Middle East Experience

Saudi Arabia recorded 472 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 332,329, the Ministry of Health said on Friday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Mecca reported the highest number of new cases with 86 cases. Medina recorded 46, Dammam recorded 32, and the capital Riyadh recorded only 30 new cases.The other infections were reported in cities and provinces across the Kingdom, according to the health ministry.Twenty-six people died due to complications caused by COVID-19, raising the virus-related death toll in the country to 4,625.Meanwhile, the number of recoveries in Saudi Arabia rose to 315,636 after 843 people recovered from the coronavirus.Saudi Arabia celebrated its 90th annual National Day on Wednesday with air shows, fireworks, and several other events across the Kingdom.On Thursday, the Minister of Health Tawfiq al-Rabiah expressed his concern over the large number of people who ignored coronavirus countermeasures during the celebrations and urged the public to always adhere to preventative measures to ensure that cases in the country continue to decrease.Read more:Saudi Arabia celebrates 90th National Day with massive air shows, fireworks, and moreCoronavirus: UAE COVID-19 cases continue to rise with 1,008 new infectionsCoronavirus: Dubai Police fine woman over $2,000 for hosting party
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia records 472 new COVID-19 cases, 843 recoveries in 24 hours

On the eve of the second lockdown, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is blaming everyone but himself for Israel's failure to cope with the pandemic.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Leadership failure traumatizes Israelis as virus surges

Russia’s sovereign wealth fund has been in talks over manufacturing the vaccine with Iran and a number of other countries.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran, Russia discuss producing COVID-19 vaccine

One source said the three European powers had acted jointly and warned Iran that its actions were harming relations.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: France summoned Iranian envoy over human rights - sources

"She changed the course of American law. And even when her views did not prevail, she still fought," Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Ruth Bader Ginsburg becomes first woman, Jew to lie in state at US Capitol

Twitter first announced the labeling last month, but only initially applied it to accounts from China, France, Russia, the UK and the United States.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Twitter aims to label more state-affiliated accounts worldwide

The Houthi rebels have imposed new taxes in areas under their control under the guise of collecting “donations” to support militia fighters on the frontlines, even as Yemeni citizens struggle to cope with increasingly harsh conditions due to political deadlock and a deteriorating economic situation..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Houthi taxes drain funds from already impoverished Yemenis

Lebanon confirms 1,143 new coronavirus cases and 4 further deaths..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon confirms 1,143 new coronavirus cases and 4 further deaths

Israeli-produced series debuted on Apple TV Plus.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 'Tehran' is an uncomplicated look at global conflict - TV review

France's foreign minister appeared to skirt a question on whether….
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: France summoned Iran envoy over human rights violations: sources