Middle East Experience

There could be as many as 1.2 million foreign workers leaving the Saudi Arabian labor market in 2020, a report from Jadwa Investment Company found.Hospitality, food services, administrative and support activities, which include rent and lease activities, travel agencies, security and building services, will be the most affected and will see the highest exit of foreigners, Jadwa said, the Saudi Gazette reported.However, despite the expat exodus, the unemployment rate among Saudi nationals will remain unchanged by the end of 2020, at 12 percent, it added.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the appIn particular, travel, hotels, restaurants, tourism and environment sectors are expected to be hard hit, with a full recovery not expected in the near future, even as the Kingdom moves to ease coronavirus lockdown measures.Jadwa noted that Saudi Arabia’s unemployment scheme, SANED, will be instrumental in allowing Saudi citizens to keep their jobs in the private sector, and further initiatives to replace foreign labor with Saudis will add support to unemployment levels.Overall, the business environment is expected to improve throughout the second half of this year, with the biggest bump in the fourth quarter, which will have a positive effect on employment of citizens, despite lingering damage caused by the coronavirus, the Gazette reported.Saudi nationals will benefit from the departure of foreign nationals, taking jobs that may have previously held by foreigners. Jadwa also noted that as the economy recovers from the coronavirus, nationals will also have the opportunity to take jobs that may have normally been given to foreign nationals, providing more opportunities for employment, the Gazette concluded.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s economy shows strengths despite COVID-19, say expertsCoronavirus: Saudi economy can deal with budget deficit, revenue decline, says Min.Saudi Arabia’s economy will survive coronavirus better than UK, Mexico, Russia: HSBC
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Around 1.2 million foreign workers to leave Saudi Arabia, says report

What are the potential long-term effects of having COVID-19? It's hard to say exactly, because the coronavirus is still so new that scientists don't know much about long-term effects. The best evidence comes from patients themselves, and some experience a variety of symptoms long after their infections have cleared.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Most people recover within a few weeks. For people who experience longer-term effects, the most common issues are bouts of exhaustion, headaches, anxiety and muscle aches that can last for at least several more weeks.Patients who required intensive care, including those put on ventilators or kidney dialysis, can experience more serious issues.Lung scarring can occur in people who developed pneumonia. Heart inflammation, irregular heartbeats, and worsening kidney and liver function have been reported as well. However, it's too soon to know if those could be permanent problems.Survivors who had long intensive-care stays sometimes need oxygen therapy or dialysis at home. Some also develop a condition called post-intensive care syndrome, which can include persistent muscle weakness and memory problems. That can happen after any critical illness and may be related to sedation and prolonged bed confinement during hospitalization.Blood clots can also develop during and after COVID-19 infections, occasionally causing strokes. Even in less serious cases, blood thinners are prescribed and can require lifestyle changes to reduce risks of bleeding.Most symptoms appear to eventually go away, said Dr. Thomas McGinn of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in New York, who was involved in one of the largest US studies of COVID-19 patients.Read more:Mutation in COVID-19 increases chance of infection, says a studyCoronavirus lockdowns and face masks can prevent COVID-19 second wave: StudyResearchers hope that blood plasma could prevent COVID-19 infection
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Some COVID-19 patients experience symptoms long after infections cleared

Dubai’s Emirates airline plans to open “air bridges” with countries in Europe, allowing travelers to visit countries across the continent without quarantine as governments and health authorities gradually ease coronavirus lockdown measures.“Building air bridges between cities is very important and it’s currently useful. With agreements on certain measures, it could be done between cities to allow citizens and residents of the two countries to enter and exit without being quarantined. We have started talks with some countries and some cities in Europe to operate some of these flights with certain agreements,” said Adel Al Redha, COO of Emirates in an interview with Al Arabiya on Tuesday.Both sides, Dubai airports and other cities, already intend to offer these flights, Al Redha explained.Air bridges have been discussed in other countries, with the UK indicating earlier on Tuesday that it too would announce bridges for holidaymakers to travel overseas without entering self-isolation when they return, UK media reported.Emirates is currently flying to 30 destinations around the world, but Al Redha indicated that this number would likely rise in July.“Beginning of July we will operate to new destinations after getting the relevant approvals from countries,” he said.Last Thursday, Emirates said it would be adding Cairo, Egypt, to its list of destinations, following an announcement on the previous Tuesday that the airline would be adding flights to Kabul, Afghanistan from June 25.In addition to Kabul, Emirates has previously announced flights to Bahrain, London Heathrow, Manchester, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin, New York JFK, Chicago, Toronto, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Hong Kong, Perth and Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Manila, the statement read.Travelers from Pakistan are also able to book flights from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.The coronavirus pandemic has pushed many firms operating in the travel sector to the brink, and while economies have begun to show some signs of recovery, Al Redha noted that challenges still laid ahead.“July will be a test to all sectors. As we can see many countries eased restrictions on airports. There will be more travel in July, and airlines will be tested, and we’ll see people’s acceptance and demand on travel. The bookings on Emirates flights seem to have demand, but the test will still be determined in July,” he said.UAE opens airportsEarlier this month, the UAE announced it would allow a limited reopening of flights through its airports which will allow for transiting passengers, and for residents and nationals to return to the UAE.The announcement was made during a coronavirus press briefing by Dr. Saif al-Dhaheri, spokesman for National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management.“The decision to suspend passenger flights to and from the country is still in effect,” al-Dhaheri said.He added that limited flights will be temporarily permitted for the purpose of “evacuating residents and visitors who wish to leave the UAE and return to their country.”Flights out of the UAE were suspended on March 23 as officials moved to contain the spread of the coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19. Etihad, Emirates and other Gulf airlines have been offering flights out of the UAE for those looking to return, but incoming flights are limited.It is currently unclear when all government restrictions on passengers will lift. The UAE has temporarily banned visas on arrival for all nationalities and banned its citizens from traveling outside the country.Read more:Coronavirus: Dubai’s Emirates airlines resumes flights to and from BahrainCoronavirus: Dubai’s Emirates announces four flights to Cairo, Egypt from June 14Dubai’s Emirates airline begins cutting staff amid global coronavirus downturn
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Dubai’s Emirates plans air bridges to Europe for quarantine-free travel

Cairo proposed a political initiative to resolve the Libyan crisis calling for a cease-fire between the conflicting parties, but the Government of National Accord, backed by Turkey, rejected it.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkey hinders Egyptian peace efforts in Libya

Saudi Arabia has recorded 4,267 new cases, over the past 24 hours, raising the total to 136,315, the health ministry announced on Tuesday.The city of Riyadh had the highest number of new infections with 1,629 new cases, similar to recent days. The city of Jeddah had the second highest with 477 cases followed by Mecca with 224 new cases.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Despite an increase in new infections, 1,650 people who had previously tested positive for the virus in the Kingdom have recovered, raising the number of recoveries to 89,540.The health ministry also reported 41 new deaths, taking the death toll to 1,052 as of June 16.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Most of those infected with the new virus in Saudi Arabia are in stable condition, according to a health ministry spokesman. However, 50 percent of those in the intensive care unit (ICU) have preexisting conditions. He also said 80 percent of ICU patients are over 30 years and older.People to adhere to preventative measures such as social distancing and wearing a face mask in order to slow the spread of the virus. The ministry said the elderly face “a greater danger” due to possibility of sever complications if they contract the virus.“For their safety, avoid shaking their hands and leave a safe distance,” the ministry said in a statement.International flights suspendedOn Monday, authoritie extended the suspension of all international flights to and from the Kingdom until further notice due to the virus outbreak and Saudi Arabia's increasing numbers.Only flights carrying Saudi Arabian citizens who were stranded abroad have been allowed to enter the Kingdom from abroad, Saudia airline said.Domestic flights in the Kingdom via its national airlines resumed on May 31 after they were suspended for more than two months.Al Arabiya English's Tamara Abueish contributed to this report.Read more:International flights to, from Saudi Arabia halted until further noticeScientists ‘very suspicious’ of WHO social distancing researchHouthi ballistic missile targeting Saudi Arabia’s Najran intercepted: Spokesman
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia records 4,267 new cases, raising total to 136,315

The United Arab Emirates has confirmed 346 new coronavirus cases after conducting 38,000 new tests over the past 24 hours, the health ministry announced on Tuesday.The ministry also announced the recovery of 732 people, raising the total number of recoveries to 28,861, about 67 percent of the total 42,982 cases that were confirmed.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Meanwhile, two people who had previously tested positive for the virus died due to complications, taking the death toll to 293 as of June 16.The UAE extended a ban on Monday, suspending travel in and out of the capital Abu Dhabi for another week as the health ministry ramps up its mass testing efforts.As the country continues lifting oronavirus restrictions, authorities annouced that UAE citizens and residents will be allowed to travel to specific destinations according to set conditions and procedures starting June 23, according to an official statement.Last week, Dubai announced the reopening of pools and the resumption of water sports activities in line with further easing of restrictions. On June 3, the emirate also allowed shopping malls and private sector businesses to operate at full capacity given people follow social distancing rules and preventative measures such as wearing face masks.In May, authorities allowed Dubai hotel beaches and outdoor tourism and sports activities for groups of five people or less following a period of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Restaurants have also been allowed to operate but only with a 30 percent capacity in order to maintain social distancing. Parking spaces available at malls were reduced to a 25 percent availability to limit the possibility of overcrowding. Beauty salons are allowed to operate but on an appointment basis only, offering only hair and nail services.Children under the age of 12 and adults over 60, as well as those who have preexisting conditions are not allowed to visit any public places or businesses for their own safety.Read more:UAE citizens, residents can fly to some destinations starting June 23Dubai allows malls, private businesses to operate at full capacityDubai to reopen gyms, cinemas, resume economic activities starting May 27
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE records 346 new cases after conducting 38,000 tests

The Iraqi military said no one was injured or killed in the attack near Baghdad's airport late Monday.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Three Katyusha rockets land near Baghdad’s airport

One investigation questioned Jewish status of Holocaust survivor, and a Soviet refusenik
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Interior Ministry suspends Jewish status of 2,200 children

The Iranian foreign minister went to Moscow for help against US efforts to extend an arms embargo against Iran.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran’s Zarif seeks Russian support as US pressure builds

There are about 6,000 sites of historical and archaeological importance in the area.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Trump plan puts hundreds of archaeological sites under Palestinian control