Israeli leaders have said they are ensuring freedom of worship for all religions in Jerusalem.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Arab League urges Israel to stop Jewish prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque
This is why you need to play with your children more
Most parents know that it’s important to play with their kids, but in practice only 33% of them devote time to such play. An expert explains what your kids will gain from playing together with you.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: This is why you need to play with your children more
Rap the casbah: the Casablanca school giving young hip-hop stars a voice
Nabil Ayouch’s film Casablanca Beats offers a glimpse of how Moroccan teens are finding an outlet in hip-hop. The director reveals how its positive energy has given him hope..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Rap the casbah: the Casablanca school giving young hip-hop stars a voice
Iran IRGC commander says revenge for Soleimani is ‘certain,’ not up for negotiation
Iran has received offers from “enemies” to drop its pursuit of revenge for the US killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in exchange for some concessions, a senior Iranian commander said on Thursday, adding that Tehran will not accept any such offers and that revenge for Soleimani is “certain.”“The enemies keep sending us messages that if you forget about avenging Soleimani, we will give you some concessions and lift some sanctions, but this is a false fantasy,” Iranian state media quoted Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Navy, as saying.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The supreme leader has emphasized revenge and the IRGC’s overall commander has said that revenge is inevitable, and we will determine when and where revenge takes place,” Tangsiri said.“All the perpetrators of the assassination of martyr Soleimani will surely be punished in this world for their dirty deed.”Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike in Iraq on January 3, 2020, ordered by then President Donald Trump. Soleimani headed the Quds Force, the overseas arm of the IRGC.Iran has been routinely threatening revenge against Trump and members of his administration over the killing of Soleimani. The Associated Press reported in March that the US State Department spends more than $2 million a month to provide 24-hour security for former secretary of state Mike Pompeo and former Iran envoy Brian Hook, who face “serious and credible” threats.Earlier this week, Iran’s foreign ministry’s spokesman said punishing those behind the killing of Soleimani was a “basic and definite principle“ of Tehran’s foreign policy.Under President Joe Biden, the US has for over a year engaged in indirect talks with Iran in Vienna aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump abandoned in 2018.The talks have been paused since last month, reportedly over an Iranian demand to have the IRGC removed from the US Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list. The US designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization under Trump in 2019.Trump withdrew Washington from the nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran, saying the deal failed to address Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional activities and it did not block Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon.Iran, which insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, responded by expanding its nuclear program, breaching most of the deal’s restrictions.The 2015 deal offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. The Vienna talks, which began in April 2021, aim to bring Iran back into compliance with the deal and facilitate a US return to the agreement.Read more:Iran says avenging Qassem Soleimani is ‘basic, definite principle’ of its policiesIran arrests three ‘Mossad spies’, doesn’t specify nationalities: FarsIn Iran, Russia’s war on Ukraine is a political flash point
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran IRGC commander says revenge for Soleimani is ‘certain,’ not up for negotiation
Beirut port blast suspect to face extradition hearing in Madrid
Moreira is not allowed to leave Spain. His passport has been taken away and he must appear before authorities on a weekly basis, a judicial source said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Beirut port blast suspect to face extradition hearing in Madrid
Iran’s top diplomat says Tehran won’t abandon ‘red lines’ amid stalled nuclear talks
Iran will not retreat from its “red lines” in its indirect talks with the US aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, Tehran’s top diplomat said on Thursday. The US and Iran have engaged for over a year in indirect talks in Vienna aimed at reviving the nuclear accord, which former President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018.The talks have been come to stand still since last month, reportedly over an Iranian demand to have the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) removed from the US Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list. The US had designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization under Trump in 2019.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The exchange of messages between us and the Americans is taking place through the European Union… we have repeatedly emphasized that Iran does not pay attention to [the US’] excessive demands and is not willing to retreat from its red lines,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency quoted Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian as saying in a phone call with his Syrian counterpart. “The path of diplomacy is working well, and we are not far from reaching a good and lasting agreement,” Amir-Abdollahian said. Trump withdrew Washington from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran, saying the deal failed to address Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional activities and it did not block Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon.Iran, which insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, responded by expanding its nuclear program, breaching most of the deal’s restrictions.Read more: Iran IRGC commander says revenge for Soleimani is ‘certain,’ not up for negotiationIran says ‘technical issues’ in nuclear talks completeTop Democrat warns Biden administration against lifting IRGC terror designation
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran’s top diplomat says Tehran won’t abandon ‘red lines’ amid stalled nuclear talks
Chile arrests Portuguese man sought over Beirut blast
The man was prevented from entering Chile and put on a plane back to Spain in coordination with Interpol, said Saez..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Chile arrests Portuguese man sought over Beirut blast
Kuwait government’s resignation puts parliament on hold
Informed political sources in Kuwait said that the country’s leadership was currently examining options to resolve the crisis..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Kuwait government’s resignation puts parliament on hold
Iraq’s Oil Dysfunction
The world’s sixth-largest oil producer still suffers from fuel shortages and power outages..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Iraq’s Oil Dysfunction
Pentagon developed custom-made ‘Ghost drone’ for Ukraine to use against Russia
The Pentagon has developed a weapon specifically for Ukraine to use against Russia as the Kremlin shows no signs of easing its invasion, a senior US defense official said Thursday.The “Phoenix Ghost” is a drone similar to the Switchblade drone, which the Pentagon has already dispatched to Ukraine.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“It’s designed to deliver a punch,” the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.Washington will provide more than 120 of these custom-made drones to Ukraine, which will help them target Russian troops and equipment.“What I can tell you about the [drone] is that this was rapidly developed by the Air Force, in response, specifically, for Ukrainian requirements,” the official said.Later, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby seemingly contradicted the comments and said the unmanned aerial system was already in development before Russia invaded Ukraine almost two months ago. Kirby said the drone was designed to “attack targets.”Pressed about the differing statements between his comments and the senior defense official, Kirby said: “It was developed before [the invasion]… but it was developed for a set of requirements that very closely match what the Ukrainians need right now in Donbass.”The senior defense official also said Moscow had sent in three more battalion tactical groups (BTGs) since Wednesday, providing an update on the number of Russian forces inside Ukraine.“The Russians are also flowing in additional… capabilities, still doing their shaping, adding battalion tactical groups in the theater,” the official said.Also, on Thursday, US President Joe Biden announced another $800 million in new military assistance for Ukraine.The Pentagon released a statement saying the latest drawdown of military aid for Ukraine would include: 72 155mm Howitzers and 144,000 artillery rounds 72 Tactical Vehicles to tow 155mm Howitzers Over 121 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems Field equipment and spare partsRead more: US started training Ukrainians on Howitzers in country outside of Ukraine: Pentagon
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Pentagon developed custom-made ‘Ghost drone’ for Ukraine to use against Russia