“Death to America. Death to Israel,” an African migrant recruited to the Iran-backed Houthi militia is heard, repeating a fighter’s chant in a video shared by Al Hadath.In the video, a Houthi fighter and a migrant are holding machine guns in the back of a pickup truck. For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The fighter chants, “Death to America. Death to Israel. Curse the Jews. Victory to Islam,” while the African man repeats after him. The Houthis have recruited hundreds of African refugees and illegal immigrants to fight in the war against the internationally-recognized Yemeni government, according to Yemen’s Minister of Information Muammar al-Iryani. The group forces migrants to fight alongside the militia, and smuggle contraband in and out of the country, al-Iryani said last year. Iran backs the Houthis in the war against the government, supplying the militia with ballistic missiles, drones, and other military weapons.Read more:Iran-backed Houthis confirm migrant center fire, say 44 killedOver 100 migrants transported out of Yemen on UN-sponsored flight: Arab CoalitionFingers point to Yemen Houthi militia for starting fire that killed African migrants
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: ‘Death to America, Israel’: Video shows how Houthis recruit African migrants
Election looming, Iran’s Rouhani says hardliners obstruct goal to lift US sanctions
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani accused hardline opponents on Wednesday of obstructing efforts to lift US sanctions, in remarks that demonstrate how an upcoming election in Iran is now looming over the new US administration’s plan for a thaw.“It is a great betrayal of the Iranian nation if any faction or person delays the end of the sanctions even for one hour,” Hassan Rouhani said in televised remarks.“The small minority that is obstructing this path needs to stop its destructive act. If it stops … the government can break the sanctions,” Rouhani added without elaborating.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The new US administration of President Joe Biden aims to revive an agreement abandoned by his predecessor Donald Trump, under which Iran accepted curbs to its nuclear program in return for the lifting of international sanctions. After Trump quit the pact and reimposed sanctions, Iran took steps that violate the deal’s nuclear limits.So far, Iran and the Biden administration are at loggerheads over which side should move first to revive the agreement, with Tehran demanding Washington first lift sanctions and Washington calling on Tehran first to resume compliance with the deal.“Today, conditions are better than ever for the lifting of the sanctions,” Rouhani said on Wednesday. The Americans, he said, are willing to return to the deal. However, he added: “Words are not enough. We are waiting for action.”Rouhani’s close ally Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said this week that unless progress is made soon on restoring the nuclear deal, diplomacy would be halted for months by Iran’s presidential election scheduled for June 18.On Tuesday France’s foreign minister blamed Iranian pre-election politics for hindering the nuclear deal’s revival.The stalled nuclear deal has been a flagship policy for Rouhani, a pragmatist who won landslide victories in the last two presidential elections against hardline opponents by promising to open Iran’s economy up to the world.Rouhani is barred from standing for a third term and the slate of candidates has yet to be finalized.Iran’s hardliners say US sanctions are proof that Rouhani’s policy of reaching out to enemies was a failure. A delay in progress on the nuclear issue could hurt the chances of a moderate succeeding Rouhani, although the final decision on any diplomatic initiative would be taken by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rather than the elected president.Read more:Republicans urge Biden against lifting US sanctions on Iran: Do not give up leverageIran reacts to US talks offer: Lift sanctions before we reverse nuclear actions
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Election looming, Iran’s Rouhani says hardliners obstruct goal to lift US sanctions
Lebanon protesters try to storm ministry over currency crisis
Protestors in Beirut tried to storm the ministry of finance, angered by the continuing crisis in the country and a lack of political progress..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon protesters try to storm ministry over currency crisis
Dubai Police: Right way to drive on fast lane to avoid fines
Police release video explaining how the left most lane on Dubai roads must be used..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Dubai Police: Right way to drive on fast lane to avoid fines
Protesters try to storm ministry over currency crisis
Demonstrators briefly attempted to storm Lebanon's Economy Ministry Wednesday to protest skyrocketing prices of basic goods as the local currency collapses..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Protesters try to storm ministry over currency crisis
Palestinians get 60,000 vaccine doses through WHO program
The first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines from the World Health Organisation is due to arrive in Palestine in the next 48 hours..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Palestinians get 60,000 vaccine doses through WHO program
Mahmoud Abbas won’t be the only candidate in upcoming Palestinian elections: Dahlan
Mohammed Dahlan has said he expected challengers to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of upcoming Palestinian elections, the former leader of Fatah in Gaza told Al Arabiya in a special interview.“The current institutions will decide who will be on the list of candidates, and if we are going to nominate a specific person for presidency. But I can guarantee brother Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) that he will not be the only candidate in the upcoming elections,” Dahlan said.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“My words are clear. I don’t want to get ahead of events but I can say that he will not be the only candidate,” Dahlan added, without confirming or denying that he will nominate himself in either the upcoming legislative or president elections.Dahlan, long considered a political rival of Abbas, has been living and based in the United Arab Emirates for years since leaving Gaza. He is also considered one of those expected to challenge Abbas in the upcoming presidential elections.A day earlier, Palestinian rival factions Fatah and Hamas agreed in Cairo to a code of conduct to ensure upcoming elections are run based on “transparency and integrity.”The Palestinian parliamentary and presidential polls are set for May 22 and July 31 respectively.Dahlan also addressed criticism of his decision to live in exile in the UAE during his special interview with Al Arabiya. He was asked to address critics who recently said his assistance in getting much-needed COVID-19 vaccines to Gaza was done in order to score political points.“Firstly, the UAE does not have a greedy interest in the Palestinian cause, not in the past, present or in the future. They have private circumstances which led them to take a sovereign and a political stance to normalize ties with Israel. As for their support in history, the UAE is the second Arab country that supports the Palestinian people financially after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Dahlan told Al Arabiya.Dahlan currently leads a Fatah breakaway movement that is poised to the Gaza Strip after a 14-year absence. Last month, two of the movement’s representatives returned to Gaza.During the interview, Dahlan was asked again whether he would stand in either the local or presidential elections but would not confirm at this time his intentions, saying that he is focused on his “personal and national duty” for now.“I am not talking about personal achievements. I am talking about a people suffering at least the last 15 years. An increase in poverty rates of the Palestinian people during the past 15 years. An increase in diseases, in stress, and a loss of hope. Therefore, I belong to this group of people who paid the price either in the Palestinian revolution or in building the Palestinian National Authority,” Dahlan said.“I want to fulfil personal and nationalistic duty whether I was in the Palestinian National Authority or not. I have been out of the Palestinian National Authority for the past 15 years nearly. I was not late for day doing my duty and no one handed this duty to me. But, I gave that duty to myself to stand with these people and stand with them during any crisis,” he added.Read more:Palestinians to hold first elections in 15 years, presidential vote on July 31Rivals Fatah, Hamas agree to electoral code of conduct ahead of Palestinian electionsYahya Sinwar re-elected as Hamas chief in GazaAbbas orders Palestinian public freedoms boosted before vote
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Mahmoud Abbas won’t be the only candidate in upcoming Palestinian elections: Dahlan
Archaeology: Israel's national pastime – analysis
Embers still burn from the country’s once great passion for excavations.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Archaeology: Israel's national pastime - analysis
Archaeologists find early Christian monks' living quarters, churches, in Egypt
As described by the research team, the markings and symbols found at the site have Coptic connotations.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Archaeologists find early Christian monks' living quarters, churches, in Egypt
Sa'ar to Post: Netanyahu must stop holding Israel hostage
"If Netanyahu doesn't get 61, I call upon him to free the political system of himself."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Sa'ar to Post: Netanyahu must stop holding Israel hostage