Middle East Experience

Saudi Arabia has recorded its highest-ever number of new daily COVID-19 cases, with 5,362 new infections and two virus-related deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The previous peak was 4,919 daily cases, recorded in June of 2020.Case numbers have been climbing rapidly in recent weeks as the more-transmissible omicron variant spreads.Saudi Arabia recorded its first case of the omicron variant in early December, though to have come from an undisclosed north African country.The Kingdom has now recorded a total of 593,545 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, and 8,899 deaths.Saudi Arabia’s far-reaching vaccination program has seen 52,901,992 doses of the vaccine administered.The country recently updated its COVID-19 restrictions, announcing new fines of $266 (1,000 Saudi riyal) for those who break social distancing rules, and $266,000 (100,000 riyal) for repeat offenders.The Kingdom also reintroduced social distancing measures at Mecca’s Grand Mosque in recent weeks.Mask mandates in public places, indoors and outdoors, were also reintroduced.Saudi Arabia recorded its first case of the omicron variant on December 1, thought to have come from an undisclosed North African country.COVID-19 case numbers have been soaring to unprecedented levels worldwide as the more contagious omicron variant spreads.Global deaths, however, have remained far below the January 2021 peak, as the omicron variant presents less severe symptoms than other forms of the virus.Neighboring United Arab Emirates recorded 2,562 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, according to the country’s health ministry.The UAE also announced its first case of the omicron variant in early December.Read more: Saudi Arabia records 4,652 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, two deathsSaudi Arabia’s daily COVID-19 cases approach pandemic peakSaudi Arabia records 3,460 COVID-19 cases, one death in 24 hours
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia records highest-ever number of new daily COVID-19 cases

Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said on Wednesday that the world needed more flexibility as the transition to clean energy is “complicated”, adding that the kingdom would develop its nuclear programme to take advantage of uranium resources.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“We should not forfeit energy security for the sake of a publicity stunt”, said Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud, speaking at a mining conference in Saudi Arabia. “The transition needs to be a well-thought of transition.”The world’s top oil exporter has said it wants to tap nulcear technology and use nuclear power to diversify its energy mix.“Let me be very specific about it, we do have a huge amount of uranium resources that we would like to exploit and we will be doing it in the most transparent way, we will be bringing in partners,” the minister said, adding that Saudi Arabia would be manufacturing and developing uranium.Prince Abdulaziz also said that Saudi Arabia would be publishing its energy strategy.Saudi Arabia Mining Co. (Ma’aden), the gulf’s largest miner, would also be creating a subsidiary for investments abroad.“We have the foresight to put together through our champion in minerals, Ma’aden, a subsidiary company that will be developed very soon to venture abroad with partners.”Read more:Saudi Arabia to introduce minerals reserve auction process: MinisterMining firm Ma’aden aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050: Saudi PIF chiefOver 5,300 mineral locations in Saudi Arabia to aid economic growth: Expert
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi energy min calls for flexibility in ‘complicated’ energy transition

Lebanon’s prime minister said on Wednesday the government had not interfered with the judiciary’s work, after reports that he had put pressure on a judge seeking data from banks in an investigation into the conduct of the central bank governor.Prime Minister Najib Mikati said last month that veteran Governor Riad Salameh, who is at the center of domestic andinternational probes over allegations ranging from fraud to embezzlement, should stay in his job to avoid adding to problems in Lebanon as it navigates a deep financial crisis.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“It is also necessary to clarify what came out yesterday (Tuesday) about matters related to the judiciary. In this context, I say it is not true that we interfered in the work of the judiciary or in any decision taken by the judiciary,” Mikati told a news conference.Al Akhbar and other Lebanese news outlets said Mikati had called the country’s top prosecutor, Ghassan Oueidat, and threatened to resign if Judge Jean Tannous, who is leading one of the probes, continued to press banks for data in his investigation into alleged embezzlement involving the central bank governor’s family.Oueidat did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Salameh, who has denied any wrongdoing during his almost three decades leading the central bank, is being probed by the authorities in Lebanon and at least four European countries, including a Swiss inquiry over alleged money laundering.Another Lebanese judge, Ghada Aoun, who is conducting investigations into other activities by the governor, said on Tuesday she had imposed a travel ban on Salameh and that the next stage would be to seek to question him.Salameh said on Tuesday he had no knowledge of Aoun’s travel ban order and dismissed allegations ranging from fraud to other acts of misconduct being investigated by Aoun as “part of the campaign to fool the public opinion.”Mikati told Wednesday’s news conference that the aim of any government actions was “not defending individuals but preserving of institutions” and the rights of depositors, who have been locked out of their accounts during the financial meltdown.The governor has stayed in his post even as the economy has been crushed by a mountain of debt, the currency has collapsed and swathes of the nation have been driven into poverty.Read more:France says UAE to join French-Saudi fund to support LebanonLebanon Central Bank chief Riad Salameh hit by travel banLuxembourg opens criminal inquiry into Lebanon cenbank governor Riad Salameh
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Lebanon’s PM Mikati denies meddling in judiciary over financial probe

An Iranian employee of the British Council arrested in Tehran and later sentenced to 10 years in prison over internationally criticized espionage charges has been freed and traveled to the United Kingdom, the organization said Wednesday.Iranian authorities did not immediately acknowledge the release of Aras Amiri.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.However, it comes amid ongoing negotiations in Vienna between Iran and world powers, including the UK, over its tattered 2015 nuclear deal.The British Council said Wednesday that an appeal her lawyers made to Iran’s Supreme Court had been successful. Amiri worked for the council’s London office.“We have always refuted the original charges made against Aras,” the council said in a statement. “We are very proud of her work in our London office as an arts program officer supporting a greater understanding and appreciation of Iranian culture in the UK.”In Tehran, her lawyer, Hojjat Kermani, confirmed that Amiri had been released in an interview with The Associated Press. He said Iran’s Supreme Court had determined that her earlier espionage conviction in the country’s Revolutionary Court was “against Shariah,” (Islamic) law. He did not elaborate.Kermani said she left Tehran on Monday but had been free from prison in recent months as she appealed a travel ban.Iran announced her conviction in 2019. Authorities there accused her of spying on cultural activities in Iran.The British Council previously said she traveled to Tehran to visit family on a private trip that didn’t involve her work at the nonpolitical organization that works in arts, culture and education.Read more:Iran arrests suspect in attack on statue of slain commander SoleimaniUN demands access to Yemeni port that coalition says is being militarized by HouthisIsrael won’t be bound by any nuclear deal with Iran, Bennett says
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Detained on espionage charges, Aras Amiri appeals Iran travel ban and returns to UK

In 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) named vaccine hesitancy as one of the world’s top global health threats. An online debate over Covid-19 vaccines has emerged yet again on Twitter among residents in Qatar—this time under the hashtag #Unvaccinated_Peoples_Rights which soared to the top of trending topics in the country. The hashtag came as ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: #Unvaccinated_Rights: social media users in Qatar debate

Austria’s foreign minister said the EU wants to help but only if the country’s leaders clean up Beirut’s affairs, implement reforms..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon’s currency plummets again for lack of reforms

Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana called his conversion reform plan a "historic opportunity that cannot be missed."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Kahana submits Jewish conversion reform bill to Knesset

Suleiman Othman, a 27-year-old Staten Island resident attacked a Jewish man wearing an IDF hoodie in an antisemitic hate crime.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Antisemitic attacker of Jewish man wearing IDF hoodie charged with hate crime

Former British Supreme Court chief justice Lord John Thomas says judges need to clearly explain their decisions in ways people can understand to journalists and the public.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Ex-UK chief justice to Jpost: Judges need to explain decisions to public

Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot have managed to witness the explosion of a massive Wolf-Rayet star, a hypothetical supernova that should have been impossible.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: A stellar find: Israeli scientists detect supernova thought to be impossible