Middle East Experience

Senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Mohammad-Taghi Mesbah-Yazdi, a close ally of Iran’s supreme leader, has died at the age of 86, state media reported on Friday.Mesbah-Yazdi died due to a gastrointestinal illness, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. He was hospitalized in Tehran at least twice in recent months due to illness.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Mesbah-Yazdi was a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, a clerical body that supervises, appoints and in theory, can sack the supreme leader.He was also a close ally and staunch supporter of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and held the controversial belief that opposing the supreme leader amounts to “shirk” (polytheism).
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Senior Iranian cleric Mesbah-Yazdi dies

In spite of everything, Jewish life continued. Here’s what the year looked like in photos.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Jewish life in 2020: A year in pictures

Egypt’s National Council for Women teams up with Facebook for extra online security and protection for female users prone to online harassment and violation of their personal freedoms.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Facebook launches partnership with Egypt to protect women from cyber harassment

The United Arab Emirates detected its highest number of new coronavirus cases since the outbreak began in December 2019, with the health ministry reporting 1,963 new infections in the past 24 hours.The total number of confirmed cases in the country is now 211,641.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The country has been reporting a record number of cases in the past week. On Friday, the ministry said 1,856 infections were reported, while 1,730 new infections were recorded on Thursday.Three people died on Saturday due to complications caused by COVID-19, bringing the virus-related death toll in the country to 674.Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries rose to 188,100 after 2,081 people recovered from the coronavirus.Read more:Coronavirus: UAE records increase in new COVID-19 cases for sixth day in rowCoronavirus: UAE reports 1,730 COVID-19 cases, four deaths
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE detects 1,963 new cases, highest since start of pandemic outbreak

Yemen’s prime minister on Saturday said that a missile attack on the airport in Aden was meant “to eliminate” the country’s new government as it arrived in the key southern city — a daring assault which he blamed on Iran-backed Houthis.Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed spoke to The Associated Press in an interview conducted at his office in the Mashiq Palace in Aden. It was the leader’s first interview with international media after he survived Wednesday’s attack that killed at least 25 people and wounded 110 others.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“It’s a major terrorist attack that was meant to eliminate the government,” the premier said. “It was a message against peace and stability in Yemen.”Saeed repeated his government’s accusations that Yemen’s Houthi militia were responsible for the missile attack on the airport and a drone assault on the palace, shortly after the premier and his Cabinet were transferred there.The new Yemeni government was formed in December.He said that the “techniques” used in the airport missile attack were hallmarks of the Houthis’ strategy.The attack took place moments after a plane carrying Saeed and his Cabinet members landed at the airport. AP footage from the scene at Aden’s airport showed members of the government delegation disembarking as the blast shook the tarmac, with many ministers rushing back inside the plane or running down the stairs, seeking shelter.Saeed said three precision-guided missiles had struck the facility, targeting his plane, the arrival hall and the VIP lounge of the airport. “The guidance accuracy was great. The operation was huge,” he said.The prime minister said Yemeni investigators have collected the remains of the missiles and that experts from the Arab Coalition and the US would help determine the type and origins of the missiles.Read more:At least 13 killed in Aden airport attack after new Yemeni government landsGlobal community expresses condemnation, outrage at Yemen’s Aden Airport attacksDeath toll of Yemen's Aden airport blast rises to 26: AFP
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Attack on Aden airport meant to ‘eliminate’ new govt: Yemen’s PM

Saudi Arabia reported 101 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the Kingdom to 362,979, the Ministry of Health said on Saturday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The COVID-19 death rate in the country continued to drop significantly. The ministry recorded only nine coronavirus-related deaths in the past 24 hours, which brings the death toll to 6,239.Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries in Saudi Arabia rose to 354,263 after 182 people recovered from the virus. Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia hosts Dakar Rally in first major motorsport event of 2021Worldwide coronavirus death toll hits 1,827,565: AFP COVID-19 tallyCoronavirus: UAE detects 1,963 new cases, highest since start of pandemic outbreak
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia reports 101 COVID-19 cases as death rate drops

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif claimed on Saturday intelligence from Iraq indicated that Israel is plotting attacks against Americans in order to push the US into a war with Iran.“New intelligence from Iraq indicate that Israeli agent-provocateurs are plotting attacks against Americans — putting an outgoing (President Donald) Trump in a bind with a fake casus belli (act justifying war),” Zarif said in a tweet.“Be careful of a trap, @realDonaldTrump. Any fireworks will backfire badly,” Zarif wrote.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Saturday marks the first anniversary of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani’s assassination in a US strike in Baghdad.Soleimani headed the Quds Force, the overseas arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He was considered the second most powerful figure in the regime after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.Top Iranian authorities, including Khamenei, had vowed revenge and said revenge could occur at any time.In a similar tweet on Thursday, Zarif said that intelligence from Iraq indicated Trump is aiming to “fabricate [a] pretext for war” against Iran.“Iran doesn’t seek war but will OPENLY & DIRECTLY defend its people, security & vital interests,” he added.Read more:Soleimani’s killers will ‘not be safe on Earth,’ says Iran’s judiciary chiefMusic video pays ‘tribute’ to slain Iranian commander Soleimani
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Israel plotting attacks on Americans to push US into war with Iran: Zarif

Said Bouteflika was accused of conspiracy against the state after his brother, the president, was ousted from office..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Said Bouteflika: Brother of deposed Algeria leader cleared of charges

The once-mighty presidential aide was long seen as the real power running the North African country after his brother suffered a debilitating stroke in 2013..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Algerian ex-president's brother cleared of conspiracy

After weeks of escalation and threatening language, the Defense Department is sending mixed messages as the anniversary of the death of an Iranian general nears..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: In Abrupt Reversal of Iran Strategy, Pentagon Orders Aircraft Carrier Home