Middle East Experience

A Jordanian army officer was killed and three army personnel injured on Sunday when drug smugglers trying to enter the country from Syria fired at an army outpost along the border, a Jordanian army statement said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The smugglers fled back to Syria, leaving behind a large cache of drugs, the army statement said. “The army will respond with all strength and resolve (against) any infiltration attempt to protect our borders and prevent anyone who dares to violate our national security.”Jordanian officials have voiced increasing alarm at a spike in attempted drug smuggling from Syria over the past year, including large quantities found hidden in Syrian trucks passing through its main border crossing to the Gulf region.Last year the Jordanian army said it shot down a drone flying a large quantity of drugs across the border.Jordanian officials say Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group and militias who hold sway in southern Syria are behind smuggling of one of the most popular banned drugs, a stimulant known as Captagon, which has a thriving market in the Arab Gulf. Hezbollah denies the accusations, calling them fabricated.UN drug experts say Syria, shattered by a decade-long civil war, has become the region’s main production site for drugs destined for Jordan, Iraq, the Gulf and Europe.Syrian authorities have in recent months announced several major interceptions of drugs destined for Gulf markets and say they are doing their utmost to crack down on widespread production in the country.Read more: Iraq takes back 111 ISIS-linked families from SyriaJordan inching towards pulling Syria back from the brinkUS officials criticize efforts to normalize ties with Syria’s Assad
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Jordan army officer killed in shooting along border with Syria: Statement

Saudi Arabia has recorded 5,477 new COVID-19 infections and a single virus-related fatality in the last 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Kingdom also announced via the Ministry of Health’s official Twitter account on Sunday that COVID-19 vaccines will be made available for children between the ages of five and 11.On Friday, Saudi Arabia recorded its highest-ever number of new COVID-19 cases, with 5,628 infections logged.A total of 615,430 COVID-19 cases have now been recorded in Saudi Arabia.The death figure from the virus has reached 8,906.The country has updated its COVID-19 restrictions, announcing new fines of $266 (1,000 Saudi riyal) for those who break social distancing rules, and $266,000 (100,000 riyal) for repeat offenders.The Kingdom additionally brought back social distancing measures at Mecca’s Grand Mosque and other public spaces in recent weeks.Mask mandates in public, indoors and outdoors, have also been reintroduced.Read more: Saudi Arabia reports 5,281 COVID cases in 24 hours, two new deathsSaudi Arabia breaks last COVID infection number to hit another highest-ever recordDowning Street apologizes to Queen over COVID-19 lockdown parties
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia records 5,477 COVID-19 cases and one death in 24 hours

French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah was jailed anew for “violating” house arrest limits, an official from the Islamic Republic’s judiciary authority said on Sunday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Ms Adelkhah... has unfortunately knowingly violated the limits of house arrest dozens of times,” Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy head of the judiciary, was quoted as saying by Mizan Online, the authority’s news agency.“She has insisted on doing so despite repeated warnings from judicial authorities. So now... she has been returned to prison,” he added.Read more: Iran needs to stop interfering in Arab affairs: Jordan’s FMKing Salman: Iran must cooperate in nuclear deal, stop supporting militias in regionAnalysis: Iran seeks to cool tensions in Iraq
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran jails anew French academic for ‘violating’ house arrest: Judiciary

Taliban forces on Sunday fired pepper spray at a group of women protesters in Afghanistan’s capital demanding rights to work and education, three demonstrators told AFP.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Since seizing control of the country by force in August, the Taliban authorities have imposed creeping restrictions on Afghans, especially on women.Around 20 women gathered in front of Kabul University, chanting “equality and justice” and carried banners that read “Women’s rights, human rights”, an AFP correspondent reported.The protest however was later dispersed by the Taliban fighters who arrived at the scene in several vehicles, three women protesters told AFP.“When we were near Kabul University three Taliban vehicles came, and fighters from one of the vehicles used pepper spray on us,” said a protester, who asked not to be named for security reasons.“My right eye started to burn. I told one of them ‘shame on you’, and then he pointed his gun at me.”Two other protesters said that one of the women had to be taken to hospital after the spray caused an allergic reaction to her eyes and face.An AFP correspondent saw a fighter confiscate a mobile phone of a man who was filming the demonstration.The hardline group have banned unsanctioned protests and frequently intervened to forcefully break up rallies demanding rights for women.The Taliban authorities have blocked women public sector employees from returning to work, many secondary schools have still not reopened for girls, and public universities are shut.Long distance trips for women who are not accompanied by a close male relative have been banned.The authorities have also issued guidelines that prevent television channels from broadcasting serials featuring women actors.Meanwhile, many women are living in hiding, fearful of a regime notorious for human rights abuses during their first stint in power between 1996-2001, before being ousted by a US-led invasion.Read more:Taliban dismiss 3,000 members for committing abuses in AfghanistanNo trips for Afghan women unless escorted by male relative, Taliban issue guidanceTaliban foreign minister in first trip to Iran
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Taliban fighters pepper spray women protesters calling for rights

On Friday, January 14, Sudan Security Forces released four Al-Araby Television workers after arresting them and investigating them for several hours..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Sudan's security forces release Al-Araby TV journalists

Qatar and Chad restored diplomatic ties in 2021 after the latter cut off relations with Doha amid the 2017 Gulf Cooperation Council crisis. A Chadian delegation is currently in Qatar to prepare for upcoming talks between armed factions in the African country, the Head of Chad’s Transitional Military Council, Mohamed Idriss Deby, told Al ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Chadian delegation in Doha prepares for inclusive talks

The Qatari-capital hosts the 31st edition of its annual book fair with 335 publication houses amongst booths boasting local and international cultures. The Doha International Book Fair kicked off on 13 January at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, hosting 335 publishing houses from all over the word as well as prominent Qatari entities to ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: 5 Things not to miss at Doha International Book Fair

The Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance will take place for the first time in its full format since the coronavirus outbreak began.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 20th Jerusalem LGBTQ+ Pride march to take place on June 2

Leaders of a musicians’ licensing group are trying to curb mahraganat, a bold genre wildly popular with young people. It is not clear if they can..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: A Ban on 19 Singers in Egypt Tests the Old Guard’s Power

The drill took place out of the IAF’s Ovda Airbase and saw the jets flying mostly over Israel’s Negev desert.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israeli jets fly alongside AFCENT jets in 'Desert Falcon'