Middle East Experience

Anti-government protests have largely subsided in Lebanon due to government measures aimed at containing the spread of the novel coronavirus, but some activists continue to spread the message and are optimistic about the movement's future.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Coronavirus forces Lebanese protesters into new posture

COVID-19 has forced schools and universities in the Palestinian territories to shut down, prompting the Gaza Ministry of Education and Higher Education to promote e-learning.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Gaza students embrace e-learning to avoid coronavirus

Leaders of the world's most powerful economies will convene virtually on Thursday to coordinate a response to the fast-spreading coronavirus, which has killed 21,000, infected half a million and forced well over a quarter of the world's population into home isolation.The meeting for the Group of 20 nations will be chaired by Saudi Arabia's King Salman. The Kingdom, which is presiding over the G20 this year, said it organized the extraordinary meeting to advance global efforts to tackle the pandemic and its economic implications as people lose their incomes amid closures, curfews and lockdowns.Read more: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman: G20 summit to unite global coronavirus fightThe meeting comes after the World Health Organization criticized the world's wealthiest countries for failing to take cohesive action to combat the virus or its economic impact on people around the world.“As the world confronts the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges to healthcare systems and the global economy, we convene this extraordinary G20 summit to unite efforts towards a global response,” Saudi Arabia’s King Salman said on Twitter.Read more: UAE to take part in G20 summit ‘in the spirit of solidarity:’ Crown PrinceThe leaders are expected to agree that the outbreak is a threat to humanity and will set up a mechanism to share information and experiences in fighting the disease, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a draft statement to be discussed at the summit.Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states have been relatively successful in containing the virus, but infections have spiraled out of control in Iran, much of Europe and the United States. On top of the economic hit from lockdowns to slow the spread of coronavirus, Saudi Arabia has been hurt by a dramatic fall in oil prices.The global death toll from the new coronavirus, which causes an illness called COVID-19, has climbed past 21,000 and the number of infections has surpassed 472,000, according to a count kept by Johns Hopkins University. The number of dead in the US rose to 1,041 as of late Wednesday, with nearly 70,000 infections. Spain’s death toll has risen past 3,400, eclipsing that of China, where the virus was first detected in December.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.Read more: Coronavirus symptoms: Loss of smell, taste, might signal infectionThe pandemic has not been helped by a disinformation campaign initiated by China, which falsely accused the US military of bringing the infection to China. US President Donald Trump has responded by referring to the “Chinese virus” or “Wuhan virus” and the ensuing argument prevented the Group of Seven foreign ministers from issuing a group statement on Wednesday.Read more: China, US to table war of words during G20 coronavirus meet: ReportsChinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among the heads of state who will take part in Thursday's G20 leaders' summit. The virtual summit will also include leaders from the World Health Organization, the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, International Labor Organization and others.Officials from Spain, Jordan, Singapore and Switzerland will also take part in the call, as well as chairs of regional bodies like the African Union, the Association of South-East Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council.The International Labor Organization says nearly 40 percent of the world’s population has no health insurance or access to national health services and that 55 percent — or 4 billion people — do not benefit from any form of social protection whatsoever. It said the current health crisis makes clear that not nearly enough progress has been made by governments in the years since the 2008 financial crisis to expand access to health services, sickness benefits, and unemployment protection.The International Monetary Fund and World Bank issued a call on G20 countries ahead of the Thursday's meeting, warning of severe economic and social consequences for developing countries, home to a quarter of the world's population and where most of the world's poorest people reside.The lenders called for a suspension of debt payments from these countries and asked G20 leaders to task the World Bank and IMF with making the needed assessments on which countries have unsustainable debt situations and immediate financing requirements.“It is imperative at this moment to provide a global sense of relief for developing countries as well as a strong signal to financial markets,” the lenders said in a joint statement.Read more: Economic crisis versus coronavirus: What is more deadly?IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has said the lender stands "ready to deploy all our $1 trillion lending capacity." She said earlier this week the IMF expects a recession at least as bad as during the 2008 global financial crisis or worse. Nearly 80 countries are requesting IMF help.Ethiopia's government told G20 finance ministers and Central Bank chiefs in a call ahead of Thursday's summit that Africa needs a $150 billion emergency financing package due to the impact of the virus.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged G20 leaders to adopt a “wartime” plan including a stimulus package “in the trillions of dollars” for businesses, workers and households in developing countries trying to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.With agencies.Read more: Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency years in the making
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia leads G20 efforts to unite the world in coronavirus response

Although the Iraqi government has taken strict measures to fight the coronavirus, the security forces face great challenges from curfew violators.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Implementation of curfew to fight COVID-19 proves difficult in Iraq

After Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein defied the Israeli Supreme Court's order to hold a vote for his replacement, the court appointed a temporary speaker to do the job.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel's highest court steps in to force Knesset into action

Leaders from the Group of 20 major economies convened a meeting by video on Thursday about combating the coronavirus pandemic and its economic impacts, as global infections top 471,000 with more than 21,000 dead.The meeting for the Group of 20 nations is being chaired by Saudi Arabia's King Salman. The kingdom, which is presiding over the G20 this year, said it organized the extraordinary meeting to advance global efforts to tackle the pandemic and its economic implications as people lose their incomes amid closures, curfews, and lockdowns.For the latest coronavirus updates, visit our dedicated page. Opening remarksSaudi Arabia’s King Salman, addressing the virtual G20 leaders summit, said the world’s biggest economies must take firm measures on several fronts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.“This crisis requires a global response, and the world is counting on us to cooperate and work together to face it,” King Salman told the G20 leaders. “We should all take responsibility in funding research and development projects aiming to reach a vaccine for the coronavirus.”“We must also strengthen the global preparedness to counter infectious diseases that may spread in the future,” he said.“It is our responsibility to extend a helping hand to developing countries and least developed countries to enable them to build their capacities and improve their infrastructure to overcome this crisis and its repercussions,” he added.The King also said that the G20 must “send a strong signal to restore confidence in the global economy by resuming, as soon as possible, the normal flow of goods and services, especially vital medical supplies.”Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the G20 virtual summit convened with a “message of solidarity announced from Saudi Arabia to the world.”With agencies
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: G20 virtual summit on coronavirus led by Saudi King Salman convenes

Saudi Arabia reported 112 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 1,012, the Ministry of Health said.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page. Out of the 112 new cases, 34 were reported in Riyadh, 26 in Mecca, 13 in Jeddah, and 18 in Taif.The other cases were reported in Dammam Province, al-Qatif, Madinah, Khobar, as well as several other cities in the Kingdom, according to the ministry.Twelve cases are related to travel abroad and have since been quarantined. Meanwhile, 100 cases are of people who had direct contact with previously confirmed cases and are currently under medical supervision.The ministry also announced that a total of three people have died from the coronavirus.A total of 33 people have recovered from the virus, the ministry added.Precautionary measures Saudi Arabia began implementing several strict measures to contain the outbreak.The Kingdom banned residents from entering or exiting Riyadh, Mecca, Medina starting from Thursday. The recently imposed curfew, which was supposed to begin at 7 p.m. across the country, will now begin at 3 p.m. in the three cities of Riyadh, Mecca, and Medina.All malls and parks were shut down earlier this month in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. Restaurants and cafes have also been banned from serving food and beverages.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus in Saudi Arabia: total of 1,012 cases, three deaths

A flight from Sao Paulo that landed on Wednedsay night was the last Emirates flight to arrive in Dubai
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Emirates bids farewell to last flights before Covid-19 shutdown

Authorities will be checking work permits to ensure compliance with the government's order
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE residents warned to stay home for 3 days amid sterilisation drive

Futurist and author John Sanei believes that new innovations will likely emerge from the coronavirus 'Black Swan' of 2020
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Arabian Business Podcast: Coronavirus - enter the age of minimalism?