Middle East Experience

The US Treasury Department allegedly withheld close to $4 million from the New York City Fire Department WTC Health Program.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Trump administration accused of 'siphoning' 9/11 fund money - report

As UAE and Israeli officials prepare for the upcoming signing of a bilateral peace agreement, another item is on the menu for discussion: kosher cuisine.With tourism opening between the countries, the UAE will soon welcome Israelis, many of whom follow Jewish dietary laws, known as “keeping kosher.”Kosher meals follow traditional Jewish dietary laws including the prohibition of pork and shellfish and mixing of meat and milk products, and generally have to be certified by a Jewish religious leader known as a rabbi.Seventy-five percent of Israeli Jewish people are kosher observant, according to a study by the Israel Democracy Institute.Here’s how residents, hotels, and government agencies are getting ready for kosher observant customers.Elli’s Kosher Kitchen & Habtoor HospitalityThe UAE’s homegrown kosher eatery, Elli’s Kosher Kitchen, is offering its services to hotels throughout the country, including hospitality establishments at Al Habtoor City.“For Israeli tourists, the kosher solution does exist in the UAE,” said Elli Kriel, founder of Elli’s Kosher Kitchen, in an interview with Al Arabiya English.Habtoor Hospitality announced Thursday it had partnered with Kriel’s business to become the first hotel group in the country to offer kosher food and services.“Every time there is a kosher tour group, the hotel will either buy food from me or I will prepare at it at the hotel with kosher supervisors, in ways that are compliant with kosher food rules and under supervision of a kosher supervisor,” said Kriel, who recently signed an agreement with Habtoor Hospitality’s general manager.Elli’s Kosher Kitchen is partnering with Orthodox Union, the world’s largest kosher certification agency, to ensure kosher food delivery.Kriel, an integral member of the UAE’s local Jewish community, started her kosher food business last year and has gained international attention, especially for her “Kosherati” menu, which adopts local Emirati flavor to Jewish cooking.Kosher certification company chosen for hotels, Expo 2020Orthodox Union announced Tuesday that it will be the leading agency of its kind in the UAE “in partnership with the local Jewish community.”“They are going to come here and be my support,” said Kriel, who brought in Orthodox Union to certify her cuisine at the high-level Emirati-Israeli delegation dinner in Abu Dhabi on August 31.The agency will also be involved with Dubai’s Expo 2020, which has been rescheduled for next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.For a kitchen of a business or a restaurant to be certified kosher, a rabbi must supervise the cooking of the meals, ensuring every ingredient – and cooking method - is kosher.A business is then generally provided an annual certification.Abu Dhabi advises hotels to offer kosher optionsOn Tuesday Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism sent a memo to general managers at all hotels in the capital city advising them to offer kosher food to visitors.“To ensure certain foods are available for all visitors and tourists in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, please note that all hotel establishments are advised to include Kosher food options on room service menus and at all food and beverage outlets in their establishments,” the letter said.The government letter advised that hotel establishments “seek kosher certification for handling kosher meals” and designate an area in all kitchens for kosher food preparation.The guidance benefits guests observing Jewish dietary laws, according to Kriel, who said they will now be able to have kosher foods produced freshly in hotels.Read more:Israel, UAE foreign diplomats meet publicly for first time in AfricaIsrael likely won’t stamp passports of UAE tourists: Israeli foreign ministryEight moments that led up to the UAE’s agreement with Israel
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: How the UAE is ‘keeping kosher’ for Jewish tourists after Israel deal

Sudanese authorities and the United Nations are rolling out aid to tens of thousands who lost their homes in record Nile floods, but many of those camping out on roadsides and higher ground are despairing of when it will reach them.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Sudan's government said it had allocated more than 150 million Sudanese pounds ($2.73 million) to help flood victims, the state news agency said.The UN refugee agency UNHCR said that with the help of the United Arab Emirates it had flown 100 metric tonnes of relief material including blankets, which will be distributed across 12 states.The floods have left at least 102 people dead in the country and destroyed or damaged tens of thousands of homes, according to the interior ministry. Authorities have declared a three-month state of emergency.Standing by tents in south Khartoum, Idris Ahmed, who lost his home, said the government was not giving enough support. “They are not helping, not doing anything,” he said.“I, as a citizen, am asking for my citizen's rights, am looking for refuge.”Residents packed into boats to check on their houses as parts of the capital Khartoum such as Toti island at the confluence of the White and Blue Nile were submerged.“We hope that things get better, that this flood gets better,” said Alaa Eldin, another displaced person. “But from what we see, what is coming may be harder... that is why we are calling on everyone to stand by the citizens, the simple, poor citizens who have lost their shelter and home.”Some 85,000 internally displaced and 40,000 refugees have been affected by the floods in Khartoum, in eastern Sudan, along the White Nile and the restive Darfur region who urgently needed help, UNHCR said in a statement.Read more:EU ready to help migrants after fire at Greece campSudan floods threaten ancient archaeological site of al-Bajrawiya, Meroe pyramidsWatch: Residents of Sudan’s Tuti Island struggle to abandon flooded homes
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Sudan floods: Made homeless by record floods, tens of thousands wait for aid

US President Donald Trump was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on Wednesday for his role in brokering a historic peace deal between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.Norwegian lawmaker Christian Tybring-Gjedde put forward Trump’s name on Wednesday.“It is for his contribution to peace between Israel and the UAE. It is a unique deal,” Tybring-Gjedde told Reuters, adding that Trump’s withdrawal of US troops from Iraq was also a factor. The Pentagon said Wednesday it would reduce the number of US troops in Iraq from to 5,200 to 3,000 in September.The politician is not the first to suggest Trump should receive the award for his role in the agreement, which is Israel’s first peace treaty with an Arab country in 25 years.White House National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said in a press briefing on August 13 that the agreement “is an example of why [Trump]…should be a frontrunner for the Nobel Peace Prize.”“He brought peace to Israel and the UAE…It wouldn’t surprise me if the President is eventually nominated for a Nobel Prize,” O’Brien said.Tybring-Gjedde previously nominated Trump for the award in 2019 for the president’s efforts with North Korea and its leader Kim Jong-Un.Trump’s predecessor President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, just months into his first term, for his diplomacy.Calls for all three leaders to receive the prizeOfficials, experts, and media personalities have called for the prize to be awarded to all three US, UAE, and Israeli leaders for their accomplishment of the historic agreement.Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced on August 13 that Israel and the United Arab Emirates would normalize relations in exchange for Israel’s halting of annexation of Palestinian territory.Middle East expert Ghanem Nuseibeh said at the time that the Nobel Peace Prize should be granted to all three leaders.“They all deserve it,” Nuseibeh said in a post on Twitter.US media personality Eric Bolling posted a photo of the three leaders on Twitter with the caption: “A Nobel Prize in 3…2…1?”Netanyahu’s son Yair tweeted that the three leaders should receive the Nobel Peace Prize “for bringing the first peace agreement in the Middle East since 1994.”The signing ceremony of the agreement, known as the “Abraham Accord,” is scheduled for September 15 at the White House.Read more:How the UAE is ‘keeping kosher’ for Jewish tourists after Israel dealFirst official Israeli trade delegation visits UAE with CEO of Israel’s biggest bankIsrael agreement ‘not a political treaty, it’s a treaty of coexistence’: UAE official
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: After UAE-Israel deal, Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

The Treasury Department blacklisted Yusuf Finyanus and Ali Hassan Khalil over alleged corruption and dealings with Hezbollah.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: US sanctions two former Lebanese ministers over Hezbollah links

Saudi Arabia’s culture ministry will launch its first museum dedicated to oil with the participation of international artists, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Black Gold oil museum will open in the capital city of Riyadh, according to SPA.“Black gold” is a common term for oil, used to describe its dark color when it comes out of the ground, as well as its economic value.“The museum will provide a creative narration of oil during human life, since it was crude oil until its modern formations, through innovative art based on contemporary expressive concepts,” according to SPA.The museum will reportedly contain more than 200 contemporary pieces of art and is expected to host annual temporary exhibitions and educational programs for all groups.The ministry has partnered with the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center to launch the museum in July 2022.The Ministry of Culture recently announced a “Specialized Museums” initiative which includes creative arts museums expected to be launched in several cities throughout the Kingdom, according to SPA.Read more:Saudi Arabian woman ‘has the right to choose where to live,’ concludes judgeAbu Dhabi tech center Hub71 announces best UAE startups to compete in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia’s future lies in capturing rainfall, turning desert into oasis
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia to launch ‘Black Gold’ oil museum in 2022

The recent pullout of international coalition personnel from Camp Taji, the first airstrike in years in an area close to the capital, and continued targeting of facilities keep tensions high as the drawdown continues.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Coalition withdrawal from base near Baghdad worries locals

A right-wing Norwegian politician made the nomination, but Trump is not necessarily likely to win it.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize following Israel-UAE deal

The UAE’s decision to normalize relations with Israel was a sovereign decision which was not directed against any party, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Wednesday.“It must be stressed that the UAE’s decision to normalize relations with Israel is a sovereign one… it is not directed against any party… but rather seeks essentially to distinguish between the political stance and the normal relations that the UAE believes will lead to opening new horizons that support prosperity and stability in the region,” Gargash said in a speech during the virtual ministerial meeting of the Arab League, state news agency WAM reported.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.As part of the US-brokered peace deal, announced at the White House on August 13 following what officials said were 18 months of talks, the UAE agreed to normalize relations with Israel, while Israel agreed to continue with plans to suspend its annexation of the West Bank.“The UAE has pursued a steadfast policy of supporting efforts to reach a solution to the Palestinian issue and the Arab-Israeli conflict and to establish peace and stability in the region. That has been one of the pillars of the UAE since its inception,” Gargash added.“The UAE's sovereign and strategic decision to announce a peace treaty with Israel includes Israel’s agreement to stop annexing Palestinian lands, which constitutes an important achievement and step towards peace, and fulfills of a demand unanimously agreed upon by member states and the international community,” the Emirati Minister said.“This treaty will not be at the expense of the Palestinian cause and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people,” he said.Palestinians seek a state on land occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war, with East Jerusalem, also captured then by Israel, as their capital. Israel deems Jerusalem to be its eternal, indivisible capital.Read more:FM Abdullah bin Zayed to lead delegation to UAE-Israel deal signing ceremony in USPalestinian President bans offensive statements towards Arab leaders including UAEUS President Trump to host Israel-UAE deal signing ceremony on Sept 15
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE-Israel relationship is a sovereign decision, not directed against anyone: Gargash

Qatar’s government imposes strict measures in new labour laws..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: One year jail, QR 10,000 fine for companies that fail to pay minimum wage – Doha News