An independent Canadian report published Tuesday into a Kiev-bound passenger plane shot down by Iran in January said Tehran should not be allowed to investigate itself and called for changes to civil aviation rules.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The party responsible for the situation is investigating itself, largely in secret. That does not inspire confidence or trust,” said the report, written by one of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's former ministers, Ralph Goodale, the government's special counsel into the tragedy.Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed shortly after taking off from the Iranian capital's main airport on January 8, killing all 176 people on board, 85 of whom were Canadian citizens or permanent residents.The Islamic republic admitted days later that its forces accidentally shot down the plane after firing two missiles amid heightened US-Iran tensions.“Many of the key details of this horrific event remain unknown,” the report said, noting in particular why Iranian airspace had remained open the night of the tragedy.“Iran bears responsibility for that because -- at least thus far -- it has not conducted its investigations (safety, criminal or otherwise) in a truly independent, objective and transparent manner,” the report continued.In early November, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) called on Iran to “expedite the accident investigation” and publish its final findings on the crash.Canada had said in early October that it would set up its own team of investigators to collect and analyze available information on the crash.Goodale called for a review of current international standards that entrust the investigation of an aviation crash to the country where the accident occurred.“In the case of a military shoot-down, that means the very government involved in causing the disaster (Iran in this case) is in complete control of the safety investigation, obvious conflicts of interest notwithstanding, with few safeguards to ensure independence, impartiality or legitimacy,” the report said.“This undermines the investigation's credibility and enables a sense of impunity in avoiding essential questions.”Trudeau welcomed the report and called on Iran to “answer comprehensively, with supporting evidence” the questions the document raises.Read more:US President-elect Biden taps former rival Buttigieg for transportation secretaryUS designates Iran-backed Bahrain-based group as global terror organizationArab Coalition intercepts Houthi drone launched from Yemen targeting Saudi Arabia
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Canada says Iran should not lead investigation on downed Ukrainian plane
Egypt, Italy strike major military deal despite Regeni case
Italy and Egypt are set to cut a major military deal, apparently disregarding tensions caused by the murder of Italian researcher Giulio Regeni in Cairo back in 2016.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt, Italy strike major military deal despite Regeni case
Armed groups target liquor shops in Iraq
Shops selling alcoholic beverages in Baghdad are constantly targeted. Some Iraqis see this as part of the war on their personal freedoms.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Armed groups target liquor shops in Iraq
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia receives first COVID-19 vaccine shipment
Saudi Arabia has received its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine, Saudi Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq al-Rabiah said on Wednesday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.“I am pleased to inform everyone, citizens and residents, of the arrival of the first batch of the coronavirus vaccine this morning, and I hope that it will be the beginning of the end of the crisis - God willing - and it will be provided to everyone at the earliest opportunity,” the minister said at the 2021 Saudi Budget Forum.“Yesterday we opened the registration portal for the COVID-19 vaccine and the first hour of the registration saw 100,000 registrations,” al-Rabiah said.“Registering to get the coronavirus vaccine can be done through the Sehhaty app, which is available for download in all smart devices, and anyone can register.”“I invite all citizens and residents to register,” he added.The coronavirus vaccine will be given to all in phases, the Saudi health minister said. “Priority will be given to those who suffer from chronic illnesses and those who are over the age of 65.”On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia opened registration for the COVID-19 vaccine via the Ministry of Health’s Sehhaty mobile application, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.Nationals and residents can register through the application (http://onelink.to/yjc3nj) for the vaccine, which will be available free of charge.Read more: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia opens COVID-19 vaccine registration via Sehhaty app
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia receives first COVID-19 vaccine shipment
Iran’s Khamenei says US hostility toward Iran will continue after Trump
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Washington’s hostility toward the Islamic Republic would not end when US President Donald Trump leaves office.Read more: Iran’s Rouhani says he is happy that ‘lawless’ Trump is leaving office“The hostility (against Iran) is not just from Trump’s America, which will not end when he leaves, as (President Barack) Obama’s America also did bad things to ...the Iranian nation,” Khamenei was quoted as saying by his official website.Khamenei is due to hold his first public function on Wednesday since rumors surfaced of his deteriorating health, Iranian media reported.The media reports said Khamenei would meet organizers of events to mark the first anniversary of the killing of Iran’s top commander Qassem Soleimani in a US drone attack in Iraq.Read more:Biden's incoming national security aide condemns Iran’s execution of journalistChina-Iran relations a threat to ‘free world,’ says US State Dept officialArab Coalition intercepts Houthi drone launched from Yemen targeting Saudi Arabia
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran’s Khamenei says US hostility toward Iran will continue after Trump
Coronavirus: More than 150,000 people in Saudi Arabia sign up for COVID-19 vaccine
More than 150,000 people have signed up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia since the Ministry of Health opened registration on Tuesday, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The ministry also urged individuals to sign up promptly to stay safe and healthy and be protected against the virus and infection. Authorities will begin distributing the COVID-19 vaccine in the next three days, Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq al-Rabiah said.On Tuesday, the Kingdom announced that the vaccine will be available for free for citizens and residents who sign up via the Sehhaty application.Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority last week announced that the Kingdom had approved the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for use in the country.In early December, a health ministry spokesman said that Saudi Arabia will be one of the first countries to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.The Ministry of Health has confirmed the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, after successful tests showed it provided a strong immune response and antibodies in trial participants, according to SPA.The vaccination will be administered over three stages. The first will prioritize citizens and residents over the age of 65, as well as those on the front lines battling the pandemic and people with certain preexisting health conditions.Individuals who are obese and have a body mass index (BMI) of over 40, those who are immunocompromised, and any individual with two or more preexisting conditions such as diabetes or asthma will also be vaccinated in the first stage.Other preexisting conditions that fall under the first stage include the following: chronic kidney disease, chronic heart disease, including coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in addition to individuals with a history of a stroke.The second stage will target individuals over the age of 50, as well as the remainder of health practitioners. People with a BMI between 30 and 40 may receive the vaccination during the second stage of the rollout.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Other individuals that suffer from any of the following chronic disease will also be vaccinated in the second stage: asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic heart diseases including coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and active cancer.The third stage will include any remaining citizens or residents who wish to be vaccinated.Read more:Saudi Arabia receives first COVID-19 vaccine shipmentSaudi Arabia opens COVID-19 vaccine registration via Sehhaty appSaudi Arabia approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: More than 150,000 people in Saudi Arabia sign up for COVID-19 vaccine
Egypt seeks diplomatic foothold in Somalia
Egypt is seeking to repair its relations with Somalia amid the ongoing crisis over the Ethiopia dam in the Nile River and Turkey’s growing influence in the African country.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt seeks diplomatic foothold in Somalia
Netanyahu also influencer-in-chief as master of YouTube, Instagram
No other politician in Israel, not even the young ones, masters YouTube, Instagram and other social networks as skillfully as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Netanyahu also influencer-in-chief as master of YouTube, Instagram
Islamic State makes combat in Syrian desert
The Islamic State continues to haunt and drain out the Syrian regime forces even after it lost its last stronghold in Syria more than a year ago.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Islamic State makes combat in Syrian desert
Dubai Shopping Festival: Residents set for some ‘retail therapy’
The annual shopping event begins tomorrow..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Dubai Shopping Festival: Residents set for some ‘retail therapy’