Middle East Experience

Saudi Arabia recorded 3,036 new cases of the deadly coronavirus, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 220,144, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The capital Riyadh detected 288 new cases, Jeddah detected 243, and Taif detected 187. The other new cases were reported in cities and provinces around the Kingdom.Forty-two people died due to complications caused by COVID-19, the ministry said, which brings the total number of virus-related deaths in the country to 2,059.Meanwhile, the number of recoveries rose to 158,050 after 3,211 people recovered in the last 24 hours.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:Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Metro to be partially opened before end of year: AuthoritiesSaudi Arabia will provide jobs for 1 million Saudi women by 2030 Largest camel hospital in the world opens in Saudi Arabia
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia records 3,036 new COVID-19 cases, 3,211 recoveries

Wars, attacks by the Islamic State, pressure from remaining militia groups and now attacks by Turkey have emptied or destroyed many Assyrian communities in northern Iraq.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Assyrians caught in crossfire between Turkey, PKK fighting

Lebanon's beloved Baalbeck Festival has survived various challenging times, and this year was no exception.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Lebanon's Baalbeck Festival moves world audience with dramatic online performance

Countries are putting forward their candidates for WTO head..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Saudi Arabia selects royal court head as WTO candidate

The fragility of the Iran nuclear deal and its bleak prospects have given Iran’s hard-liners the upper hand in their domestic battle against moderate forces.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran’s Rouhani stands by foreign minister after parliament slurs

Turkey's ambassador to Jordan is the latest Middle Eastern and international politician to criticize Israel's plans to annex parts of the Palestinian territory.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkish diplomat criticizes West Bank annexation in Jordan

The United States will support Lebanon as long as it does not become an Iranian proxy state, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: US behind Lebanon if free of Iran control: Pompeo

Listening to the debate that has swirled around Israel’s annexation plans, it often doesn’t sound as if the choices are that stark.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Netanyahu only real choice; annexation or the status quo - analysis

Are abuse of citizen with special needs, others exception or rule?
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Knesset committees fight over role of police in coronavirus era

Normally, there is a military honor guard of around 40 soldiers from different units. This time there were eight.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Amid coronavirus, ambassadors present credentials to Rivlin