Egypt has sent a convoy of engineers and building equipment to Gaza following orders from President Abdelfattah al-Sisi to begin reconstruction in the enclave after recent Israeli-Palestinian fighting, Egyptian state television reported on Friday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Egypt sends building equipment to begin Gaza reconstruction
Covid-19: Emirates suspends Vietnam-Dubai flights from Saturday
Passengers with bookings can keep the ticket for future flights..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Covid-19: Emirates suspends Vietnam-Dubai flights from Saturday
Iran’s Proxies in Iraq Threaten U.S. With More Sophisticated Weapons
Iran-backed militias in Iraq are suspected of carrying out recent drone strikes on sensitive American targets in Iraq, evading U.S. defenses..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Iran’s Proxies in Iraq Threaten U.S. With More Sophisticated Weapons
Iran leader says some rejected vote candidates were ‘wronged’
Iran’s Supreme Leader said on Friday some of the candidates rejected from this month’s presidential election had been “wronged” and unfairly maligned online, though the vote watchdog said its original decision to bar them still held.Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on Iran’s affairs, last month endorsed the watchdog’s rejection of several prominent moderate and conservative candidates for the June 18 vote, including former parliament speaker Ali Larijani.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.On Friday, Khamenei said some of the disqualified candidates had been treated unfairly during the vetting process.“Some candidates were wronged. They were accused of untrue things that were unfortunately spread throughout the internet too. Protecting people’s honor is one of the most important issues. I call on the responsible bodies to restore their honor,” he said in a televised speech.Several of the rejected candidates had faced attacks online, with some social media posters accusing them of having close relatives living in “hostile” Western countries.Immediately after Khamenei’s statement, one leading moderate candidate - former central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati - tweeted that he hoped some of the rejected politicians would nowbe reinstated.But the Guardian Council vote body soon after said its decision to ban the candidates had not been affected by any rumors against them, and the prohibitions still stood.“While emphasizing the preservation of the dignity of individuals and condemning the desecration of the candidates and their families, the Council urges media outlets to respect confidentiality,” it said.The decision to ban the candidates boosted the prospects of hardline judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi, an ally of Khamenei, though it may also dent the clerical rulers’ hopes of a high turnout amid discontent over an economy crippled by US sanctions.Iranian voters will have a choice between seven candidates - five hardliners and two low-key moderates - in the election. Pragmatist incumbent President Hassan Rouhani is legally barred from running for a third term.The election is likely to reinforce Khamenei’s authority at home at a time when Tehran and six powers are trying to revive their 2015 nuclear deal Washington exited three years ago.Allies of Khamenei have placed the responsibility for Iran’s economic problems squarely on the government and said that Washington cannot be trusted to fulfil any accord.Read more: In tactical shift, Iran grows new, loyal elite from among Iraqi militias: Reuters
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran leader says some rejected vote candidates were ‘wronged’
US, Europe avoid resolution against Iran at IAEA board: Diplomats
Britain, France, Germany and the United States will not push for a resolution against Iran at next week’s meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog’s board despite Tehran’s failure to explain uranium traces found at three sites, diplomats said on Friday.A resolution could have prompted an escalation between Tehran and the West that would have jeopardized talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal taking place in Vienna, where the atomic watchdog is also based.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.At the last quarterly meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors, the three European powers, with US backing, prepared a draft resolution criticizing Iran but did not formally submit it as IAEA chief Rafael Grossi announced new talks.Those talks - aimed at breathing new life into efforts to get Iran to explain the origin of the traces, which are believed to be linked to activities long predating the deal - failed to produce new explanations, the IAEA reported on Monday. That raised the question of whether the resolution would be revived.“The May 31 report can’t be ignored just because the JCPOA talks are ongoing, but a resolution is not likely now,” one diplomat said, referring to the 2015 deal by its official name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.Five other diplomats said there would not be a resolution but simply statements by countries on the board.“There need to be strong statements,” said one diplomat from a country that backed a resolution at the last board meeting.“They (Iran) have obligations and they need to fulfill them.”It remains unclear whether a resolution would have had the necessary support to be adopted by the board, the IAEA’s main decision-making body that meets more than once a year.Indirect talks between Iran and the United States on both countries returning to full compliance with the deal will resume next week, with an election on June 18 likely to usher in a more hard-line Iranian president.“No progress has been made in the dialogue between Iran and the agency with respect to providing substantiated answers to the IAEA’s questions,” a French foreign ministry spokeswoman said, expressing “great concern” at the IAEA’s report on Monday.“We strongly urge Iran to provide such answers as swiftly as possible,” she added.Read more: Return of Iran nuclear deal with US needs only ‘will’: Rouhani
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US, Europe avoid resolution against Iran at IAEA board: Diplomats
American support for death penalty still strong despite decline in use
The new Pew survey indicates that 90% of Americans who support the use of the death penalty on convicted murderers think it is morally justified.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: American support for death penalty still strong despite decline in use
Facebook to end special treatment for politicians after Trump ban – report
In the board's recommendations it stressed that considerations of "newsworthiness" should not take priority when urgent action is needed on the platform to prevent "significant harm."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Facebook to end special treatment for politicians after Trump ban - report
Iran-backed Houthis refusing to engage ‘meaningfully’ on a Yemen ceasefire: US
The Iran-backed Houthi militia continues to block progress towards reaching a ceasefire in Yemen, the US State Department said Friday after its top diplomat for the war-torn country returned to Washington.“The Houthis continue a devastating offensive on Marib that is condemned by the international community and leaves the Houthis increasingly isolated,” the State Department said in a statement following Special Envoy Tim Lenderking’s sixth publicized trip to the region.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Lenderking was appointed by President Joe Biden shortly after he entered the White House in a sign of the president’s ambition to end the war in Yemen.Last month, the US slapped sanctions on two Houthi officials for their role in the offensive on Marib, one of the last Yemeni government strongholds.Lenderking also blasted the Houthis for rejecting a meeting with UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths last month.The Houthis virtually met with Griffiths after the sanctions.However, after returning from his sixth trip, Lenderking appeared to still be dissatisfied with the Houthis.“While there are numerous problematic actors inside of Yemen, the Houthis bear major responsibility for refusing to engage meaningfully on a ceasefire and to take steps to resolve a nearly seven-year conflict that has brought unimaginable suffering to the Yemeni people,” the State Department said.During his most recent trip, Lenderking made stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Jordan.Separately, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke today with his Omani counterpart on Friday to discuss regional issues, including the Yemen war. “The Secretary and Foreign Minister noted the importance of an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire to help bring the war in Yemen and the humanitarian suffering of the Yemeni people to an end,” State Department Spokesman Ned Price said.Oman is one of the multiple Gulf and Arab countries attempting to facilitate and mediate peace talks on Yemen.Read more: Saudi Deputy Defense Minister meets commander of US Central Command
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran-backed Houthis refusing to engage ‘meaningfully’ on a Yemen ceasefire: US
Lebanon registers 223 COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths in last 24 hours
Lebanon registers 223 COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths in last 24 hours..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon registers 223 COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths in last 24 hours
Knesset Speaker Levin to announce Lapid-Bennett coalition on Monday
Knesset speaker Yariv Levin called on Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid to reveal the coalition agreements as Yamina held a faction meeting on Friday morning.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Knesset Speaker Levin to announce Lapid-Bennett coalition on Monday