Middle East Experience

Behrouz Boochani is known for exposing conditions at Australia's offshore immigrant detention center on Manus Island.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Famed Kurdish Iranian journalist receives asylum in New Zealand

Iran’s former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reportedly reached out to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a letter offering to work together on Yemen, despite the history of tensions between the two countries.Ahmadinejad, who served as Iran’s president from 2005 to 2013, sent a letter to the Crown Prince in which he offered to coordinate a ceasefire in Yemen, according to the New York Times, which said it received a copy of the letter from Ahmadinejad’s office.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“I know that your excellency is not happy about the current situation of innocent people dying and getting injured every day and infrastructure being damaged,” Ahmadinejad reportedly wrote personally in the letter, which was signed “your brother Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.”“You are upset that regional resources belonging to the people are used for destruction instead of developing peace and prosperity. For these reasons you will welcome a just peace,” he added.Iranian media also reported on the letter, but no official Saudi Arabian sources had acknowledged it as of Monday.Ahmadinejad holds a seat on Iran’s Expediency Council, an appointed body that supposedly has a supervisory role over the Iranian government, and has repeatedly said he wants to stand as a candidate for president again. However, his nomination has been rejected by the Guardian Council, the body that vets all nominations, and his letter was not written on behalf of the Iranian government.Iran is accused of providing financial and material backing to the Houthi militia, which is fighting against the UN-recognized government of Yemen led by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.A United Nations report recently recognized that weapons “of Iranian origin” had been shipped to Yemen and were used by the Houthis in attacks against oil facilities and Abha international airport in Saudi Arabia last year.Read more:Former Iranian president uses N-word in tweet about George Floyd, quotes TupacFormer Iranian president Ahmadinejad says he has no interest in running for presidentReport: Iranian ex-President Ahmadinejad arrested for inciting unrest
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran’s Ahmadinejad sends letter to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Oman reported 1,053 new cases of the deadly coronavirus in the last 24 hours, raising the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 77,085, the Ministry of Health said on Monday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.A total of 952 Omani nationals and 101 non-Omani expatriates tested positive for the coronavirus in the past 24 hours.Nine people died due to complications caused by COVID-19, which brings the virus-related death toll in the country to 393.Also read: Coronavirus: All the COVID-19 guidelines for the Eid al-Adha holiday across the GulfMeanwhile, the number of recoveries in Oman rose to 57,028 after 1,729 people recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours.The nationwide lockdown in the Sultanate began on Saturday ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday as part of efforts to combat the recent surge in coronavirus cases.The lockdown is set to last until August 8, the Supreme Committee for Dealing with COVID-19 announced last week.Between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., citizens and residents will not be allowed to leave their homes.The country also set new travel guidelines for all departing and arriving passengers, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine for foreigners.Read more:Coronavirus: Oman sets travel guidelines, mandates 14-day quarantine for foreignersCoronavirus: Oman begins nationwide lockdown, imposes fines for curfew violators
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Oman confirms 1,053 new COVID-19 cases as outbreak continues to surge

The government believes the project will solve water shortage issues, but protesters are concerned about the environment.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Lebanese protest World Bank dam in Bisri Valley

Saudi Arabia detected 1,993 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Kingdom to 268,934, the Ministry of Health said on Monday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Al Hafouf reported the highest number of cases with 194 new infections. Meanwhile, the capital Riyadh reported 106 new cases, Mecca reported 94, and Jeddah reported 51.The other new infections were detected in cities and provinces across Saudi Arabia.Twenty-seven people died of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, which raises the virus-relate death toll in the country to 2,760.Also read: Coronavirus: All the COVID-19 guidelines for the Eid al-Adha holiday across the GulfMeanwhile, the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom rose to 222,936 after 2,613 people recovered from the COVID-19.Saudi Arabia welcomed on Friday the first group of Hajj pilgrims, selected based on specific requirements, amid strict coronavirus preventative measures.Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Kingdom only allowed those living in the country and who meet certain criteria to participate in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and required for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime.Al Arabiya English’s Joanne Al Serrieh contributed to this report.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia welcomes Hajj pilgrims under strict COVID-19 measuresCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s CDC launches national registry to collect COVID-19 data
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia confirms 1,993 new COVID-19 cases as death toll drops

Tensions keep escalating on the Israel-Lebanon border, with IDF and Hezbollah exchanging heavy fire.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Fighting breaks out on Israel-Lebanon border

Hezbollah denies launching attack on Israeli forces or exchanging fire..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Hezbollah denies launching attack on Israeli forces or exchanging fire

Ankara believes a large-scale Egyptian ground operation is highly unlikely in Libya, considering the likely dynamics of power struggles in the skies of Sirte and al-Jufra, between tribes in southern Libya and on air and naval logistical routes between Libya and Turkey.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkey untroubled by conflict with Egypt, UAE in Libya

South Africa's domestic soccer competitions will resume on Aug. 8, the latest of the continent's major leagues to announce a return to play in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Soccer-South African league to resume in August

Israeli military claims to have thwarted Lebanese militant group in disputed border area..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Israel and Hezbollah clash after border ‘infiltration attempt’