Middle East Experience

A concert put on for Lebanon’s Army Day has sparked accusations of censorship in the country after the band appeared to omit the revolutionary lyrics of a famous Lebanese song on live television, reigniting ongoing anti-government sentiment in the country.On Saturday, Lebanese channel MTV broadcast a concert to commemorate Army Day that took place without an audience in Nahr el-Kelb. Under the title “For you, Lebanon” the band performed a number of patriotic songs including “Ya Beirut,” a Lebanese classic by singer Majida El Roumi.However, viewers quickly noticed that the band had not sung one of the central lyrics of the – "The revolution is born from the womb of sadness” – instead replacing it with “la la la la” and prompting accusations of censorship.The song sparked a wave of protest on social media, with the Arabic hashtag of the lyric “The revolution is born from the womb of sadness” the number one trending term on Twitter in several Arabic-speaking countries including the UAE on Sunday.Twitter users posted previous footage showing the lyric being sung in full at an earlier concert.“What can one says bout a government that is afraid of a part of a song ??? There are no words ... by erasing these few words , do you think you are erasing it from our memories ?? That’s beyond stupidity !!” tweeted one user.Critics said that the change in lyrics was a deliberate attempt to avoid using the Arabic word for revolution, “thawra,” which has been one of the key chants of the anti-government protests that erupted in Lebanon in October 2019.“You can delete a verse but you can’t delete an idea,” wrote one user.Other shared images of the nationwide demonstrations and called for them to continue against the government.The lyrics in the song were originally coined by the famous poet Nizar Qabbani, and other users paid homage to him.According to Lebanon’s LBCI channel cited by French-language Lebanese news outlet L’Orient Le Jour, the army’s commander-in-chief distanced himself from the lyric change and said it had not been requested by the armed forces.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Twitter storm: Lebanon censorship row as revolutionary lyrics swapped for 'la la la'

The Qatari Diar Company managed to open the St. Regis Hotel on the banks of the Nile River in Cairo, but the future of Qatari investments in the Egyptian market seems to be marred by tensions between the two countries.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Qatari investments continued in Egypt despite political tensions

Saudi Arabia has confirmed 1,357 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours as the daily increase slows, raising the total to 278,835, the health ministry announced on Sunday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Of the new cases, 153 were detected in the city of Mecca, however, none was confirmed in the holy sites. The city of Riyadh had the second highest number of new cases with 94 and Jeddah had the third highest number with 72.Thirty new fatalities were reported over the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 2,917.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries increased to 240,081 after 2,533 individuals who had previously tested positive for the virus recovered.The latest updates come amid the Kingdom's preperations for the final day of the Hajj pilgrimage amid strict coronavirus measures. Pilgrims will head to the Kaaba in Mecca on Sunday to perform the final “tawaf,” or circumambulation ritual – when Muslims walk around the Kaaba seven times.Upon completion, some of the pilgrims will be transported to the hotel for self-isolation while others will return to their hometowns where they are required to quarantine for 14 days, according to an Al Arabiya correspondent.Read more:Hajj pilgrims to perform final Kaaba ritual then quarantine for 14 daysUAE confirms 239 new COVID-19 cases as recoveries reach 54,615Second Israeli cabinet member tests positive for coronavirus
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia COVID-19 recoveries exceed 240,000 as infection rate slows

After testing positive for coronavirus in Vietnam, Steven Tran, 29, was sent to a hospital facility to self-isolate for two weeks as per government measures.Tran, who has no pre-existing conditions, had contracted a mild case of COVID-19. He experienced a slight fever for one day, coughing, and loss of taste and smell for one week.“For two weeks I stayed in a room with four to five other people who tested positive. I mostly watched Netflix, and there was a patio for us to go out on,” said Tran in an interview with Al Arabiya English.After the mandated two weeks, he was released from the hospital on April 7 following three consecutive negative tests.But Tran’s 14-day isolation period may not be necessary, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is now recommending that isolation for COVID-19 patients can “generally be discontinued 10 days after symptoms onset” without a negative test.The CDC cited new research that found mild to moderate COVID-19 patients generally do not pose a risk of infecting others 10 days after the onset of symptoms, and therefore do not need to be re-tested after this period to be safely released.“Available data indicate that persons with mild to moderate COVID-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptom onset,” the CDC said in a July 22 update on its website.The CDC recommendation of 10 days intends to avoid isolating a person shedding no infectious virus. It does not apply to people suffering from severe COVID-19 illness, who may continue to be infectious for up to 20 days after symptoms onset.Harvard, Yale epidemiologists weigh inAn important distinction is that the CDC guidelines are not for quarantining following a coronavirus exposure, according to Harvard University epidemiologist Dr. Marc Lipsitch, but only for people have been confirmed as having positive cases.The CDC still recommends a two-week quarantine for those who have been exposed to the virus.“You should stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19,” the CDC states on its website.Instead, the new guidance is for confirmed coronavirus patients “to end self-isolation at 10 days from symptoms onset even though viral RNA may be present for much longer,” said Dr. Lipsitch in an interview with Al Arabiya English.For COVID-19 patients who experience no symptoms, the CDC advises ending isolation and other precautions 10 days after the date of their first positive PCR test.For all coronavirus cases, immediate self-isolation is crucial as “people are most infectious at the start of their SARS-CoV-2 infection and before appearance of symptoms,” according to Yale University professor of epidemiology Dr. Kaveh Khoshnood.“Research studies have shown that virus production is strongest at the start of the infection and before the immune system responds to destroy the virus and produces symptoms,” Khoshnood said in an interview with Al Arabiya English.Read more:Coronavirus in water: Risk of transmission varies between pools, lakes, oceansAttacked, jailed, sentenced to flogging: Young woman reveals her life in IranCoronavirus could have long-term mental health consequences: Yale doctors
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: COVID-19 patients only need to self-isolate for 10 days, says CDC

Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia have arrived in Mecca’s Grand Mosque on Sunday to perform the final “tawaf,” or circumambulation ritual – when Muslims walk around the Kaaba seven times – as the final day of this year's Hajj nears completion under strict coronavirus precautionary measures.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The pilgrims were transported from the area of Mina where they completed the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual where they hurled pebbles at a wall.They will perform “tawaf” in designated groups in an effort to avoid any spread of the virus or other health risks.The Commander of the Grand Mosque’s Security Special Forces, Major General Yahya bin Abdulrahman al-Aqil, told the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Sunday that all necessary precautions and arrangements have been completed and the Grand Mosque was prepared to receive the Hajj pilgrims for a final visit.“We are working to implement the approved plans to make this year’s Hajj pilgrimage successful in accordance with preventative and precautionary measures from the arrival of the pilgrims to Mecca up until they complete the farewell tawaf,” al-Aqil was quoted by SPA as saying.The pilgrims entered the Grand Mosque through designated doors and were required to follow specific marked paths to maintain social distancing up to the tawaf area where they circumambulate as a group.Upon completion, some of the pilgrims will be transported to the hotel for self-isolation while others will return to their hometowns where they are required to quarantine for 14 days, according to an Al Arabiya correspondent. The health ministry confirmed on Sunday that no pilgrims tested positive for the coronavirus during the Hajj period. All pilgrims will undergo health screenings once the Hajj rituals are completed, according to Alekhbariya news.Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Kingdom has 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.Read more:Hajj pilgrims to perform final Kaaba ritual then quarantine for 14 daysSaudi Arabia confirms 1,357 new COVID-19 cases as increase slowsSaudi Arabia welcomes Hajj pilgrims under strict COVID-19 measures
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Watch: Hajj pilgrims arrive in Mecca for final Kaaba ritual amid COVID-19 measures

Officials say Jamshid Sharmahd of the Kingdom Assembly of Iran planned the deadly 2008 bombing of a mosque in Shiraz..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Iran says it has arrested head of US-based 'terrorist group'

Tensions between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah spiked last Monday along the UN-demarcated Blue Line after months of relative calm..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Tough words but Israel, Hezbollah don't want new war: Experts

Abu Dhabi opened a field clinic to select eligible volunteers to participate in the third phase of the clinical trials for the coronavirus vaccine its authorities developed in partnership with a Chinese pharmaceutical group, the emirate’s media office said on Sunday.Abu Dhabi had announced in mid-July that it had started the “world’s first World Health Organization (WHO) listed” Phase III trial of Sinopharm CNBG’s inactivated vaccine to combat COVID-19 in collaboration with China.Visit our dedicated coronavirus site here for all the latest updates.The field clinic, set up at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), will “register, examine and select volunteers wishing to participate” in the clinical trials, AD Media Office said.“The field clinic is built according to the highest standards and will be able to accommodate a high volume of volunteers, at a capacity of 1,000 volunteers per day,” it added.People wishing to volunteer “can directly visit the clinic without prior appointment or registration, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.”Authorities have issued a permit to allow up to 15,000 volunteers to take part in the trials. It was initially open for volunteers living in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain only, but the UAE announced that it will be open registration to the public across the nation.Volunteers of any nationality can now apply to participate if they are between the ages of 18 and 60, and they can register their information on the dedicated website: www.4humanity.ae.Abu Dhabi's COVID-19 researchAbu Dhabi also announced end of July conduction a research study into coronavirus immunity among nationals and residents in the Emirate.Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health, in collaboration with other companies, Khalifa University and Unilabs recently announced manufacturing the first domestic chemical solution to extract COVID-19 RNA, which is essential for testing for coronavirus infection.The RNA of a virus is the molecular compound which carries the unique genetic codes of viruses.The solution is going to be produced in industrial quantities, according to DoH which said: “The first batch of 200,000 units are currently being developed,” adding that the solution’s daily production rate will cover 25 percent of the sector’s daily demand, state news agency WAM reported on Monday."This is especially pertinent, as this same quantity was previously imported from outside the UAE. Abu Dhabi is now independently manufacturing the solution, showing high quality results in comparison to the same solution previously imported. The next few batches are expected to include 1 million units," DoH explained.The UAE's capital had also announced on May 1 a new stem-cell treatment for COVID-19, which helped hundreds "fully recover" from the effects of the coronavirus disease, according to the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center (ADSCC).For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read more:Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi conducts study on its residents’ COVID-19 immunityAbu Dhabi prosecutes 102 for tampering with coronavirus test results to enter emirateCoronavirus in UAE: Abu Dhabi implements COVID-19 safety measures as flights resume
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi opens field clinic to select volunteers for its vaccine trials

Iraqi General Mahdi Gharawi, who was accused of desertion and treason for allowing IS to take over Mosul in 2014, was released from prison to the shock of many Iraqis..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Anger in Iraq following release of general who 'abandoned Mosul to IS'

Harsh rhetoric from Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah appeared to threaten further conflict after border unrest this week, but experts predict both sides will try to avoid escalation..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Tough words but Israel, Hezbollah don't want new war