Middle East Experience

The Lebanese government said on Sunday that it was raising gasoline prices by 66 percent in a partial reduction of fuel subsidies as it seeks to ease crippling shortages that have brought the country to a standstill.The increase in 95-octane gasoline prices would take effect immediately, the government said in a statement. It follows the state’s decision on Saturday to change the exchange rate used to price petroleum products in a bid to ease the shortages.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The fuel crisis worsened this month when the central bank said it could no longer finance fuel imports at heavily subsidized exchange rates and would switch to market rates.The government, concerned about the impact of price rises, in a compromise agreed with the central bank on Saturday to raise prices, but by less than the market rate, to allow subsidized imports to resume for now.The rise in prices will mean more hardship in a country where poverty levels have soared during a two-year-long financial meltdown that has wiped more than 90 percent off the value of the Lebanese pound.The decision was made at an emergency meeting on Saturday attended by the president, central bank governor and other officials over a fuel crisis that has left Lebanon in chaos, paralyzing basic services and sparking daily melees as people scramble for fuel.The price increase does not fully lift the exchange rate for pricing fuel to the exchange rate at which the central bank will finance its import - a gap which the state will continue to finance, for now.The government said the central bank will open an account for that purpose up to a maximum of $225 million until the end of September - funds the government will have to pay back in the 2022 budget.Iranian proxy group Hezbollah has arranged for a shipment of fuel from Iran to help ease the fuel shortage in Lebanon.Read more:Lebanon’s government, central bank return to partially subsidizing fuelIranian fuel shipments to Lebanon purchased by Lebanese Shia businessmen: NournewsIranian fuel oil shipment for Lebanon to sail within hours, Hezbollah says
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Lebanon’s govt raises official price of 95-octane gasoline by 66 pct

The British Embassy in Beirut has “temporarily” withdrawn some of its staff and dependents, according to a Friday update on the UK government’s website, as Lebanon’s living conditions continue to worsen.“Due to specific issues with the reliability of fuel supplies and the impact on critical services in Lebanon, some staff and dependents in the British Embassy are being temporarily withdrawn,” the statement on GOV.UK said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The statement added that basic commodities, including fuel, medicine, and food, have become “increasingly scarce due to the economic crisis.”Due to a severe fuel crisis, more than 4 million people in Lebanon could face a critical shortage of water or be cut off completely in the coming days, UNICEF warned.The UK government’s website update said protests against the political and economic situation in Lebanon are continuing, adding that violent confrontations between protesters, security forces and supporters of political groups have occurred across the country.“As a result of protests, major roads (including to and from Beirut airport) have been blocked, banks and businesses have closed,” according to the statement.Lebanon, with a population of 6 million, is at a low point in a two-year financial meltdown, with a lack of fuel oil and gasoline meaning extensive blackouts and long lines at the few gas stations still operating.Read more:UNICEF warns millions of people in Lebanon face water shortagesLebanon’s govt raises official price of 95-octane gasoline by 66 pctLebanon’s government, central bank return to partially subsidizing fuel
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: British Embassy in Beirut withdraws some employees as Lebanon conditions worsen

An Afghan woman gave birth to a baby girl on board a US Air Force evacuation flight from Kabul, the US Air Mobility Command said in a statement on Sunday. The mother went into labor mid-flight, prompting the pilot “to descend in altitude to increase air pressure in the aircraft, which helped stabilize and save the mother’s life,” the statement said. For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Medical support personnel from the 86th Medical Group help an Afghan mother and family off a US Air Force C-17, call sign Reach 828, moments after she delivered a child aboard the aircraft upon landing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 21,” the military unit added. Once the plane landed, airmen from the base were able to board the plane and help complete the delivery of the baby. The mother and her newborn daughter were then transported to a nearby medical facility and are in good condition, according to the statement. The US and other foreign countries have launched dozens of missions to evacuate citizens and Afghans who worked with US-led forces in the past two decades after the Taliban took over the country last week. Major General William Taylor told reporters at the Pentagon on Saturday that 17,000 people have so far been evacuated from Kabul, including 2,500 Americans.Read more:UK says seven Afghan civilians killed in crowd crushes near Kabul airportAustralia runs four flights to Afghanistan to evacuate over 300 peopleTrump again criticizes Biden’s ‘botched’ US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Afghan woman gives birth safely on US evacuation flight from Kabul: Statement

Saudi Arabia has approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for young adults between the ages of 12 and 17, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The approval to authorize the vaccine for the age group came after the vaccine company submitted a request to the Kingdom’s Food and Drug Authority, according to SPA.The company provided data that proved that the vaccine had met the special regulatory requirements, which included clinical studies and reports that showed its efficacy and safety, the SPA statement said.The studies conducted showed that the benefits of the vaccine for the specified age group far outweigh the potential risks, the statement added.Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Education on Saturday announced in a statement that all students who are not fully vaccinated will be banned from entering schools.They will be marked absent until they receive two doses of an approved vaccine, he said.The vaccine requirement comes as part of efforts by health officials to facilitate the safe return of students and staff members when the new school term begins on August 29.The Kingdom first approved the Moderna vaccine for people aged 17 and above on July 9. It has also approved Pfizer-BioNtech and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines.Read more:Saudi Arabia bans unvaccinated students from attending schools: Education ministrySaudi Arabia outlines rules for students, teachers, returning to school, universitiesStudents in Saudi Arabia must receive first COVID-19 vaccine dose before Aug 8
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia approves Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for ages 12 and above

Gaza's astronomy enthusiasts lament that the siege on the Gaza Strip prevents them from establishing quality laboratories and traveling abroad for educational events.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Gaza’s astronomy fans gaze longingly at heavens

The US FDA is warning against the use of animal medications for human COVID-19 infections after multiple people were hospitalized after taking ivermectin, a treatment intended for horses.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.“There seems to be a growing interest in a drug called ivermectin to treat humans with COVID-19,” the food and drug administration said in a statement on its website. “Ivermectin is often used in the US to treat or prevent parasites in animals.”According to the statement, the drug has not been approved by the FDA for treating or preventing COVID-19 in humans and it is not an anti-viral drug.Ivermectin has been approved by the FDA to treat people with conditions caused by parasitic worms.“Ivermectin tablets are approved at very specific doses for some parasitic worms, and there are topical (on the skin) formulations for head lice and skin conditions like rosacea,” the FDA explained.The animal forms of the drug are used to “prevent heartworm disease and certain internal and external parasites,” according to the statement. “It’s important to note that these products are different from the ones for people, and safe when used as prescribed for animals, only.”The FDA confirmed that “some initial research is underway” on using the drug for treating COVID-19 patients, however, the administration has not reviewed data to support the use.The administration also said, “using any treatment for COVID-19 that’s not approved or authorized by the FDA, unless part of a clinical trial, can cause serious harm.”Read more: Saudi Arabia bans unvaccinated students from attending schools: Education ministryFirst cruise ship departing from California in over a year heads to MexicoUAE introduces $5,500 fine for failing to ensure new domestic workers quarantine
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: ‘You are not a horse:’ FDA warns against using animal drugs to treat COVID-19

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi called on Japan to release Iranian funds frozen in the country because of U.S. sanctions, Iranian state TV reported after the president met on Sunday with the visiting Japanese foreign minister..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Iran urges Japan to release billions in blocked funds

Her prototype, which she completed in a period of two months, helped her school bag the UK’s Silver Crest Award in Science..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Dubai teen builds prototype to help visually impaired avoid obstacles, danger

Nearly a month after his appointment as Lebanon’s new premier, Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati’s efforts to form a new government Sunday remained stalled by a dispute with President Michel Aoun over proposed candidates for key ministries and the distribution of some portfolios, an official source said..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Cabinet bid stymied by rift over proposed names for key ministries

Cabinet to meet on education plan Sunday night * Public hospitals announce they won’t accept new corona patients beginning Monday * Over 10% of 40-year-olds got the third shot in three days.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: COVID: Parents to receive kits to test kids ahead of school year