturing in 2025, with a coupon rate of 6.375 percent, data showed.Despite all the recent geopolitical tensions and turbulence in its financial markets this year, Turkey sold a $2.5 billion 5-year eurobond on Tuesday that gave buyers 6.4 percent interest.Turkey's dollar-denominated bonds weakened, with the April 2043 and February 2045 issues both losing more than 1 cent on the dollar, their biggest daily fall in two weeks, Tradeweb data showed.Five-year Turkey credit default swaps rose to 511 basis points, up 9 basis points from Tuesday's close, according to IHS Markit.Read more:Trump tweet on stalled coronavirus aid bill sends US stocks tumblingTop 100 startups selected for Entrepreneurship World Cup finals in RiyadhIranian rial falls to historic low against US dollar amid coronavirus, sanctions
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Turkish lira sinks to new record low amid possible US sanctions

The United Arab Emirates has confirmed 1,046 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, raising the total to 101,840, the health ministry announced on Wednesday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.An additional 1,154 recoveries were also recorded, in addition to one fatality.The death toll as remained relatively low at a total of 436 deaths as of October 7, according to the health ministry.Health authorities are urging people to take the influenza (flu) vaccine in an effort to not overwhelm the health sector and to avoid a rise in flu infections amid the coronavirus pandemic.“Everyone should help the national health sector by taking the influenza vaccine, which is available at all health centers. Influenza may only cause mild symptoms in some categories of people, but elderly people and people with chronic diseases may experience serious reactions,” UAE government spokesman Dr. Omar al-Hammadi said on Tuesday.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Influenza is similar to the coronavirus in terms of transmission, most notably through inhaling droplets from coughs and sneezes and touching contaminated surfaces then touching the mouth, nose or eyes,” the official explained.Al-Hammadi clarified that the flu vaccine does not protect against the coronavirus and people should continue practicing social distancing, wearing masks and other precautionary measures.Read more:UAE says receiving COVID-19 vaccine does not reduce risk of infectionDubai amends travel protocols, eliminates some requirementsOver 10 mln, number of coronavirus tests done exceeds population in UAE: Official
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,046 new COVID-19 in steady increase

It is difficult to understand why the Israeli authorities are recruiting ex-Shin Bet analysts to participate in an information campaign planned to combat the coronavirus in the Israeli-Arab community.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Ex-Shin Bet analysts recruited to fight coronavirus within Israeli-Arab society

The United States on Wednesday said it was troubled by a recent rise in attacks in Syria, a day after a blast in the northwest town of al-Bab killed at least 11 people.“The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack near a crowded traffic circle in al-Bab yesterday,” US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.She added that other reports indicated more than 20 people were killed. “We are deeply troubled by the rise in such terrorist attacks in recent months.”On Tuesday, hospital sources told Reuters that at least 11 people were killed and dozens more were wounded in an explosion in the northwest Syrian town of al-Bab, which is under the control of Turkey-backed opposition factions.Read more:Kurdish authorities agree to allow Syrians to leave overcrowded Al-Hol campSyria’s al-Assad says Russian bases in his country keep balance of power in region
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: After blast in northwest Syria, US State Department says rise in attacks troubling

Shells and rockets from the conflict from Nagorno-Karabakh region have reportedly landed in northwestern Iran, which does not back either side.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran protests spillover shelling from Armenia-Azerbaijan war

Libya has lost $180 billion in oil revenues since 2013, according to the Tripoli-based central bank.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Libyan Central Bank warns of financial collapse if oil production not restored