Middle East Experience

In Israel, Palestine, Egypt and Tunisia protesters take up calls for reform in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: US protests inspire activists across Middle East

Libya’s coastal city of Sirte, a strategic gateway to major oil facilities, has emerged as a critical point of contention between Turkey and Russia, with France also scrambling to impede Turkey via NATO.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Why is Sirte everyone’s ‘red line’ in Libya?

A threatening tweet against a jailed Kurdish opposition leader’s wife has Turkey up in arms against the patriarchal mindset that threatens women with sexual violence.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Sexual threat against HDP leader’s wife backfires as Turks rally around women

Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter is an outspoken critic of the Turkish government, which has led to trouble for his family back home.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkish NBA player's father acquitted of terrorism charges in Turkey

The meeting is expected to be held next week to discuss recent developments in the Libyan conflict.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt calls emergency Arab League meeting on Libya

China said the Galwan Valley high up in Himalayan border region where Chinese and Indian troops engaged in a deadly brawl this week falls entirely within China, boldly laying claim to the disputed area as the Asian giants continued using military and diplomatic channels to reduce tensions.The confrontation in the Galwan Valley, part of the disputed Ladakh region along the Himalayan frontier, was the deadliest in 45 years. India blames China for instigating the fight by developing infrastructure in the valley, which it said was a breach of the agreement of what area remained in dispute.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a statement Friday that “the Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in the west section of the China-India boundary.”He blamed incursions by Indian troops in the area from early May for a midnight clash on Monday that left 20 Indian soldiers dead. China has not said whether its side suffered any casualties.Soldiers brawled with clubs, rocks and their fists in the thin air at 4,270 meters (14,000 feet) above sea level, but no shots were fired, Indian officials have said. The soldiers carry firearms but are not allowed to use them under a previous agreement in the border dispute.Read more: China, India agree to de-escalate border situation following clashesIndian security officials have said the fatalities were caused by severe injuries and exposure to subfreezing temperatures.The valley falls within a remote stretch of the 3,380-kilometer (2,100-mile) Line of Actual Control - the border established following a war between India and China in 1962 that resulted in an uneasy truce.Read more:No border intrusion in deadly clash with China, says Indian PM ModiChina, India agree to de-escalate border situation following clashesIndia-China: At least 20 Indian soldiers killed, US hopes for ‘peaceful resolution’Modi 'hurt and angry'India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Anurag Srivastava declined to comment on China’s claim to the valley. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a meeting with political opposition leaders on Friday that “neither anyone has intruded into our territory, nor took over any post.”Modi said India was “hurt and angry” about the deaths of its troops. He said India wanted peace and friendship, but had the “capability that no one can even dare look towards an inch of our land.”Also on Friday, Zhao said that China was not holding any Indian soldiers, without addressing media reports that China released 10 of them late Thursday.“My information is that at present there are no Indian personnel detained on the Chinese side,” Zhao said, according to an English version of his daily briefing posted on the ministry website.Indian officials have denied that any soldiers were in Chinese custody.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: China India clashes: Beijing boldly claims disputed Galwan Valley

Saudi Arabia will lift its coronavirus restrictions across the country on June 21 – the latest effort by the Kingdom to return to “normalcy,” the Interior Ministry announced on Saturday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.All economic and commercial activities will be allowed to resume given they adhere to precautionary measures, the ministry added.International travel will be suspended until further notice, the ministry said, adding that land and sea borders will also remain closed.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.However, the decision to resume flights outside Saudi Arabia is currently being reviewed by special committees, the spokesman for the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said on Wednesday.Entry into the country for Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca or for tourism will continue to be halted, the interior ministry said.Social distancing measures must be enforced, and gatherings of no more than 50 people are strictly prohibited, the ministry added.Individuals must also wear a mask at all times when they are out in public.Those who violate any of the preventative measures will be penalized, according to the ministry.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia to resume domestic tourism starting from June 21Coronavirus: International flights to, from Saudi Arabia halted until further noticeMosques in Saudi Arabia’s Mecca have been preparing to reopen their doors on June 21 after the coronavirus pandemic forced them to halt prayers for three months, state television channel al-Ekhbariya reported on Friday.Return to normalcy The lifting of restrictions does not mean that the pandemic is over, health ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Abd al-Ali said on Thursday.“The virus is still there, the virus is active, the pandemic is still there, and there is still no vaccine. Research is ongoing, and we are hopeful. Treatment protocols are constantly being updated,” he said.“A return to normalcy is now possible, but must be done with caution,” al-Abd al-Ali added.Earlier this month, the health ministry spokesman had said that the number of active coronavirus cases and the virus-related death toll in Saudi Arabia is rising because several members of the public continue to ignore preventative measures.He urged citizens and residents to continue to adhere to precautionary measures.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia will lift COVID-19 restrictions on June 21

The United Arab Emirates recorded 388 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, a number in line with its relatively low daily increases over the last week.Health authorities reported one further death, bringing the total to 301, and 758 more recoveries.The new cases were diagnosed as part of the UAE's ongoing testing program, with authorities saying they tested 38,000 people in the last 24 hours.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The number of new cases is the same as on Thursday, when authorities reported 388 new coronavirus cases after 40,000 COVID-19 tests were conducted.The following day reported a slightly higher number of 393 new coronavirus cases, but still a much lower rate than previous weeks.The rate of infection has been “considerably” falling in the country in the last three weeks, the Head of Dubai’s COVID-19 Command and Control Centre Dr. Amer Ahmad Sharif said on Tuesday.Read more:Coronavirus: Countries UAE citizens, residents can travel to starting from June 23Coronavirus Q&A: 10 questions answered as Dubai eases its lockdown furtherCoronavirus: Moody’s revises outlook to negative on eight UAE banksCOVID-19: Dubai gradually reopeningDubai has been gardually easing its coronavirus restrictions, which are aimed at allowing economic and social life to return to normal. Gyms, fitness centers, malls, and swimming pools have been allowed to operate at full capacity.The government has also issued a list of countries that UAE residents and citizens will be allowed to travel to staring from June 23.Read more: Coronavirus: Canadian professors in Qatar told they may be fired for returning home
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE records 388 new cases in line with low trend

Saudi Arabia detected 3,941 new cases of the deadly coronavirus in the last 24 hours, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the Kingdom to 154,233, the Ministry of Health said on Saturday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Riyadh reported a slight drop in the number of daily reported cases, with 740 new infections having been detected in the last 24 hours. The capital had been recording over 1,000 cases per day since June 9.Jeddah reported 421 new cases in the past 24 hours, while the other infections were confirmed in cities and provinces across the country.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Forty-six people died of COVID-19 on Saturday, which raises the total number of virus-related deaths in the Kingdom to 1,230.Meanwhile, the number of recoveries rose to 98,917 after 3,153 people recovered from the coronavirus.Saudi Arabia will lift its coronavirus restrictions across the country on June 21 – the latest effort by the Kingdom to return to “normalcy,” the Interior Ministry announced on Saturday.All economic and commercial activities will be allowed to operate given they adhere to precautionary measures, the ministry added.International travel will be suspended until further notice, the ministry said, adding that land and sea borders will also remain closed.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia will lift COVID-19 restrictions on June 21Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia to resume domestic tourism starting from June 21
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia detects 3,941 new infections, Riyadh reports slight drop

Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch a summer vacation campaign in line with coronavirus preventative measures, giving citizens and residents the opportunity to explore the country in the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) will be preparing activities and packages for people of all ages at destinations across the country, according to details disclosed by the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) to Al Arabiya English.The staycation spots will include cities in Saudi Arabia that enjoy moderate temperatures during the summer season.STA is working with different ministries in Saudi Arabia, especially the health ministry, as well as World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) “to ensure the touristic destinations are safe” amid the coronavirus pandemic.Saudi Arabia has already adopted the WTTC’s “safety stamp” that notifies travelers businesses and sites which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized procedures.Protocols to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus will be implemented at hotels, tourist sites, and during activities, according to STA.The STA initiative was inspired by a survey that interviewed over 1,000 Saudis in May. The STA survey found that 81 percent of Saudi residents “would consider discovering Saudi Arabia for their next vacation,” citing the country’s safety and beautiful landscapes as primary reasons. 80 percent said they would avoid traveling to Europe or Asia amid the pandemic.Over three fourths of survey participants expressed a “curiosity to explore my country” and over 80 percent said they have not yet booked vacations for summer.STA plans to offer vacation packages to those in Saudi Arabia looking for a break this summer and the recent easing of restrictions on local travel, including the resumption of internal flights on May 31, will help facilitate domestic tourism.Saudi Arabia’s cabinet approved the establishment of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) in March, which aims to develop tourism packages and activities, host and organize tourism conferences, and promote Saudi Arabia tourism locally and internationally.The push for domestic tourism follows the country’s opening up to international tourism last year with the launch of tourist visas in September. The Kingdom welcomed over 500,000 tourists from the program launch up until the coronavirus outbreak in late February.Saudi Arabia announced Saturday it would lift coronavirus restrictions across the country on June 21.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s Al Ula to reopen including ancient site Al HijrUAE ‘clearly against’ Israeli annexation: Minister Gargash to American Jewish groupCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia adds dexamethasone drug to COVID-19 treatment protocol
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia prepares summer vacation campaign with COVID-19 measures