Greece and Turkey will hold explanatory talks for the first time in years following the tensions that peaked last year between the regional rivals, although the two parties have yet to agree on the issues to be discussed.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkish-Greek talks, all talk?
Coronavirus: UAE vaccinations surpass 2 million, 21 percent of population vaccinated
More than 2 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered in the United Arab Emirates, 20.88 percent of the country’s population has been vaccinated, reported state-owned Emirates News Agency.“This achievement and the success in achieving that global record rate of distributing the vaccine per 100 people comes as confirmation of the success of the national campaign to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the great response the campaign is witnessing from all members of society,” the statement released by WAM added.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.WAM added that Abdul Rahman bin Muhammad al-Owais, Minister of Health and Community Protection, affirmed that reaching this record number of vaccine doses within a short period reflects the exceptional efforts of the “wise leadership” in dealing with the emerging coronavirus pandemic crisis, as well as the concerted efforts of the government and all state institutions.Al-Owais called on all community members eligible to receive the vaccine to continue to turn out to receive the shots from vaccination centers spread in the various Emirates of the UAE.The United Arab Emirates vaccination campaign aims to vaccinate more than 50 percent of the country’s population during the first quarter of this year.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia reports 226 COVID-19 cases, 6 deathsWorldwide coronavirus death toll hits 2,041,289: AFP COVID-19 tallyCoronavirus: Lebanon doctors urge lockdown extension as infections spike
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE vaccinations surpass 2 million, 21 percent of population vaccinated
Iran sanctions US President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, other American officials
Iran’s foreign ministry on Tuesday imposed sanctions on outgoing US President Donald Trump, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and several current and former members of the Trump administration.Read more: Seven UN member states, including Iran, lose right to vote over unpaid duesCurrent American officials sanctioned include Trump, Pompeo, acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, CIA Director Gina Haspel, US Special Representative to Iran and Venezuela Elliot Abrams, and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) chief Andrea Gacki.Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton, former US envoy for Iran Brian Hook, and former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper were also sanctioned.Iran sanctioned the officials for their alleged involvement in the killings of top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani and nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, as well as “supporting acts of terror against Iran” and imposing sanctions against the Islamic republic, the semi-official ISNA news agency cited foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh as saying.Last month, Iran also blacklisted the US ambassador in Yemen, one day after Washington imposed terrorism-related sanctions on Tehran’s envoy to the Yemeni Houthis.Tensions between Iran and the US have escalated since Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran in 2018 as part of a “maximum pressure” campaign.President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to rejoin the accord if Iran returns to complying with it.Read more:Watch: Flags out for Joe Biden ahead of inaugurationFBI says US Capitol rioter allegedly hoped to sell Pelosi laptop to RussiaAirstrikes pound Iran-backed militias south of Iraq’s Baghdad: Reports
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran sanctions US President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, other American officials
Netanyahu lays out campaign for US to maintain course on Iran
Israel is hoping that the new US administration will conduct an intimate strategic dialogue with Israel’s allies in the region before making a final decision on the Iran nuclear issue.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Netanyahu lays out campaign for US to maintain course on Iran
Qatar sports broadcaster beIN denies changes in Saudi services
Subscribers of Qatar's sports broadcaster beIN have reported an alleged resumption of services in Saudi Arabia after a three-year ban..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar sports broadcaster beIN denies changes in Saudi services
Will Syrian opposition benefit from recent Gulf detente?
The Gulf reconciliation has sparked controversy in the opposition circles of northwestern Syria over its expected positive effects on the Syrian revolution and opposition.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Will Syrian opposition benefit from recent Gulf detente?
Libyan leaders approve interim executive mechanism: UN
Interim UN envoy Stephanie Williams said 'Libyans have now a genuine opportunity to move past their differences and divisions' with this step..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Libyan leaders approve interim executive mechanism: UN
'IS militants' behind explosions in central Iraq
The explosion was reported by some outlets as US airstrikes on Iran-backed militants in Iraq, prompting US CENTCOM to quickly clear air on the matter..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: 'IS militants' behind explosions in central Iraq
Israel starts vaccinating 40-year-olds, aims at 250,000 shots per day
As of Tuesday, 2.2 million Israelis have been inoculated, including 422,000 people who have had both doses.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel starts vaccinating 40-year-olds, aims at 250,000 shots per day
Israeli company developing medical cannabis spray to treat skin conditions
The innovative topical spray is expected to effectively treat atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, pain and lesions.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israeli company developing medical cannabis spray to treat skin conditions