Middle East Experience

"I made the decision that I am running for the presidency. I want to be the next president of the State of Israel," said Glick.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Former Likud MK Yehuda Glick wants to run for president of Israel

A gathering of fans of the late Iranian composer and singer Mohammad Reza Shajarian in the capital Tehran outside the hospital where he died turned into an anti-government protest Thursday evening, with demonstrators chanting “death to the dictator,” according to videos shared on social media.Shajarian, 80, died of a heart attack in Tehran’s Jam hospital on Thursday, his son Homayoun announced on Instagram.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The legendary musician had become a symbol for the Iranian opposition after he declared his support for the protests over the disputed reelection of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009.“Death to the dictator,” people outside Tehran’s Jam hospital were seen chanting in one video shared on Twitter. This chant is commonly used in anti-government protests in Iran and is directed at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Protesters also chanted against Iran’s state broadcaster, which had refrained from playing Shajarian’s songs since 2009.“Our radio and television is our disgrace,” protesters were seen chanting in another video shared on Twitter.Other videos showed a heavy presence of security forces, as well as clashes between protesters and security forces.Security forces beat protesters with batons and arrested a number of them, according to social media reports.Read more:Renowned Iranian musician, singer Mohammad Shajarian dies of heart attackVideo of Iranian police beating alleged criminals sparks social media outcryIranian rial falls to historic low against US dollar amid coronavirus, sanctions
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran protesters chant ‘death to dictator’ after death of renowned musician Shajarian

A United Arab Emirates company is nearing the end of Phase III clinical trials of a Chinese COVID-19 vaccine and hopes to manufacture it next year, a representative said.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The trial, which began in mid-July, is a partnership between Sinopharm’s China National Biotec Group (CNBG) and Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence and cloud computing company Group 42 (G42).The vaccine uses an inactivated virus; a well-known technology which has been used against diseases such as influenza and measles. Two doses are given.It has been administered to more than 31,000 people in the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain and Jordan, G42 Healthcare CEO Ashish Koshy said.Results analysis and publication will happen in around two months, Koshy said.He said G42 has distribution and manufacturing agreements with Sinopharm and hopes to provide the UAE and other regional states with the vaccine, especially those that participated in the trial.The target is to produce between 75 and 100 million doses next year in the UAE, he said.“Early results are showing it is safe, there is a general rise in antibodies for all the volunteers,” Koshy said. “In terms of being effective it is on the journey, but only time will tell in terms of the whole picture.”Emirati volunteer Wo’oud al-Motawaa was vaccinated around two months ago and returned to the facility in the emirate of Abu Dhabi for one of her follow-up checks.“I work in a hospital so it was something that we want to help with,” she said. “We trust our country.”G42 has said the UAE population’s diversity was an asset, offering around 200 different nationalities. Koshy said around 125 nationalities had participated so far.Read more:Over 10 mln, number of coronavirus tests done exceeds population in UAE: OfficialCoronavirus: UAE says receiving COVID-19 vaccine does not reduce risk of infectionThe UAE, whose tally stands at more than 101,000 infections and 435 deaths, has seen the number of daily new coronavirus cases surge over the past two months from 164 on Aug. 3 to a high of 1,231 cases last week.The UAE has a high per capita rate of COVID-19 tests, having carried out more than 10 million tests in a population of around 9.9 million, the government statistics authority says.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE company nears end of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have been in a state of calm since the last session that was held under the auspices of the African Union and completely failed to reach a binding agreement between all parties.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Why Nile Renaissance Dam talks are on hold for now

Oman will be imposing an overnight curfew in the country from October 11 to 24, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak, the country’s committee for countering COVID-19 announced on Friday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.All public places and retail stores will be closed during those times, while public beaches will be closed all day.Anyone who violates the lockdown will be reprimanded and their picture will be published on social media, authorities said.The decision comes amid increasing numbers of daily reported infections.The death toll in Oman has surpassed 1,000 and 104,129 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded so far.Read more:Coronavirus measures leave almost 3 mln migrants stranded: UNCoronavirus: Jordan reimposes weekend lockdown as cases surge
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Oman to impose movement ban starting from Oct. 11

The UAE reported 1,075 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 104,004, the Ministry of Health and Prevention announced on Friday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Four people died due to complications caused by COVID-19, which raises the virus-related death toll in the country to 442, according to the ministry.Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries in the UAE rose to 94,903 after 1,424 people recovered from the coronavirus.The UAE has been witnessing a surge in new infections, largely due to people not following protocol measures.However, the country has a high per capita rate of COVID-19 tests, having carried out more than 10 million tests in a population of about 9.9 million.Read more:Coronavirus: UAE company nears end of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trialsOver 10 mln, number of coronavirus tests done exceeds population in UAE: OfficialCoronavirus: UAE says receiving COVID-19 vaccine does not reduce risk of infection
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,075 new COVID-19 cases, four deaths in 24 hours

Saudi Arabia detected 407 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the Kingdom to 338,539, the Ministry of Health announced on Friday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Medina reported the highest number of new cases with 54 infections, while Mecca reported 39 infections, Riyadh reported 23 new infections, and Jeddah reported 16 new infections.The other new cases were confirmed in cities and provinces around the Kingdom, according to the ministry.Twenty-four people died due to complications caused by COVID-19, which raises the virus-related death toll in Saudi Arabia to 4,996.Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries rose to 324,282 after 513 people recovered from the coronvirus in the past 24 hours.Read more:Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,075 new COVID-19 cases, four deaths in 24 hoursCoronavirus: Oman to impose movement ban starting from Oct. 11
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia detects 407 new infections, 513 recoveries in 24 hours

While Russia blames the United States for adding fuel to the fire of Kurdish separatism, it calls on the Syrian Kurds to lay the groundwork for constitutional reform, so as to contain conflict in the territories over which Damascus has long lost control.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Russia's outreach to Syrian Kurds highlights dual-track approach

Tehran is sending forces to its borders in anticipation of the Armenian-Azeri conflict spilling over.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Between a rock and hard place: Iran’s dilemma in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Twitter says it has labeled thousands of misleading posts, though most attention has been on the labels applied to tweets by President Trump.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Twitter imposes restrictions, more warning labels ahead of US election