Middle East Experience

Biden: “It is the shared responsibility of all people to ensure that the horrors of the Shoah can never be erased from our collective memory.”
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Joe Biden releases proclamation ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day

Lebanon records 30 COVID-19 deaths, 2,388 cases in 24 hours..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon records 30 COVID-19 deaths, 2,388 cases in 24 hours

With the worsening of the Lebanese crisis, Russia will have to take a closer look at Lebanese affairs to protect its assets in Syria.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: What’s Moscow's game plan for Lebanon?

Lebanon’s financial crisis intensified on Monday after Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri publicly repudiated President Michel Aoun, saying the latter wanted to dictate cabinet membership and grant veto powers on policy to his political allies.After the latest of more than a dozen meetings with the president to form a new cabinet, Hariri called Aoun’s demands “unacceptable”. Hariri’s televised announcement dashed hopes for an end to five months of political deadlock between the two and a reversal of the country’s financial meltdown.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“This is a catastrophe for the country, we were holding on by a thread but now we’re heading towards a total crash,” one official source told Reuters, asking to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the issue.Lebanon has been without a government since shortly after the Aug. 4 chemical explosion that destroyed the port of Beirut and devastated downtown areas of the capital, killing hundreds of people, injuring thousands and making 300,000 homeless.The giant blast accelerated the downward spiral of an economy trapped in debt, banking, financial and fiscal crises, while foreign donors refuse to bail out Lebanon until it forms a government of capable technocrats committed to reform.Aoun sent a list suggesting different scenarios for a cabinet of either 18,20 or 22 ministers, with names to be filled in, Hariri said.“This is unacceptable because it is not the job of the prime minister-designate to fill forms from someone else or of the president to form a government.”In a statement read by the presidency spokesperson, Aoun said he was “surprised” by Hariri’s comments and that his proposal to Hariri had not included a blocking minority.The lack of agreement came after a hint of a breakthrough on Thursday when the two last met and Hariri had said he saw an opportunity to be seized.“The current deadlock and dim outlook will certainly have a toll on the exchange rate, making it more difficult for the average worker to get by without food aid,” said Mohanad Hage Ali of the Carnegie Middle East Center.The Lebanese pound dropped to over 13,000 to the dollar on the informal market after news of the outcome of the meeting, having traded earlier in the day at around 11,000.Lebanon’s economic crisis, which is posing the biggest threat to its stability since the 1975-1990 civil war, has seen the Lebanese pound sink by almost 90 percent, plunging many into poverty.As businesses shut down, joblessness and hunger are rising. Lebanon’s banks, having lent 70 percent of their assets to an insolvent state and central bank, have locked most depositors out of their savings.Hassain Diab’s cabinet, which resigned after the Beirut port blast, remains in a caretaker capacity until a successor is formed but fractious politicians have been unable to agree a government since Hariri’s nomination in October.There is no budget and there will soon be no hard currency to pay for imports of subsidized wheat, medicine and fuel.Under a sectarian power-sharing system, Lebanon’s president must be a Maronite Christian and the prime minister a Sunni Muslim. Aoun is an ally of Hezbollah, listed as a terrorist group by the US.Veteran Sunni politician Hariri was nominated to form a cabinet of specialists that could enact reforms and unlock foreign aid.The Shiite Amal movement, headed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri who backs Hariri, called for it to be formed urgently on Monday.But Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Thursday that even though he would approve a government of technocrats if formed, a cabinet with no politicians would not last long.Read more:France’s FM urges EU to help Lebanon deal with its worst economic crisisEurope must take action as Lebanon collapses - French Foreign MinisterNo agreement on Lebanon government after president, PM-designate meet
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Lebanon crisis escalates after President, PM-designate fail to agree on government

The US State Department Monday welcomed Saudi Arabia’s initiative for peace in Yemen and called on all parties to come together for negotiations under the United Nations.“The United States welcomes Saudi Arabia and Republic of Yemen government’s commitment to a ceasefire and political process in Yemen,” a State Department official told reporters during a phone call.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“We call on all parties to commit seriously to a ceasefire immediately and engage in negotiations under the auspices of the UN,” the official added.US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking team has been extensively engaged with the UN, Saudi Arabia, the Yemeni government, Oman and “other regional partners to reach a ceasefire,” the spokesperson said.Read more: Saudi Arabia proposes new peace plan to end Yemen war: FM
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US welcomes Saudi Arabia’s ceasefire initiative for Yemen: State Department

Mauritania is the latest country to restore diplomatic ties with Qatar, its Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday, more than two months after the Gulf states ended their yearslong row with Doha.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Mauritania resumes ties with Qatar following Gulf rift easing

The PA has begun administering doses obtained through the World Health Organization and plans to receive more soon.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Palestinian Authority ups COVID-19 vaccination drive

Abu Dhabi has made it compulsory for those working in vital sectors and industries within the private sector to undergo free PCR testing every two weeks, according to a statement from health authorities.The measure aims to enhance precautionary measures as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 and protect public health, according to the announcement made by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Last month, authorities in the UAE’s capital of Abu Dhabi updated the rules on entering the emirate from within the country effective from February 1.The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee said that UAE citizens and residents in the country will be allowed to enter Abu Dhabi within 48 hours of receiving a negative PCR test result.A mandatory PCR test must be taken on the fourth day of entry for those who stay for four days or more, and on the eighth day for those staying eight days or more.Read more:Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi updates rules on entering the emirateAbu Dhabi bans gatherings, limits capacity in malls, beaches, restaurantsUAE leadership enables organizations to navigate challenges of COVID-19: MinisterAbu Dhabi Ports becomes logistics hub for distribution, storage of COVID-19 vaccines
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Abu Dhabi makes PCR tests compulsory for private-sector workers in vital sectors

Gulf states’ borrowings have risen steadily since 2014, raising questions over the allocation of resources as the oil-rich region faces the challenge to build resilient non-oil economies.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: How are Gulf states allocating COVID-related spending?

Employees in five business sectors who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates will be required to take a PCR test every two weeks, starting on March 28, the official WAM news agency reported on Tuesday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The categories include hotels, restaurants, transportation, health and social sector, and “individual activities” relating to laundry services, beauty salons and barbershops.The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation made the decision in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), according to WAM.The new rule is “part of the measures taken to limit the spread of the virus, preserve the health of employees, and keep work environments safe,” WAM reported, citing a circular issued by Minister Nasser bin Thani al-Hamli.The news agency also said private sector entities are urged by the ministry to “encourage their employees to get inoculated, and to coordinate with the competent authorities to ensure that their employees get an access to the vaccine doses.”The Ministry of Health and Prevention has administered a total of 7,373,725 COVID-19 vaccine doses as of March 22.The UAE plans to “provide the vaccine to all members of society and acquire immunity, which will help reduce the number of cases and control the spread of the virus,” according to WAM.A total of 442,226 positive cases have been confirmed in the UAE as of March 22. The death toll reached 1,455 and 424,840 people have recovered.Read more:UAE may ‘soon’ be first country to vaccinate all population, reach herd immunity: DocAbu Dhabi makes PCR tests compulsory for private-sector workers in vital sectorsJordan records 109 coronavirus-related deaths, highest daily toll since outbreak
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE requires PCR test every two weeks for some employees not vaccinated against COVID