Middle East Experience

More than 18 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, new variants of the virus continue to emerge, and scientists believe the latest – the ‘Lambda’ variant – might be the most dangerous to date.A new study ‘SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant exhibits higher infectivity and immune resistance,’ published on bioRxiv, found that the mutation can evade from neutralizing antibodies and is highly transmissible.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Owing to rapid mutations, the continual emergence of several COVID-19 variants have been reported, among which some are regarded to be variants of concern including the Alpha variant, first discovered in the UK, the Beta variant (first discovered in South Africa), and Delta (first discovered in India).Other variants are known as variants of interests and, as a result, researchers keep an eye on the prevalence of these variants since they may pose a global threat.The Lambda variant, or “C.37” as the lineage has been designated, has been spreading rapidly in South America, particularly in Peru where the earliest documented samples of the virus date from August 2020.However, it was only flagged up as a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization on June 14 of this year as cases attributed to the variant had spread noticeably.In its report in mid-June, the WHO reported that “Lambda has been associated with substantive rates of community transmission in multiple countries, with rising prevalence over time concurrent with increased COVID -19 incidence” and that more investigations would be carried out into the variant.The WHO noted in its June 15 report that the Lambda variant had been detected in 29 countries, territories or areas in five WHO regions, although it has a stronger presence in South America.“Authorities in Peru reported that 81 percent of COVID-19 cases sequenced since April 2021 were associated with Lambda. Argentina reported increasing prevalence of Lambda since the third week of February 2021, and between 2 April and 19 May 2021, the variant accounted for 37 percent of the Covid-19 cases sequenced,” the WHO noted.The WHO and other public health bodies are trying to understand how the variant compares with other strains of the virus, including whether it could be more transmissible and more resistant to vaccines.In mid-June, the WHO said: “Lambda carries a number of mutations with suspected phenotypic implications, such as a potential increased transmissibility or possible increased resistance to neutralizing antibodies.”The Lambda variant belongs to the C.37 lineage. The rate of vaccination has been notably high in Chile. A recent study conducted in Chile has shown that around 60 per cent of the population have received at least a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.Recently, during the spring of 2021, a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases was observed in Chile. This is because the Lambda variant is capable of escaping the immune responses induced via vaccination.The new study used molecular phylogenetic analysis to study the evolutionary trait of the Lambda variant.The authors of this study have indicated two of the critical virological features of the Lambda variant, namely its resistance to viral-induced immune responses and enhancement in the rate of transmission.Even though the Lambda variant has been classified as VOI, the authors of the study have highlighted the potential of this variant to cause an epidemic in the future.To date, the Delta variant of the disease has been deemed the most dangerous.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week described the Delta variant of the coronavirus to be as contagious as chickenpox and could cause severe illness, the New York Times reported, citing an internal CDC document.The variant was also more likely to break through protections afforded by the vaccines, the report said, adding that the agency’s reverse course on masking guidelines for fully vaccinated Americans on Tuesday was based on this document.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.However, CDC’s figures show that the vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death in vaccinated people, the report said, citing experts.New research showed the vaccinated people infected with the Delta variant carried tremendous amounts of the virus in the nose and throat, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told the Times.Read more:CDC says Delta COVID-19 variant causes severe illness, spreads ‘like chickenpox’Risk of blood clots in Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as likely as AstraZeneca jab: StudyPfizer COVID-19 vaccine becomes less effective within six months: Study
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Scientists suspect new Lambda COVID-19 variant might be most dangerous

The amount of ammonium nitrate that blew up at Beirut port last year was one fifth of the shipment unloaded there in 2013, the FBI concluded after the blast, adding to suspicions that much of the cargo had gone missing.As the first anniversary approaches on August 4, major questions remain unanswered, including how a huge quantity of ammonium nitrate -- which can be used to make fertilizer or bombs -- was left unsafely stored in a capital city for years.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The blast was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded, killing more than 200 people, wounding thousands, and devastating swathes of Beirut.The FBI’s Oct. 7, 2020 report, which was seen by Reuters this week, estimates around 552 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded that day, much less than the 2,754 tonnes that arrived on a Russian-leased cargo ship in 2013.The FBI report does not give any explanation as to how the discrepancy arose, or where the rest of the shipment may have gone.In response to a detailed request for comment, an FBI spokesperson referred Reuters to the Lebanese authorities.FBI investigators came to Beirut after the blast at Lebanon’s request.A senior Lebanese official who was aware of the FBI report and its findings said the Lebanese authorities agreed with the Bureau on the quantity that exploded.Many officials in Lebanon have previously said in private they believe a lot of the shipment was stolen.The ammonium nitrate was going from Georgia to Mozambique on a Russian-leased cargo ship when the captain says he was instructed to make an unscheduled stop in Beirut and take on extra cargo.The ship arrived in Beirut in November 2013 but never left, becoming tangled in a legal dispute over unpaid port fees and ship defects. No one ever came forward to claim the shipment.The senior Lebanese official said there were no firm conclusions as to why the quantity that exploded was less than the original shipment. One theory was that part of it was stolen. A second theory was that only part of the shipment detonated, with the rest blown out to sea, the official said.The FBI report said “an approximate amount reaching around 552 metric tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded in warehouse 12.”It noted the warehouse was large enough to house the 2,754 tonne shipment, which was stored in one-tonne bags, but added “it is not logical that all of them were present at the time of the explosion.”Read more: Let us rebuild Beirut’s port in less than three years, says French group CMA CGM
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: FBI probe report shows chemicals in Beirut blast was a fraction of original shipment

Ridha Gharsallaoui's appointment as interior minister comes days after the Tunisian president suspended parliament and fired his prime minister.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Tunisia's president names new interior minister as critics slam 'coup'

A new UK study published in the ‘Scientific Reports’ journal suggests that the country runs an increased risk of a new Covid variant that is able to evade vaccines, according to the UK news website inews.This likely because a majority of the population have been vaccinated at the same time when mask wearing and social distancing have been relaxed.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The UK has at present vaccinated 56 percent of its population and is at optimum risk. Modellers estimate that when 60 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated a resistant strain is most likely to.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The experts contend that relaxing ‘non-pharmaceutical measures’ should wait and now now is definitely not the time for that.Apart from masks and social distancing, other measures that could help curb transmission and vaccine-evading variants include increased and widespread testing, rigorous contact tracing, high rates of sequencing, and travel curbs, they say.Fyodor Kondrashov, of the Institute of Science in Austria, said: “It was surprising that the peak of risk for emergence of a vaccine-resistant strain would be the time when most people are vaccinated.”Dr Kondrashov advised people” to continue following reasonable prevention measures, such as mask wearing and social distancing, for the time being,” considering “the risk of evolution of new variants in the UK to be sufficiently high to urge a cautious approach…”Vaccine protection highly likely to wane over time: ScientistsMeanwhile, scientists told the British government’s advisory group that the protection that vaccines give against coronavirus infection, and potentially severe disease, is highly likely to wane over time so vaccine campaigns will continue for years to come, according to Reuters.The document, titled “How long will vaccines continue to protect against COVID?,” was written by prominent virologists and epidemiologists and was released on Friday.“It is highly likely that vaccine induced immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and potentially severe disease (but probably to a lesser extent) will wane over time,” according to an executive summary of the document considered by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).“It is therefore likely that there will be vaccination campaigns against SARS-CoV-2 for many years to come, but currently we do not know what will be the optimal required frequency for re-vaccination to protect the vulnerable from COVID disease,” the scientists said.Read more:UK’s Boris Johnson urges caution as COVID-19 cases fall for six daysLong path back to business as usual, UK’s coronavirus genome expert saysSignificant drop in IQ levels detected in recovered COVID-19 patients: UK study
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Study says UK at high risk of new vaccine-resistant COVID strain

Iran was suspected in the attack on the UAE-bound Mercer Street, which is connected to an Israeli billionaire businessman.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Two reported dead in attack on Israeli-operated ship near Oman

29 years ago today, Yael Arad became the first Israeli to win an Olympic medal, winning a silver in the half-middleweight class in judo.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: On this day: Yael Arad wins first silver medal for Israel in 1992 Olympics

GCC region made up four of the five top destinations for overseas work among Indian workers..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE is top destination for Indian job-seekers: Minister

Over 150 murals in the Batan al-Hawa neighborhood of East Jerusalem form part of a political art project organized by Jews and Palestinians.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: As Palestinian residents of Silwan face evictions, large public artwork protests

The amount of ammonium nitrate that blew up at Beirut port last year was one fifth of the shipment unloaded there in 2013, the FBI concluded after the blast, adding to suspicions that much of the cargo had gone missing..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: FBI probe shows amount of chemicals in Beirut blast was a fraction of original shipment

Lebanon’s ruling elite, accused of hampering the judiciary’s investigation into last year’s Beirut port blast, in an attempt to diffuse public anger, are rallying to demonstrate their good intentions and readiness to cooperate after months of stalling..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon leaders say ready to cooperate in Beirut blast probe