Middle East Experience

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem accuses radical Israeli groups of threatening the presence of Christians in the holy city, while Israeli officials say reality on the ground is different.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Jerusalem church leader says Israeli extremists threaten Christian presence in city

Kuwait will build a new airport in the north, according to the official KUNA news agency.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Gulf country currently has one international airport located 9.6 miles south of Kuwait City, which serves as the hub for Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways.The new airport will be built in the northern part of the country, according to KUNA.Read more: Kuwait asks its citizens in Kazakhstan to leave the countryVideo shows girl catching escaped lion in Kuwait: ReportAbu Dhabi International Airport anticipates holiday traffic will leap by 400 pct
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Kuwait to build new airport: Report

High levels of T-cells from common cold coronaviruses can provide protection against COVID-19, an Imperial College London study published on Monday has found, which could inform approaches for second-generation vaccines.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section. Immunity against COVID-19 is a complex picture, and while there is evidence of waning antibody levels six months after vaccination, T-cells are also believed to play a vital role in providing protection.The study, which began in September 2020, looked at levels of cross-reactive T-cells generated by previous common colds in 52 household contacts of positive COVID-19 cases shortly after exposure, to see if they went on to develop infection.It found that the 26 who did not develop infection had significantly higher levels of those T-cells than people who did get infected. Imperial did not say how long protection from the T-cells would last.“We found that high levels of pre-existing T cells, created by the body when infected with other human coronaviruses like the common cold, can protect against COVID-19 infection,” study author Dr. Rhia Kundu said.The authors of the study, published in Nature Communications, said that the internal proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which are targeted by the T-cells could offer an alternative target for vaccine makers.Current COVID-19 vaccines target the spike protein, which mutates regularly, creating variants such as omicron which lessen the efficacy of vaccines against symptomatic infection.“In contrast, the internal proteins targeted by the protective T-cells we identified mutate much less,” Professor Ajit Lalvani, co-author of the study, said.“Consequently, they are highly conserved between the various SARS-CoV-2 variants, including omicron. New vaccines that include these conserved, internal proteins would therefore induce broadly protective T cell responses that should protect against current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants.”Read more: Cyprus scientists discover new ‘deltacron’ COVID-19 strainBritain seeks help from private health firms as omicron wave loomsOverwhelmed by omicron surge, US hospitals delay elective surgeries
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: T-cells from common colds can provide protection against COVID-19: Study

Gulf Arab officials are visiting Beijing for meetings with leaders from the world’s second largest economy, a leading consumer of oil and source of foreign investment. For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stressed the importance of strengthening the Gulf-Chinese relations in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).The GCC leader said that the visit will provide the opportunity to discuss areas of common interest including a 2004 economic agreement signed in Beijing and a memorandum of understanding signed in 2010.Al-Hajraf also pointed out that the visit represents an opportunity to review the areas of Gulf-Chinese cooperation and to advance and strengthen friendship and cooperation.The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday said the visits were expected to “deepen relations between the two sides.”China and the US are increasingly jockeying for influence in the Middle East, where Chinese companies have found markets for goods and services ranging from highways to military drones.China’s economy is heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil and gas, and the two sides have “provided each other with firm support on issues concerning their core interests, and have promoted practical cooperation in various fields with fruitful results,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily briefing Monday.With The Associated PressRead more: China foreign minister Wang Yi in Sri Lanka to discuss Belt and Road InitiativeChina reports major fall in COVID-19 infections in locked-down Xi’anLook to the future and stay focused, President Xi tells China in New Year’s address
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: GCC leaders in Beijing to meet with Chinese officials

Saudi Arabia has recorded 4,778 new COVID-19 cases and two virus related deaths in the last 24 hours, nearing its highest-ever daily figure of 4,919 new cases recorded in June 2020.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Ministry of Health also reported 893 recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries to 547,507.A total of 583,531 COVID-19 cases have now been recorded in the Kingdom, with the death toll reaching 8,895.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 peak January 2021 peak, as the omicron variant presents less severe symptoms than other forms of COVID-19.Saudi Arabia recently updated its COVID-19 regulations.The Ministry of Interior announced that those who do refuse a temperature check before entering public or private places, and don’t follow social distancing rules will receive a $266 (1,000 Saudi riyal) fine.In case of repeat offenses, the fine can reach up to $266,000 (100,000 riyal).The Kingdom also reintroduced social distancing measures at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, as well as other public places in recent weeks.Masks are now required again in both indoor and outdoor places.Read more:Saudi Arabia records 3,460 COVID-19 cases, one death in 24 hoursSaudi Arabia’s daily COVID-19 cases cross 3,500 for first time in over one yearDaily COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia pass 3,000 for the first time since July 2020
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s daily COVID-19 cases approach pandemic peak

Women on horseback rode ahead of men in white robes on camels as male musicians danced to the beat of drums..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: In a first, Saudi women parade camels in beauty pageant

Akar accused Greece of pressing ahead with provocative actions, including militarising islands close to mainland Turkey..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Turkey warns Greece, laments arms embargo by NATO allies

The CEOs of Pfizer and Moderna say they are preparing a booster targeting Omicron. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla is still unsure if there is a need for the fourth booster.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: COVID-19: Pfizer and Moderna prepare vaccine against Omicron

With World Cup 2022 around the corner, Qatar has embarked on a campaign to clean up its school system. Distracting from grievous shortcomings in other areas by highlighting a willingness to reform on..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Political correctness in the Gulf: Qatar's textbook spring-clean

The military prison continues to facilitate grave human rights violations by the US government..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: 20 years later, US government continues to perpetuate grave human rights abuses at Guantánamo prison