Middle East Experience

Prosecutors charged Nasser Nawasreh with incitement over a speech to supporters last Wednesday that criticized Prime Minister Omar al Razzaz's government.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Jordan arrests leaders of teachers union in opposition crackdown

After two US jets approached an Iranian flight in the airspace over Syria, several passengers were reportedly hospitalised in Beirut with fractures, while one had sustained injuries to his spine..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Mahan Air passenger undergoes surgery for 'fractured spine' after US jet incident

"As they continue to quarrel among themselves, a million people are waiting for security and justice. We do not have time to wait. We have no air to breathe," protest organizers said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Protesters to demonstrate against gov't policy amid coronavirus pandemic

"When [the boat] is fully loaded, the hull sinks and water enters. Advancing with over half a ton of meat on board is dangerous,” Roveratto said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Venice lowers gondola passenger capacity due to weight gain in tourists

Doctors complain that they have been suffering violence and abuse from some families who blame medical personnel for patients' COVID-19 deaths.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iraqi doctors under siege as they battle surge in COVID-19 cases

Over 20 people tested positive for coronavirus after attending a wedding reception in Abu Dhabi without practicing social distancing, reported local news outlet Emarat Al Youm citing the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center on Saturday.The United Arab Emirates had originally forbidden social gatherings, including weddings, in March as part of its lockdown measures aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus through group interactions.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Authorities have since lifted most of the lockdown measures and allowed communal activities in public including sports and visiting malls, though with social distancing measures in place.Read more:Coronavirus: Flying from Dubai to UK, European Union requires COVID-19 PCR testAbu Dhabi prosecutes 102 for tampering with coronavirus test results to enter emirateCoronavirus: Entering Abu Dhabi now requires booking appointment for a COVID-19 testAccording to the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center as quoted by Gulf News, guests at the wedding tested positive after failing to maintain social distancing.The center also warned against complacency and reminded UAE residents to fllow preventative measures to protect against further spread of the virus.The UAE has reported 58,562 coronavirus cases, the vast majority of which have recovered.The death toll from the virus is 343.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Over 20 people catch COVID-19 at Abu Dhabi wedding

Oman reported 1,147 new cases of the deadly coronavirus, most of which were detected in Omani citizens, raising the total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in the country to 76,005, the Ministry of Health said on Sunday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.A total of 1,053 Omani nationals and 94 non-Omani expatriates tested positive for the coronavirus in the past 24 hours.Thirteen people died due to complications caused by COVID-19, which brings the virus-related death toll in the country to 384.Meanwhile, the number of recoveries in Oman rose to 55,299 after 1,238 people recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours.The nationwide lockdown in the Sultanate began on Saturday ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday as part of efforts to combat the recent surge in coronavirus cases.The lockdown is set to last until August 8, the Supreme Committee for Dealing with COVID-19 announced last week.Between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., citizens and residents will not be allowed to leave their homes.The country also set new travel guidelines for all departing and arriving passengers, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine for foreigners.Read more:Coronavirus: Oman sets travel guidelines, mandates 14-day quarantine for foreignersCoronavirus: Oman begins nationwide lockdown, imposes fines for curfew violators
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Oman reports 1,147 new COVID-19, with over 1,000 in Omani citizens

The United Arab Emirates detected 351 new cases of the novel coronavirus after conducting over 51,000 COVID19 tests, which raises the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 58,913, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.One person died due to complications caused by the virus, bringing the total number of virus-related deaths in the countryto 344.Meanwhile, the number of recoveries rose to 52,182 after 554 people recovered from the deadly coronavirus.The UAE has been taking the lead in the Gulf when it comes to easing restrictions, and has allowed malls, restaurants, gyms, and all other commercial activities to resume activities.Dubai also began welcoming visitors back into the city, but has issued guidelines stipulating that all passegers traveling to Dubai, including those on connecting flights from Dubai, must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate.However, passengers from a set of 29 countries will also be obliged to take a second test on arrival, starting from August 1.Read more:Coronavirus: Countries that need two COVID-19 PCR tests to travel to Dubai listCoronavirus: Flying from Dubai to UK, European Union requires COVID-19 PCR test
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE conducts over 51,000 COVID-19 tests, finds 351 new cases

From August 1, 2020, all passengers traveling to Dubai, including passengers connecting in Dubai, must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate, according to the latest guidelines issued by Emirates airlines.However, passengers from a set of 29 countries will also be obliged to take a second test on arrival. This is in contrast to other passengers, who according to Emirates can just show their negative test on arrival.Read more: Coronavirus: COVID-19 PCR test needed to travel to UAE, here’s all you need to know“All other passengers can take a COVID-19 PCR test 96 hours before their flight and carry their printed negative test certificate with them when they travel,” read the Emirates website on Thursday.Travelers from the 29 countries listed must source a COVID-19 test before they get on the flight and again on arrival.“A COVID-19 PCR test is also available on arrival in Dubai, if you haven't taken one in your home country (excluding travelers arriving from the countries above, who must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate to be accepted on the flight),” explained Emirates.Here are the 29 locations that require PCR tests on both sides:• Afghanistan• Armenia• Brazil• Bangladesh• Djibouti• Egypt• Eritrea• India• Indonesia• Iran• Iraq• Kazakhstan• Kyrgyzstan• Lebanon• Montenegro• Nigeria• Pakistan• Philippines• Russian Federation• Serbia• Somalia• South Africa• Sri Lanka• Sudan• Tajikistan• Tanzania• Turkmenistan• USA - Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Orlando (MCO), including passengers originating from California, Florida and Texas connecting to an Emirates flight from any of our airports worldwide to Dubai.• UzbekistanRead more:Coronavirus: Flying from Dubai to UK, European Union requires COVID-19 PCR testCoronavirus: COVID-19 PCR test needed to travel to UAE, here’s all you need to knowCoronavirus: Emirates airlines to offer free COVID-19 medical coverage for travelers
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Countries that need two COVID-19 PCR tests to travel to Dubai list

Saudi Arabia reported 1,968 new cases of the deadly coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the Kingdom to 266,941, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Al-Hufouf reported the highest number of cases with 208 new infections. Meanwhile, the capital Riyadh only recorded 126 new cases, while Jeddah recorded 41.The other new infections were detected in cities and provinces across the country.Thirty people died due to complications caused by COVID-19, which raises the virus-related death toll in the Kingdom to 2,733.Meanwhile, the total recoveries in Saudi Arabia rose to 220,323 after 2,541 people recovered from the virus.Saudi Arabia welcomed on Friday the first group of Hajj pilgrims, selected based on specific requirements, amid strict coronavirus preventative measures.Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Kingdom only allowed those living in the country and who meet certain criteria to participate in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and required for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime.Al Arabiya English’s Joanne Al Serrieh contributed to this report. Read more: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia welcomes Hajj pilgrims under strict COVID-19 measuresCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s CDC launches national registry to collect COVID-19 data
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia reports 2,541 COVID-19 recoveries, 1,968 new cases