Tag Archives: Arthur Blok

The World Health Organization’s special envoy on COVID-19 urged world leaders earlier this month to reconsider ‘using lockdowns as the primary control method’ of battling Covid-19. After first creating global panic by putting the Covid-19 mortality rate higher than 3 percent and urging governments in an unprecedented move to lockdown …

The Coronavirus-hysteria has gone viral. Global media outlets report on nothing else but the consequences of what the World Health Organisation (WHO) stamped a pandemic weeks ago. In unprecedented moves people are told (forced) to stay home under lockdowns. Economies are being shut down, while the future consequences are largely …

The Saudi Journalists Association (SJA), and the organization of the Saudi Media Forum look back on a successful first edition of the international media forum that was held in Riyadh early December. By Arthur Blok | The red carpet was rolled out at the prestigious Hilton Residence earlier this month …

Saudi Arabia will host the first ever international media forum next week in Riyadh. The Saudi Journalists Association (SJA), and the official organization the Saudi Media Forum expect to attract over 1000 media professionals from around the globe to attend. By Arthur Blok | The 2-days event in the Saudi …

  A few hundred protesters gathered in front of Kuwait’s parliament last week to demand institutional reforms and action against state corruption. By Arthur Blok* | Antiestablishment demonstrations are relatively rare in the state of Kuwait. Last week’s protesters demanded an end to the perceived unwillingness of the state to …

More than seven million eligible voters both in Tunisia will head to the polls Sunday to elect a new parliament in a fiercely contested election.   By Arthur Blok* Despite a lingering economic crisis Tunisia has worked hard in the past years to remain an island of political openness in …

Detained media magnate Nabil Karoui and academic Kaïs Saïed made it through to the second round of Tunisia’s presidential election, the countries independent Electoral Commission announced earlier this week. THE LEVANT NEWS EXCLUSIVE – By Arthur Blok* | Just 45 percent of the roughly seven million strong electorate turned up …

Tunisia will head to the polls Sunday to elect a new president. More than seven million eligible voters both in Tunisia and abroad can choose from 26 presidential candidates in a fiercely contested election. By Arthur Blok* | Tunisia’s first democratically elected president Beji Caid Essebsi died on July 25 …

American president Donald Trump remains a strong supporter of the Saudi-led war in Yemen. At the same time the military intervention garners unconditional support at the home front. By Arthur Blok* Trump issued the second veto of his presidency earlier this week halting a congressional resolution that would have sought …

A distinguished mix of business, general and commercial aviation and aerospace exhibitors gathered this week at Riyadh’s Thumama Airport for the first ever Saudi International Airshow. THE LEVANT NEWS EXCLUSIVE – Riyadh – by Arthur Blok* — For the first time in Saudi history it was possible to make a …

Tunisia’s biggest challenge in 2019 is to combat illegal migration from its naval borders. With the ongoing crisis in neighboring Libya the North African country’s geographical location makes it an ideal hub for migrants looking to set off towards the European Union (EU). by Arthur Blok* Tunisia witnessed some dramatic …

Since its inception in 2009, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) in The Hague has divided Lebanon. Up until now far over half a billion USD has been spent and the meter is still running. In the past years the STL has made no arrests, it will probably never do …

By Arthur Blok — The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) is inviting public and private sector entities in the UAE to showcase their innovative solutions on Globally Great (www.globallygreat.com), the leading digital video platform focused on sustainability, innovation and happiness in the Middle East. His Excellency Dr Thani …

One of Tunisia’s biggest challenges is how to handle migrants illegally leaving its borders. Tunisia’s location at the tip of Africa makes it a springboard for migrants looking to set off towards the European Union (EU). By Arthur Blok* — This year’s worst migrant disaster in the country occurred in …

European tourists are rediscovering Tunisia. Tour operators across Europe are taking tourists back to the country this summer for the first time since an ISIS gunman massacred many people on a beach in Sousse in 2015. The only democratic country in the Arab world is considered safe again. 2018 is …

Arthur Blok has been appointed as the new Executive editor-in-chief of the Levant News website. Blok replaces Dr. Haytham Mouzahem who will focus now on his research work at the Beirut Center for Middle East Studies, from which he also the director and founder. The Dutch-Lebanese born journalist had a …

The Levant News Exclusive – By Arthur Blok* —  In Abu Dhabi the annual Sustainability Week (ADSW) kicked-off this weekend. This years’ theme is ‘Driving the Global Energy Transformation’. The event in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is largest sustainability gathering in the region, and a trendsetter in …

The Dubai Airshow 2017 opened its doors at Dubai World Central (DWC) on Sunday this week, amid concerns over regional tensions. In this year’s edition a record number of exhibitors, aircraft on display, and visitors are expected. Not to mention the launch of the first-ever Space Pavilion, and the many …

Art fans in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have started the countdown. In a little over a month the ‘Louvre Abu Dhabi’ will finally open its doors to the public: a unique building and a first of its kind collection under one roof on the Arabian Peninsula. …

By Arthur Blok It is well known that a constant, healthy, competition is going on between two of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) leading cities: Abu Dhabi and Dubai. For decades both Emirates are competing on matters such as who has the best real estate developments, who is hosting the …