Middle East Experience

Egyptian doctors are speaking out against health authorities over increasing coronavirus infections and deaths among medical staff across the country.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egyptian state media accuses doctors of treason for speaking up on coronavirus crisis

Iraq is heavily reliant on the goodwill of its neighbours for both energy and investments, meaning Baghdad has very little leverage to stand up to other powers..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The Iraq Report: Energy politics cripple hopes for economic recovery

The criminal case against Emna Chargui for a Ramadan Facebook post has raised questions about the limits of free speech in Tunisia, and given rise to passionate protests against the enforcement of Ben Ali-era laws.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Prosecution of blogger over Quran parody ignites renewed fears of censorship

Remittances sent from Saudi Arabia increased in the first quarter of this year compared to last year, despite declining economic activity across sectors due to coronavirus.In the first three months of 2020, money sent by migrant workers to their home countries increased by 2.3 percent, totaling 43.65 billion Saudi riyals ($11.63 billion), up from 42.66 billion during the same period in 2019, according to figures from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA, reported the Saudi Gazette.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Coronavirus still hit remittances hard in the Kingdom, with first quarter data ending in March not representing the full story of the virus’ impact.In April, as the economic fallout of the virus began to hit, remittances dropped by 20 percent compared to March 2020, local paper Al-Eqtisadiah reported. Compared to April 2019, remittances for April this year had fallen around 42 percent.Similar situations have played out across the region. In Dubai, one exchange shop reported that remittances were down 65 percent in April.More than 800 million people globally receive remittances sent by family members, and about 1 billion people either send or receive them, according to UN statistics. Many families rely on individuals sending money back from the Arabian Gulf to buy necessities.In 2020, remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries are expected to fall by nearly 20 percent to $445 billion, largely due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the World Bank.Remittance levels in the Kingdom have declined for four consecutive years, with 2019 seeing an 8 percent drop from 2018.Under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, of which nationalization of the work force is an aspect, businesses need to increase the number of Saudi Arabian nationals working in various sectors.As the number of Saudi citizens employed in the private sector has increased, demand for foreign national workers has decreased, having a corresponding impact on the total amount of remittances leaving the Kingdom.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia remittances increase in Q1 despite outbreak

The United Arab Emirates confirmed 596 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours after 35,000 additional COVID-19 tests were conducted, raising the total number of infections to 35,788, the health ministry announced on Tuesday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The ministry also said that three people of different nationalities who had previously tested positive for the virus in the UAE have died due to complications. The death toll has reached 269.Despite the continued increase in total cases, more than half of those who became infected with the virus in the country have recovered so far. The ministry announced 388 new recoveries, raising the total to 18,726 so far.Read also: Am I allowed to leave Abu Dhabi? UAE movement ban questions answeredThe UAE recently began easing restrictions but the ministry continues to urge people to adhere to precautionary measures such as social distancing and wearing face masks in order to slow the spread of the virus.“We are still at a time that requires our full commitment to precautionary measures taken to curb the spread of Covid-19,” government spokeswoman Dr. Amna al-Shamsi said during a press conference on Monday. “We urge everyone, citizens and residents, to continue health practices.”The health ministry has taken on mass testing as a way to further slow the spread of the virus by detecting and isolating positive cases to avoid further infections. Over 650,000 were administerd over the past two weeks, according to the ministry.The UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi has banned movement in and out of the emirate, as well as between its cities starting Tuesday, as part of its mass testing efforts to curb the coronavirus outbreak.The week-long ban was implemented to quickly reach as many people as possible to extend mass testing to high-density areas.The UAE has been easing restrictions over the past several weeks, including reopening entertainment destinations as well as beaches and malls, and allowing businesses to resume activity with the requirement of implementing preventative measures.Read more:Coronavirus in the water: Risk of transmission varies between pools, lakes, oceansDubai Crown Prince says emirate ‘ready to enter the post COVID-19 world’Dubai Health Authorities launches new medical facility for coronavirus patients
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE conducts 35,000 tests, confirms 596 new cases, total now 35,788

The authorities in Egypt are seeking, under the Emergency Law, to limit illegal constructions and the exploitation by some of the state’s preoccupation with the coronavirus.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt imposes strict measures on illegal construction

Several pro-Iran militias have lately claimed responsibility for attacking US forces in Iraq, but examining their media activities indicates they are probably fake groups created by existing militias to show strength without taking the risk of ramifications.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Pro-Iran militias in Iraq wage 'fake news' campaign against US

Saudi Arabia has recorded 1,869 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, raising the total to 89,011, a health ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Despite its increasing numbers, the Kingdom has seen 17,340 new recoveries over the past week, raising the total to 65,790, the spokesman added.Meanwhile, 138 people who had previously tested positive for the virus in the Saudi Arabia have died over the past seven days, raising the death toll to 549.Most of Saudi Arabia's 22,672 active cases are in stable condition while 1,264 people are in critical condition, spokesman Dr. Mohammed al-Abd al-Ali said during a live press conference.“It's worrisome that the numbers have increased over the past few days, especially in the older population and those with preexisting conditions,” he said.The spokesman said the increase in numbers is a result of the lack of commitment to preventative measures such as social distancing.He continued to urge people to maintain social distancing and to wear a mask while in public.The government introduced a set of fines last week for those who violate the guidelines. Not wearing a face mask or refusing a temperature check when entering facilities could result in a 1,000 riyals ($266) fine.Saudi Arabia maintains high recovery numbers, low death rateMore than 70 percent of Saudi Arabia’s confirmed coronavirus cases have recovered so far as a result of the Kingdom’s treatment protocols, the health minister told Al Arabiya on Saturday.“We have treatment protocols developed by Saudi experts,” Dr. Tawfiq al-Rabiah said. “These protocols are continuously updated with any new global developments related to treatments and procedures.”In addition to the treatment protocols, Saudi Arabia implemented strict measures in order to slow the spread of the virus when it still had very few confirmed cases, shutting down domestic and international travel, closing businesses, and eventually imposing 24-hour curfews on all major cities.With the Kingdom slowly easing restrictions, the health minister confirmed to Al Arabiya on Saturday that Saudi Arabia does not plan to return to lockdowns and further restrictions, however, this depends largely on society’s knowledge and compliance with precautionary measures in order to resume lifting restrictions.“We are in the same boat,” al-Rabiah said. “If we all comply, then we will make it to safety. [Whoever doesn’t comply] will take us back [to restrictions].”The health minister said Saudi Arabia continues to pursue the best available treatments, and if a vaccine become available, the Kingdom will strive to provide it as soon as possible.Read more:Saudi Arabia sets guidelines for malls, industrial sector, as it reopensSaudi Arabia allows outdoor exercise, internal travel as lockdown easesCoronavirus in the water: Risk of transmission varies between pools, lakes, oceans
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia records 1,869 new cases, 1,484 new recoveries

Dubai will allow shopping malls and private sector businesses to operate at full capacity starting Wednesday, June 3, Dubai Media Office announced on Tuesday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The decision, under the directives of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was made as the emirate continues easing coronavirus restrictions previously implemented to slow the spread of the virus.Mall and business operating hours must fall within the permitted movement timings between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.As restrictions began to ease over the past few weeks, all individuals and businesses have been required to adhere to preventative measures, including maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks, to avoid any further spread of the virus.The United Arab Emirates slowly began lifting restrictions in recent weeks following 24-hour cufews that were part of a national disinfection program.Earlier this month, Dubai allowed hotel beaches to open 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 and shops 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 have also been 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.The UAE has so far detected 35,788 coronavirus cases but 18,762 - over half - have recovered. The death toll remains relatively low with 269 fatalities recorded so far.“We are still at a time that requires our full commitment to precautionary measures taken to curb the spread of Covid-19,” government spokeswoman Dr. Amna al-Shamsi said during a press conference on Monday. “We urge everyone, citizens and residents, to continue health practices.”Read more:UAE conducts 35,000 tests, confirms 596 new cases, total now 35,788Dubai to reopen gyms, cinemas, resume economic activities starting May 27Dubai Crown Prince says emirate ‘ready to enter the post COVID-19 world’
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Dubai to allow malls, private businesses to operate at full capacity

Saudi Arabia has pledged $500 million aid for Yemen during the virtual conference held with the United Nations on Tuesday, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.The money will go to support the Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan 2020 and COVID-19 Response plan, according to SPA.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The announcement was made by Royal Court Adviser Dr. Abdullah Abdulaziz al-Rabeeah during the Yemen High-Level Pledging Event 2020 organized by the Kingdom with a goal of raising $2.4 billion.“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always embraced the principles of peace, harmony and cooperation between the peoples and countries of the world,” he was quoted by SPA as saying. “The Kingdom has provided impartial support and assistance while carrying out its responsibilities to respond to humanitarian crises and limit their effects on people globally.”Al-Rabeeah also said $300 million will be allocated to UN agencies and organizations. The remaining $200 million will be allocated to the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.Germany also announced a donation of 125 million euros ($139.8 million) in humanitarian assistance to Yemen, Niels Annen, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, said during the conference, according to Reuters.Shortly after, it was announced that the United Kingdom announced its pledge of 160 million pounds in aid to Yemen as well.- With ReutersRead more:Saudi Arabia, UN hope to raise $2.4 billion in aid pledge driveEconomic, humanitarian efforts in Yemen outweigh military role: Saudi diplomatSaudi Arabia to give Yemen $525 mln for aid, coronavirus response: Prince Khalid
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia announces 0 mln aid to Yemen during virtual UN conference