Middle East Experience

Greece on Saturday announced a new extension to a coronavirus lockdown in its overcrowded refugee camps as cases of the disease increased..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Greece extends lockdown in refugee camps again as coronavirus cases increase

Amid a worsening economic crisis, Lebanon's government is struggling to find support among its Arab allies..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: US 'pressuring Arab states to shun Beirut', Lebanese minister says

Doha sought to silence whistleblower with 750,000 euros
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Qatar finances Hezbollah terrorism, declares ‘Jews are enemies’ - report

Large events and gatherings, such as high school end-of-year parties, turned out to be hot spots for mass infections that led to an increase in morbidity.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Rapid corona test could save Israel’s hospitals, enable gathering again

Meridor received backlash after he told Netanyahu his plan will “turn us into Venezuela.”
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Coronavirus grant program up for gov't approval on Sunday

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has reshuffled the three media bodies in charge of monitoring the performance of media outlets in Egypt, coinciding with reports about the return of prominent media figures that had been shunned in past years.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Return of journalists to Egyptian screens raise hope of easing restrictions on media

The United Arab Emirates has reported 211 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours as daily cases continue to drop, the health ministry announced on Sunday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.A total of 56,922 COVID-19 infections have been confirmed as of July 19 with a recovery rate of over 86 percent, according to the ministry.An additional 352 individuals who had previously tested positive for the virus recovered over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of recoveries to 49,269.Meanwhile, the death toll increased to 339 after one person died due to COVID-19 complications.The UAE has the second lowest number of confirmed cases in the Gulf region ahead of Bahrain which has the lowest number as of July 19.The country was the first in the wider Middle East to record a case of coronavirus, a 73-year-old Chinese woman on January 29. The announcement was followed shortly by several other cases, most of whom were also Chinese tourists.Read more:Dubai launches ‘Dubai assured’ stamp for tourism, retail establishmentsRocket carrying UAE’s Mars Mission ‘Hope Probe’ arrives at launch padDubai ready to welcome fans to sports stadiums, sports halls
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE records 211 new COVID-19 cases as infections continue to drop

There are six distinct types of the novel coronavirus, each with a particular cluster of symptoms, concluded UK-based scientists in a new study on COVID-19 published Friday.Researchers analyzed data collected by the COVID Symptom Study, a voluntary app used by 4 million people in the UK that allows people to log their symptoms of coronavirus. The data revealed people infected with COVID-19 reported additional symptoms on top of the previously recognized cough, fever, and loss of smell.These symptoms can be grouped into six distinct clusters, according to a statement published by the COVID Symptom Study after researchers on the project from technology company Zoe Global Limited and King’s College London analyzed the results.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Here are the six clusters, or types of COVID-19 listed:1. Flu-like with no feverAdditional symptoms: Headache, muscle pains, loss of smell, sore throat, cough, chest pain, no fever.2. Flu-like with feverHeadache, loss of smell, sore throat, cough, hoarseness, loss of appetite, fever.3. GastrointestinalHeadache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, sore throat, chest pain, no cough, diarrhea.4. Severe level one, fatigueHeadache, loss of smell, cough, chest pain, fever, hoarseness, fatigue.5. Severe level two, confusionHeadache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, sore throat, chest pain, fever, hoarseness, fatigue, muscle pain, confusion.6. Severe level three, abdominal and respiratoryHeadache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, sore throat, chest pain, fever, hoarseness, fatigue, muscle pain, confusion, diarrhea, shortness of breath, abdominal pain.COVID-19 flu symptoms unlikely to require hospitalizationThe researchers found that some of the ‘types’ of COVID-19 were more prevalent than others, and that certain types more strongly correlated with hospitalization of the patient.Broadly, COVID-19 patients whose symptoms were mainly flu-like or gastrointestinal were less likely to require hospitalization than those with muscle pain, confusion, fatigue and other symptoms.People reporting clusters 1, 2 and 3 were found to be much less likely to require breathing support, with only 1.5, 4.4 and 3.3 percent of each cluster respectively requiring help, the study said.However, people in clusters 4, 5 and 6 were significantly more likely to require breathing support. Almost 20 percent of cluster 6 patients required breathing support, as did 8.6 and 9.9 percent of clusters 4 and 5 respectively.Patients in cluster 6 were the most at risk, with nearly half ending up in hospital, compared to just 16 percent in cluster 1.“These findings have important implications for care and monitoring of people who are most vulnerable to severe COVID-19,” Dr. Claire Steves, a consultant geriatrician and a member of the team working on the study said, according to the statement.Old people experience more severe symptomsThe study also reported differences in symptoms based on age and pre-existing conditions.People in clusters 4, 5 and 6 were also older, frailer and likely had pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, lung disease or were overweight, compared to clusters 1, 2 and 3, the study showed.“If you can predict who these people are at day five, you have time to give them support and early interventions such as monitoring blood oxygen and sugar levels, and ensuring they are properly hydrated - simple care that could be given at home, preventing hospitalizations and saving lives,” Steves added.Using the cluster approach could allow for hospitals to better predict which patients are likely to require support sooner, and lead to greater health outcomes, the researchers said.The COVID Symptom Study is run by Zoe Global Limited and King’s College London in collaboration with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals.Read more:Coronavirus: Mosquitoes cannot give humans COVID-19, first study on subject findsCoronavirus: Hydroxychloroquine ineffective against mild COVID-19, US study showsCoronavirus: Skin rash should be fourth key symptom of COVID-19, study says
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: There are six types of COVID-19 with different symptoms, study reveals

Saudi Arabia has recorded a steady increase of 2,504 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, raising the total to 250,920, the health ministry announced on Sunday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Of the new cases, 178 were confirmed in the city of Riyadh, 177 in Jeddah, 163 in al-Hafouf and the rest in different cities throughout the Kingdom.The death toll increased to 2,486 after 39 people died due to COVID-19 complications, according to the health ministry.Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's recovery rate reached nearly 80 percent with a total of 197,735 total recoveries as of July 19.Health ministry spokesman Dr. Mohammed al-Abd al-Ali said on Sunday that “unlimited support to the health sector has contributed to the Kingdom achieving levels of health security for all those in need in all regions and for all groups.”In June, Saudi Arabia was ranked among the top 20 safest countries in the world during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to a comprehensive data analysis by Hong Kong-based Deep Knowledge Group.The Kingdom came in 17th place in Deep Knowledge’s COVID-19 Safety Assessment. It was classified within the “Tier 1” category - 20 countries that ranked highest “in terms of regional safety and stability” in the era of COVID-19.Read more:UAE records 211 new COVID-19 cases as infections continue to dropMecca restricts entry into holy sites without permit ahead of HajjSaudi Arabia’s King Salman calls Kuwaiti emir after hospital admission
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia records a steady increase of 2,504 new COVID-19 cases

A secret dossier that allegedly exposes Qatari arms deals and provides evidence that Doha funds Lebanese Hezbollah is circulating in Germany, according to a media report citing a contractor.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The report by German news outlet Die Zeit says a contractor, anonymously listed as “Jason G.”, has evidence that the Qatari government was aware of Qatari groups funding Hezbollah, which is designated as a terrorist organization by countries including the US and Germany.Jason G., who reportedly worked for various security and intelligence agencies and ran a business in Qatar, came across the information while working in Doha, according to Zeit.“There were money flows from several rich [Qataris] and exiled Lebanese people from Doha to Hezbollah ... The donations are said to have been processed with the knowledge of influential government officials through a charity organization in Doha,” reported Zeit.The dossier of information compiled by Jason G., seen in part by Zeit reporters, has “concrete evidence that money is flowing from the Gulf to terrorist groups,” and “would increase pressure on Qatar and possibly lead to sanctions,” according to the report.Read also: Qatari royal may be linked to US federal crime in kidney transplant case, according to LA TimesZeit also reported that Jason G. said he had come across information of an arms deal from Eastern Europe that was being handled by a Qatar-based company.Did Qatar pay to keep the report quiet?According to the report, an unnamed Qatari diplomat met with Jason G. and paid him 10,000 euros ($11,426) in cash on several occasions.The contractor also said he was later given another 100,000 euros, although Zeit reported “there is no written evidence” of these transactions.The meetings allegedly occurred after Jason G. presented his dossier to Michael Inacker, the head of German public relations firm WMP, which had previously worked in Qatar.Inacker reportedly put Jason G. in touch with a “top Qatar diplomat” he knew personally after receiving confirmation from a German security source that Jason G.’s information was “potentially interesting,” and concluding that the dossier could be worth millions of dollars.Zeit reported that Jason G. claims he met with the Qatari diplomat over lunch in Brussels in early 2019, the first of “half a dozen meeting’s between G. and the Qatari diplomat” in which the diplomat gave Jason G. the 10,000-euro payments.The Qatari diplomat reportedly told Jason G. that “he was glad that G. was ready to help ‘tidy up’ his own country,” adding that “the intention is to use the information from the dossier to remove ‘shady people in their own ranks,’” reported Zeit.In July 2019, Jason G. reportedly entered a deal with the Qatari diplomat, according to a contract seen by Zeit and confirmed by Jason G.’s Berlin lawyer.Read also: Muslim Brotherhood controls Al Jazeera, says former Qatari PM in new leaked recordingThe contract stipulated that Jason G. would work as a consultant for Qatar and promise not to release his information in return for Doha not prosecuting him for espionage. The consultant then reportedly provided the Qatari diplomat with “names of donors and supporters” who gave money to Hezbollah, “including an influential general.”Confidentiality agreement falls throughAccording to Zeit, the agreement between Jason G. and the Qatari diplomat fell through, despite an offer of 750,000 euros to keep the information quiet, in part because of anti-Semitic comments made by the Qataris during the meetings.“I only made the first deal because the Qatari people had promised that they would put these financiers out of circulation,” Zeit quoted Jason G. as saying.According to the report, Jason G. had been “horrified” at anti-Semitic comments made by Qatari officials, who referred to the “Jews” as their enemies in meetings with Jason G.At the beginning of May, Jason G. met again for a discussion with the lobbyist Inacker, this time at the WMP headquarters in Berlin.According to Zeit, the two discussed Qatar’s offer of a confidentiality agreement concerning the financing of Hezbollah. Inacker acknowledged the existence of a confidentiality agreement, as did Jason G.’s lawyer.According to the report, Jason G. said that he told his Berlin lawyer not to sign the confidentiality agreement under any circumstances.Zeit also reported that Jason G. had already contacted the Israeli embassy through his Berlin lawyer and offered his services to the Israelis, apparently due to this reaction to the Qatari official’s anti-Jewish comments.Qatar is accused of financing terror groups by the Arab Quartet of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, who cut off diplomatic relations with Doha in 2017.Read also:New US lawsuit alleges Qatar secretly funded terror attacks that killed US citizensUAE: Airspace still closed to Qatar flights, case to go before global aviation bodyAmerican tortured by rebels sues Qatari bank for financing terrorism in Syria
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Qatar paid to stop consultant revealing terror funding of Hezbollah: Report