Middle East Experience

Iran on Monday announced strict curbs in the capital Tehran and a nearby province to stem the spread of COVID-19, as daily infections drew close to an all-time high.President Hassan Rouhani had earlier this month warned of a “fifth wave” because of an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant in the Middle East’s hardest-hit country.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Government offices and banks in Tehran and Alborz provinces are set to close from 6 pm (1330 GMT) until next Monday morning, the national virus taskforce said in a statement.The restrictions also include a ban on car travel to and from the two provinces, and a new shutdown of high-risk businesses across Iran’s worst-hit areas.The new measures coincide with the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday celebrated in the Islamic republic on Wednesday.COVID-19 has killed more than 87,370 people from upwards of 3.5 million infections in Iran, according to official figures that the authorities admit do not account for all cases.In the past 24 hours, the country officially recorded 25,441 new cases, close to the record 25,582 reached on April 14.Iran also registered 213 fatalities, with 92 recorded in Tehran, the province’s taskforce chief Alireza Zali told state television.The closure of government facilities and banks in the country’s bureaucratic and business hub is a first since the pandemic began.Iran has avoided imposing a full lockdown on the population, and instead resorted to piecemeal measures such as temporary travel bans and business closures.Rouhani on Saturday warned of “very low” observation of health protocols, and said Iran faces another jump in infections “across almost all the country.”Addressing the virus taskforce, he said it was due to the June presidential election, “unnecessary” travel and the flouting of health protocols.Strangled by US sanctions that have made it difficult to transfer money to foreign firms, Iran says it is struggling to import vaccines for its population of 83 million.Just over 6.1 million people have received a first dose of anti-Covid vaccine, while only 2.2 million have received the necessary two jabs, according to the health ministry.The authorities have approved the emergency use of two locally produced vaccines, with the only mass-produced one – COVIran Barekat – still in short supply.Read more:COVID-19 vaccine may be less effective on older people: Israeli expertsMagnitude 5.7 quake hits Iran’s Fars province: State TVDeath toll from Iran protests rises to three, say activists
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran shuts Tehran government offices, banks as COVID-19 spreads

After the UN Security Council expressed support for the African Union-sponsored talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the African grouping is reportedly seeking a new round of talks to resolve the dispute between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Can African Union revive Nile dam talks?

Many in Israel were angered over a speech delivered by Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who said that anti-Semitism should mean the hatred of any marginalized group, not just Jews.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Fury as Israel’s Lapid redefines anti-Semitism

A government panel cleared Abdul Latif Nasir for release in 2016, but the Moroccan detainee remained at the US prison during the Trump administration.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Biden administration transfers first Guantanamo detainee to Morocco

Pakistani expat Dr Saba Iqbal Awan, who works as a general practitioner at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai, will be on a 12-hour shift on Tuesday starting at ….
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Eid Al Adha in UAE: Meet the frontliners keeping you safe during the holidays

Lebanon recorded 215 new coronavirus cases and one death in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry said Monday, as the country received nearly 130,000 more jabs from the COVAX platform..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon's new COVID-19 infections down, gets more jabs

A report has shown that 65% of the lies that are spread about coronavirus vaccines stem largely from 12 anti-vaxxers who have a strong media presence and create anti-vaccine content.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Who is spreading most of the COVID vaccine misinformation on social media?

Responding to the conviction of journalist and government critic Omar Radi to six years in prison in a trial marred by blatant breaches of due process in relation to charges of espionage and rape, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Amna Guellali said:..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Moroccan journalist sentenced to six years in prison after unfair trial

The US refuses to acknowledge that the administration of George W. Bush handed Iraq over to Iran on a silver platter..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Making sure Khadimi’s visit to the White House serves a purpose

The ice cream company clarified that it was not boycotting Israel, just the "occupied Palestinian territories."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Ben & Jerry's to boycott West Bank settlements, east Jerusalem