Middle East Experience

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) appointed on Saturday a new commander for the unit responsible for protecting the country’s supreme leader, state media reported, days after the IRGC replaced its intelligence chief. The IRGC’s chief commander Hossein Salami appointed Hasan Mashroueifar as the new commander of the IRGC’s “Vali Amr” unit, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, citing the IRGC’s spokesman Ramezan Sharif. For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The unit is responsible for protecting Iran’s highest authority, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Mashroueifar, about whom little is known, replaced Ebrahim Jabbari, who had headed the unit since 2010. Sharif did not specify whether Jabbari has been given a new role. The replacement of Jabbari comes days after the IRGC replaced Hossein Taeb, a powerful cleric who had served as the head of the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization since 2009. The surprise dismissal of Taeb came after a series of assassinations and mysterious deaths of members of the IRGC as well as other individuals associated with Iran’s military over the past few weeks.The close timing of the dismissals of Jabbari and Taeb, who both served in their positions for over a decade, will raise questions. Jabbari briefly served as Taeb’s deputy when Taeb headed the Basij – a paramilitary arm of the IRGC – in 2009.Read more:‘An earthquake in Iran’s intelligence community’: IRGC dismisses intelligence chiefIran nuclear talks to resume in days, says EU’s Borrell
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran replaces commander of IRGC unit in charge of protecting supreme leader

Former IRGC compulsory service members will be allowed entry into the US if they "pose no danger to the safety and security of the US."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: US amends ban, allowing entry to Iranian former IRGC members

With the overturning of Roe V. Wade in a United States Supreme Court decision, here's how abortion access and restriction will look in each of the 50 states:
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: After Roe V. Wade: How will abortion laws look in all 50 states?

The Saudi Space Commission and tech giant Huawei have launched Future Space, the Kingdom’s first-ever technology experience center. For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Huawei said in a statement that Future Space – which is the largest exhibition center outside of China – will include advanced technologies such as 3D printing, autonomous driving, and brainwave robot control, among many others. The first exhibition of its kind in Saudi Arabia, Future Space aims to offer speaking opportunities to young innovators – a goal that is in line with the Kingdom’s efforts to develop its local talent pool and deploy cutting-edge technology to support the nation’s digital transformation. “We are honored to launch Future Space in Saudi Arabia and support the Kingdom achieve its digital ambitions as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Imagination will determine how far we can go in the future; action will determine how quickly we get there. We believe here at Huawei that the best way to predict the future is to create it,” CEO of Huawei Saudi Arabia Eric Yang said during the launch. The center will be open to the public and is estimated to host around 200,000 visitors over the next five years. “Future Space is one of the most advanced technology experience centers in the world. We want to expose young people to the most cutting-edge technologies and inspire them to imagine technology in new ways,” said Saudi Space Commission’s CEO Dr. Mohammed al-Tamimi. China’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Weiqing Chen said that Saudi-Chinese relations have brought “immense benefits to both countries.”“As Saudi Arabia pursues digital transformation as part of its strategic national goals, public/private partnerships between technology companies such as Huawei and public agencies adds new value to the local tech ecosystem,” Chen added. Read more:Saudi Aramco-backed Amogy seeks fast shift to zero emissions with ammonia-based fuelSABIC launches program to develop EV technology‘Saudi Arabia is going back to space,’ says prince on anniversary of historic flight
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Space Commission, Huawei launch Saudi Arabia’s first tech experience center

A 20-year-old Arab woman was stabbed to death in the United Arab Emirates’ city of Sharjah, local media reported citing the Sharjah Police General Command.The police caught the murderer within two hours of the crime.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The woman’s body, stabbed several times, was found in a car.The police were able to identify the suspect using CCTV camera footage at the parking lot of the young woman’s residence. The footage showed the killer attacking the woman inside her car, stabbing her multiple times.He was then seen leaving the victim’s car, taking her body with him.Attempting to run away from the authorities, the suspect was found on a beach where he was arrested. He confessed to the crime due to “personal differences” and has now been transferred to the Public Prosecution.Read more:Egyptian woman slain at university after rejecting marriage proposalMan fatally shoots Jordanian woman on university campusAbu Dhabi court jails illegal arms dealer for 10 years, fined over $272,000
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Arab woman stabbed to death in UAE’s Sharjah, police catch killer in two hours

US President Joe Biden on Sunday praised Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his leadership in the wake of Russia's war against Ukraine and urged the West to stay united.“We have to stay together,” Biden told Scholz at a meeting ahead of the G7 summit in the German Alps.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Russian President Vladimir Putin had been hoping “that somehow NATO and the G7 would splinter,” Biden said. “But we haven’t and we’re not going to.”Biden met his German host in the picturesque Elmau Castle where the G7 -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- was holding a three-day summit dominated by the crisis in Ukraine.Biden praised Scholz's leadership as current chair of the G7 at a time of upheaval in Europe triggered by Russia's war and subsequent global economic fallout.“I want to compliment you for stepping up as you did when you became chancellor” and “the way you had a great impact on the rest of Europe to move, particularly relating to Ukraine,” Biden told Scholz.The 79-year-old Democrat also fondly recalled his skiing days, telling Scholz that the Alpine setting was “beautiful.”A senior US official said Washington has been “investing very heavily” in the relationship with Germany since Biden took office almost two and a half years ago.Their talks Sunday were “a good opportunity to affirm the deep and enduring ties between our two countries. In terms of the meeting agenda, expect that Russia and Ukraine are going to be at the top of the list, including our continued close coordination on the political and diplomatic front,” the official said.Read more:Four G7 powers to impose ban on Russian gold exportsPresident Biden leaves for G7, NATO summits focused on UkraineUK PM Johnson urges G7 not to ‘give up’ on Ukraine, pledges fresh financial support
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Biden: G7 and NATO must ‘stay together’ against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Those seeking civil marriages generally travel abroad — Cyprus is a favourite spot..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: In Lebanon, civil marriage controversy comes back to the fore

Qatar to make appearance in popular show ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, further boosting its global outreach..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar to debut on popular Netflix series The Apprentice

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi arrived in the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday, state media reported, a day after he visited Saudi Arabia.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Al-Kadhimi is “scheduled to meet today with Iranian officials to discuss bilateral and international issues,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency said.The Iraqi prime minister was in Jeddah on Saturday where he met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.The two leaders discussed bilateral relations as well as “supporting and strengthening security and stability in the region,” the official Saudi Press Agency said.Riyadh and Tehran cut diplomatic ties in 2016.Iraq has hosted several rounds of talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in recent months.Read more: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince receives Iraqi PM in Kingdom to discuss bilateral ties
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iraqi PM arrives in Iran after visiting Saudi Arabia

G7 leaders will discuss the prospect of reviving the Iran nuclear talks after the European Union’s foreign policy chief met senior officials in Tehran to try to unblock the stalled negotiations, a French presidency official said on Sunday. Iran’s indirect talks with the United States on reviving the 2015 nuclear pact will resume soon, the Iranian foreign minister said on Saturday amid a push by the Josep Borrell to break a months-long impasse.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. The official said discussions would take place on Sunday at a dinner between the leaders of the Group of Seven rich nations with more detailed talks taking place on Tuesday morning between France, Britain, Germany and the United States. The three European powers are parties to the nuclear deal, which then-US President Donald Trump pulled out of in 2018. Under the accord Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions. The pact appeared close to being revived in March when the EU - which is coordinating negotiations - invited foreign ministers representing the accord’s parties to Vienna to finalize an agreement after 11 months of indirect talks between Tehran and President Joe Biden’s administration. But the talks have since been bogged down, chiefly over Tehran’s insistence that Washington remove the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), its elite security force, from the US Foreign Terrorist Organization list. “Talks have intensified between our teams,” said the French official, adding that it was crucial to revive the pact for the nuclear non-proliferation benefits, regional security and also to see how it all fits into the question of high oil prices. Read more:Iraqi PM arrives in Iran after visiting Saudi ArabiaIran replaces commander of IRGC unit in charge of protecting supreme leaderIran nuclear talks to resume in days, says EU’s Borrell
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: G7 leaders to discuss prospect of reviving Iran nuclear talks