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☆ Saudi Arabia’s oil production cuts have tipped its economy into reverse
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Aimee Look | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Abu Dhabi CNN —Saudi Arabia’s economy has jolted into reverse, after the world’s largest crude oil exporter slashed output to prop up prices. Saudi oil production to nine million barrels per day in July as the biggest player in the OPEC+ alliance joined forces with Russia to restrict supply amid signs of weakening demand because of a slowing global economy. “We expect [oil] production to remain low until the end of this year, with a slow unwind in early 2024,” Oxford Economics analysts wrote in a note published Friday. Saudi Arabia’s oil cuts were aimed at stabilizing global oil markets, according to Raif Weigert, Economics Director for the Middle East and North Africa at S&P Global Market Intelligence. While other Gulf states have also come under economic pressure from cuts to oil production, the United Arab Emirates economy has continued to grow.

Persons: Raif, Weigert, “ Organizations: Abu Dhabi CNN — Saudi, Oxford, Monetary Fund, P Global Market Intelligence, “, Saudi, United Arab Locations: Abu Dhabi, Saudi, OPEC, Russia, East, North Africa, United Arab Emirates, UAE

☆ Qatar: How a small Arab state became indispensable in talks with Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But some have said that Qatar’s relationship with Hamas may become a liability. “(Qatar’s) relationship with Hamas has been a key component of the mediation strategy,” said Andreas Krieg, an associate professor at King’s College London who focuses on Gulf states. What is the nature of Qatar’s relationship with Hamas? That relationship has made Qatar an important mediator with Hamas during its conflicts with Israel. Despite its mediation efforts, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen last week accused Qatar of financing Hamas and harboring its leaders.

Persons: ”, Andreas Krieg, “, David Barnea, –, Israel, Tzachi Hanegbi, ” Hanegbi, Biden, ” Krieg, Majed Al, Ansari, Krieg, ” Hiltermann, Eli Cohen, ” Cohen, Antony Blinken, Joost R, Hiltermann, Qatar’s coziness, Hamas’s, “ You’ll, ” Israel, Becky Anderson, Ibrahim Dahman, Hamdi Alkhshali, Aimee Look, Abu Dhabi Organizations: UAE CNN, Qatar, King’s College London, Israel, CNN, National Security, United Arab, Reuters, NATO, Doha, Al, Hamas, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US, UN, Washington Post, Qatari, “, Group Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Qatar, Israel, Gaza, Egypt, United States, Rafah, Al, Arish, Washington, Hamas, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Doha, Western, Arab, Al Jazeera, Tehran, Afghanistan, “ Qatar, North Africa, Brussels, “, Atlanta, Abu

☆ Dozens of cats left to die in Abu Dhabi desert, prompting outcry
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Aimee Look | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Abu Dhabi, UAE CNN —A group of United Arab Emirates residents has found more than 140 cats dumped in a desert lot in the capital Abu Dhabi, in a phenomenon that has drawn criticism from international animal rights organizations and prompted a government investigation. The animals were abandoned across the highway from the government-run Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter in al Falah, a residential area in Abu Dhabi. September temperatures reach a high of 40.5C (105F) in Abu Dhabi city. Ten pet cats from Dubai, an hour’s drive from Abu Dhabi, were identified by microchips and returned to their homes. Abu Dhabi initiated a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program in 2008 to control feral and stray cats, primarily through the Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter.

Persons: Chiku, Jason Baker, ” Baker, Katherine Polak, microchips, Abu Dhabi Organizations: UAE CNN, United Arab Emirates, Abu, Abu Dhabi Animal, CNN, Animals, PETA, PETA Asia, Abu Dhabi’s Department, Municipalities, Humane Society International, International Organization for Animal Protection Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Falah, PETA Asia, Dubai, Abu

☆ Turkish film festival canceled after censorship controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Aimee Look | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —One of Turkey’s most prestigious film festivals was canceled Friday after a political documentary provoked the ire of the government. The Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, in its 60th year, was due to be held in Antalya, on the Turkish riviera, from October 7 to 14. The documentary film “Kanun Hukmu” (or “The Decree”) was first removed from its schedule last week. A screening of the documentary film "Kanun Hukmu" was canceled, then reinstated — and then canceled again. After this, the festival removed the film once again and then finally canceled the entire event.

Persons: Nejla Demirci, —, Ahmet Boyacıoglu, ”, “, filmgoers, Muhittin, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan Organizations: CNN, Antalya Golden Orange Film, Twitter, Hurriyet Daily, Tourism Ministry of, Hurriyet, Antalya Golden Orange Locations: Antalya, Turkey, Tourism Ministry of Turkey, Antalya’s

☆ Dubai to start robotaxi trials next month in major autonomous push
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Aimee Look | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Dubai hopes to become the first Middle Eastern city to introduce driverless taxis, Bahrozyan said. Autonomous taxis currently operate in several cities around the world, mostly in the US and China. Bahroyzyan said he foresees autonomous vehicles eventually making up the majority of the Middle East tourist hub’s taxi fleet. Selling and buying autonomous cars was also regulated. WeRide, a Chinese autonomous car technology company began trialing robotaxis in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, in 2022.

Persons: Ahmed Bahrozyan, Bahrozyan, ” Bahrozyan, “, Cruise, Bahroyzyan, GM’s Cruise, trialing, WeRide Organizations: UAE CNN —, General Motors, United Arab Emirates, Transport Authority, Cruise, CNN, RTA, ”, WeRide, Saudi Artificial Intelligence Company, Authority Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, UAE CNN — Dubai, robotaxis, Jumeirah, Dubai’s Roads, Dubai, Eastern, China, San Francisco, Dubai …, California, ” Dubai, robobuses, WeRide, Mecca

☆ London fashion designer apologizes after Saudi-flag miniskirt controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Aimee Look | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Dubai, UAE CNN —London-based Nigerian fashion designer Mowalola Ogunlesi has apologized after stirring a backlash online for showcasing a miniskirt with a print of the Saudi Arabian flag in her Spring 2024 collection at London Fashion Week on Friday. The Mowalola collection contained various flags as miniskirts, including those of China, the UK and Japan. The Saudi flag is not typically printed on clothing out of respect for the holy inscription. The Saudi flag is never flown at half-staff at times of national mourning anywhere in the world. Users on X criticized the design in posts and comments, calling it “disrespectful” and “offensive.”This miniskirt isn’t the first time Mowalola has used religious symbols in designs.

Persons: Mowalola Ogunlesi, Mohammed, ”, FarFetch, Ogunlesi, “, I’ve, ” Ogunlesi, Mowalola Organizations: UAE CNN —, London, Saudi, Saudi Ministry, Commerce Locations: Dubai, UAE, UAE CNN — London, Saudi Arabian, China, Japan, Saudi, Saudi Arabia

The UAE introduced a new regulatory body to oversee commercial gaming on Monday, made up of casino and gambling experts from the United States. Gambling is currently illegal in the UAE, where some laws are based on the Quran, which forbids the practice. The new federal body, called the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), would create a “regulatory framework for a national lottery and commercial gaming,” according to Emirati state media WAM. “[GCGRA will] facilitate unlocking the economic potential of commercial gaming responsibly,” WAM said. “I look forward to establishing a robust regulatory body and framework for the UAE’s lottery and gaming industry,” Mullally said on his new appointment, according to WAM.

Persons: ” WAM, Kevin Mullally, Jim Murren, Mullally, ” Mullally, Ras Al Khaimah, Craig Billings, ” Billings Organizations: Abu Dhabi CNN —, United Arab, Gaming Regulatory Authority, Industry, MGM Resorts International, MGM, Gaming Laboratories, Wynn Resorts, United, WYNN, Wynn Hotels, Global, Caesars Entertainment, Royal, Royal Caribbean Cruise, UAE, Costa Cruises, Bloomberg Locations: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, UAE, United States, Ras Al, Dubai, Royal Caribbean, Singapore

☆ One of the world’s oldest synagogues reopens in Egypt
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Aimee Look | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Egypt has reopened one of the world’s oldest synagogues and home to the most significant single trove of Jewish manuscripts. A copy of the "Torah scrolls" at the newly restored Ben Ezra Synagogue, Egypt's oldest Jewish temple, after decade-long restoration, in old Cairo, Egypt. It awarded Drops of Milk a grant in 2017 to fund their restoration efforts of the remaining synagogues in Egypt, including Ben Ezra, Bertini said. The Ark and "Menorah" at the newly restored Ben Ezra Synagogue, in old Cairo, Egypt. The "Bimah," also known in Arabic as al-minbar, is pictured at the newly restored Ben Ezra Synagogue, in old Cairo, Egypt.

Persons: Ben Ezra, Mostafa Madbouly, Abraham ibn Ezra, Moses Maimonides, Maimonides, Moses, Amr Abdallah Dalsh, Egypt’s MOTA, Louise Bertini, ARCE, Bertini, “ There’s, Abel Fattah al, Sisi, Khaled Fahmy Organizations: CNN, Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Cambridge University Library, Milk Association, American Research Centre, UNESCO, Heritage Locations: Egypt, Egypt's, Cairo

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. The drill is the latest in a flurry of Chinese activity in the Middle East, traditionally seen as the US’ backyard. According to the Wall Street Journal, the US wants Saudi Arabia to distance itself economically and militarily from Beijing in return. Four of the top 10 importers of US arms are Gulf Arab states: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE. Some of these purchases were driven by US restrictions on selling arms to Gulf states under the Biden administration, according to Alhasan.

Persons: ” Hasan Alhasan, “, Barack Obama’s, ”, Mohammed Baharoon, John Calabrese, …, ” Calabrese, CNN’s Becky Anderson, Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Washington, Biden, Alhasan, China’s, Xi Jinping, ” Yun Sun, ” Alhasan, ” Baharoon Organizations: UAE CNN, United Arab Emirates, American, Washington, UAE, Middle East, International Institute for Strategic Studies, CNN, Asia Experts, East ., US, Dubai Public Policy Research Center, Middle East Institute, Wall Street Journal, China Program, China, Stimson Center Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, United States, China, China’s, Xinjiang, Ukraine, Gulf, Asia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen, Washington, Dubai, Russia, Saudi, Riyadh, Israel, Beijing, Europe, Arab, Qatar, Kuwait, Sun, “

CNN —Authorities in Lebanon moved to ban the “Barbie” movie from cinemas on Wednesday, saying it promotes homosexuality and violates the nation’s values. The minister said the movie also “promotes sexual deviance and transsexuality,” by Lebanese state-run media on Wednesday. “Sexual deviance” is a term commonly used in the Middle East to refer to homosexuals. The ban comes amid heightened anti-LGBTQ rhetoric by some politicians and government officials in Lebanon and the wider Middle East. He referred to homosexuality as “sexual perversion” and identified same-sex relations as a “threat” to Lebanon.

Persons: Barbie, Mohammad Mortada, ”, Hassan Nasrallah, Hussain bin Ali, Prophet Mohammed’s, Nasrallah, “ Barbie ” Organizations: CNN, Authorities, Rights Watch Locations: Lebanon, ”, Lebanese, East, Kuwait, Iraq, Denmark, Sweden, Vietnam, South China

The team is pumping between 4,000 and 5,000 barrels of oil every hour, and has so far transferred more than 120,000 barrels to the replacement vessel carrying the offloaded oil, Gressly said. A potential spill from this vessel would be enough to make it the fifth largest oil spill from a tanker in history, a UN website said. The Red Sea is a vital strategic waterway for global trade. Video Ad Feedback Oil being removed from tanker near Yemen in Red Sea 02:29 - Source: CNNAfter The Safer is emptied, it must then be cleaned to ensure no oil residue is left, Gressly said. The Red Sea fisheries in Yemen could be “almost completely wiped out,” Rehkopf added.

Persons: CNN —, –, Yemen David Gressly, SMIT, Gressly, Bab, ” Gressly, “, ” David Rehkopf, ” Rehkopf, that’s, ”, Ahmed Nagi, ” Nagi, Nagi Organizations: CNN, United, Endeavor, UN, Yemen’s, HSA, FSO, Exxon, US Energy Information Administration, Systems, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Group Locations: Yemen, United Nations, Suez, Red, Alaska, Africa, Asia, Persian, Saudi, Stanford University School of Medicine . Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, Brussels, Yemeni, Hodeidah

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