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Qatar restores ambassador to Iran amid regional crisis

Agencies
August 24, 2017

Qatar says its ambassador will return to Tehran more than 20 months after he was recalled in protest over the ransacking of Saudi Arabia's missions by protesters angry at Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Qatari foreign ministry said its ambassador would "return to resume his diplomatic duties", as Doha wanted to strengthen ties in all fields with the Islamic republic.

The information office did not specify an exact date for the ambassador's return - or provide his name - but said Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed "bilateral relations and means of boosting and developing them" in a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif.

The decision to restore ties with Iran comes amid a diplomatic dispute between Qatar and several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain.

They accuse Doha of meddling in the internal affairs of other countries and financing terrorism - a charge Qatar has dismissed as "baseless".

'A different direction'

Qatar recalled its ambassador to Tehran in January last year after Saudi Arabia cut ties with the Islamic Republic, accusing Iran of failing to protect its embassy in the capital and consulate in Mashahd against protesters who had ransacked them.

Demonstrators stormed the Saudi Embassy in Tehran over the kingdom’s execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a Shia leader who had rallied anti-government protests in the kingdom's eastern province.

Saudi Arabia said the execution was justified as part of its "war on terrorism".

Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a research fellow at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University said the decision to install the ambassador shows Qatar is prepared "to go in a different direction".

"It could very well be calculated toward reinforcing the point that Qatar will not bow to this regional pressure placed upon it," she told the AP news agency.

Qatar, which is dependent on food imports, imported the vast majority of its food from its Arab Gulf neighbours before they imposed a punishing trade and travel blockade.

Since June 11, Doha has been receiving fresh food supplies from the Iran, which has also allowed Qatar's national carrier to use its airspace.

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Agencies
August 2,2020

Kuwait, Aug 2: Kuwait has barred entry of foreign passengers from over 30 countries including India and China.

A circular from the Director General Civil Aviation, State of Kuwait directed all airlines operating at Kuwait International Airport to adhere to the instructions in this regard.

"Based on the decision of the Health Authority in State of Kuwait, no foreign passenger coming from the down listed countries will be allowed to enter the State of Kuwait," the circular read.

These include- India, Iran, China, Brazil, Colombia, Armenia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Syria, Spain, Singapore, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Iraq, Mexico, Indonesia, Chile, Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Hong Kong, Italy, North Macedonia, Moldova, Panama, Beirut ,Serbia Montenegro, Dominican Republic and Kosovo.

The circular stated that such restriction will also include the passengers were present 14 days before the date of travel until further notice.

The ban was announced the same day Kuwait began a partial resumption of commercial flights according to Khaleej Times, which quoted authorities stating that Kuwait International Airport would run at about 30 per cent capacity from Saturday, gradually increasing in coming months.

According to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University, Kuwait has reported 67,448 cases of coronavirus while the fatalities related to the virus stand at 453.

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KT
April 13,2020

Dubai, Apr 13: The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) on Monday announced 172 new recoveries in the country, taking the total recoveries to 852 cases.

"With today's 172 cases, the total number of fully recovered Covid-19 patients has become 852, while three residents of different nationalities were declared dead, taking the total number of deaths to 25," Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the ministry, said.

"We have also carried out up to 23,380 new tests on Monday all over the country."

Also read: UAE residency, visit visas valid until end-2020

Dr Hosani said His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has launched the national home-based testing programme for determined people, be they nationals or residents.

"The program, targeting this important segment of the society who have difficulty doing tests outdoors, is part of the national drive-through testing national program."

Addressing some baseless rumours that are viral on social media, Dr Al Hosani confirmed that no one can fix a date for the peak of infected cases.

"So many studies have affirmed that physical distancing is so critical in reducing not only the number of Cobid-19 new cases but also the infection curve."

Dr Al Hosani advised the public to wear gloves whenever they go out. "However, do not touch your personal stuff when wearing gloves, particularly when using your phone, and safely dispose of them."

It is still so critical to clean your hands with water and soap on a regular basis, she underlined. "Cleaning and washing our hands are much better and safer than wearing gloves."

Wearing one-time disposable surgical gloves is highly advisable, she said. "If not available, hand-made cloth masks can be used but need to be cleaned regularly with water and soap."

Masks should be worn properly covering the nose, mouth and the chin, she pointed out. "Do not touch the internal or external parts of the face masks, while the blue colour side must be always outward."

Priority in drive-through tests are given for those with respiratory issues, senior people, and pregnant women, she said in answer to a question raised by media people.

"If you are developing no Covid-19 infection symptoms and just wish to make sure you are sound, you need to book an appointment, be aware that it will cost you Dh370."

"If developing minor symptoms, the public is urged to stay home and call any of these toll-free numbers for help: (800011111), (8001717), (800342)."

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 12,2020

Riyadh, May 12: Saudi Arabia will impose a full-day lockdown and curfew across the Kingdom during the upcoming Eid holidays from May 23 until May 27, according to the Kingdom’s Interior Ministry.

Details are awaited

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