Middle East Experience

The Shiite party's leader also said Hezbollah has doubled its missile supplies.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Nasrallah says Hezbollah would not be part of Iran nuclear talks

Amid a controversy over Iran's ability to purchase the coronavirus vaccine, Tehran is set to receive 150,000 doses from US donors.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran to receive 150,000 Pfizer vaccines

Saudi Arabia is set to receive three million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by the end of May 2021, according to Al Arabiya’s correspondent in Riyadh.Pfizer will supply Saudi Arabia one million doses of the vaccine by the end of February 2021, the correspondent reported citing officials at the Saudi Ministry of Health, adding that the Kingdom is expected to approve other vaccines after undergoing tests.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority gave its approval for the registration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the Kingdom after a comprehensive review.As of Sunday, more than 700,000 people have registered so far to receive the coronavirus vaccine in Saudi Arabia, according to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health.Registration for the vaccination campaign, which began on December 17, will be in stages, the ministry’s spokesman Mohammed al-Abd al-Ali said, adding that it is open to all members of society.Read more:Coronavirus: More than 700,000 register to receive vaccine in Saudi ArabiaCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia extends suspension of international flights by another weekCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia lifts flight ban for non-Saudis leaving the kingdom
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia to receive 3 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses by May 2021

Iranian officials have argued US sanctions have hampered their ability to make payments for overseas vaccines.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: US approves Iranian funds transfer to buy COVID vaccines, says Iran central bank chief

Turkey has mobilized more forces in the vicinity of the town of Ain Issa in northern Syria, while the Free Syrian Army, an ally of Ankara, intensified its presence in that area amid an agreement between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Russia to ward off Turkey and its allies from the town.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkey weighs attack on Syrian Kurdish town

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday Moscow and Ankara’s military cooperation would not be deterred by the United States imposing sanctions on Turkey earlier this month for acquiring a Russian missile defense system.For the latest headlines, visit our Google News channel online or via the app.“We have confirmed our mutual intention to develop military ties with Turkey” despite “Washington’s illegitimate pressure”, Lavrov told reporters following talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Moscow.Turkey also said it aims to produce Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V domestically, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday.Turkey requested more information from Russia about the vaccine and Health Minister Fahrettin Koca informed the presidential cabinet on Monday that everything was on the right track, Cavusoglu said.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Russia, Turkey to develop military ties despite US sanctions: FM

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reported 149 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases to 362,488, according to the Ministry of Health.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The number of recovered cases in the Kingdom rose by 159 to 353,512. The death toll rose by eight to 6,204.Riyadh, the capital, recorded 46 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, while Mecca had 31, and the Eastern Province had 21 cases.Saudi Arabia is set to receive three million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by the end of May 2021, according to Al Arabiya’s correspondent in Riyadh.Pfizer will supply Saudi Arabia one million doses of the vaccine by the end of February 2021, the correspondent reported citing officials at the Saudi Ministry of Health, adding that the Kingdom is expected to approve other vaccines after undergoing tests.Read more: Saudi Arabia to receive 3 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses by May 2021
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia reports 149 new COVID-19 cases, eight deaths

The UAE has discovered a “limited number” of infections of the new coronavirus variant in people coming from abroad, Dr. Omar Abdulrahman al-Hammadi, Official Spokesman of the UAE Government said on Tuesday.“In light of the emergence of the new emerging strain of the coronavirus in Britain, and in conjunction with the continuous investigations by the health sector, it has been proven that there are limited cases in the country and received from abroad,” state news agency WAM quoted al-Hammadi as saying."We affirm the need to continue to adhere to all precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the health and safety of everyone, emphasizing the continued efforts of the health sector and its workers to contain the virus and limit its spread," he added.Visit our dedicated coronavirus site here for all the latest updates.There have been at least two new variants of COVID-19 raising concerns around the world, the first was detected in the UK and the other was found in South Africa.The new coronavirus variant, which has been spreading rapidly in Britain, is thought to be more infectious than other currently circulating variants. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it could be up 70 percent more transmissible.Early analysis suggests symptoms from the variant are not more severe.It has since been detected in several other nations, including Portugal, France, Jordan and South Korea.Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Health announced that the total number of coronavirus reported in the UAE stood at 204,369, number of recovered patients stood at 181,400, and the death toll stood at 662.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.- With AgenciesRead more:The new coronavirus variant in Britain: Everything we know so farCoronavirus: Dubai launches free COVID-19 vaccination campaign on Dec 23Abu Dhabi welcomes back intl tourists from 'Green' countries amid coronavirus: A listAbu Dhabi eases coronavirus restrictions from Dec 24: Everything you need to know
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE detects ‘limited’ number of new COVID-19 variant infections

Coronavirus vaccines are set to reach all the regions of Saudi Arabia within three weeks, the Kingdom’s Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told Al Arabiya while inaugurating several health projects in the Jazan region.“In regards to coronavirus vaccines, we are working to provide vaccines for all the regions of Saudi Arabia. The supply we’ve received so far may be little but it requires a lot of preparations. Such preparations are technically high so we’re working on them now. We expect to provide the vaccines for the entire Kingdom within three weeks,” al-Rabiah said.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Saudi Arabia is set to receive three million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by the end of May 2021, according to Al Arabiya’s correspondent in Riyadh.Pfizer will supply Saudi Arabia one million doses of the vaccine by the end of February 2021, the correspondent reported citing officials at the Saudi Ministry of Health, adding that the Kingdom is expected to approve other vaccines after undergoing tests.As of Sunday, more than 700,000 people have registered so far to receive the coronavirus vaccine in Saudi Arabia, according to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health.Read more:Saudi Arabia to receive 3 million Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses by May 2021Coronavirus: More than 700,000 register to receive vaccine in Saudi ArabiaCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia extends suspension of international flights by another weekCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia lifts flight ban for non-Saudis leaving the kingdom
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: COVID-19 vaccines to reach all regions of Saudi Arabia within 3 weeks

Hatem Ali was known for role in spreading the popularity of Syrian dramas in the Arab world..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Renowned Syrian director Hatem Ali dies in Cairo