Arabian Gulf
UAE reports 1,519 new coronavirus infections, 5 additional deaths overnight
The UAE health ministry on Wednesday reported 1,519 new coronavirus cases and five more COVID-19 related fatalities overnight, bringing the country’s caseload to 686,981 with 1,965 deaths. The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) said it conducted 191,032 additional COVID-19 tests over
Students in Saudi Arabia urged to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments
Students aged 12-18 are being urged to book their first COVID-19 jab, with the Ministry of Health saying that appointments were available for them. The appointment allocation follows the Kingdom’s announcement that only fully jabbed pupils could return to the classroom when the new school y
UAE expands provision of COVID-19 booster shots
The United Arab Emirates will start providing a booster shot against COVID-19 to all fully vaccinated individuals in the Gulf Arab state, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said on Tuesday.It said on Twitter the booster shot would be available to people conside
UAE lifts ban on transit flights from India, Pakistan, other countries
The United Arab Emirates will lift a ban on transit passenger traffic from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and other countries from Aug. 5, the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) said on Tuesday.The UAE, a major international travel hub, has banned passengers from many South
Iraqi PM launches mechanisms for economic reform program
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi said his government launched the signal to start the administrative and executive mechanisms for its economic reform program.Al-Kadhimi said the “‘White Paper’ is a strategy for a modern, prosperous, productive Iraq that invests its
UAE reports 1,537 new COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths in last 24 hours
UAE health officials on Monday confirmed 1,537 additional COVID-19 infections and five fatalities overnight, as the country continues its nationwide vaccination campaign.The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) said the country’s caseload now stands at 683,914, with 1,956 deaths since t
Saudi Arabia to fine air passengers up to SR500k for COVID-19 travel ban breaches
The Saudi Public Prosecution office has warned it will impose fines of up to SR500,000 ($133,323) on passengers breaching travel ban restrictions by boarding flights to countries hit by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Similar penalties would also apply to operators or owners of the means of t
UAE reports 1,519 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths in 24 hours
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced 1,519 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 682,377. The Ministry of Health stressed in a statement on Sunday that its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the ear
Unvaccinated people rush to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia
The number of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Saudi Arabia has increased in the past 10 days with the arrival of the Aug. 1 deadline that means unvaccinated residents are prohibited from entering establishments. The acceleration comes as residents of the Kingdom are required to receive at least
Saudi study documents safety of AstraZeneca
A Saudi study has documented the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine used to protect people against the coronavirus. The results of the study, titled the “Safety and Reactogenicity of the ChAdOx1 (AZD1222) COVID-19 Vaccine in Saudi Arabia,” were shared on Friday by the deputy mi
UAE reports 1,550 new coronavirus cases, 5 deaths in 24 hours
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced 1,550 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 677,801. The Health Ministry stressed in a statement on Thursday that its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the earl
Qatar approves electoral law for first legislative polls
Qatar's emir approved laws on Thursday for the Gulf state's first legislative election in October, when Qataris will elect two-thirds of the advisory Shura Council, his office said. The election, plans for which were first approved in a 2003 constitutional referendum, is being held before the cap
Seven Saudi mosques reopen after sanitization
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has reopened seven mosques in four regions that were temporarily closed for cleaning after coronavirus disease infections were confirmed among worshippers. The ministry said on Thursday that two mosques were reopened in Riyadh, two in Qassim, tw
Two rockets fired near US embassy in Baghdad
Two rockets were fired early Thursday against Baghdad's fortified Green Zone which houses the US embassy, without causing any casualties or damage, an Iraqi security source told AFP.The dawn attack came as Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhemi was flying home from Washington after White House talks in
Oman continues ban on commercial activities, movement until further notice
Oman has announced that its ban on commercial activities and the movement of individuals and vehicles to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will continue until further notice. Authorities added that the suspension period would be reduced from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. starting on Thurs
UAE registers 1,539 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths in 24
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced 1,539 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 674,724.The Health Ministry stressed in a statement on Tuesday that its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early d
3-year travel ban for Saudis who visit countries on COVID red list
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday warned against travel to banned destinations amid the pandemic. The Interior Ministry said citizens who went to countries on the Kingdom’s ban list would be barred from traveling for three years, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Saudis have been barred from travelin
Oman vaccinates almost 2 million people against COVID-19
Almost 2 million people have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in Oman since the start of the country’s National Immunization Campaign. This represents 53% of the targeted population, the state-owned Oman News Agency said. The number of people who took th
