Maher Bitar: Palestinian-American appointed to Biden’s US National Security CouncilIranian- An Iranian-American facing spying charges in Iran has been arrested as he tried to leave the country, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said on Tuesday.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The dual national is among a handful of Iranian-Americans reported to be held by Iran, which has been accused by rights activists of arresting dual nationals to try to win concessions from other countries. Iran has regularly dismissed the charge.The arrest appears to be the first such detention of an Iranian-American since the inauguration of US President Joe Biden, who is expected to re-engage diplomatically with Iran after years of a “maximum pressure” policy applied by his predecessor Donald Trump.“The defendant had been free on bail ... and was arrested as he tried to leave the country,” Esmaili told a news conference streamed live on a government website.“This person... faced charges from earlier in the area of spying and gathering information for foreign countries,” he said.He did not name the defendant. But Iranian media reports said a businessman identified as Emad Shargi had been arrested as he tried to escape through a western border. The reports did not say whether he was a dual national.US media reports earlier quoted a family friend of Shargi as saying the 56-year-old Iranian-American had been summoned to a Tehran court in November and told that he had been convicted of espionage allegedly without a trial and sentenced to 10 years in prison.Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals over recent years, mostly on espionage charges. Some have been swapped for Iranians held overseas on charges including attempts to bypass US sanctions.Read more:Iran executes second wrestler months after executing champion wrestler Navid AfkariIran to begin COVID-19 vaccine in weeksTop Iran leader Khamenei posts Trump-like golfer image, vows revenge for Soleimani
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iranian-American facing spying charges arrested while leaving Iran: Spokesman
Loud explosion heard in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh
An explosion was heard in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on Tuesday and the cause was not immediately known.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Several witnesses also reported hearing two loud bangs and seeing a small plume of smoke above the capital just before 1 P.M. local time (10 A.M. GMT).Social media users have shared videos of a ballistic missile interception.There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities, or any claim of responsibility.Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi forces have carried out many cross-border attacks into Saudi using drones and missiles since 2015.Missile attacks and drone strikes claimed by Houthi forces have targeted civilian airports and oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, occasionally reaching Riyadh.On Saturday, the Arab Coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed an “enemy air target” launched towards Riyadh.With ReutersRead more:Arab Coalition intercepts missile, drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia’s RiyadhArab Coalition thwarts two attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed HouthisHouthis kidnap husband of pregnant woman beaten to death by the militia in Ibb
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Loud explosion heard in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh
WHO issues series of recommendations on Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
A World Health Organization (WHO) panel of experts recommended on Tuesday that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine be given in two doses at an interval of 28 days, which could be extended under exceptional circumstances to 42 days.The WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, known as SAGE, issued a series of recommendations on Moderna, several weeks after issuing their guidance on the rival Pfizer shot.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.After reviewing Moderna data the independent experts said that that vaccine not be used on pregnant women unless they are health workers exposed to the virus or have medical conditions putting them at high risk.“The main recommendation for the use of this vaccine is that based on the current elements we recommend it should be given in doses of 100 micrograms or 0.5 ml with an interval of 28 days,” Alejandro Cravioto, panel chair, told a news briefing in Geneva.“This interval might be moved to 42 days but the evidence we have does not go behond that time,” he said, speaking from Mexico.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the appWHO director of immunisation Kate O’Brien said that clinical trials of the Moderna vaccine were needed on pregnant women.“There is no reason to think there could be a problem in pregnancy, we are just acknowledging the data is not there at the moment,” she said.The WHO was liaising with Moderna on data it submitted as part of its application for WHO emergency use listing and would make a decision soon, she added.Read more:Relative of coronavirus victim demands to meet WHO experts in ChinaCoronavirus: WHO issues new clinical advice on treating COVID-19 patientsWHO, Pfizer in deal for 40mln doses of coronavirus vaccine
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: WHO issues series of recommendations on Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Iraqi Kurdish officials call Iran's Soleimani film 'insult' to Peshmerga
Peshmerga that fought on the front lines against the Islamic State see the film as an "insult and belittling the role of Peshmergas."
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iraqi Kurdish officials call Iran's Soleimani film 'insult' to Peshmerga
Protesters march on Tunisia’s parliament as it reviews new cabinet
Tunisian crowds marched on the heavily guarded parliament Tuesday as lawmakers plan to vote on a new government, after a week of youth protests and riots over poverty and lack of jobs that left one young demonstrator dead and hundreds jailed..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Protesters march on Tunisia’s parliament as it reviews new cabinet
Iran urges US to end sanctions it says hinder vaccine access
Iran says sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump are preventing the country from securing the COVID-19 vaccines it needs.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran urges US to end sanctions it says hinder vaccine access
Syrian regime introduces 5,000 lira bank note, exacerbating spiralling inflation
The Syrian regime’s Central Bank has introduced a new 5,000 lira banknote amid an economic crisis and spiralling inflation..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Syrian regime introduces 5,000 lira bank note, exacerbating spiralling inflation
Gantz: Our time window to prepare for an earthquake is closing fast
‘I am not a prophet, but statistics show that in the next few years we will face such a scenario'
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Gantz: Our time window to prepare for an earthquake is closing fast
Egypt’s back on gold production map after loosening mining regulations
The gold industry in Egypt has recently witnessed a boom after the Egyptian government amended mining regulations to attract foreign investors, while President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi plans to build a jewelry-making city.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt’s back on gold production map after loosening mining regulations
IDF Cheif Kochavi: Return to Iran 2015 nuclear deal is strategic mistake
Iran’s jumps in enriching uranium could eventually bring it to be "only weeks" away from a nuclear bomb.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: IDF Cheif Kochavi: Return to Iran 2015 nuclear deal is strategic mistake