Middle East Experience

A senior official in the Health Ministry said that his ministry is not prepared to return children in grades one and two to school because of “indecision in the Health Ministry.”
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Education Ministry blames Health Ministry's 'indecisiveness’ in reopening

The rise in the number of daily coronavirus cases in the UAE over the past week is “normal and expected” and is part of the current “global pattern” as the world begins its gradual return to normalcy, spokesperson for the UAE's health sector, Dr. Farida al-Hosani said on Tuesday.“The increase in the number of cases in the country during the last time period is not out of the ordinary. It is part of an increase witnessed by most countries of the world,” she said, according to state news agency WAM.Visit our dedicated coronavirus site here for all the latest updates.“The indicators monitored by the concerned authorities lead them to expect the continuation of this rise, which is a global pattern as a result of the gradual return to normalcy and resumption of activities in various sectors,” she added.Since the beginning of October, the UAE has reported over a thousand COVID-19 cases on a daily basis. The country reported the highest daily toll since the beginning of the outbreak on October 17, with 1,538 cases.Al-Hosani stressed the importance of tracking people who came into contact with infected individuals, to reduce the spread of the infection.“Contact tracing and quarantining the contacts of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 helps reduce the spread of the disease in the next stage. I call on all members of society to adopt sound health habits and effectively contribute to facilitating the identification of contacts and following the health procedures provided in this regard,” she added.The UAE’s current coronavirus tally stands at 117,594 COVID-19 confirmed cases, 110,313 recovered patients and 470 deaths as of Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Health.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read more:Coronavirus: UAE says receiving COVID-19 vaccine does not reduce risk of infectionUAE resumes issuing visas to domestic workers, entry permits for government employeesCoronavirus: Dubai amends travel protocols, eliminates some requirementsCoronavirus: Dubai reduces COVID-19 PCR test to 250 dirhams across the emirate
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Rise in UAE coronavirus daily cases ‘normal’, expected to continue: Official

Closures lifted on most red cities in Israel.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Corona cabinet meeting postponed as debate over school outline continues

The Palestinian Fatah movement has held its political rival Hamas responsible for delaying elections, accusing the party of failing to officially sign off on understandings that were discussed between the two movements’ delegations in Istanbul on September 24 that are necessary for the process to begin..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: For Hamas, reconciliation takes second seat to Israel talks

France’s Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Grillo tested positive for COVID-19 along with “several” other embassy staff, the French Embassy said Tuesday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: French ambassador Grillo contracts coronavirus

Ankara has begun pulling back forces and equipment from an observation post long surrounded by regime forces in Syria’s northeast Idlib province.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkish forces withdraw from largest base in northeast Syria

Extremists among the opponents of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani are calling for his impeachment and even execution after he suggested rapprochement with the United States could happen.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran hard-liners renew calls for Rouhani’s head

Iran's daily Covid-19 toll has surpassed 5,000 cases, as death tolls….
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Iran daily virus cases exceed 5,000 in new record

An independent rights organization says at least 44 kidnappings and 74 attempted killings of activists have taken place this year. Some blame powerful militias, including those backed by Iran, for the crackdown..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Under attack and losing hope, Iraqi activists flee abroad

Germany experienced drought in the past four years and Israel has extensive experience in agriculture in arid conditions, Prof. Vinnie Altsein from Volcanic Institute told the ‘Post.'
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel, Germany begin agriculture cooperation to fight climate change