Middle East Experience

The United States believes Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) was directly involved in the killing of an Iranian dissident last November in Turkey, a senior administration official told Reuters..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: US accuses Tehran of being ‘directly involved’ in the killing of Iranian dissident in Turkey

A Lebanese man in Sidon attempted to set himself on fire Thursday after receiving a fine he could not afford to pay for violating general mobilization procedures by opening his shop..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Sidon residents struggle with financial impact of coronavirus

Under these extraordinary circumstances, anyone, and certainly a believer and amateur theologian like me, could be excused for searching for an underlying divine message.;
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman asks: Why a virus?

Twitter announced it deleted 5,350 'inauthentic' Saudi accounts and….
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Twitter deletes thousands of fake Egyptian and Saudi accounts pushing anti-Qatar messaging

Families asked to celebrate Passover alone * Israelis expected to wear masks in public places * Nearly full closure on haredi city of Bnei Brak;
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Eight Israelis died from coronavirus on Thursday, sick reaches 6,808

The left has accused the Justice Minister of shutting down the courts to delay Netanyahu's trial;
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: High Court keeps courts in emergency state amid coronavirus pandemic

The latest Health Ministry report says that 37% of infected Israelis are under age 30, 15% are 30-39 and 13% are 40-49. “What we are seeing now are the results of the steps taken three weeks ago.";
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel’s coronavirus report card

A new tracker has been launched to monitor the degradation of civil liberties across the world as countries grapple with a fast-spreading virus and social distancing directives..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Coronavirus lockdowns are further eroding civil rights in Middle East nations, even in quasi-democratic ones

Executive director of operations Adel Al Rida said that the flights will initially operate to European cities
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Revealed: initial Emirates destinations in April

UAE’s Etihad Airways will be operating outbound flights to seven destinations for people wishing to leave the country starting from Sunday, April 5, the airline said in a press release.“Etihad… from 5 April, will operate a regular service to a number of destinations starting with Seoul Incheon, and following with others such as Melbourne, Singapore, Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta and Amsterdam. These destinations are subject to government approvals,” the airline said.Visit our dedicated coronavirus site here for all the latest updates.“Once approved, these flights will be available for booking through etihad.com, the mobile app, by calling the Etihad Airways Contact Centre on +971 600 555 666 (UAE), or through a local or online travel agency,” the airline added.There are 1,024 confirmed coronavirus cases and eight deaths in the UAE as of Thursday.Travel restrictionsThe UAE announced on Thursday extending the suspension of entry of all valid visa holders who are outside the country for two additional weeks starting Thursday April 2, as part of the country’s efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus.The country had also suspended issuing all entry visas starting from March 17, and called on its citizens abroad to return to their home country due to travel difficulties in light of the spread of the coronavirus and the travel restrictions the government put in place to contain the outbreak.It also suspended on March 23 all passenger and transit flights to and from the country for two weeks.However, the UAE brought 1,743 of its citizens and their companions home from abroad in 39 evacuation trips, and there are another 25 repatriation trips planned over the next few days.Precautionary measures in the countryThe UAE launched on Thursday March 26 a three-day nationwide disinfection campaign which was later extended till April 5, during which the authorities urged people to stay home from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. everyday.All malls, shopping centers, commercial centers, and open markets except for fish, vegetable, and meat markets will be closed for two weeks from March 23.Restaurants will also only be limited to delivery for the two-week period.The UAE ordered on March 16 all hotels to close their pubs, bars, and lounges. Gyms, electronic gaming centers, and spring camps will also be closed until the end of the month.Public beaches, swimming pools, cinemas, theme parks, and tourist attractions are also closed until the end of March.Read more:Coronavirus: UAE extends residence permits expiring March 1 for a renewable 3 monthsCoronavirus: UAE extends distance learning till end of school year
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Etihad operates flights to 7 destinations for those looking to leave UAE