Middle East Experience

The series "The Alexandria Killings" is based on the true events of a killing spree that has kept the Egyptian public guessing between innocence and guilt ever since the British colonial rule.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: International TV series to depict saga of Egypt’s notorious serial killer duo

Syrian authorities are working on extinguishing a fire that erupted in its main Homs refinery in the west of the nation, state media said on Sunday.The fire erupted in a distillation unit due to a leak in a pumping station, it said without elaborating.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.State television showed live footage of fire engulfing parts of the refinery with black smoke plumes in the distance as firefighters tackled the flames.There was a large fire and blast at Homs in January this year involving a nearby crude oil loading station and dozens of trucks that transport petroleum products across the country.Both Homs refinery and Banias on the Mediterranean coast have faced supply shortages in recent months due to erratic supplies of Iranian crude oil to the sanctions-hit country that relies mainly on Tehran for its energy needs.Syria has over the past year two years faced months of gasoline and fuel shortages, forcing it to ration supplies distributed across government-held areas and to apply several rounds of steep price hikes.Read more:Chinese rocket debris reenters earth over Indian Ocean near Maldives: OfficialsLebanon thwarts attempt to smuggle 51 Syrians to neighboring CyprusNew York Times Square shooting leaves three injured, including four-year-old child
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Fire erupts at Syria’s Homs refinery, authorities working to extinguish it

Israel “firmly rejects” pressure not to build in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday following days of unrest and spreading international condemnation of planned evictions of Palestinians from their homes in the city claimed by Jewish settlers.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Tensions over Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem have stoked daily confrontations. Washington said Saturday it was “deeply concerned” and wanted “authorities to approach the residents ... with compassion and respect.”East Jerusalem is among territories that Palestinians seek for a future state. US-sponsored statehood negotiations with Israel stalled in 2014. Israel deems of all Jerusalem its capital - a status not recognized abroad.“We firmly reject the pressure not to build in Jerusalem. To my regret, this pressure has been increasing of late,” Netanyahu said during a televised address ahead of national commemorations of the Israeli capture of East Jerusalem in a 1967 war.“I say also to the best of our friends: Jerusalem is Israel’s capital and just as every nation builds in its capital and builds up its capital, we also have the right to build in Jerusalem and to build up Jerusalem. That is what we have done and that is what we will continue to do,” Netanyahu said.East Jerusalem tensions have spilled over into clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians around al-Aqsa, Islam’s third-holiest mosque, at the height of the Ramadan fast month.On Saturday night, Islam’s holy night of Laylat al-Qadr, Israeli officers on horseback and in riot gear used stun grenades and water cannons to attack Palestinian youth who responded by throwing stones, lighting fires, and tearing down police barricades in the streets leading to the walled Old City gates.Netanyahu said Israel allows freedom of worship but “we will not allow any extremist element to disturb the peace in Jerusalem ... We will not allow violent unrest.”Pope Francis called for an end to violence in Jerusalem, saying he was following events there with concern and inviting parties to seek solutions in order to respect the multicultural identity of the Holy City.“Violence breeds violence, stop clashes,” the pope told pilgrims who gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on Sunday.Read more:At least 53 Palestinians wounded as Israeli police fire rubber bullets at protestersEgypt calls on Israel to stop illegal evictions to prevent ‘another intifada’Saudi Arabia rejects Israel’s plans to annex Palestinian homes in Jerusalem: FM
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Netanyahu says Israel firmly rejects pressure not to build in Jerusalem

Saudi Arabia will hold the Hajj pilgrimage under “special conditions” to protect against the spread of COVID-19, a spokesman with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah annnounced on Sunday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.“Health authorities in the Kingdom continue to assess the situation and are taking all measures to ensure the safety of all,” the spokesman said during a press conference.He also said further details on the operational plans for this year's Hajj will be announced “at a later time.”Last year, the Kingdom only allowed a limited number of those living in the country and who met certain criteria to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and required for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime.Those who managed to secure a spot were randomly selected through an automated raffle system, with no human involvement, according to the Minister of Hajj and Umrah.The group was required to self-isolate at home seven days prior to arriving in Mecca, as part of the requirements to participate in the pilgrimage.The participants were then quarantined in the designated hotel until the start of the rituals.The pilgrims were transported in assigned groups daily while every 50 individuals were accompanied by a health leader to ensure safety measures, including wearing a mask and social distancing, were implemented at all times.Read more:Watch: Hajj pilgrims arrive in Mecca for final Kaaba ritual amid COVID-19 measuresSaudi airports ready to expect travelers after lifting of travel suspension: GACAHajj 2020 photos: A look back at the pilgrimage amid coronavirus pandemic
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia to hold Hajj pilgrimage under ‘special conditions’ amid COVID-19

Israel's justice ministry said it would delay a key Monday hearing in a case that could see Palestinian families evicted from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah area of Jerusalem..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Israeli court delays hearing in Sheikh Jarrah forced eviction case

Five militiamen from Iran-backed groups, including a Hezbollah commander, have been killed in a drone strike in northern Syria..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Five Iran-backed militia members killed in Syria strike

A leading Iraqi anti-government activist was killed early Sunday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Iraqi activist's killing sparks protests against impunity

Hezbollah put its forces in Lebanon and Syria on high alert Sunday as Israel began large-scale military exercises, security sources said..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Hezbollah forces on alert as Israel starts drill

The balloons from Sunday follow a renewed trend that was reignited a week-and-a-half ago when explosive balloons were launched from Gaza for the first time since March.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Incendiary balloons from Gaza Strip wreak havoc in southern Israel

Several US Democratic politicians have condemned Israel's campaign to evict Palestinians from East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood and called for decisive action from the Biden administration..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Leading Democrats demand Washington stops Israel's East Jerusalem violence and evictions