Middle East Experience

A loud blast heard in north Tehran early on Saturday was caused by a stun grenade exploding in a park and no one was hurt, Iranian state television reported.The stun grenade - a device which explodes with bright light and a loud sound - had been set up to go off in the park near an adjoining hospital building, a TV reporter said.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Tehran Deputy Governor Hamid Reza Goudarzi, who is in charge of security issues, earlier visited the site.“Just one explosion took place inside Mellat (People) Park,” he told the semi-official Tasnim news agency.Asked whether the incident was an attack, Goudarzi said: “We are investigating the dimensions and causes of the incident and we will provide information after we are sure.”Attacks are rare in Iran, but a number of sensitive military and nuclear sites have been targeted in recent years.Iran has accused Israel of several attacks on facilities and scientists linked to its nuclear program. Israel has neither denied nor confirmed the allegations.Read more:Iran’s rail system disrupted by hackers posting fake delay messagesIran transport ministry hit by second apparent cyberattack in days
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Explosion in Tehran park was stun grenade: Iran state TV

Ramadi was the site of some of the fiercest fighting against U.S. troops during the Iraq war, then came a devastating fight with ISIS. Now, it’s emerging as one of Iraq’s most stable cities..
Source: Your Middle East
Full Article: After Years as a Battleground, Investment Boom Lifts Iraqi City

Three people were caught violating regulations set out by Saudi Arabia for the Hajj season, Emirates News Agency WAM reported on Sunday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The accused were attempting to partake in this year’s Hajj without a permit which, as per the rules outlined by the Kingdom’s interior ministry, would make them subject to a fine of almost $2,700 (10,000 Riyals).Official spokesperson of Hajj Security Forces Command Brigadier General Sami al-Shuwairekh called on all citizens and residents to adhere to the rules and regulations set out for this year’s Hajj season, stressing that the security personnel would take immediate action against those who attempt to reach the Holy Mosque, the area surrounding it and the holy sites (Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah) without a permit.The guidelines have been put in place to ensure compliance to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the Hajj season which will take place between July 17 and 22.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry announces fines for Hajj season violatorsSaudi Arabia announces end of Hajj registration with over 500,000 applicantsSaudi Arabia’s Hajj ministry warns against ‘bogus’ campaigns, registration links
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Three held for violating Saudi Arabia’s Hajj season regulations

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi early Sunday visited in hospital a pro-democracy activist who has been critical of pro-Iran armed factions, after the campaigner had been abducted and assaulted.Ali al-Mikdam, a young Iraqi journalist, activist and researcher, had disappeared on Friday, sparking widespread concern from his friends and supporters, before he was released late Saturday, injured, on the outskirts of Baghdad.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A tweet from Khadimi’s office said the premier had checked up “on the health of journalist and activist Ali al-Mikdam in one of Baghdad’s hospitals after security forces released him from his kidnappers.”Mikdam was a key figure in anti-government protests which swept Iraq for months from October 2019 calling for the removal of Iraq’s political class, which activists branded as inept and corrupt.The protesters also rallied against the influence of Iran in the war-battered country, where powerful pro-Tehran armed factions have been integrated into the national security apparatus.Mikdam, after receiving threats, had moved to Istanbul and then Erbil in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.He had returned to Baghdad eight days ago, his mother told AFP while he was missing on Friday.“Only two days ago he told me he had received threats and gave me the phone numbers of his friends to contact them if anything bad happens to him,” his mother said then, holding back tears.Killings, attempted murders and abductions have targeted more than 70 activists since the protest movement erupted in late 2019.Authorities have failed to publicly identify or charge the perpetrators of the violence, for which no groups have claimed responsibility.Pro-democracy activists are often portrayed as foreign stooges by Iraq’s powerful pro-Iran factions.Last month, Iraq freed a commander of the state-affiliated Hashed al-Shaabi, a Shiite paramilitary coalition, two weeks after he was arrested over the murder of a pro-democracy activist. Mikdam’s most recent analysis, published with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy last month, criticized the ongoing wave of assassinations targeting journalists and scholars by armed factions.Read more:Iraqi security forces free kidnapped activist Ali al-MikdamIraqis in their hundreds protest round-the-clock blackouts as mercury soars
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iraq’s PM visits activist Ali al-Mikdam after he was kidnapped, assaulted

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to Neom upon his arrival in the country for a two-day official visit to the Kingdom at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz.Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeted Sultan Haitham at the Neom Bay Airport, where the Omani leader was welcomed with an air show by the Saudi Falcons. The two leaders and their delegations are currently headed to the Neom Palace where they will hold their meetings.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Sultan Haitham and the Crown Prince will hold wide-ranging talks aimed at “strengthen[ing] the deep historical bonds” between the two Gulf countries and “explor[ing] new areas of cooperation – particularly in the fields of trade, infrastructure, and development,” the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.“The visit comes within the framework of strengthening the historical and fraternal relations between the leaderships of the two countries,” SPA said.“It also aims to expand the prospects of joint cooperation and ways to develop them in various fields for the interest and steady progress of the peoples of the two countries,” the statement carried by SPA added.Sultan Haitham is being accompanied by senior ministers and diplomats.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, Oman’s Sultan Haitham review bilateral tiesFledgling UAE rail network step towards bridging the GulfOman introduces long-term residencies for foreign investors
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince welcomes Oman’s Sultan Haitham ahead of Neom talks

Arab-Israelis married to Palestinians from the West Bank or Gaza Strip realize that the measure failed to pass only because of squabbling between the right-wing parties who are sure to promote similar legislation.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Palestinians hesitant to celebrate as family reunification ban fails

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz received Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at the Neom Palace on Sunday for the first official visit between the two leaders since the COVID-19 outbreak began.Sultan Haitham was greeted at the Neom Bay Airport by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to kick off his two-day visit. For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Upon his arrival, the Saudi Falcons put on an air show where they painted the Omani flag onto the sky above.Sultan Haitham was accompanied by a large delegation, which included: Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik al-Said, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud al-Busaidi, Minister of Royal Office Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed al-Nuamani, Minister of Interior Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal al-Busaidi, and Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud al-Busaidi.King Salman had extended an invitation to the Omani leader to hold bilateral talks aimed at “strengthen[ing] the deep historical bonds” between the two Gulf countries and “explor[ing] new areas of cooperation – particularly in the fields of trade, infrastructure, and development,” the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.“The visit comes within the framework of strengthening the historical and fraternal relations between the leaderships of the two countries,” SPA said.“It also aims to expand the prospects of joint cooperation and ways to develop them in various fields for the interest and steady progress of the peoples of the two countries,” the statement carried by SPA added.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince welcomes Oman’s Sultan Haitham ahead of Neom talksSaudi Arabia’s King Salman, Oman’s Sultan Haitham review bilateral ties
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman receives Oman’s Sultan Haitham at Neom Palace 

King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq witnessed on Sunday the signing of an agreement to establish the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council.The deal is aimed at ensuring the continuous coordination between the two Gulf countries in all fields.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Sultan Haitham arrived in Neom earlier on Sunday for a two-day visit – the first official meeting between the two leaders since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic – at the invitation of King Salman.Oman’s Sultan was greeted at the Neom Bay Airport by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Sultan Haitham was welcomed with an air show by the Saudi Falcons who painted the colors of the Omani flag onto the sky above.The Omani sultan then headed to the Neom Palace, where he met King Salman and held a session of official talks, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).King Salman and Sultan Haitham “reviewed the historical deep-rooted relations between the two countries, and discussed aspects of joint cooperation and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields,” SPA reported.“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques held a luncheon banquet in honor of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and his accompanying delegation,” SPA added.“The visit comes within the framework of strengthening the historical and fraternal relations between the leaderships of the two countries,” SPA said.“It also aims to expand the prospects of joint cooperation and ways to develop them in various fields for the interest and steady progress of the peoples of the two countries,” the statement carried by SPA added.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s King Salman receives Oman’s Sultan Haitham at Neom PalaceSaudi Arabia’s Crown Prince welcomes Oman’s Sultan Haitham ahead of Neom talks
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: King Salman, Sultan Haitham witness signing of Saudi-Omani Coordination Council deal

Egypt's Suez Canal revenue rose to a record $5.84 billion in its 2020-21 financial year (July-June), up from $5.72 bln in the previous year, the Suez Canal Authority said on Sunday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Egypt's Suez Canal annual revenue hits record .84 bln

Elected officials and NGOs have written to French daily Le Monde to slam Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup, prompting a response from officials in the Gulf state..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar official slams World Cup accusations as 'inaccurate distortions' – Doha News | Qatar