Middle East Experience

Oman reported 590 new cases of the novel coronavirus – a large drop from the day before – raising the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 79,159, the Ministry of Health announced on Thursday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Ninety-four non-Omani expatriates and 496 Omani citizens tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours, the ministry said.Nine people did of the coronavirus, which brought the virus-related death toll in the country to 421.Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries in Oman rose to 61,421 after 1,181 people recovered from the virus.The ministry on Monday said government hospitals would no longer test people with mild symptoms of COVID-19 to free up medical staff to work on severe cases only.Those with mild symptoms were advised to stay at home.The country also extended its Eid al-Adha lockdown to prevent the virus from spreading further.Read more:Coronavirus: All the COVID-19 guidelines for the Eid al-Adha holiday across the GulfCoronavirus: Oman sets travel guidelines, mandates 14-day quarantine for foreigners
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Oman reports 590 new COVID-19 cases, infections near 80,000

Chinese drug company Sinopharm and Parana state have agreed to launch the fourth major COVID-19 vaccine trial in Brazil and will seek regulatory approval in the next two weeks, the Brazilian partners said on Wednesday.A trial by Sinopharm would join Phase III trials already announced in Brazil by AstraZeneca, Sinovac Biotech and a Pfizer partnership with BioNTech.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the appJorge Callado, head of the Parana Technology Institute (Tecpar), said they would soon finalize their proposal and submit it for approval with federal health regulator Anvisa.Brazil's COVID-19 outbreak, the world's worst outside the United States, has made it global testing ground for potential vaccines.Sinopharm's candidate vaccine is already being tested in the United Arab Emirates with 15,000 volunteers.Read more: Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi hosts phase 3 trials of COVID-19 vaccineCoronavirus: Abu Dhabi conducts study on its residents’ COVID-19 immunityCoronavirus: New COVID-19 drug developed by Saudi Arabian company, US partnersParana is also in talks with Russian researchers about producing their potential vaccine, the state government said in a statement, adding that Governor Ratinho Júnior would soon meetwith Russia's ambassador to Brazil.Russians have also contacted Sao Paulo's Butantan Institute to discuss testing their vaccine, the institute's director told reporters on Wednesday.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Sinopharm to expand Abu Dhabi COVID-19 vaccine tests to Brazil

The United Arab Emirates detected 302 new cases of the deadly coronavirus, which brings the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 60,223, the Ministry of Health announced on Thursday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Two people who had tested positive for the virus died due to complications, the ministry added. This brings the virus-related death toll in the country to 349.Meanwhile, the number of recoveries rose to 53,626 after 424 people recovered.Most COVID-19 health centers run by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) will be open for testing during the Eid al-Adha holiday this weekend, reported Emirates News Agency (WAM) citing SEHA on Thursday.Muslims around the world will commemorate the end of the annual Hajj season from July 30 to August 2.Read more:Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi conducts study on its residents’ COVID-19 immunityCoronavirus: All the COVID-19 guidelines for the Eid al-Adha holiday across the GulfCoronavirus in UAE: Abu Dhabi implements COVID-19 safety measures as flights resume
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE detects 302 new COVID-19 cases after conducting over 47,000 tests

Murad's appearance on the popular US talk and news satire show could showcase her efforts to combat sexual violence and trafficking to a new and big audience.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Yazidi activist Nadia Murad to appear on 'The Daily Show'

LGBT survivors of sexual violence told Human Rights Watch that accessing services for their physical and psychological trauma is a challenge in Lebanon.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: ‘I still wake up at night’: Syrian men and transgender rape survivors struggle in Lebanon

Muslim pilgrims arrived to Mount Arafat – a granite hill about 20 kilometers from the Kaaba in the Arafat plains – to participate in the most important part of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.The Day of Arafat marks the second day of Hajj, when believers make their way to the mountain where Adam and Eve first met again after they were sent to Earth and where the Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Each group of pilgrims, led by a health worker, made their way to the Nimra Mosque on the grounds of Arafat while maintaining social distancing measures and wearing a mask.The pilgrims then listened to a sermon by Sheikh Abdullah bin Manea, who thanked Muslims across the world for their adherence to precautionary measures and their response to the limited Hajj season this year.“We thank the positive role of all Muslims in responding to the country’s measures to protect them from the spread of the pandemic by imposing measures that ensure the protection of Mecca and Medina,” he said.Following the sermon, the pilgrims will spend the day praying on the mountain to pray, where camps have been set up.They will then head to Muzdalifah tonight, where they will be given pebbles – which have already been packaged and sterilized for each pilgrim – for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual.On Friday, the pilgrims will then perform the final stages of Hajj until August 2, which coincide with the Eid al-Adha holiday.This year’s Hajj was only open to a limited number of people due to the coronavirus pandemic. Seventy percent of the pilgrims were non-Saudi Arabians residing in the Kingdom and 30 percent were Saudi Arabians.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The nationals who performed Hajj are healthcare workers and security forces who have recovered from the virus, as a way to show appreciation for their efforts in the Kingdom’s continued fight against the novel coronavirus.Read more:Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrims in good health, no coronavirus cases among them so farCoronavirus: Hajj pilgrims embark on first day of rituals amid COVID-19 measures
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrims head to Mount Arafat for most important ritual

The coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown measures have largely affected Egypt’s budget deficit.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: How COVID-19 widened Egypt’s budget gap

Something good is happening with Israel’s Foreign Ministry, as vacant positions are being filled and a spirit of projects advancing is filling the corridors.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel’s Foreign Ministry officially back in business

On the backdrop of the deepening economic crisis and loss of popularity, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abandons his free market vision in favor of handouts to all Israeli citizens.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Neo-liberal Netanyahu turning socialist

Hajj pilgrims participating in the limited capacity pilgrimage this year due to COVID-19 have begun moving to Muzdalifah after they gathered at Mount Arafat in Mecca on Thursday where they stood in prayer till sunset in one of the most important days of the Islamic calendar.The rocky areas of Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah a few kilometers east of Mecca are the main sites of Hajj, which culminates with Friday’s Eid al-Adha holiday, and are the location of rituals laid out by the Prophet Mohammed.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.At Muzdalifah, pilgrims will gather pebbles for a symbolic stoning of the devil ritual starting Friday, which is also the Eid al-Adha feast of sacrifice marked by the world’s more than 1.5 billion Muslims. They will pray the sunset and evening prayers combined and spend the night in the open plains of the area before heading back to Mina to perform the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual the next day.This year’s Hajj was only open to a limited number of people due to the coronavirus pandemic. Seventy percent of the pilgrims were non-Saudi Arabians residing in the Kingdom and 30 percent were Saudi Arabians.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The nationals who performed Hajj are healthcare workers and security forces who have recovered from the virus, as a way to show appreciation for their efforts in the Kingdom’s continued fight against the novel coronavirus.Authorities in Mecca have set several health and safety guidelines in preparation for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage being held in a limited capacity this year given the coronavirus pandemic.Read more:Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrims head to Mount Arafat for most important ritualSaudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrims in good health, no coronavirus cases among them so farCoronavirus: Hajj pilgrims embark on first day of rituals amid COVID-19 measuresThe guidelines laid out include the implementation of a medical quarantine for all incoming pilgrims ahead of their entry into Mecca’s holy sites.All pilgrims will be following social distancing measures of keeping two meters between each other throughout their pilgrimage in Mecca. Pilgrims will also be divided into separate groups not exceeding 20 individuals per group. All groups will be accompanied by a guide throughout their pilgrimage.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Hajj pilgrims move to Muzdalifah after ascending Mount Arafat