A new mutation of the novel coronavirus may make the disease spread much faster, Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on Thursday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.“The data is showing there’s a single mutation that makes the virus be able to replicate better and maybe have high viral loads,” Fauci said in an interview with the Journal of the American Medical Association.The viral load refers to the amount of a virus that is found inside a person.Over time, all viruses change their genetic code to ensure they survive once they replicate and infect an individual.“Viruses mutate naturally as part of their life cycle,” the scientific project manager for the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium, a new project that tracks the virus in the United Kingdom, Ewan Harrison had said in March.The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that its team continues to track the genetic sequence of the coronavirus around the world to identify any mutations.However, the new data has not yet shown whether the new mutation will make the virus more severe, according to Fauci.“We don’t have a connection to whether an individual does worse with this or not. It just seems that the virus replicates better and may be more transmissible,” he said.Read more: Watch coronavirus spread across the globe: Ten questions answeredCoronavirus: Two strains, 70 mutations of COVID-19 exist in the UAE, study finds
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: New coronavirus mutation may make COVID-19 spread faster, says Fauci
As annexation deadline passes, Jordan feels relieved but remains vigilant
Even though the controversial Israeli annexation plan appears to be on hold for now, Jordan is careful not to let down its guard.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: As annexation deadline passes, Jordan feels relieved but remains vigilant
Coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia surpass 200,000 with 4,193 new COVID-19 detected
Coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia surpassed the 200,000 mark on Friday after 4,193 new infections were detected in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Most of the cases were found in Dammam, where officials recorded 431 new cases. Al Hufof recorded 399 new infections, while Riyadh recorded 383. The rest of the new cases were reported in cities and provinces around the country.Fifty people died due to COVID-19 on Friday. This brings the virus-related death toll in the Kingdom to 1,802.Also read: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman extends COVID-19 help to aid private sectorMeanwhile, the number of recoveries rose to 140,614 after 2,945 people recovered from the coronavirus.The health ministry spokesman on Thursday urged the public to adhere to precautionary measures to prevent the virus from spreading further.If individuals must hold a gathering, whether it is for business purposes (conferences) or personal reasons (social gatherings, weddings, funerals), then all individuals must follow preventative measures at all times, Mohammed al-Abd al-Ali said.A maximum of 50 people are allowed to attend one gathering, he added.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia to produce 10 million face masks daily to fight COVID-19Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s hospitals invited to participate in four clinical trials
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia surpass 200,000 with 4,193 new COVID-19 detected
Coronavirus: UAE citizens, residents allowed to travel to international destinations
Citizens and residents of the United Arab Emirates will be allowed to travel in general according to health requirements and to currently available international destinations, according to a statement posted by Emirates News Agency on Twitter.The new statement on Friday was described by the WAM news agency as an update to the travel procedures in place amid the global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.“The United Arab Emirates, represented by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, announces that it has become available for citizens and residents to travel in general in accordance with the health requirements in force in the country's airports and according to internationally available destinations,” a full statement from NCEMA was posted on Twitter.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The national and other carriers operate their flights according to a classification based on its methods used in distributing countries according to several health standards. Health protocols will also be applied to travel according to the country's airports, which depends on a number of major factors, such as public health, required checks from destination countries and upon return, as well as quarantine, and self-monitoring of the health of the traveler, in addition to awareness of guidelines and precautionary measures,” the statement added.Days earlier, travel for leisure or tourism from the UAE was said to not be allowed under current circumstances, according to NCEMA Spokesman Saif al-Dhaheri.Read more:Coronavirus in UAE: Abu Dhabi beaches, parks reopen with strict restrictionsUAE announces 400 new coronavirus cases, one deathUAE travel rules amid coronavirus: Top questions answered if you are planning to fly
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE citizens, residents allowed to travel to international destinations
'Pivoting East': Will China come to Lebanon’s rescue?
Running quickly out of options as talks over an IMF bailout stall, Lebanon's Hezbollah-backed government says it wants to pivot to China, but analysts say that route is a mirage..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: 'Pivoting East': Will China come to Lebanon’s rescue?
Israel’s ex-UK ambassador warns of ‘two-state illusion’
The comments come as Israel plans to annexe part of the West Bank, which critics say threatens peace..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Israel’s ex-UK ambassador warns of ‘two-state illusion’
Counter-Terrorism forces take greater role in Iraq
Iraq’s US-trained Counter-Terrorism Services have taken on a more prominent role in operations in recent weeks under the new government.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Counter-Terrorism forces take greater role in Iraq
Northwest Syria holds breath for decision on cross-border aid
Syrians in Idlib fear aid cuts as much as new battles as their living conditions worsen.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Northwest Syria holds breath for decision on cross-border aid
Zanzibar: Arabs, Africans and a forgotten legacy of slavery and ethnic cleansing
The 1964 mass killings in Zanzibar and the slavery which preceded….
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Zanzibar: Arabs, Africans and a forgotten legacy of slavery and ethnic cleansing
Man dies after rescuing three children and their mother from drowning
He was found unconscious and the MDA team declared his death at the scene.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Man dies after rescuing three children and their mother from drowning