Middle East Experience

Dubai’s mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics have so far administered over 7,000 vaccine doses, the city’s Media Office reported on Monday.The ‘Wellness on Wheels’ (WoW) initiative, launched by Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), aims to expand the United Arab Emirates’ vaccination campaign to make sure that the country’s target of vaccinating the entire population by year-end will be met.Visit our dedicated coronavirus site here for all the latest updates.The initiative involves a total of two mobile clinics staffed with 11 health service workers, ranging from nurses to doctors from DHA and employees from MBRU.As of yet, the vaccine doses are being conducted in 11 locations including: Al Garhoud Private Hospital; American Hospital Dubai; SRG Holding Sheraton Grand; DP World; McDermont Middle East; Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Oilfields Supply Center Ltd.A total of 7,688 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 through this initiative.“For all of us at MBRU, advancing healthcare in the UAE through constant innovation and integrated solutions is among our top priorities. The Wellness on Wheels mobile clinics are fully capable of administering the COVID-19 vaccine as per DHA standards,” said MBRU Deputy Vice Chancellor of Administration and Professional Services Dr. Amer Mohammed Al Zarooni.“The mobile clinics will play a crucial role in expanding the reach of the vaccination drive, and protecting more segments of the community through timely intervention.”Read more:UAE prioritized early availability, local production in picking Sinopharm vaccineUAE reports 2,613 COVID-19 cases, 12 deaths in 24 hoursAlmost 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine distributed in the Middle East
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: ‘Wellness on Wheels’: Dubai’s mobile clinics vaccinate over 7,000 against COVID-19

The United Arab Emirates recorded 2,373 new COVID-19 cases, 1,784 recoveries and 10 deaths in the last 24 hours, state news agency WAM reported on Tuesday.Tuesday’s numbers show a one-day decrease in the number of deaths and new cases.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.There are currently 17,927 active COVID-19 cases in the UAE, and the death toll has gone up to 1,345, the UAE’s Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority NCEMA reported.Over 6.2 million vaccine doses have already been administered and the country hopes to vaccinate its entire population by the end of the year. In an effort to achieve this target, the UAE has been actively bolstering its vaccination drive.The country prioritized the high-risk group of people first, and started their inoculation program early, compared to other nations. They have also led one of the world’s most efficient vaccination drives.Dubai recently launched an initiative called ‘Wellness on Wheels’, a collaboration between Dubai Health Authority and the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, featuring mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics. The initiative is one of the country’s recent efforts to bolster its inoculation campaign, and has been successful with over 7,000 administered vaccine shots administered within one month.Read more:Abu Dhabi International Airport introduces free 90-minute PCR test‘Wellness on Wheels’: Dubai’s mobile clinics vaccinate over 7,000 against COVID-19Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways says ‘100 pct of our crew are vaccinated’
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE records 2,373 new COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths in the last 24 hours

Lebanese protesters set up new road blocks Tuesday to vent anger over political inaction in the face of deepening poverty, but security forces managed to re-open some to traffic.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The country has been mired in economic crisis, which has brought surging unemployment and spiraling prices while the currency has plunged to a new low to the dollar on the black market.Yet the government -- which formally resigned after the massive Beirut port explosion last August that killed more than 200 people -- has failed to agree on a new cabinet since.Road blocks have become a near daily occurrence in the small Mediterranean country and lasted all day Monday, including in and out of Beirut.Demonstrators on Tuesday again cut off some roads in the northern city of Tripoli and the eastern region of the Bekaa, the National News Agency said.Highways leading to Beirut were also briefly closed, but then re-opened to flowing traffic.Some protesters have called for a revival of the nationwide street movement of late 2019 that demanded the removal of Lebanon’s entire political class, widely seen as incompetent and corrupt.More than half of the population is living below the poverty line, and prices have soared as the Lebanese pound has lost more than 80 percent of its value.With foreign currency reserves dwindling fast, the authorities have warned they will soon have to lift subsidies on fuel and mostly imported food.President Michel Aoun has accused demonstrators blocking roads of “sabotage”, but also called for authorities to prevent “the manipulation of food prices”.Despite growing anger on the streets, there have been no serious clashes between security forces and demonstrators in recent days, in contrast to previous rallies.Lebanon’s economic crisis has been aggravated by several lockdowns to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.On Monday, the country entered a new phase of alleviating the latest stay-at-home order imposed after hospitals became overwhelmed following the winter holidays.Read more:Pope Francis says his next visit will be to ‘suffering’ Lebanon: ReportLebanese block roads to protest currency crisisLebanon’s President Aoun asks security to prevent road blocks
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Lebanon protesters block roads over political inaction, deepening poverty

Egypt recently announced a deal between Jordan and Iraq for the establishment of a land route connecting the three countries, in a bid to boost economic and trade relations between them.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt seeks land route with Jordan, Iraq to boost trade

Oman will reduce income tax for small and medium businesses for 2020 and 2021 and will offer long-term residency permits for foreign investors, state TV said on Tuesday.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The plans announced on state media are part of Oman’s Vision 2040 aimed at diversifying the economy away from oil, which makes up the bulk of state revenues.Oman is one of the Gulf’s weakest economies and was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and low oil prices. The International Monetary Fund said last month its economy likely shrank 6.4 percent in 2020 and estimated it would make a modest recovery to 1.8 percent growth this year.The measures also include income tax being reduced for companies in sectors aimed at economic diversification that will begin operating this year.Oman will also cut rent at the Duqm Special Economic Zone and industrial areas until the end of 2022.It said granting longer residencies for foreign investors would be done “in accordance with specific controls and conditions that will be announced later after their study is completed by the Council of Ministers, in addition to incentives related to the market.”The cabinet also approved a long-term urban growth strategy that “is considered a key enabler for achieving Oman Vision 2040,” state TV said citing Oman’s ruler, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.Read more:Oman economy shrank 6.4 percent in 2020 due to COVID-19, low oil prices: IMFOman Wealth Fund’s latest revamp focuses on tourism, real estateOman agrees $2.2 billion loan with large group of banks
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Oman to offer longer residency permits to foreign investors: State TV

The United Arab Emirates is moving closer towards its March target of 50 percent vaccination coverage, with 48 percent of its population now having received a vaccine, according to the country’s National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA).For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A total of 3,777,143 people in the UAE have now received the vaccine, according to the authority, which added that inoculations have been provided to 64.5 percent of the country’s elderly population.The UAE started its mass vaccination program in December 2020, aiming to inoculate 50 percent of its population by March 2021.It will continue until December 2021 when the government aims to have vaccinated 70 percent of the country.The country’s health care sector is also preparing to open seven new hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients this month, even though reported case numbers have been decreasing in recent weeks, the committee added.The seven new hospitals will provide a total of 2,058 beds, of which 292 are for critical cases.The UAE also recorded 55,966 violations of coronavirus rules in February, according to the country’s NCEMA.The majority (47 percent) of these violations involved people not wearing masks, while 20.5 percent were associated with shops not following regulations.People failing to social distance accounted for 17.5 percent of infractions, 8 percent were caused by people flouting limits on car passengers, and 4.5 percent involved gatherings.Read more:UAE administers 1mln COVID-19 vaccine doses in two weeksUAE COVID-19 cases drop 22 pct from January peak, slower decline than in UK, IsraelUAE vaccinates 40 percent of population, 48 percent of elderly residents
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE vaccinates 48 percent of population, plans to open seven field hospitals

There is bipartisan pressure from Congress to repeal the September 11 and Iraq War era authorizations following a US airstrike in Syria that was approved without congressional approval.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Biden administration reviewing old authorizations for military force

The grenade attack targeted a group of people commemorating a late imam who is revered by Shiite Muslims; the attack follows an Islamic State attack in the Iraqi capital in January.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: At least one killed in Baghdad explosion

Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman’s paramount mission is to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even if it means setting aside his prime ministerial ambitions.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Avigdor Liberman's life mission: to topple Netanyahu

The driver was originally pulled over for speaking on his phone while driving. Police officers at the scene learned he does not have a valid license – and is carrying a sheep in the car.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Unlawful ramming: Police pull over driver, uncover concealed sheep