Middle East Experience

As the region witnesses a wave of normalization with Israel, Iraqi Jews demand restoration of their citizenship.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iraqi Jews want to regain their citizenship

There was speculation that Bahrain would follow the UAE in recognizing Israel, but the country has not signaled a willingness to do so yet.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Bahrain to allow Israeli flights to UAE over its airspace

A dog alerted Chilean rescuers to a possible sign of life near downtown Beirut and the search has provided hope to people in the city one month after the deadly explosion.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Dog sparks hope in Beirut of possible miracle survivor under rubble

Serbia plans to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem next year, and Kosovo also has agreed to open an embassy in the holy city.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Serbia, Kosovo to open embassies in Jerusalem

Saudi Arabia has arrested nine expatriates for illegally transferring money abroad, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday citing a Riyadh police spokesman.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The transfers were reportedly made using individual business bank accounts registered under the names of Saudi nationals in exchange for financial commission, SPA reported.Those arrested include three Syrian nationals, three Egyptians, one Yemeni national, one Pakistani, and one Turkish national, according to the report. They are aged in their 30s and 50s.Authorities seized over 1 million riyals ($266,640) that were in the possession of the group. Upon preliminary questioning, they acknowledged the allegations against them and were referred to public prosecution.In August, Saudi Arabia arrested a group for illegally transferring more than 500 million riyals ($133 million) abroad during 2020, SPA reported.Read more:Saudi Arabia sentences corrupt judge, others to prison, issues finesEntering Abu Dhabi requires either COVID-19 PCR or laser test, not bothSaudia Airlines sets COVID-19 guidelines for travel to Saudi Arabia
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia arrests nine expats for illegally transferring money abroad: SPA

Amid accelerated regional threats and economic repercussions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, a tripartite summit was held between the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq Aug. 25 to develop a security, diplomatic and economic bloc.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt sends signal to Turkey by deepening ties with Jordan, Iraq

Lebanon caretaker Labor Minister Lamia Yammine Douaihy said on Friday that she has issued an order abolishing the country’s kafala system to ensure the rights of migrant and domestic workers are protected.The kafala, or sponsorship, system ties workers to their employer, and under the system, migrant workers must obtain written permission to transfer employers and leave the country.The move would allow “this group to obtain all of their contractual rights and benefit from wider social protection,” Douaihy wrote in a tweet.Human Rights Watch researcher Aya Majzoub noted that while the new unified labor contract for migrant workers is a first step, it does not abolish the kafala system.Reforms to the system have been long sought by activists who say the current system is rife with human rights violations.In March, activists and government officials, among others, met in Beirut to discuss reforms to the system.More recently, the system has come under pressure as the country descends steadily into economic collapse and families who can no longer afford to support their live-in workers have thrown them out on the streets, often not returning their passports, leaving them stranded. Dozens of women have been dumped outside the Ethiopian embassy in Beirut.Read more: Thrown out, domestic workers in Lebanon look for a way back to EthiopiaThere are approximately 250,000 migrant domestic workers in Lebanon, according to Human Rights Watch.“Their status in the country is regulated by the kafala system – a restrictive immigration regime of laws, regulations, and customary practices – that ties migrant workers’ legal residency to their employer. Workers cannot leave or change employers without their employers’ consent, placing them at risk of exploitation and abuse,” read a Human Rights Watch report from July on the kafala system in Lebanon.Read more: Coronavirus traps migrant workers in Lebanon as economy failsMigrant workers on weeks-long strike in Lebanon close to deal with employer
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Lebanon says it will ‘abolish kafala,’ activists say new measures come up short

The G20 Employment and Labor Ministers will gather virtually amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on September 10 to discuss improving current labor policies and social protection systems, according to a press release from the group.The Kingdom, which currently holds the G20 Presidency, will chair the meeting where ministers will address a number of issues, including empowering youth and women.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Ministers will meet to build on the commitments at the G20 Leaders’ Extraordinary Summit in March and the Employment and Labor Ministers’ Meeting in April, where members committed to discuss impact of COVID19 and monitor the recovery of labor markets that can ensure the progress of all workers and adequately supporting them in their return to work,” the press release said.On Thursday, foreign ministers of G20 countries met to discuss reopening borders and enhancing international cooperation on economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.The ministers acknowledged the importance of opening borders, according to a G20 statement, as well as promoting procedures that “allow the economy to thrive in light of the protective measures” put in place due to COVID-19.Read more:Lebanon says it will ‘abolish kafala,’ activists say new measures come up shortSaudi Arabia arrests nine expats for illegally transferring money abroad: SPACoronavirus: Bahrain now allowing non-citizens and non-residents to enter countryLast week, Saudi Arabia hosted a webinar for the B20, which represents the global business community across all G20 member states and all economic sectors.For the upcoming G20 summit, Saudi Arabia has made the B20 one of the key engagement groups, with women in business as a signature topic.Al Arabiya English’s Emily Judd contributed to this report.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia to host G20 meeting to discuss labor policies, women, youth empowerment

The United Arab Emirates has confirmed 705 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours after conducting 82,333 tests, raising the total number of infections to 73,471, according to the health ministry.The country has seen a spike in daily new cases while health authorities ramp up testing efforts.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The total number of recovered cases has increased to 63,652 after 494 individuals who had previously tested positive for the virus recovered.Meanwhile, the health ministry announced that one individual died due to COVID-19 complications, raising the death toll to 388.The UAE recorded its highest daily on increase on May 22 when 994 cases were confirmed over a 24-hour period. New infections since then decreased reaching 164 on August 3 then surging again to 735 new cases on Wednesday.Read more:UAE closes some schools after suspect cases of COVID-19Saudia Airlines sets COVID-19 guidelines for travel to Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia arrests nine expats for illegally transferring money abroad: SPA
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE confirms 705 new COVID-19 cases as infections spike

Algerian state energy company Sonatrach said on Friday it had controlled two oil leaks that occurred earlier in the OK1 pipeline due to bad weather..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Algeria says it controlled leaks in Hassi Messaoud-Skikda pipeline