Abu Dhabi, the second-most populous emirate in the UAE, will restrict access to shopping malls, restaurants, cafes and other public places from June 15 to those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or recently tested negative.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The new rules were announced late on Wednesday as the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven emirates, has seen daily cases rise over the past three weeks. The UAE recorded 2,179 new infections on Wednesday, up from 1,229 on May 17.The restrictions will also apply to gyms, hotels and their facilities, public parks, beaches, swimming pools, entertainment centers, cinemas, and museums, Abu Dhabi’s media office said.Visitors will have to prove they have been vaccinated or have recently tested negative through the country’s COVID-19 app, which displays an individual’s vaccination and testing history.The mobile app will show green if the person has been vaccinated or has tested negative.Individuals who have not been vaccinated will need to be tested every three days to maintain their green status. A fully vaccinated person would do so every 30 days.The UAE announced last month that from June 6, attendance at live events and social activities, including weddings and bars, would be limited to those who could prove they had been vaccinated.The UAE has one of world’s highest inoculation rates with the AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Sinopharm and Sputnik V vaccines available to citizens and residents.In Abu Dhabi, those immunized with the Chinese-made Sinopharm shot are also able to take a dose of Pfizer/BioNTech as a booster.Read more:Most UAE residents think events for vaccinated people will curb COVID-19: SurveyPfizer vaccine ‘completely safe’ for UAE residents who got Sinopharm shot: ExpertsUAE vaccinates 95 pct of over 60s, 84 pct of eligible population over 16
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Abu Dhabi requires COVID-19 vaccine, negative PCR test to enter public places
Despite blockage crisis, Suez Canal achieves record revenues
The Egyptian government announced that the Suez Canal has achieved the highest monthly revenue in its history in April, exceeding half a billion dollars, despite obstruction of navigation in late March after a giant vessel went aground on the international waterway.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Despite blockage crisis, Suez Canal achieves record revenues
Arab Coalition says wants to prepare political ground for peace process in Yemen
The Arab Coalition said on Thursday it has stopped carrying out attacks near Sanaa or any other Yemeni city because it wants to prepare the political ground for a peaceful settlement.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The statement, made by the spokesperson for Arab Coalition and published by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), followed media reports of an attack on an armored division belonging to the Iran-backed Houthis near the Yemeni capital. The spokesperson, Turki al-Maliki, denied the report, adding that “no military operation has been carried out in the vicinity of Sanaa or any other Yemeni cities over the past period… with the aim of preparing the political ground for a peace process.”Read more:Arab Coalition intercepts Houthi drone targeting Saudi Arabia’s Khamis MushaitIran-backed Houthis fire missile into Marib, killing 17 including 5-year-old girl
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Arab Coalition says wants to prepare political ground for peace process in Yemen
PA cracks down on West Bank activists
After the cease-fire in Gaza, Palestinian security services are accused of stepping up political arrests in the West Bank.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: PA cracks down on West Bank activists
Bahrain says Sputnik V vaccine demonstrates 94.3 pct efficacy, ‘high safety profile’
Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine has demonstrated 94.3 percent efficacy and a “high safety profile” in Bahrain, the Ministry of Health announced on Thursday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The ministry conducted a study that included more than 5,000 citizens and residents in Bahrain between February 2021 to April 2021, in accordance with the World Health Organization guidelines to test the effectiveness of the Sputnik vaccine.“The results on the ground showed a better percentage of the results achieved during clinical trials of vaccination,” according to the statement.CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev explained that the efficiency and effectiveness of the vaccine reached 94.3 percent two weeks after participants took the second dose, according to the study.The results also showed that 99 percent of the existing cases who received the vaccine and were infected with the virus two weeks after the second dose showed mild symptoms, “which confirms the efficiency of the vaccination.”The vaccine was also proven to be safe with no unusual side effects or deaths recorded, according to the ministry’s statement.Earlier this month, the sovereign funds of Russia and Bahrain signed a preliminary agreement to manufacture and distribute the Russian vaccine across the Middle East and North Africa region, The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said.Bahrain authorized Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use back in February.With ReutersRead more:Abu Dhabi requires COVID-19 vaccine, negative PCR test to enter public placesUAE reports 2,190 new COVID-19 cases, seven deathsIATA to roll out COVID-19 ‘digital travel pass’ in Middle East soon
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Bahrain says Sputnik V vaccine demonstrates 94.3 pct efficacy, ‘high safety profile’
Saudi Arabia reports 1,286 new COVID-19 cases, 16 deaths in 24 hours
Saudi Arabia has reported 1,286 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, raising the total to 462,528, the health ministry announced on Thursday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Of the new cases, 419 were detected in the city of Mecca while 263 were detected in the capital Riyadh.The ministry also recorded 16 coronavirus-related deaths, raising the death toll to 7,519 as of June 10.Meanwhile, an additional 982 people who had previously tested positive for the virus recovered, takin the total number of recoveries to 444,792.Read more:Abu Dhabi requires COVID-19 vaccine, negative PCR test to enter public placesWHO warns Europe in battle against COVID-19 ahead of summer travelsBahrain says Sputnik V vaccine demonstrates 94.3 pct efficacy, ‘high safety profile’
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia reports 1,286 new COVID-19 cases, 16 deaths in 24 hours
Abu Dhabi restricts access in public areas to vaccinated people
Abu Dhabi, the second-most populous emirate in the UAE, will restrict access to shopping malls, restaurants, cafes and other public places from June 15 to those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or recently tested negative..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Abu Dhabi restricts access in public areas to vaccinated people
Dubai: Man accused of sexually assaulting teen misses hearing due to Covid-19
The Pakistani defendant, 38, claimed he had come to repair the water pipes at the flat..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Dubai: Man accused of sexually assaulting teen misses hearing due to Covid-19
Political activity intensified in bid to break Cabinet impasse
Political activity has been stepped up a bid to untangle the last remaining knots and subsequently clear the way for the formation of a proposed Cabinet of 24 nonpartisan specialists to enact reforms and rescue the country from total economic collapse, political sources said Wednesday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Political activity intensified in bid to break Cabinet impasse
Helpless Hirak? Democratic Disappointments in Algeria
Amid mounting state repression on the cusp of Algerian legislative elections, the Hirak struggles to evolve from a popular protest movement into politically relevant opposition..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Helpless Hirak? Democratic Disappointments in Algeria