MUST-READS

• Iran: Meet the ultra-conservative election winners taking over parliament

  Iran's recent parliamentary elections have seen prominent ultra-conservatives secure top positions, marking a significant shift in their favour on the benches of the Islamic Republic's Consultative Assembly. The 1 March elections, the first held since protests swept the nation following the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September 2022, recorded a turnout of just 41 percent, the lowest figure since the 1979 revolution. With reformists mostly boycotting the ballot and voters abstaining in protest, the principlist Omana coalition, backed by President Ebrahim Raisi, and the Endurance Front, allied with former Islamic Republic Guard Corps (IRGC) commander and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, were the notable contenders.

• From Bad to Worse: Climate Migration in Middle East

  Although climate change’s horrors are global—melting polar ice caps, loss of wildlife habitats, and more frequent, more powerful natural disasters like hurricanes, to name just a few—some regions bear a higher burden than others. This is especially true for forced migration due to climate change, which, for regions like the Middle East, can be particularly destabilizing. Migration will be one of the most adverse impacts of climate change on the region. How regional and global actors act now and what they decide on in the next United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) will determine the trajectory of climate-induced migration in years ahead.

• The Biden Administration Abstains on Ceasefire Vote

  Today’s vote followed a failed US-led resolution from a week earlier. That resolution, vetoed by UNSC permanent members Russia and China, called for the importance of a temporary pause in fighting in Israel’s war on Gaza as well as for the release of hostages and a surge of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. Reacting to that vote, Secretary of State Antony Blinken used the words “cynical” and “unimaginable” to describe China’s and Russia’s veto. There is quite a bit of irony in Blinken’s assertion, considering that the Biden administration had until very recently avoided the term “ceasefire.”

• Biden, Netanyahu on collision course after Gaza UN vote
  Relations between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sank to a wartime low on Monday with the U.S. allowing passage of a Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations and drawing a sharp rebuke from the Israeli leader.
  Netanyahu abruptly scrapped a visit to Washington this week by a senior delegation to discuss Israel’s threatened offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah after the U.S. abstained in a Security Council vote that demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the release of all hostages held by the Palestinian militants.

• Saudi Arabia implements 2nd phase of Saudization of consulting services

  Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced the 2nd phase of Saudization in consulting services, effective March 25. The second phase covers 40 percent of professions in sectors such as financial consulting, engineering, architecture, health consulting and senior management consulting. This move aims to enhance job opportunities for citizens in various regions of Saudi Arabia.

• How drone combat in Ukraine is changing warfare

  The war in Ukraine has been characterised by drone deployment of unprecedented scale, with thousands of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used to track enemy forces, guide artillery and bomb targets. Reuters analysed more than 50 videos of drone attacks, collated research and spoke to over a dozen manufacturers, soldiers and officials about how the technology is transforming warfare.

• Students in Saudi Arabia to begin long Eid al-Fitr holiday this week

  Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam, started on March 11. This means that that students will begin their time off for Eid during the last few days of the holy month. The long vacation will end as classes resume on Monday, April 15, the calendar shows. During Ramadan, Muslims around the world observe the month by fasting from dawn till sunset, during which they refrain from eating and drinking. Work and school hours are usually reduced during Ramadan.

• Everything you need to know about becoming an international teacher in Saudi Arabia

  Living and working in Saudi Arabia offers international teachers to experience a vibrant culture while meaningfully contributing to the nation’s educational landscape. Competitive salaries and often generous benefits, including accommodation and health insurance, provide a strong financial foundation, while a thriving expatriate community, and numerous cultural events and festivals make Saudi Arabia a welcoming destination. In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about becoming an international teacher in Saudi Arabia, including visa requirements, cost of living, healthcare, cultural expectations and norms, and expat communities.

• Saudi Arabia to join Miss Universe for the first time

  A 27-year-old model will be taking the Saudi flag to the Miss Universe stage — for the first time in history.

  Rumy Alqahtani, a beauty pageant veteran and an influencer with one million followers on Instagram, announced on Monday that she will be representing the kingdom in one of the most popular pageants in the world.

• Saudi Arabia selected to chair WTO Dispute Settlement Body

  Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the World Trade Organization was selected to chair the entity’s Dispute Settlement Body for the year 2024-2025. According to a release, Saqer Al-Moqbel was appointed unanimously by the WTO’s General Council during its meeting on March 22.

  The DSB is responsible for addressing issues referred by WTO members regarding their commitments under the organization’s agreements and dealing with disputes that may arise among them.

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