Middle East Experience

Iran’s reasoning behind the halt in nuclear deal talks is “wearing very thin,” US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley said Monday.Malley, speaking to reporters after a recent visit to Europe and the Middle East, said there was no “innocent explanation” as to why Iran was taking so long to resume talks in Vienna.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“I think all of our interlocutors, whether they’re in the region, or in Europe, shared a deep and growing concern about the pace and direction” of Iran’s nuclear activities, Malley added.The US and its partners in Europe and the Middle East have started to prepare for life without a nuclear deal with Iran, he said.Stressing the desire to reach a deal through diplomacy, Malley said the US was looking at the possibility to “adapt to a world” where Iran was not in compliance with its nuclear commitments.Asked about Iran Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani’s visit to Brussels, Malley said Iran could consult with whoever it wanted.“He is free to consult; that’s not the issue. But of course, it can’t be a substitute for… direct talks with us because if Iran has any questions regarding sanctions relief and the commitment of the US, the best address to hear the answer would be from us,” Malley said.Iran’s continued method of stalling while advancing its nuclear capabilities continued to raise questions about what they were doing.Malley did, however, extend an olive branch to the Iranians, saying there was still time to revive the JCPOA.“The path is open; it’s a path that is open now. It can’t be open forever because of the technical realities of Iran’s nuclear program, and we cannot wait forever if we are seeing Iran procrastinate on the one hand when it comes to diplomacy and accelerate when it relates to their nuclear program.”- Developing
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran’s reasoning behind delay in nuclear deal talks ‘wearing very thin’: US envoy

The Sudanese military leaders must immediately and unconditionally release Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and all others who were arbitrarily detained this morning, Amnesty International said. At least seven other civilian government leaders are reportedly in detention, and military leaders have also restricted access to the internet and imposed a state of emergency “The arbitrary detentions ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Sudan: Release prime minister and all those arbitrarily arrested

A Lebanese judge has charged 68 people after this month’s deadly clash in Beirut which left seven people dead and dozens wounded, the state news agency reported Monday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanese judge charges dozens over Beirut’s deadly clash

The Prince of Wales will visit Jordan and Egypt on the first royal tour since the pandemic..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Prince Charles on Middle East trip for religious tolerance

The US hit out at Sudan’s military on Monday and called for the immediate release of the country’s prime minister and other government officials hours after an apparent coup was carried out.“The US Embassy condemns the forced removal of the civilian government by Sudan’s armed forces, and their actions to undermine the country’s democratic transition. We call for the military to immediately cease violence, release detained officials, and ensure the safety of Sudanese citizens demonstrating for democratic and civilian leadership,” the US Embassy in Khartoum tweeted.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.It also advised US citizens in Sudan to “shelter in place.”Early Monday, Sudan’s top military general announced that they had seized power from the transitional civilian government.Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and at least four other government officials were reportedly arrested. The military was meant to hand over the leadership of the country’s ruling council to the civilian government in the coming weeks.US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman said he had tried and been unable to get in touch with Hamdok, with who he had three separate meetings in recent days.“As we have said repeatedly, any changes to the transitional government by force puts at risk US assistance,” Feltman had said before his comments that he tried to contact Hamdok.Feltman was in Sudan for his second trip in less than a month, but he reportedly left hours before the coup was carried out.After dictator Omar Al Bashir was overthrown in 2019, the US removed Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, increased aid, and lobbied for more international assistance.The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Bob Menendez, released a statement condemning Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s decision to dissolve the government. “The Sudanese military’s takeover of the state apparatus is completely unacceptable and will have long-lasting consequences with respect to US-Sudanese relations,” the top Democratic senator said.Following the coup, the military also cut off the internet across the entire country.Meanwhile, Senator Chris Coons, who is also a top aide to President Joe Biden, blasted the “brazen effort to undermine the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people & put the gains of the revolution at risk.”He also warned that US assistance would end if Hamdok and his government were not restored.Read more: Sudan PM Hamdok moved to unknown location after refusing to support coup: Ministry
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US hits out at Sudan’s military after coup, threatens to cut off aid

‘Jennifer W’ found guilty of crime against humanity for allowing enslaved five-year-old to die of thirst..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: German court jails IS woman for Yazidi girl’s death in Iraq

The international network plans to hold two cohorts in Israel annually from now on, doubling their number of participants.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Techstars Tel Aviv launches its second Accelerator Program of 2021

The opposition has argued proportional representation of opposition MKs on key committees is the only way to ensure checks and balances against power grabs by the coalition.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: High Court rejects Likud petition to strike down Knesset committee setup: 'illegal'

The citadel might have been part of a network of defensive structures to protect the capital at the time of the Kings of Judah.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 2,700-year-old biblical fortress in Jerusalem undergoes restoration

Looking at the incredible journey of the airline from a modest beginning to becoming the world’s largest international passenger carrier..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Look: Emirates airline turns 36; key milestones from the airline’s incredible journey