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500 and Counting Dead as 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Turkey and Syria

earthquake turkey syria february 2023

Hundreds of lives have been tragically lost, and countless more injured and traumatized, after a horrific earthquake shook the land in the early morning hours on Monday, February 6 2023, near Syria’s border in south-eastern Turkey.

Government representatives from both Turkey and Syria report that the death toll has already surpassed 500, yet it is expected to continue climbing as rescue crews frantically work day and night to save those still trapped in the debris.

Devastating tremors measuring a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the area without warning while many people were still asleep in their beds, leaving behind dozens of aftershocks that can be felt throughout the region.

In response to this disaster, Turkey has declared a state of emergency across all impacted provinces. To further aid with rescue efforts, citizens are strongly encouraged to refrain from using their mobile phones so rescuers and first responders can coordinate more effectively. Millions of people spanning multiple countries including Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Israel felt the seismic waves of this devastating earthquake which originated from Gaziantep in Turkey.

The city was left unrecognizable with hundreds of buildings crumbling in its wake as a result of the powerful tremors; some structures collapsed entirely while others sustained large cracks along walls or ceilings – leaving many inhabitants homeless or injured.

It’s been reported that individuals are taking part in local relief efforts; donating food, medical supplies, and shelter for those who need it most during these difficult times. Emergency teams are also trying their best to provide psychological support for survivors who have lost family members or friends during the quake.

Here are posts as shared on official news sites online and posts on social media about the earthquake:

https://twitter.com/JohnMarkKarr/status/1622520442832519168

https://twitter.com/waheedfalaksher/status/1622508729143857152

UAE is First Nation to Receive Revolutionary COVID-19 Medication

UAE Becomes First Nation to Receive Revolutionary COVID-19 Medication

Sotrovimab, the world’s newest anti-viral drug for COVID-19, is now available in the UAE for the early treatment of selected COVID-19 patients.

READ ALSO: UAE Offers Free Vaccination to All Residents Age 16 and Above

According to studies, the medicine works on all known variations and prevents severe sickness and death in 85 percent of early treatment cases.

UAE Becomes First Nation to Receive Revolutionary COVID-19 Medication
Credits: RAFED_UAE / Twitter

Another First: UAE to Receive Ground-breaking COVID-19 Medication

The medication arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, becoming the UAE the world’s first recipient, the National News reported.

Sotrovimab is an intravenous-administered antibody. It is not a vaccine, but rather a treatment.

It can be used to treat adults and children over the age of 12 who meet certain conditions and are at risk of severe Covid-19 occurrences, according to protocols approved by the National Scientific Committee.

Following the European Medicines Agency’s positive scientific opinion, GlaxoSmithKline applied to the US Food and Drug Administration and the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention to get Sotrovimab licensed for emergency use.

Both parties agreed on it.

According to a video report by the Khaleej Times, here’s what you need to know about the new COVID-19 therapy medicine, Sotrovimab:

The Abu Dhabi Department of Health and healthcare procurement business Rafed have secured an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline to ensure delivery as soon as June or July.

As a result, patients in the UAE will be among the world’s first to benefit from revolutionary therapy.

“We have been working very closely with the Department of Health and Rafed since the interim results of the clinical trials with Sotrovimab were available,” said Gizem Akalin, managing director of GlaxoSmithKline Gulf.

“The DoH and Rafed have been agile and passionate about accelerating patient access to promising new treatments to confront Covid-19,” he added.

Akalin stated that their collaboration with the Department of Health and Rafed is extensive, getting early access to Sotrovimab so that Abu Dhabi and the UAE residents would be among the first in the world to acquire this breakthrough treatment.

He also stated that there is a great deal of scientific and medical collaboration going on to ensure that medical teams are prepared and equipped.

“We see this close co-operation as another sign of Abu Dhabi’s rapid development as a hub for first-class treatment, medicines research, logistics and manufacturing.”

The Ministry of Health’s National Scientific Committee and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health worked on treatment processes to assist clinicians in identifying at-risk patients.

It assures that such patients, based on their risk profile and eligibility criteria, can get Sotrovimab.

“This medicine is at the forefront of pharmaceutical advancement and is a powerful tool in our fight to end this pandemic,” said Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, undersecretary for the health department.

“We look forward to implementing the eligibility criteria for emergency use of Sotrovimab as part of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to lead an all-encompassing Covid-19 response in prevention, treatment and care.”

READ NEXT: UAE Study Highlights COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy, Impact on Preventing Hospitalization

Oman OK’s Direct Hiring in Private Sector

Oman OK’s Direct Hiring in Private Sector

The Omani Cabinet has approved direct hiring for private-sector job openings.

READ ALSO: Oman Minister Announces Plan to Amend Labor, Taxation, and Subsidy Laws

According to Dr Mahad bin Said bin Ali Ba’owain, Minister of Labor, there would no longer be any need for recruitment companies in providing opportunities for those who aim to work in the private sector.

Oman OK’s Direct Hiring in Private Sector

Private Sector in Oman Now Allowed to Hire Employees without the Need for Recruitment Firms

Until May of this year, 4,800 workers were hired in the private sector, according to the minister, the Oman Observer reported.

He also stated that procedures for over 5,000 civil and military government employment had been completed.

Dr. Mahad stated in an interview with Oman TV that the government sector should hire depending on need.

“The National Employment Programme has been set up to help place job seekers amid the current economic downturn. The program focuses on 12 sectors,” he explained.

Prior to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Philippines sent an average of 25,000 employees to Oman each year, most of whom were domestic service workers, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. During the present health crisis, this number has shrunk to 5,000.

READ NEXT: Expats Can Now Buy Properties in Oman

Saudi Gov’t Limits Hajj 2021 to 60,000 Citizens & Residents – No Foreign Travelers Allowed

Saudi Gov’t Limits Hajj 2021 To 60,000 Citizens & Residents – No Foreign Travelers Allowed!

Saudi Arabia has announced that this year’s Hajj pilgrimage will be limited to 60,000 pilgrims. Furthermore, due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, they are all from within the kingdom. The announcement was made Saturday by the kingdom’s state-run Saudi Press Agency. The decision was made by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, according to the statement.

Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all able-bodied Muslims. During the week-long hajj, around 2.5 million pilgrims visit the holy sites of Islam in Makkah and Madinah. However, the ongoing COVID-19 spread around the world has cast a shadow over this year’s Hajj as well. The Hajj season begins in mid-July.

Saudi Gov’t Limits Hajj 2021 To 60,000 Citizens & Residents – No Foreign Travelers Allowed!
Credits: Ministry of Hajj and Umrah / Twitter

Hajj 2021 Still Limited to 60,000 Citizens & Residents, No Foreigners Allowed – Saudi Gov’t

The health and Hajj ministries confirmed on Saturday that 60,000 pilgrims will be able to perform the journey this year. It emphasized that anyone seeking to perform Hajj must be free of any chronic illness and be between the ages of 18 and 65 for those immunized against the virus in accordance with the kingdom’s immunization protocols, the Gulf News reported.

“In light of what the whole world is witnessing from the continuing developments of the coronavirus pandemic and the emergence of new mutations, Hajj registration will be limited to residents and citizens from inside the Kingdom only,” the Saudi Hajj ministry announced on Twitter.

Furthermore, Hajj pilgrims should be fully vaccinated, or have received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior, or be immunized after recovering from coronavirus illness.

The decision is “based on the Kingdom’s persistent desire to enable guests and tourists at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque to undertake the rituals of Hajj and Umrah,” according to the ministry. “The Kingdom prioritizes human health and safety.”

In last year’s Hajj, as few as 1,000 pilgrims who already lived in Saudi Arabia performed the hajj. Foreign citizens of the 160 different nationalities made up two-thirds of the population. Saudi security and medical professionals made up one-third of the total.

Among the several health rules issued last year was a prohibition on touching the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, during the Hajj. Furthermore, throughout the rites, the ministry imposed a social distancing gap of a meter and a half between each pilgrim.

The COVID-19 outbreak has compelled the Saudi government to take stringent measures. Muslims around the world can only pray and hope that the coronavirus situation improves before Hajj.

READ NEXT: Saudi Lifts Quarantine Requirement for Vaccinated Travellers

No Work Permits to be Issued by Bahrain to Citizens from these Countries

No Work Permits to be Issued by Bahrain to Citizens from these Countries

Bahrain stated on Sunday that it will temporarily suspend granting work permits to individuals from the red list nations in order to assist curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, according to local media.

READ ALSO: Bahrain Rolls Out Digital Vaccine Passport

The decision, issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, is based on the orders and recommendations of the Kingdom’s national coronavirus taskforce. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal are among the countries on the red list.

No Work Permits to be Issued by Bahrain to Citizens from these Countries

Citizens from these Countries in Bahrain’s Red List Won’t be Issued Any Work Permits

According to the new rule, the authority would temporarily halt the granting of new work permits to nationals of red-list countries who are currently residing outside of Bahrain, since the Kingdom has recently recorded a daily increase in COVID-19 instances, the Gulf News reported.

However, Bahraini citizens and residence visa holders are not affected by the ban, but will be required to undergo a PCR test before boarding a plane and will be quarantined for 10 days upon arriving, according to BNA.

Bahrain will also apply a 10-day precautionary quarantine to vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals from all other countries, either at their homes or in places licensed for quarantining, according to the state news agency.

In the Kingdom, 931 new coronavirus cases and 10 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours. This increases the total number of cases to 257,852 and the number of deaths to 1,206.

Bahrain acknowledged that nations on their red list are added or deleted based on a frequent review and that the list is thus updated on a regular basis.

READ NEXT: [Guide] What You Need to Know About Working in Bahrain

Saudi Evaluates Plans for Hajj, Umrah this Year Amid Pandemic

Saudi Evaluates Plans for Hajj, Umrah this Year Amid Pandemic

After assessing the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Saudi Arabia will announce this year’s Hajj and Umrah preparations, acting Saudi minister of media Dr. Majid Al Qasabi told the media in Riyadh on June 6.

The existence of COVID variations, according to Dr. Al Qasabi, highlights the importance of a detailed assessment of the virus’s spread since “we don’t want this year’s Haj to be an epicentre for the spread of the disease in the Kingdom or the Muslim world.” He stated that the Hajj, Umrah, and health ministers would make a decision soon.

Saudi Evaluates Plans for Hajj, Umrah this Year Amid PandemicSaudi Arabia Reviews Plans for Hajj, Umrah this Year Amid Pandemic

Meanwhile, Eng. Hesham Abdulmonem Saeed, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Services for Haj and Umrah performers, told the media that the safe Umrah model emphasized protection by managing pilgrim crowds going to the Grand Mosque through booked time slots, as well as improving services for their personal needs using the most up-to-date modern techniques, the Khaleej Times reported.

He added that the Eatmarna app established by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) also verifies the health of permission applicants, noting that this is a cooperative effort including the governmental, private, and voluntary sectors.

He noted that the Hajj and Umrah Ministries, as well as the Ministries of Interior, Health, and the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, are working together to make Hajj and Umrah easier for pilgrims and tourists.

Only after the construction of a safe model that highlighted current technologies, including digitizing procedures to offer pilgrims with needed services through multiple options supplied by the ministry, was the Haj and gradual reintroduction of Umrah allowed in October of last year.

The Eatmarna application, which allows users to seek permission (prayer permissions, Umrah permits, and Rawdah praying permissions) at Makkah and Madinah’s mosques, is highlighted in the tech-focused models.

Around 20 million people downloaded the app, and over 30,000 people employed the services of Inaya (care) centers in Makkah and Madinah to aid pilgrims from other countries.

The Hajj and Umrah Ministry also established four transportation sites to convey worshippers and pilgrims to and from Makkah’s Grand Mosque.

READ NEXT: Saudi Arabia to Require COVID-19 Vaccination for Hajj 2021

Saudi Lifts Quarantine Requirement for Vaccinated Travellers

Saudi Lifts Quarantine Requirement for Vaccinated Travellers

International tourists arriving by air from most countries will no longer need to be quarantined if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, Saudi Arabia reported on Sunday (May 16).

READ ALSO: [LOOK] Saudi Gov’t Launches Free COVID-19 Vaccination Drive for Public

Visitors from 20 other nations, including the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the United Arab Emirates, are also barred from entering the kingdom as part of anti-coronavirus initiatives.

Saudi Lifts Quarantine Requirement for Vaccinated Travellers

Quarantine No Longer Required for Vaccinated Travellers in Saudi Arabia

Non-Saudi tourists arriving in the kingdom by air from qualifying countries who are completely vaccinated or who have had COVID-19 and recovered will no longer be required to stay in government-approved hotels for seven days as long as they present an official vaccination certificate upon arrival, according to the civil aviation authority (GACA), the Al-Arabiya reported.

Currently, all travelers entering the kingdom must be quarantined for seven to fourteen days, depending on their origin countries, and provide negative PCR checks.

As of May 20, anyone over the age of eight who has not been vaccinated must quarantine for seven days at their own expense upon arrival in Saudi Arabia and have a negative PCR test on the sixth day of their arrival, according to GACA.

They must also present a valid health insurance policy that covers COVID-19 risks. They’ll also need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before flying to the kingdom.

Separately, the Saudi ministry of interior reported that due to COVID-19 threats, Saudi citizens are still prohibited from flying directly or indirectly to 13 countries without prior permission from authorities.

Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Belarus, and India are the countries involved.

To help combat the spread of the coronavirus, the kingdom suspended entry from 20 countries in February, with the exception of ambassadors, Saudi residents, medical professionals, and their relatives.

READ NEXT: Saudi to Reopen Borders Starting May 17

VIDEO: Israel’s Iron Dome Blocks 90% of Rockets Fired, Limiting Impact of Large Assaults

[VIDEO] Israel’s Iron Dome Blocks 90% of Rockets Fired, Limiting Impact of One of its Largest Assaults

The Iron Dome, Israel’s anti-missile defence system, has intercepted 90% of rockets launched, minimising the severity of one of the country’s biggest attacks.

According to several sources, Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system intercepted roughly 90% of the rockets launched by Hamas during the recent hostilities.

[VIDEO] Israel’s Iron Dome Blocks 90% of Rockets Fired, Limiting Impact of One of its Largest Assaults
Credits: Reuters Pictures / Facebook

[WATCH] Israel’s Iron Dome Intercepts 90% of Rockets Fired, Limiting Impact of Large Attacks

According to the Israeli military, Hamas fired 1,600 rockets, the largest-ever test for the Iron Dome, which operates by shooting its own projectiles to kill incoming rockets before they land, the Business Insider reported.

The device can only track a limited number of rockets at once. Despite the recent barrage’s aggressiveness, the system seems to have held up.

According to the Associated Press (AP), 400 rockets were shot down and landed in Gaza, leaving Israel with 1,200 to intercept.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and onlookers posted videos of the airborne combat between rockets and interceptor missiles on Tuesday. Every flash of light denotes an effective intercept:

“What you’re seeing in the sky is the algorithm,” an unnamed engineer, who worked on developing the system, told The Economist. “We’ve been constantly improving the algorithm so it can face a barrage like this.”

According to experts, the Iron Dome algorithm has been modified to counter Hamas’ attempts to overload the system with a large number of rockets.

However, it is not cheap; according to The Economist, each interceptor costs about $40,000, which is several times the cost of the simple Hamas munitions they intercept.

“When they’re firing at a big city like Tel Aviv, there’s no question: you intercept every incoming rocket,” Isaac Ben-Israel, a former major-general and weapons specialist, explained to the outlet.

“[Hamas] failed because this is specifically what the system was designed to do: deal with multiple targets, and it’s constantly been improved so it can deal with more.”

However, some rockets made it through. According to the Associated Press, the Israeli death toll had risen to seven as of early Thursday morning. According to the outlet, a six-year-old boy was among those hit by missiles.

Gaza, as an occupied territory, is much less capable of defending itself from Israeli assaults. According to the Associated Press, Israel has launched approximately 600 airstrikes into Gaza after Hamas started firing missiles.

These operations involved the destruction of two high-rise buildings allegedly housing Hamas leaders, according to Israeli authorities.

According to the Associated Press, the Gazan Health Ministry confirmed 69 people killed in the attacks as of Thursday, including 16 children and six women.

READ NEXT: Saudi and Gulf Allies to End Years-long Blockade on Qatar, Reopen Borders

Saudi to Reopen Borders Starting May 17

Saudi to Reopen Borders Starting May 17

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that it will lift its travel ban on those travelling overseas beginning 1:00 am on May 17.

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority also said in a circular that they may continue suspending travel to specific countries where the coronavirus pandemic situation remains unchanged.

Saudi to Reopen Borders Starting May 17

Saudi’s Travel Ban on Citizens Traveling Overseas to be Lifted Starting May 17

In line with this, the Authority confirmed the date in a statement it sent out to local airports that all international flights and airports will resume regular operations in May instead of March 31, as earlier announced in January, the Arab News reported.

In the meantime, Saudi domestic airports are seeing a quicker recovery in routes within the Kingdom than larger regional rivals relying on pandemic-paralyzed long-haul travel.

The Middle East has suffered particularly because of the global aviation slowdown due to its comparatively under-developed domestic market.

“The domestic recovery in Saudi Arabia is already showing positive signs, in frequency terms at least,” CAPA analyst Richard Maslen revealed.

Weekly domestic flights in the Kingdom have grown to about 3,000, according to data from CAPA.

This represents just a 23 per cent decline over the first two months of the year compared with the same period a year ago before COVID-19 restrictions hit.

READ NEXT: [LOOK] Saudi Gov’t Launches Free COVID-19 Vaccination Drive for Public

Oman Imposes Ban on Commercial Activities; Cancels Eid Prayers

Oman Imposes Ban on Commercial Activities; Cancels Eid Prayers

Oman announced that it is cancelling Eid prayers and Eid souqs and gatherings of any kind in public places, which include beaches and parks during the Eid Al Fitr holidays, which falls on the 13th through 16th of May this year.

READ ALSO: [WARNING] Break Lockdown Rules in Oman and Face Hefty Fines, Jail Time

This also includes a ban on family gatherings and any kind of mass celebrations during Eid.

Oman Imposes Ban on Commercial Activities; Cancels Eid Prayers
Credits: Oman News Agency

Commercial Activities Banned, Eid Prayers Cancelled in Oman

Moreover, the country has also suspended the attendance of all employees at workplaces. In line with this, employees are to be working from home during this period. The process takes effect starting Sunday, May 9, for all units of state administrative apparatus and other public legal activities, the Khaleej Times reported.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Committee in Oman has also urged the private entities to implement the process of working online and reducing the number of employees to be present in offices.

In line with this announcement, the GCC country will also ban the movement of people and vehicles from 7 pm to 4 am from May 8 until May 15, the state news agency said on Sunday, citing the Supreme Committee for Combating Coronavirus.

Moreover, the government will ban all commercial activity all day during the same period, with the exemption of food stores, gas stations, health institutions, and pharmacies. Delivery services for all goods are also exempted from this ban.

READ NEXT: Oman Enacts 5% VAT on Goods and Services