Qatar COVID-19 Daily Cases Soar Past Previous Highs

Passengers wearing protective face masks amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak walk at the duty free area for shopping as they wait for their flight at the Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar. Reuters
Passengers wearing protective face masks amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak walk at the duty free area for shopping as they wait for their flight at the Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar. Reuters
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Qatar COVID-19 Daily Cases Soar Past Previous Highs

Passengers wearing protective face masks amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak walk at the duty free area for shopping as they wait for their flight at the Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar. Reuters
Passengers wearing protective face masks amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak walk at the duty free area for shopping as they wait for their flight at the Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar. Reuters

Qatar has reported 3,487 new cases - almost 10% of those tested -- outpacing a previous high of 2,355 seen in May 2020.

On Saturday, Qatar reintroduced a set of rules limiting home gatherings to 10 vaccinated people, barring unvaccinated people from entering malls and restaurants and reducing capacity limits for some commercial establishments. Schools in Qatar have reintroduced distance learning until at least January 27.

To relieve pressure on Qatar's testing infrastructure authorities on Wednesday urged travelers and some symptomatic people to take rapid antigen tests, which don't need to be processed in a laboratory, rather than PCR tests.

It also opened a new 10-lane drive-through PCR testing station to sample up to 5,000 people a day.



Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Support for Afghanistan’s Security and Stability

Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)
Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Support for Afghanistan’s Security and Stability

Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)
Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (SPA)

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its unwavering support for Afghanistan’s security and stability on Tuesday, calling for respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while voicing deep concern over the humanitarian and economic challenges facing the Afghan people.

In an address before the UN General Assembly during a session on the situation in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, urged the international community to intensify efforts to deliver urgent humanitarian aid, alleviate suffering, and safeguard the rights of women and girls.

“The Kingdom stresses the importance of empowering Afghan women and enhancing their rights to education, work and participation in public life,” Al-Wasil told the gathering, citing the outcomes of the recent “Conference on the Status of Women in Islam,” hosted in Jeddah.

He also highlighted the humanitarian support extended by Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to addressing Afghanistan’s ongoing crises.

Al-Wasil warned against allowing Afghan territory to become a safe haven for terrorism or a hub for narcotics trafficking, which he said would pose a serious threat to regional and global security.

The Saudi envoy reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to supporting political, humanitarian and development initiatives aimed at achieving lasting stability in Afghanistan.