Middle East Experience

UK-based drugs company AstraZeneca insisted on Friday its coronavirus vaccine was safe, after some countries suspended its use in response to concerns about a potential link to blood clots.“An analysis of our safety data of more than 10 million records has shown no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis in any defined age group, gender, batch or in any particular country” from the jab, a company spokesperson said.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.“In fact, the observed number of these types of events are significantly lower in those vaccinated than would be expected among the general population.”Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Bulgaria have temporarily suspended AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine shots after reports of cases of blood clots forming, including one in Denmark.The World Health Organization said Friday there was no reason to stop using AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine after several European countries suspended the roll-out over blood clot fears.“Yes, we should continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told reporters, adding: “There is no indication to not use it.”
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: ‘No evidence’ of higher blood clots risk from vaccine: AstraZeneca

ZAKA commented on Friday that it "pained" them to hear the reports about Meshi-Zahav, and "we wish for him that his innocence be proven."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: ZAKA head forfeits position following sexual assault allegations

Foster + Partners has unveiled its design for Lusail Towers in Qatar near the studio's Lusail Stadium, which is being built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Foster + Partners reveals quartet of aluminium-clad skyscrapers in Qatar

An Iranian container ship was damaged in a “terrorist” attack in the Mediterranean on Wednesday, a spokesman for state-run shipping company IRISL told semi-official Nournews on Friday.The ship, Shahre Kord, was slightly damaged by an explosive object which caused a small fire, but no one on board was hurt, the spokesman, Ali Ghiasian, said.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Such terrorist acts amount to naval piracy, and are contrary to international law on commercial shipping security, and legal action will be taken to identify the perpetrators through relevant international institutions,” Ghiasi said.The vessel was headed to Europe when the attack occurred and will leave for its destination after repairs, he added.The incident comes two weeks after an Israeli-owned ship the MV HELIOS RAY was hit by an explosion in the Gulf of Oman.The cause was not immediately clear, although a US defense official said the blast left holes in both sides of the vessel’s hull. Israel accused Iran of being behind the explosion, a charge Tehran denied.On Friday, Israeli officials did not provide comment when asked if Israel was involved in the Shahre Kord incident reported by Iran.Read more:
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran ship Shahre Kord damaged in attack in Mediterranean, state company says

A courtyard lined in pale Omani stone and with a fountain and trees sits at the centre of this double house in Kuwait City by Studio Toggle..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Houses in Kuwait interlock around sunken stone courtyard

Nearly 150,000 of Lebanon’s poorest families could soon start receiving monthly cash handouts after lawmakers gave approval on Friday to a $246-million World Bank loan to ease the impact of the country’s financial meltdown.But in a nation where many people blame the crisis on corruption and mismanagement, some analysts questioned MPs’ decision to cut at least $5 million from allocations for oversight and so-called capacity building to prepare for future shocks.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The World Bank, which agreed the loan in January, could not immediately be reached to comment.The financing aims to cut extreme poverty by half through household aid payments of up to 800,000 Lebanese pounds, equivalent to less than $100 per month, as well as boost social services and fund the education costs of 87,000 students.Parliamentarians who backed the changes to the loan’s spending structure said more poor families would be able to benefit as a result.Ibrahim Kanaan, chair of parliament’s finance and budget committee, said the alterations would reduce running costs and make the program “much better than it was before”.Kanaan told the Thomson Reuters Foundation he had lobbied to slash spending on capacity-building because “in the past this never did its job. Large portions where mis-spent ... there is a big margin for corruption.”Other changes voted by parliament included cutting funding for an independent third-party monitor by half and reducing the timespan of an external financial audit to one year from three.Instead of hiring companies to verify the eligibility of families for the handouts and oversee the payments, parliament voted to hand that task to the social affairs ministry and volunteers.Some financial analysts questioned the oversight cuts.“What does Lebanon gain by slashing the budget for oversight and governance by a few million dollars while putting at risk the effective management of the $246 million program?” said Mike Azar, a senior financial adviser based in Beirut.He said such costs were often high for governments with weak institutions, but “the solution is to fix the institutions, governance and transparency, not slash the oversight costs which may end up costing the country much more in the long run.”Few people in Lebanon trust government, and - citing the risk of corruption - rights groups and donors have said aid should be disbursed directly to people reeling from the economic crisis, COVID-19 and a massive August 2020 blast in Beirut.The World Bank, which is partly financing the country’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, threatened last month to suspend its support after some lawmakers got their vaccinations early.They received the jabs during a February session discussing the loan endorsed on Friday.Read more:Lebanon heads for ‘total darkness’ blackout as electricity funds dry upLebanon political deadlock puts country at risk of Syria-like scenarioLebanon’s schools shutdown to protest a worsening socio-economic situationReports of sanctions on Lebanon central bank chief are ‘untrue’: State Department
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Lebanon approves 6 million safety net, but seeks oversight cuts to ease impact

The Environmental Protection Ministry noted that efforts were being made to clean up the affected beaches and that additional updates will come in as the storm weakens.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Storm washes up additional tar residue to Israel's coastline

The ship, Shahre Kord, was slightly damaged by an explosive object which caused a small fire, but no one on board was hurt, the spokesman, Ali Ghiasian, said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Iranian ship damaged in Mediterranean, Iran alleges 'terrorist' attack

In Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's latest effort to create international vaccine alliances, he hosted Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Jerusalem.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Netanyahu holds second vaccine summit with leaders of Hungary, Czech Republic

Hotels' capacity in Eilat had skyrocketed from 65% last week to 90% this week, catching hotels unprepared.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel to allow 700 Jordanians to enter country, work in Eilat hotels