Middle East Experience

The pro-Kremlin leader of Russia's Chechnya region, Ramzan Kadyrov, called on Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reconsider his offer and not to facilitate the evacuation of Ukrainian fighters stuck in the Azovstal steel plant in Ukraine’s besieged port city of Mariupol.“With all due respect to the leader of the Muslim state, I would like to remind you that the Azov regiment is a fascist-Nazi criminal armed formation that is involved in numerous atrocities and murders of the civilian population of Donbass,” Kadyrov wrote on Telegram, according to Russian state news agency TASS.“I appeal to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: the people of Azov are murderers and atheists, whom they now want to present to you as innocent victims of Russian aggression. Do not let yourself be deceived by criminals who want to avoid trial and well-deserved punishment with your help,” he added.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Erdogan’s spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told Reuters in an interview on Saturday that Ankara proposed to Kyiv carrying out a sea evacuation of the wounded fighters stuck in the plant. Kalin said he discussed the proposal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy although Moscow hasn’t agreed to it.Russian President Vladimir Putin had declared a victory in Mariupol and ordered his military to not storm the plan but to blockade it almost a month ago.Yet, Ukrainian fighters – led by the Azov battalion – have reported that the fighting has not ceased, and that Russia continued to attempt to storm the plant, which they insisted was not yet under Moscow’s control. They also said wounded soldiers were “dying” there.The Azov battalion is a far-right militia now part of Ukraine's National Guard.Read more:Turkey offers sea evacuation for wounded fighters holed up in Azovstal plantUkrainian troops holding destroyed village believe Russians withdrawing across borderBurning munitions seen over Mariupol plant, expert says possible phosphorus attack
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Kadyrov asks Erdogan not to evacuate ‘murderers, atheists’ at Azovstal plant

US President Joe Biden announced that Vice President Kamala Harris will lead the delegation visiting the UAE to pay respects upon the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the White House said on Sunday.The delegation, due to arrive in the UAE on Monday, will include Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Director of the CIA William Burns, and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry.Those officials will also be joined by Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, National Security Council Brett McGurk and Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa, National Security Council Barbara Leaf.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Sheikh Khalifa, the late president of the UAE, died on Friday at the age of 73. The country’s ministry of presidential affairs announced a forty-day state of mourning.Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, was elected president of the UAE on Saturday after the Federal Supreme Council.Biden congratulated Sheikh Mohammed for the presidency, affirmed that Washington was determined to strengthen its ties strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi over the coming years.“The UAE is an essential partner of the United States… I look forward to working with Sheikh Mohammed to build from this extraordinary foundation to further strengthen the bonds between our countries and peoples,” the White House quoted Biden as saying in a statement.Read more:Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed meets France’s Macron as world leaders pay respectsBiden congratulates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on being elected UAE president
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: VP Harris to lead US delegation to UAE to pay respects for death of Sheikh Khalifa

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz left the hospital on Sunday after conducting medical examinations and successfully completing the treatment plan and recovery period of his colonoscopy, the royal court said.King Salman had undergone a colonoscopy procedure at the King Faisal specialist hospital in Jeddah last Sunday, and the royal court said the results were fine.The doctors had decided the King should stay at the hospital to rest for a period of time.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“[The King] expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to his sons and daughters, the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their generous sentiments and prayers,” state news agency SPA reported.He also expressed his appreciation to all the regional and international leaders who sent him well wishes, SPA added.King Salman, 86, underwent surgery in 2020 to remove his gallbladder and doctors replaced the battery of his heart pacemaker in March.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s King Salman had a colonoscopy, result is fine: SPASaudi Arabia’s King Salman admitted to hospital: Report
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman leaves hospital: Royal court

Iran’s former ambassador to the UN Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, now of Oberlin College, has now been confronted with an additional allegation about his role in a plot to assassinate Rushdie.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Iranian Oberlin professor urged murder of author Salman Rushdie

The court ordered the survey of the mosque after five women sought permission to perform Hindu rituals in one part of it, saying a Hindu temple once stood on the site.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Indian court limits Muslim gatherings at mosque after Hindu idols found -lawyer

This is the eighth sandstorm to sweep through the country since mid-April, hospitalising hundreds..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Red skies as Iraq hit by eighth sandstorm in weeks

Fridman is one of the richest men in Russia and is the co-founder of Alfa-Bank as well as the investment firm LetterOne.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Ukrainian court seizes assets of Russian-Israeli billionaire Mikhail Fridman

The cartoon series seeks “to explain to Qataris that there must be acceptance of” foreign cultures..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: To ease culture shock, Qatar launches cartoon series featuring alien visitor

Jewish-American journalist Jodi Kantor received an honorary degree from Tel Aviv University for exposing sexual abuse allegations against American film mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Journalist who kickstarted #MeToo, exposed Weinstein, honored by TAU

Though Iran boasts one of the world’s largest proven gas reserves, its industry has been hit by US sanctions that were reimposed in 2018..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Tehran considers gas exports to Europe