Middle East Experience

Patients with blood type A were linked to a 50% increase in the likelihood in needing to get oxygen or go on a ventilator
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Scientists find link between COVID-19 severity and genetics

Saudi Arabia now has more than 100,000 coronavirus cases after an increase of 3,045 over 24 hours, reported the Ministry of Health on Sunday.The increase is the first time that Saudi Arabia has reported over 3,000 cases in a day.The Ministry of Health also reported 36 new deaths from the virus, bringing the death toll to 712.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Kingdom also announced a further 1,026 recoveries, meaning that 72,817 of the 101,914 cases have recovered.In line with recent trends, the majority of the new cases were in the capital Riyadh (717), followed by Mecca (623), and Jeddah (351).The eastern port city of Damman saw a notable increase of 257.Read more: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia reimposes restrictions, curfew in JeddahCoronavirus: UAE reports 540 new cases, one new death, after 44,000 testsCoronavirus: New research suggests doctors are treating COVID-19 patients wronglyCoronavirus in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabian authorities moved to reimpose restrictions on the city of Jeddah from Saturday as the number of coronavirus cases continued to grow.The restrictions will prohibit movement in all areas of the city from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m. and ban dining in restaurants and cafes.Workplace attendance will also be halted, with the restrictions are set to last until June 20.Elsewhere in the Kingdom, authorities have enacted a three-stage plan aimed at returning to normalcy.Read the latest coronavirus updates in our dedicated section.The Kingdom is currently in stage two of the plan, in which domestic travel between provinces is allowed and residents are able to move freely during non-curfew hours (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.).The suspension on workplace attendance has also been lifted, allowing all employees in ministries, government entities and private sector companies to return to working from their offices, given that they follow strict precautionary guidelines.However, the general guidelines do not apply to the city of Mecca, which remains on lockdown.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia now has over 100,000 COVID-19 cases

The United Arab Emirates reported 540 new coronavirus cases and one new coronavirus-related death on Sunday.The total number of cases is now 38,808, according to the UAE government via Twitter. The new death brings the death toll to 276.The 540 new cases were detected after health authorities carried out 44,000 tests over a 24-hour period, said the UAE government.Authorities added that a total of 21,806 people had recovered from the virus.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read the latest coronavirus updates in our dedicated section.Dubai reopening, Abu Dhabi closedThe UAE, which is made up of seven emirates, has implemented different regulations in each emirate.In Dubai, most lockdown restrictions have now been lifted, with shops and restaurants open and 50 percent of the emirate's public sector workers expected to return to work from Sunday.Sports facilities have also begun to reopen, including gyms and some football academies.However, face masks are still mandatory outside, and a curfew remains in place from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m.On the other hand, Abu Dhabi has banned movement in and out of the emirate.Here are the latest restrictions Abu Dhabi residents need to be aware of. Read more:Coronavirus: UAE names and shames 18 COVID-19 violatorsCoronavirus: New research suggests doctors are treating COVID-19 patients wronglyDubai’s State Security forces arrest leader of international crime ring
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE reports 540 new cases, one new death, after 44,000 tests

Kuwait reported 717 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, a sharp increase on the previous day's rise of 487 that brought the total number of cases in the country to 31,848.The Ministry of Health announced the rise via Twitter, giving a breakdown of cases by nationality.Less than half (331) were Kuwaiti nationals, with 88 Bangladeshis, 81 Egyptians, and 79 Indians.Kuwait COVID-19 death toll now 264Kuwaiti officials also reported 10 more deaths from the virus, bringing the death toll to 264.Of the over 30,000 total cases, 11,379 are currently active, of which 196 are classified as "serious cases."Sunday's rise is more in line with Friday, when the Ministry of Health reported 723 new infections.Read more:Coronavirus: Oman records 866 new COVID-19 cases, including 547 foreignersCoronavirus: New research suggests doctors are treating COVID-19 patients wronglyCoronavirus: UAE passes 2.5 million tests as 626 new cases detected
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus on the rise in Kuwait with 771 new cases, 10 new deaths

A new test to overly-stressed systems..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: COVID-19 and Social Policies in the MENA Region

Gulf carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways are extending the period of reduced pay for their staff until September as they try to preserve cash during the global coronavirus pandemic.The aviation industry has been among the worst hit by the outbreak, which has dented travel demand and forced major airlines to lay off staff and seek government bailouts.State airlines Emirates and Etihad have operated limited, mostly outbound services from the United Arab Emirates since grounding passenger flights in March.They are due to restart some connecting flights this month after the UAE last week lifted a suspension on services where passengers stop off in the country to change planes, or for refueling.Dubai’s Emirates told employees on Sunday it would extend a three month wage cut due to end this month until September 30, according to an internal email seen by Reuters.In some cases, pay cuts will also be deepened, with some basic salaries reduced by 50 percent, the email to Emirates Group employees said. The decision was made after reviewing all possible options to preserve its cash position, it said.State-owned Emirates Group, which employed 105,000 as of March and includes the airline among its assets, did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.Emirates had previously reduced basic wages reduced by 25 percent to 50 percent for three months from April, with junior employees exempted.Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways has extended its salary cuts of between 25 percent to 50 percent to September, a spokeswoman said, as it considers all options to protect jobs and preserve cash.The airline originally reduced salaries for the month of April.Etihad last week laid off some cabin crew and its not planning any further crew redundancies, according to emails seen by Reuters.The spokeswoman said there have been redundancies across several areas of the airline, and last month sources told Reuters Etihad was planning to lay off 1,200 employees.Like other airlines, Emirates and Etihad have laid off staff due to the impact of its business. Fellow Gulf carrier Qatar Airways has said it could lay off up to 20 percent of its employees.Read more:Coronavirus: Dubai’s Emirates announces flights to 29 cities from June 15Coronavirus: Emirates says too early to decide on airline’s size to serve travelersCoronavirus: Emirates may take four years to resume flying to previous destinations
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Emirates, Etihad to extend staff salary cuts into September amid coronavirus pandemic

A researcher says repeated attacks by Islamic militants in Sinai show that Egyptian forces must be ever vigilant.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Is Islamic State making a comeback in Sinai?

The former head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, Ramadan Shallah, has died at the age of 62 after spending over three years in a coma..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Former head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad dies after three year coma

Using modern technological tools to investigate evidence from the murder scene, the police investigators were able to find a lead.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Police arrest suspect 14 years after allegedly murdering woman

The UAE’s academic year will restart on August 30, according to a statement by the country’s Minister of Education Hussain ibn Ibrahim al-Hammadi reported by the official Emirates News Agency (WAM).Schools in the country closed in early March under measures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed over 275 people in the UAE. After a several week break for Easter, education authorities implemented a distance learning system in which students make use of online resources to study from home.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app“Education remains a top priority and national objective, and therefore our leadership has directed to apply the distance education system under the current circumstances so that our students won’t lose track and miss one single day from their academic year,” said the minister, according to WAM.Read more: UAE students, teachers try to adapt to distance learning from homeTeachers and school administrative staff will begin working on August 23, a week before students begin their year.Al-Hammadi added that the success of the distance learning program was due to UAE leaders’ “forward-thinking policy” and the commitment of students and parents, reported WAM.Read more: Coronavirus: UAE sets post-Ramadan distance learning hours as online classes resumeFor more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Distance learning could be new normGlobally, other countries are weighing up whether to reopen schools as lockdowns ease.In neighboring Saudi Arabia, Minister of Education Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh said previously that the Kingdom was considering distance learning as a strategic choice beyond coronavirus.“Electronic learning after the coronavirus crisis will not be the same as it was before especially with the accelerated global trend towards e-learning and its technologies as a future option, and not just an alternative during exceptional circumstances,” Al Al-Sheikh was quoted as saying by the Saudi Press Agency in April.Read more:Coronavirus: UAE reports 540 new cases, one new death, after 44,000 testsCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia now has over 100,000 COVID-19 casesEmirates, Etihad to extend staff salary cuts into September amid coronavirus pandemic
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE schools to restart August 30, says minister