Hosting FIFA World Cup 2022 will give hope to youth in GCC, says Qatar’s emir

Saudi Arabia re-elected as chair of ALECSO’s Executive Council

• The Arab ministers praised the initiative of the Chairman of the Executive Council of ALECSO, Hani bin Moqbel Al-Moqbel, to develop the Council’s road map
• Al-Moqbel thanked Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for the constant support

Zelensky tells Davos: Send us weapons, stop Russia trade

• Russian business and political leaders, who used to participate in debates and mingle with other A-listers at champagne parties, were barred by organisers from attending this year.
• While the United States, Britain and Canada have moved to ban Russian oil and gas, the European Union has been divided over imposing similar measures.

13 countries to join new Asia-Pacific trade framework: Biden

• Joe Biden will make a formal rollout of IPEF later Monday with 13 countries joining the initiative which aims to offer US allies an alternative to China in Asia-Pacific
• China has criticized IPEF as an attempt to create a closed club. Biden's national security advisor rejected the claim saying that, "it is an open platform"

Sandstorm forces closure of Iraqi airports, public buildings

• Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi ordered all work to cease in public institutions, with the exception of health facilities and security agencies.
• The environment ministry has warned that over the next two decades, Iraq could endure an average of 272 days of sandstorms per year, rising to above 300 by 2050.

Saudi presidency of ARADO Executive Council renewed for 2022-24

• The renewal came at ARADO's  57th session held on May 19, 2022, at the organization's headquarters in Cairo,.
• The memberships of the UAE, Sudan, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, and Morocco were renewed.

More than 100 million people forcibly displaced: UN

• UNHCR said the numbers of forcibly displaced people rose towards 90 million by the end of 2021
• The figures combine refugees, asylum-seekers, as well as more than 50 million people displaced inside their own countries

Hamas warns against ‘flag march’ in east Jerusalem

• The controversial so-called "flag march" is due to take place next week to mark Jerusalem Day, which commemorates the unification of the city after Israel annexed east Jerusalem
• "I warn the enemy against committing such crimes," Haniyeh said

WEF: UAE eyes end to global hunger through innovation

• Beside UAE, the other GCC countries that have sent delegations to the World Economic Forum include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar to put their perspectives on contemporary issues.
• The forum’s first in-person Annual Meeting in more than two years is being attended by the world’s top leaders from politics, business, civil society, academia, media and the arts.

France sees no EU entry for Ukraine before ’15 or 20 years’

• President Zelensky on Saturday insisted on an immediate start of the process towards full EU membership.
• Some EU leaders share France's skepticism about a rapid acceptance of Ukraine's membership bid.