Middle East Experience

While media has popularized the notion of widespread looting and chaos in the wake of major disasters, the communities impacted by disasters actually see a decrease in crime.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Natural disasters lead to decreased crime, increased charity - study

Syria called the reports a lie intended to boost Israel's image and..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Israel secretly agreed to purchase Covid vaccines for Syria in prisoner exchange deal: report

Gyms, theaters, hotels, concerts, and synagogues registered under the green passport program will be able to operate.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Everything you need to know about Israel’s green passport program

Over 95% employees in UAE went online as Covid struck..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE is best in region for remote working

Lebanon received its second shipment of the coronavirus vaccine Saturday, containing around 31,500 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon receives second Pfizer vaccine shipment

Two violent incidents already occurred, including one 70-year-old protester who was allegedly attacked by Netanyahu supporters.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Protesters make their way to Jerusalem for week 35 of Balfour Protests

Municipalities are desparate for working hands to clean up the environmental disaster, but caution against doing so independently. *Warning: Graphic Content*
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Toxic tar fumes force volunteers to evacuate while cleaning beaches

In an interview, King Abdullah focused on the need to launch political and administrative reforms that include reviewing laws that govern elections and political parties, in a move that coincides with the start of the Biden administration.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: King’s call to revisit political reforms triggers cautious optimism in Jordan

Canada is reviewing an audio recording in which an Iranian official, reportedly identified as Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, concedes that the downing of a Ukrainian airliner by the Iranian military over Tehran last year may have been an intentional act, Canada’s public broadcaster reported on Tuesday.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The man in the recording, which broadcaster CBC said has been identified as Zarif, is heard saying that there are a “thousand possibilities” to explain the downing of the airliner, including a deliberate attack involving “infiltrators.”That scenario was “not at all unlikely,” the man said in the recording, according to CBC.The man adds that the Iranian regime will never reveal the truth about what happened.“There are reasons that they will never be revealed,” he said in Farsi, according to the report.“They won't tell us, nor anyone else, because if they do it will open some doors into the defence systems of the country that will not be in the interest of the nation to publicly say,” he added.Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shot down the Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 on January 8, killing all 176 people onboard.Iran admitted to downing the plane days after of denying responsibility and insisting the plane crashed due to a “technical failure.”Ralph Goodale, Special Adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the case, said Canada’s forensic examination and assessment team obtained a copy of the recording in November.The audio file contains sensitive information and commenting publicly on its details could put lives at risk, CBC cited him as saying.The relevant Canadian authorities are evaluating the recording’s authenticity, Goodale said.Victims’ families urge Canada to blacklist ZarifAn association representing the families of the victims released a statement on Wednesday following the CBC report, urging the Canadian government to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation and impose sanctions on Zarif.Zarif’s “only responsibility is to normalize this mass murder and avert any international criminal proceeding,” the statement read.“Iran cannot be trusted and is not willing to disclose the truth and to hold its officials to account,” the statement added.Some of the victims’ relatives believe it is likely the plane was deliberately shot down.Report ‘incorrect and unreliable,’ says IranIran’s foreign ministry spokesman dismissed the report on Wednesday as “incorrect and unreliable.”“The claims made in the report are incorrect and unreliable, and many of the remarks attributed to Zarif are fundamentally inconsistent with his language (manner of speaking),” the semi-official ISNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh as saying.Khatibzadeh urged Canada not to “add to the grief of bereaved families by spreading rumours.”Read more:One year since Iran downed Ukrainian plane, countries want justice deliveredIran’s IRGC blames US for own downing of Ukraine passenger plane, one year laterIran allocates $150,000 for families of each victim of downed Ukraine plane
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Canadian authorities reviewing audio of Iran’s Zarif discussing Ukraine plane downing

The Iran-backed Houthis claimed on Wednesday the attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport and said it was a military target, AFP reported.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The UAV air force targeted the airfields of warplanes at Abha International Airport - which is used for military purposes to target the Yemeni people - with four drones,” Yahya Sarie,” Houthi military spokesman said in a tweet. “The strike was accurate, thanks to God.”The Arab Coalition earlier said a terrorist attack targeting the airport caused a civilian plane to catch fire, according to an Al Arabiya correspondent.“Attempting to target Abha airport and threatening civilian travelers is a war crime,” the Arab Coalition said in a statement.“We are taking all necessary measures to protect civilians from the threats of the Houthis,” the statement added.Yemen’s Houthi movement regularly launches drones and missiles into Saudi Arabia, many of which Riyadh says it intercepts. Some have previously hit Abha International Airport which is about 120 kilometer (75 miles) from the border with Yemen.Earlier in the day, the Coalition said it intercepted and destroyed two armed drones launched by the Iranian-aligned group towards the southern region of the Kingdom.With AFP & ReutersRead more:Arab Coalition destroys two explosive-laden drones targeting Saudi Arabia: State TVArab Coalition: Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport causes plane fireArab Coalition intercepts four Houthi drones in 24 hours targeting Saudi Arabia
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran-backed Houthis claim attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport