The United Arab Emirates recorded 2,087 new COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths in the last 24 hours, state news agency WAM announced on Thursday.The UAE conducted 225,489 COVID-19 tests and registered 1,677 recoveries.Thursday’s numbers show an increase from Wednesday’s numbers which indicated a drop in the number of daily cases.According to WAM, the country’s total death toll went up to 1,369.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.In an effort to combat an unprecedented rise in cases, the country announced the opening of seven new field hospitals with a 2,058 bed capacity, of which 292 are for critical cases, NCEMA reported on Wednesday.Meanwhile, the country’s vaccination program has gained ground. Almost half (48.71 percent) of the UAE’s “targeted group” have been vaccinated as of Tuesday, indicating the country’s successful efforts in the fight against COVID-19.The UAE also announced on Thursday that vaccinated citizens without coronavirus antibodies would be able to receive a “booster” shot, after being administered the two-dose vaccine, to ensure the utmost protection and immunity against the virus.In other news, the country is in the final stage of clinical trials for Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine. The trials involved a total of 1,000 volunteers who have all already received the vaccine’s second dose. Their immune response will then be assessed.WAM stated: “Recent interim results from Phase III of the clinical trials of the Russian human adenovirus-based vaccine, as reported in leading international medical journal ‘The Lancet’, showed high efficacy of 91.6 percent, as well as strong immunogenicity and safety results.”Read more:UAE completes clinical trials for Russian COVID-19 vaccine with 1,000 volunteersUAE sees drop in daily COVID-19 cases amid continued vaccine pushUAE vaccinates 48 percent of population, plans to open seven field hospitals
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE records 2,087 new COVID-19 cases, 16 deaths
Five ISIS suspects given death sentence in Saudi Arabia
A preliminary death sentence was issued against five ISIS suspects in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, according to an Al Arabiya correspondent.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The correspondent said that those sentenced to death were linked to terrorist incidents in the Kingdom. The five susepcts are among 45 others who are members of an ISIS terrorist cell, the correspondent added.The terrorist cell carried out criminal activities that took place in Saudi Arabia, including the assassination of security men, and a mosque bombing in Abha. The cell was also involved in the bombings of al-Mashhad Mosque in Najran and al-Rida Mosque in al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia.Read more:Suspected ISIS member, Bataclan attack perpetrator arrested by Italian policeJanuary 2022 trial set for ISIS militants nicknamed 'Beatles', accused of beheadingsIraq executes three convicted of ‘terrorism’: Official
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Five ISIS suspects given death sentence in Saudi Arabia
Over 1.7 mln people received COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia: Health ministry
More than 1.7 million people have received a coronavirus vaccine in Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson for the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health Mohammed al-Abd al-Ali said on Thursday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Over 500 vaccine centers have been set up around the country to ensure that everyone has access to them, he added. Al-Abd al-Ali urged the public to sign up to take any of the available coronavirus vaccines through the Sehhaty application.“The approved vaccines in the Kingdom are effective and safe,” al-Abd al-Ali said. Saudi Arabia on Wednesday announced that it will be expanding its national coronavirus vaccine campaign to include a much larger segment of its population.The registered priority groups have all received their COVID-19 vaccines, which is why the ministry has now made the dose available to other groups of people.Individuals who wish to be vaccinated must first register on the official Sehhaty application. They can then book direct appointments according to the available dates and the nearest vaccination center, the ministry said.Read more:Saudi Arabia expands national COVID-19 vaccination campaignSaudi Arabia to provide free COVID-19 vaccines in pharmacies: Health minister
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Over 1.7 mln people received COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia: Health ministry
Houthis target civilians with missile in Marib as Yemeni army advances
The Iran-backed Houthi militia fired a ballistic missile towards civilians in Yemen’s Marib, the Yemeni army told Al Arabiya on Thursday.The Yemeni army has made great advancements in Marib against the Houthis, Al Arabiya cited an official from the army as saying.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Fighters from the Iran-backed Houthi militia fled to areas bordering Marib, leaving their weapons behind, the source said.The Iran-backed group has faced ‘unprecedented’ losses in Marib, according to the Yemeni army.Clashes between the forces belonging to Yemen’s internationally-recognized government and the Iran-backed Houthi militia have intensified in Marib in recent weeks.Iran has backed the Houthis in their war against the Yemeni government, supplying the group with weapons, such as drones and missiles often used to target civilians.Marib is the last major northern stronghold for pro-government forces and is home to one of Yemen’s largest oil infrastructures.The offensive in the area would put hundreds of gas and oil fields at risk of falling under the Iran-backed group’s control.The governorate has also been a refuge for hundreds of thousands of displaced people who, for years, have taken shelter there away from the war that was once brewing elsewhere in Yemen.Read more:Yemen: Fighting in Marib intensifies as pro-govt forces defend northern strongholdSaudi envoy to US blasts Yemen’s Houthis: ‘They believe they can act with impunity’
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Houthis target civilians with missile in Marib as Yemeni army advances
Syria’s Armenian community resilient, but faces uncertain future
Syrian Armenians, despite the fragility of their presence in the region, are determined to stay and rebuild.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Syria’s Armenian community resilient, but faces uncertain future
Saudi Arabia, Germany sign MoU to produce hydrogen
Saudi Arabia and Germany have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the production of hydrogen, the Kingdom’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced on Thursday.The MoU was signed on Thursday during a virtual session with the Saudi Arabian Energy Minister and his German counterpart Peter Altmaier, Germany’s Federal Minister of Germany for Economic Affairs and Energy.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“We have abundant energy sources to produce green and blue hydrogen and the resources to lead the world in hydrogen production,” Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said.Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, has been setting its sights on also becoming the largest supplier of hydrogen, a fuel seen as pivotal for curbing climate change.Saudi Arabia has “ambitious plans and “will not be challenged in its record of being the biggest exporter of hydrogen on earth, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said at a news briefing in Riyadh last November.The kingdom’s large natural gas reserves enable it to produce blue hydrogen, he said, referring to a form of the fuel that’s made when gas is reformed and the carbon dioxide byproduct is captured. In September, the country shipped the world’s first cargo of blue hydrogen, which was converted into ammonia, to Japan.(With inputs from Bloomberg)
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia, Germany sign MoU to produce hydrogen
European, Arab diplomats try to revive Middle East peace efforts
The Egyptian and Jordanian foreign ministers urged efforts 'to save the two-state solution' at the meeting..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: European, Arab diplomats try to revive Middle East peace efforts
Nabad: The Lebanese-Palestinian cultural initiative giving momentum back to cultural actors
Organisations like Nabad wish to give artists and cultural institutes their spark back to help them go on with their projects and ideas post the devastating Beirut port blast..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Nabad: The Lebanese-Palestinian cultural initiative giving momentum back to cultural actors
Fatah sacks senior member, highlighting split ahead of elections
As Palestinians gear up for the upcoming presidential and legislative elections, sharp differences are emerging within the Fatah movement, leading to the formation of a number of lists headed by or including Fatah leaders, in what is set to weaken the official list and divide Fatah votes.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Fatah sacks senior member, highlighting split ahead of elections
Gurrumul, Omar Souleyman, 9Bach and DakhaBrakha: the best global artists the Grammys forgot
From the Godfathers of Arabic rap to the father of Ethio-jazz, Grammy-winning producer Ian Brennan guides a tour through global music’s greatest..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Gurrumul, Omar Souleyman, 9Bach and DakhaBrakha: the best global artists the Grammys forgot