Middle East Experience

A screenshot of a Lebanese boy scout Facebook group liking a photo of a woman posing in a red dress next to Valentine’s Day flowers has been circulating on social media, prompting the group to issue an apology for their “mistake.”For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Screenshots of the photo of the woman in the red dress were shared that showed that “Imam Khomeini Regiment Ayta ash Shab” Facebook group had liked it.The group, which is based in a village in southern Lebanon, shared the following explanation for the incident:“Clarification, It is important for the management the page of Imam Khomeini regiment of Ayta ash Shab to clarify that the mistake that took place by liking one of the (inappropriate) pages was done by mistake by one of the sons of the managers of the page, as he was playing with the phone and entered the group’s page, which required clarification and correction, however, no pictures or pages are ever liked other than the group’s associated pages.”Read more:Nasrallah plays innocent, denies Hezbollah’s role in Lokman Slim’s assassination‘If you attack our cities, we will attack yours,’ Hezbollah’s Nasrallah tells Israel
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Lebanese boy scout Facebook group likes woman’s Valentine’s photo, issues apology

Forces that belong to the Arab Coalition intercepted on Wednesday an explosive-laden drone that was launched by the Iran-backed Houthis towards Saudi Arabia, the coalition’s spokesperson said.The Houthis’ attempts to attack civilians in the Kingdom constitute as a “war crime,” the spokesperson added.The coalition is taking the necessary measures to ensure that civilians in Saudi Arabia are protected at all times, according to the spokesperson.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.This comes a day after the coalition destroyed yet another Houthi explosive drone that was launched towards the Kingdom’s Khamis Mushait.Earlier on Tuesday, the coalition announced it had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia that was heading towards the Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia.Scraps from the drone were scattered around the airport after the coalition intercepted the attack, a spokesperson said. No casualties or injuries were reported.The Houthis have launched several attacks targeting the Kingdom and civilian objects, such as airports, in recent months.Iran backs the Houthis in Yemen’s civil war against the internationally-recognized government. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) supplies the Houthis with missiles, drones, and training, allowing the group to target airports and other critical infrastructure.Read more:Houthi offensive on Yemen’s Marib threatens mass displacement, UN warnsArab Coalition destroys another Houthi explosive drone targeting Khamis MushaitArab Coalition destroys Houthi drone heading towards Abha Airport
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Arab Coalition forces intercept explosive-laden Houthi drone targeting Saudi Arabia

France said it will host talks Thursday between the top diplomats of European powers and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken focused on Iran, as they try to salvage a 2015 deal on Tehran’s nuclear program.French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will meet his counterparts Heiko Maas of Germany and Dominic Raab of Britain in Paris, with Blinken joining via videoconference, the French foreign ministry said Wednesday.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The European powers want to revive the nuclear deal that former president Donald Trump walked out of in 2018 but that the administration of Joe Biden has said it could rejoin if Tehran returns to compliance with the deal.The announcement came after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday said Iran wants to see “action not words” from parties to the country’s 2015 nuclear deal.“We have heard many nice words and promises which in practice have been broken and opposite actions have been taken. Words and promises are no good. This time (we want) only action from the other side and we will also act,” Khamenei said in a televised speech.Under the deal, sanctions were lifted in return for Iran agreeing curbs to its nuclear program. Since Trump ditched the deal and reimposed sanctions, Tehran has gradually breached the deal’s terms.Read more:Head of IAEA to visit Tehran ahead of inspection deadlineGermany cautions Iran against blocking IAEA inspections
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Europe powers, US to hold talks on Iran nuclear deal: France

Residents urged to follow all Covid safety precautions..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: New Covid strain highly contagious, warns Bahrain

Israel approved the shipment after reportedly considering tying the delivery to the release of Israeli captives in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Gaza receives first batch of vaccines

Lebanon’s Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah dismissed on Tuesday accusations of any links between his Shia group and the killing of researcher and activist Lokman Slim..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Nasrallah denies role in Slim’s killing, warns Israel against war

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has cleared the crash-prone Boeing 737 Max for operations..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE aviation agency clears Boeing 737 Max to fly again

As the Russian-brokered Tafas agreement in the western countryside of Daraa between the Syrian regime and the Central Committee enters into force, the regime is now seeking to take over the towns outside its control in southern Syria before the upcoming 2021 presidential elections.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Damascus scrambles for more control in southern Syria

Bilal Abdul Kareem has been released by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham after being held for six months..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Syria hardliners release American held in Idlib: monitor

Shadi al-Sufi, 38, was found guilty of killing Jaber al-Qeeq, a former activist with the PLO’s Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Son of slain ‘collaborator’ sentenced to death by Hamas