Middle East Experience

Syria’s higher constitutional court on Monday approved President Bashar al-Assad’s application to run in a May 26 presidential election that he is all but certain to win.The court cleared two other candidates, Abdallah Saloum Abdallah and Mahmoud Ahmed Marei though Assad’s run is almost guaranteed to give him a fourth term, extending his tenure well past two decades.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Assad has ruled since 2000, succeeding his father who seized power in a 1970 coup. Syria has suffered civil war since 2011, although Assad’s government has re-captured most territory once held by opposition forces trying to topple him.Candidates must have lived in Syria for the last 10 years, ruling out exiled opposition figures from standing. The authorities have also arrested scores of activists who have cast doubt on the legitimacy of the vote.Washington and the Syrian opposition have denounced the planned election as a farce designed to cement Assad’s authoritarian rule.Top UN officials said this month the election did not fulfil Security Council resolutions, which call for a political process to end Syria’s conflict, a new constitution, and elections administered under UN supervision with the “highest standards of transparency and accountability”.Read more:US, Europe reject Syria’s presidential elections as ‘a sham’ in advanceSyria finalizes list of 51 presidential candidates, including seven womenUN Syria envoy says there’s interest in stepped up diplomacy to end the country’s war
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Syria’s Assad, two others approved as candidates for upcoming presidential elections

The importation of 1,500 Tesla cars in May paints a picture of Israeli consumers eager to transition to electric vehicles.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israeli drivers go electric

The United Arab Emirates on Monday said it condemned the attempts of the Iran-backed Houthi militia to target Saudi Arabia’s Najran with a ballistic missile and two drones that were intercepted by Arab Coalition forces, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.“In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the UAE affirmed that these recurrent Houthi terrorist attacks reflect the group’s blatant disregard for the international community and all international laws and norms,” according to WAM.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The UAE urged the international community to take an “immediate and decisive stance to stop these repeated acts, which threaten security and stability in the Kingdom.”Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile and two explosive drones launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia targeting the southern city of Najran, the Arab Coalition said.Earlier the Arab Coalition confirmed two explosive drones had targeted southern areas of Saudi Arabia, including one that was launched toward the south city of Khamis Mushait.The continued threat of these attacks in recent days is a grave escalation that represents new evidence of these militias’ attempts to undermine security and stability in the region, the UAE ministry said.“The security of the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is indivisible, and any threat facing the Kingdom is considered a threat to the UAE’s security and stability,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement carried by WAM.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercept ballistic missile, 2 drones targeting NajranSaudi Arabia intercepts ‘hostile air target’ aimed at JeddahArab Coalition intercepts 3 Houthi drones fired at Saudi Arabia’s southern region
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE condemns Houthi attempt to target Saudi Arabia’s Najran

Israeli settlers' increased visits to the ruins of two synagogues in the Jericho area in the West Bank worry Palestinians.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Palestinian fears rise as settlers visit synagogue ruins in Jericho

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei defended former Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani after the uproar over a leaked audio recording by the foreign minister. 
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran's Khamenei responds to Zarif leak

Kuwaiti citizens who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be able to travel abroad from May 22, the information ministry said on Monday, citing a decision by Kuwait’s cabinet.The ban does not include people in age groups ineligible to receive vaccinations. A previous directive banning the entry of non-Kuwaitis into the Gulf state still stands, the statement said.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.New daily COVID-19 cases in Kuwait have risen since the start of the year and are now hovering between 1,300 and 1,500 a day.Kuwait has registered more than 276,500 cases in total.The country suspended flights from India 10 days ago following a surge in infections there.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read more:Kuwait intends to halt import of Lebanese fruits, vegetables following Saudi banUN Gulf War reparations body pays out $380 mln to KuwaitCOVID-19, subdued oil price to leave most of Gulf in the red this year: Fitch
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Kuwait bans unvaccinated citizens from travelling abroad

Turkey hopes for British support as it takes on a more hawkish posture on the Cyprus conflict, risking fresh tensions with the European Union.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Why does Turkey see ‘turning point’ in failed Cyprus summit?

Abu Ali al-Jumaili's arrest comes as Kurdish-led forces captured another IS official across the border in Syria.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iraqi authorities nab Islamic State 'governor' of Fallujah

Pakistan's anti-Ahmadi laws have been in place for almost 40 years now, and the impact on this religious minority has been devastating. In a war of attrition, the laws have ground down the Ahmadi community, scarring an entire generation. Fear, flight and persecution are the hallmarks of life for the Ahmadiyya in Pakistan. According to Mohammad Luqman, there is little hope of improvement..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Religious persecution in Pakistan: Violence increasing against the beleaguered Ahmadiyya community

The Syrian regime has approved two candidates to run against dictator Bashar Al-Assad in the upcoming elections..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Syria court approves Assad regime loyalists to run with Assad in 'sham' presidential elections