Middle East Experience

The projects contributed to Israel's security and preserved its qualitative advantage on the battlefield.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel's top security prize awarded for three classified defense projects

The government is confronting the loss of farmland by demolishing homes and buildings constructed without permits.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt acts to rescue its farmland from urban sprawl

Residents of the West Bank village of Farasin are living in fear of displacement after receiving demolition notices for their houses, tents and even caves.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Palestinians say not even caves safe from Israeli bulldozers

Qatari BeIN chief Nasser al-Khelaifi will stand trial in Switzerland’s federal criminal court on Monday, after prosecutors charged him and former FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke in connection with the awarding of television rights for the World Cup and Confederations Cup.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Al-Khelaifi – the president of Champions League finalist Paris Saint-Germain and chairman of Qatar-owned broadcaster beIN Media Group – is the first Qatari to stand trial almost six years after FIFA asked prosecutors to investigate the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contests. He is charged with inciting a former top FIFA official to commit “aggravated criminal mismanagement.”Prosecutors have implicated al-Khelaifi in providing exclusive use of a luxury villa on the Italian island of Sardinia to the official, former FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke.The 46-year-old al-Khelaifi has been the focus of a broader case opened in 2017, even if the other two defendants face more serious charges separately in a trial slated to last two weeks in the Swiss town of Bellinzona.Valcke and marketing agency executive Dinos Deris are implicated in bribery linked to World Cup broadcast rights deals for Greece and Italy that did not involve the Qatari or beIN.Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup has also come under fire for the poor conditions faced by migrant laborers tasked with building the infrastructure for the event.With The Associated PressRead more:Swiss court puts Qatari Nasser al-Khelaifi on trial in football case Swiss prosecutoion: Investigation with the Qatari Al-Khelaifi may take yearsEgypt fines Qatar’s BeIN Sports CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi $22 million
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Qatar's BeIN chief Nasser al-Khelaifi to begin trial over FIFA World Cup corruption

Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif al-Zayani arrived in Washington on Monday to sign “a declaration in support of peace” between Bahrain and Israel, royal adviser Nabeel al-Hamer confirmed on Twitter.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Al-Zayani will attend a ceremony also marking a similar United Arab Emirates-Israel deal at the White House on Tuesday, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's media adviser added in his tweet.US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Bahrain was joining the UAE in striking a historic agreement to normalize relations with Israel. Trump tweeted a joint statement declaring that King Hamad and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to establish “full diplomatic relations” between Israel and Bahrain.“This is a historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East,” the statement read.The signing ceremony, hosted by Trump, is expected to take place on Tuesday, September 15 at the White House. UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed arrived in Washington on Sunday, leading the delegation of the UAE-Israel peace deal.Read more:US President Trump announces Bahrain-Israel normalization of tiesRetracing Bahrain’s Jewish contributions to Gulf economics and politicsBahrain announces support for UAE-Israel deal, joining Egypt, Oman
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Bahrain FM al-Zayani arrives in Washington to sign peace ‘declaration’ with Israel

At least five Kuwaiti Members of Parliament have tested positive for coronavirus, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim confirmed on Twitter on Monday, adding that not all members had yet been tested.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Tuesday’s session has been postponed for one week as a precautionary measure against further spread of the virus, according to al-Ghanim, who said all parliament members will be tested on Saturday.The parliament’s previous sessions were held for three consecutive days in which it was “clear there was some kind of outbreak,” the speaker added.Health authorities decided to wait till Saturday in order to confirm if any parliament staff or members have also contracted the virus.Some members, however, requested the session be held with the presence of “healthy” individuals. The speaker said even those who may seem healthy and test negative on Monday could be carriers of the virus “because a certain period of time” must pass from the time of contact with an infected individual.Read more:Kuwait delays phase five of reopening as COVID-19 cases near 100,000UAE to hold media briefing on COVID-19Dubai reduces COVID-19 PCR test to 250 dirhams across the emirate
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: At least five Kuwaiti MPs test positive for COVID-19, speaker says

The collapse of an old building in downtown Cairo has shed light on the state of historic buildings in the area, while heritage preservation is the focus of various projects.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Cairo’s downtown slow revival amid efforts to restore architectural heritage

Top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani backs early elections and calls on the Iraqi government to take action against the outlawed militias and mafia active in the country.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Sistani backs Iraqi government crackdown on outlawed militias

Kuwait has delayed phase five of its reopening plans “until further notice,” the Center for Government Communication (GCG) announced on Twitter amid a continuous increase in coronavirus cases.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.If implemented, this last phase would have allowed all activities, including family gatherings and weddings, to return to normal. Gyms and cinemas would also be allowed to reopen under this last phase of the government’s plan.As the health ministry continues to record an increase in cases, the final reopening phase has been put on hold as of Monday. A total of 708 new infections were confirmed over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of cases to 95,472 as of September 14. An additional 508 individuals who had previously tested positive for the virus recovered, increasing the recoveries to 85,501.Earlier Monday, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim confirmed that at least five Members of Parliament have tested positive for coronavirus and all members would be tested on Saturday. Tuesday’s session was also postponed for one week as a precautionary measure against further spread of the virus, according to al-Ghanim.The parliament’s previous sessions were held for three consecutive days in which it was “clear there was some kind of outbreak,” the speaker added.Health authorities decided to wait till Saturday in order to confirm if any parliament staff or members have also contracted the virus.In mid-August, the country allowed restaurants, cafes, and some business to reopen under phase four of the plan after months of closure.Read more:Kuwait to allow restaurants, some business to reopen on August 18At least five Kuwaiti MPs test positive for COVID-19, speaker saysChina virologist says COVID-19 man-made, market claims false
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Kuwait delays phase five of reopening as COVID-19 cases near 100,000

Israeli business people are already in contact with hotels at the United Arab Emirates, who wish to accommodate their kitchens to the Israeli tourists.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Hotels in the Emirates explore turning kitchens kosher