The Middle East at war with coronavirus: Top stories from 17 June
The Middle East at war with coronavirus: Top stories from 17 June
In today's roundup: Syria fighting could spark coronavirus outbreak in Idlib, Abu Dhabi eases coronavirus lockdown, expatriates expected to leave Saudi Arabia, and Qatar will 'bounce back' after coronavirus epidemic
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Today's coronavirus daily update [TNA]
Five stories you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic and how it is affecting the Middle East on June 17.
1. Syria fighting could spark coronavirus outbreak in Idlib, NGO warns
2. Abu Dhabi eases coronavirus lockdown, allowing people to leave for first time in weeks
Abu Dhabi has lifted a curfew designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the UAE capital, allowing people to leave the city for the first time in two weeks.
Previously only essential workers and travellers with permits could leave the UAE capital, but now residents can depart Abu Dhabi without official permission, authorities announced on Tuesday evening.
Read more here
3. Over million expatriates expected to leave Saudi Arabia in 2020
Qatar has ranked sixth on a list of 63, mostly high-income, countries for economic performance and poised to bounce back after the coronavirus crisis.
The ranking, published in the International Institute for Management Development's (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook, also placed the Gulf state 14th for competetiveness, ahead of Germany (17) the United Kingdom (19) and China (20).
Read more here
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1. Syria fighting could spark coronavirus outbreak in Idlib, NGO warns
Fresh fighting in Idlib province threatens a new humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria, where the threat of Covid-19 still looms large and thousands of families live in cramped and basic shelters without adequate food, water or cleaning products.
Syrian regime forces fought with extremist groups in southern Idlib province last week and periodic clashes continuing.
Read more here
2. Abu Dhabi eases coronavirus lockdown, allowing people to leave for first time in weeks
Abu Dhabi has lifted a curfew designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the UAE capital, allowing people to leave the city for the first time in two weeks.
Previously only essential workers and travellers with permits could leave the UAE capital, but now residents can depart Abu Dhabi without official permission, authorities announced on Tuesday evening.
Read more here
3. Over million expatriates expected to leave Saudi Arabia in 2020
As many as 1.2 million foreign workers are expected to leave Saudi Arabia's job market this year, following around 300,000 expat workers who have already left the kingdom in 2020, according to a report.
The figures, released by Jadwa Investment Company also show that between 22 April and 3 June, a total of 178,000 applications were made to the "Awdah" service, which facilitates the departure of foreign workers.
Read more here
Qatar has ranked sixth on a list of 63, mostly high-income, countries for economic performance and poised to bounce back after the coronavirus crisis.
The ranking, published in the International Institute for Management Development's (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook, also placed the Gulf state 14th for competetiveness, ahead of Germany (17) the United Kingdom (19) and China (20).
Read more here
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected
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