Middle East Experience

Oman has confirmed 1,557 new coronavirus cases, raising the total to 47,735, the health ministry announced on Monday.Of the newly detected cases, 1,057 are Omani nationals and 500 are non-Omanis.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.As cases continue to rise, authorities will set up a field hospital equipped with 200 beds in order to treat COVID-19 patients, Times of Oman reported on Sunday.The country’s death toll has reached 218 after five people died over the past 24 hours.Meanwhile, 1,229 people who had previously tested positive for the virus recovered, raising the recovery total to 29,146.Oman has conducted 213,187 cases as of July 6, according to the health ministry.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read more:Saudi Arabia extends expat visas, residency permits for three monthsBars, music concerts, sports, religious services are highest dangerDubai opens to tourists July 7, all travelers need to know from Emirates
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Oman to set up 200-bed field hospital, records 1,557 new cases

Saudi Arabia reported 3,392 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Kingdom to 217,108, the Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page. The capital Riyadh recorded the highest number of new cases, with 308 infections in 24 hours. Taif reported 246 new cases, Medina reported 232, and Jeddah reported 227 new cases. The other infections were registered in cities and provinces across the country. The COVID-19 death toll surpassed the grim 2,000 mark, rising to 2,017, after 49 people died due to complications caused by the virus. Meanwhile, 5,205 people recovered from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom to 154,839. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Monday that health standards will be the main determinant for selecting this year’s Hajj pilgrims amid the coronavirus outbreak.Seventy percent of this year’s pilgrims will be non-Saudis residing in the Kingdom and 30 percent will be Saudis.However, only nationals who are healthcare workers and security forces who have recovered from the virus will be allowed to perform Hajj, as a way of showing appreciation for their efforts in fighting the virus in the country.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia arrests doctor who discharged infected family early Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia reveals selection process for 2020 Hajj participants
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s death toll surpasses 2,000, detects 3,392 new cases

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday he coordinated regional matters with slain Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander Qassem Soleimani on a weekly basis.“I met with him (Soleimani) every week and we coordinated. On regional issues, whatever we did, was coordinated,” Zarif told a session of parliament.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Soleimani, who headed the IRGC’s Quds Force, was killed in a US airstrike at Baghdad’s international airport on January 3.“Those who know martyr Soleimani, those who know [the Lebanese Hezbollah’s Secretary-General] Hassan Nasrallah, and those who know the resistance movements of Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine, they know how our relations were, not you,” Zarif added, which some lawmakers took offense to.MPs then began interrupting Zarif, accusing the foreign minister of “insulting” them.In response, Zarif said he would never insult the “representatives of the nation,” stating: “You should know that we are all in the same boat.”The foreign minister added that the US does not distinguish between the different political factions in Iran and views them all as the same.The incident happened during Zarif’s first address to Iran’s new parliament which convened in May.The new parliament is dominated by MPs who oppose many of the policies of President Hassan Rouhani’s administration.Read more:Iran abuses Lebanon’s ‘weaker’ state, happy Hezbollah is in control: ExpertIran’s FM Zarif says accord under negotiation with China ‘not secret’Iranian MP calls on foreign ministry to summon China’s ambassador to Iran
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran's FM Zarif says he coordinated everything with slain commander Soleimani

Ethiopian refugees in Egypt worry that their situation will decline further due to the Nile dam row between their host and home country.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Ethiopian refugees caught in middle of Nile dam row between Cairo, Addis Ababa

In the absence of local and international authorities, the Yazidis continue buying back their kidnapped women and children.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Yazidis still negotiating return of kidnapped women, children

The number of kites in the skies over Egypt has increased recently, and some consider this a potential threat to the country's national security.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Do kites really pose national security threat to Egypt?

Saudi Arabia recorded 4,398 coronavirus recoveries over the past 24 hours, exceeding the 4,207 new infections confirmed, the health ministry announced on Monday.The total number of recoveries have reached 149,634 out of a total 213,716 cases confirmed in the Kingdom. Meanwhile, 52 people who had previously tested positive for the virus have died, raising the death toll to 1,968.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The city of al-Qatif recorded 437 new cases – the highest increase – followed by Khamis Mushait with 364 new infections.There are currently 62,114 active cases in Saudi Arabia with 2,254 in critical condition, according to the health ministry.The interior ministry announcedRead more:Saudi Arabia sets COVID-19 protocols, restrictions for limited HajjSaudi Arabia’s coronavirus social distancing app ‘Tabaud’: All you need to knowSaudi Arabia extends expat visas, residency permits for three months
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia daily recoveries exceed new cases, total now 213,716

Ankara’s unwillingness to compromise on contentious issues has turned the talks between Turkish authorities and EU High Representative Josep Borrell into a dialogue of the deaf..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Ankara’s attitude turns talks with EU into dialogue of the deaf

Turkey’s central bank appears increasingly fragile, with more than 60% of its reserves secured through swap deals.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkey’s ‘peg-legged’ foreign currency reserves

The tendency of politicians, especially in a political atmosphere when a new election may be lurking just around the corner, will be to take steps that will please the public.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Politicians not best suited to fight coronavirus – analysis