Middle East Experience

Saudi Arabia has confirmed 220 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, raising the total to 356,911, according to the health ministry.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Of the new cases, 55 were detected in the city of Riyadh, 28 in Jeddah and 15 in Medina, the ministry added in its daily breakdown.An additional 13 deaths were also reported over the 24 hours, raising the death toll to 5,870.Meanwhile, an additional 401 individuals who had previously tested positive for the virus recovered, raising the total recoveries to 346,023.The six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) recorded more than 1 million COVID-19 cases as of November 23, according to a Reuters tally of data published by each government.Saudi Arabia, which has the highest regional count, has seen a downward trend in daily case numbers since early July when it was registering around 4,000 cases a day for a few weeks.The Kingdom partially lifted its suspension of international flights mid-September and has said it will lift all restrictions on citizens' foreign travel on January 1.With ReutersRead more:COVID-19 infections in GCC countries surpass 1 million: Reuters tallySaudi Arabia arrests 226 people involved in 158 criminal corruption casesIranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh assassinated: Ministry of Defense
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia confirms 220 new COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths

Iraq and Saudi Arabia are opening the Arar border crossing, a move that should boost Saudi investment in Iraq.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Will reopening of border crossing drive Saudi investment in Iraq?

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan congratulated the new Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hussein Ibrahim Taha of Chad, who was elected on Saturday.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“My sincere congratulations to Mr. Hussein Ibrahim Taha of Chad on being selected by consensus as the next Secretary General of the @OIC_OCI, wishing him all success in his duties,” Prince Faisal said in a tweet. “The Kingdom will spare no effort to support His Excellency during his tenure.”Taha, as well as those who served before him, was elected by the Council of Foreign Ministers and will serve a five-year period that may be renewed once, according to the OIC’s website.Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad al-Othaimeen of Saudi Arabia has held the position since 2016. The Secretary General prior was also Saudi Arabian. Iyad Ameen Madani served from 2014 through 2016.Secretary Generals of the OIC are expected to take on the following responsibilities:1. Bring to the attention of the members of the Organization matters which, in his opinion, may serve or impair the objectives of the organization.2. Follow-up the implementation of decisions, resolutions and recommendations of the Islamic Summits, and Councils of Foreign Ministers and other Ministerial meetings.3. Provide the Member States with working papers and memoranda, in implementation of the decisions, resolutions and recommendations of the Islamic Summits and the Councils of Foreign Ministers.4. Coordinate and harmonize, the work of the relevant Organs of the Organization.5. Prepare the program and the budget of the General Secretariat.6. Promote communication among Member States and facilitate consultations and exchange of views as well as the dissemination of information that could be of importance to Member States.7. Perform such other functions as are entrusted to him by the Islamic Summit or the Council of Foreign Ministers.8. Submit annual reports to the Council of Foreign Ministers on the work of the Organization.A total of 11 Secretary Generals have been elected since the establishment of the organization, according to the OIC’s website.Read more:Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemns Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s JazanSaudi Arabia arrests 226 people involved in 158 criminal corruption casesIran-backed Houthis are behind Yemen's problems: Saudi FM
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi FM Prince Faisal congratulates newly elected OIC Secretary General

Abu Dhabi’s government is granting 7.2 billion dirhams ($2 billion) in homes, land parcels and mortgage loans to more than 6,100 citizens in the United Arab Emirates ahead of the country’s National Day on December 2, the Abu Dhabi Media Office reported on Saturday.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Totalling 7.2 billion dirhams, the third package of housing benefits disbursed this year reflects the leadership’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the social stability of UAE citizens,” the media office announced in a tweet. “The package includes 3,099 plots of land, 2,000 housing loans and 601 homes, which were granted to citizens in #AbuDhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, as well as home loan repayment exemptions for 381 citizens, worth 340 million aed.”The government will also exempt some retirees and families of deceased citizens from mortgage repayments, the media office said on Twitter.Citizens make up a small minority of the UAE’s predominately expatriate population. Many have suffered from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and oil price collapse has wreaked havoc on the country’s economy.Read more:UAE reports 1,252 new COVID-19 cases out of 148,245 testsAbu Dhabi: Modon demolishes towers in 10 seconds setting world recordUAE-Israel: Flydubai launches first direct scheduled Dubai-Tel Aviv flight
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE National Day: Abu Dhabi grants citizens bln in homes, land, loan forgiveness

What are supposed to be three-way talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam between Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia took one more turn for the worse as Khartoum boycotted the last round of negotiations.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Sudan boycotts Nile dam talks, further complicating negotiations

A Saudi analyst close to the royal court said the kingdom is seeking ways to resolve the Qatar blockade and subsequent GCC crisis..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Saudi Arabia to end Qatar blockade as 'gift' to Joe Biden: report

The killing of Iran’s top nuclear scientist is likely to impede the country’s military ambitions. Its real purpose may have been to prevent the president-elect from resuming diplomacy with Tehran..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Israel’s Gamble: If Assassination Fails to Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program, Blowing Up Deal Is Easy

Tensions were high in several Iraqi cities, a day after clashes between the dwindling members of the October 2019 anti-government protest movement and supporters of populist Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Defiant protesters hit streets in south Iraq for second day

The approval of the loans, exemptions is part of the 2020 housing packages of Dh15.5 billion..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE National Day: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed orders disbursement of Dh7 billion housing loans

Lebanon reports 1,696 new coronavirus cases, 11 more deaths..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon reports 1,696 new coronavirus cases, 11 more deaths