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US okays Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use: FDA

The United States on Saturday authorized Johnson & Johnson’s COVID vaccine for emergency use, giving the nation a third shot to battle the outbreak that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.“The authorization of this vaccine expands the availability of vaccines, the best medical prevention method for COVID-19, to help us in the fight against this pandemic, which has claimed over half a million lives in the United States,” said acting Food and Drug Administration director Janet Woodcock.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.US President Joe Biden hailed the “exciting” announcement Saturday that US regulators had authorized a third COVID-19 vaccine but warned the hard-hit nation could not let its guard down.“This is exciting news for all Americans, and an encouraging development in our efforts to bring an end to the crisis,” Biden said in a statement after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine got the green light.“But we cannot let our guard down now or assume that victory is inevitable.”For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Read more:
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US okays Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use: FDA

Saudi Arabia has intercepted 526 drones, 346 ballistic missiles so far: Spokesperson

No country other than Saudi Arabia has intercepted this many ballistic missiles and drones, Arab Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki told Al Arabiya, adding that the Kingdom has intercepted 526 drones and 346 ballistic missiles so far.Overnight, Saudi Arabia faced a ballistic missile attack targeting its capital Riyadh and six other explosive drones over its southern cities all launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia group in Yemen.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The Houthi militia is the only terrorist group in the world that possesses these military capabilities with the support of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard,” al-Maliki told Al Arabiya during an interview on Saturday following the attacks.“The Houthi attacks are linked to the directions and orders of Iran’s generals who control the militias in occupied Sanaa,” he added.Al-Maliki added that the Arab Coalition has the capabilities to deal with threats targeting civilians, adding that the Houthis targeting innocent people continues to be “a red line in the event of any harm to them.”The terrorist Houthi militia group has been ramping up its efforts to strike Saudi Arabia and several areas in Yemen outside its control.Read more:
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia has intercepted 526 drones, 346 ballistic missiles so far: Spokesperson

Gaza launches vaccination drive amid low turnout

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, in cooperation with the World Health Organization and UNRWA, launched the first phase of coronavirus vaccination for the residents of the Gaza Strip after receiving 22,000 doses of vaccines from Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Gaza launches vaccination drive amid low turnout