Middle East & North Africa

KUWAIT, Mar 12 (NNN-KUNA) – Kuwait decided, on Wednesday, to suspend commercial flights to and from the country, starting from tomorrow, Mar 13.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Kuwaiti government, on Wednesday (yesterday).

At a news conference, following the meeting, Tareq Al-Mezrem, the government spokesman, said that, the decision is part of efforts to confront spread of COVID-19.

NABLUS, Palestine, Mar 12 (NNN-WAFA) – A Palestinian teenager was killed, after he was shot by Israeli forces, in clashes in the northern West Bank village of Beita, according to Palestinian medical sources.

Palestinian Ministry of Health declared that Mohammad Hamayel, 15, succumbed to wounds after he was shot in the head, during clashes that broke out Wednesday, between Palestinians and Israeli forces in al-Erma hill, in Beita village near the city of Nablus.

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish and Russian officials have largely reached an agreement on details of a ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib region during talks in Ankara, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying by state media on Thursday.

Last week, Turkey and Russia agreed on the ceasefire meant to halt an escalation of violence in Idlib. A Russian delegation arrived in Ankara this week to discuss the details including a security corridor and joint patrols on the key M4 highway.

RIYADH, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia denied on Wednesday news reports about reviewing oil prices with a Russian official.

A news report by Wall Street Journal released on Tuesday about Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih discussing with Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak to resolve differences in oil production policies is "baseless," the Ministry of Investment said in a statement on the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

TEHRAN, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that the test of a domestically-made medicine has resulted in the treatment of symptoms in severe cases of COVID-19, Tehran Times daily reported.

The test of an immunomodulatory drug, called Actemra, in patients infected by the coronavirus has resulted in the partial recovery of the patients, said Kianush Jahanpur, head of Public Relations and Information Center of Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

DAMASCUS, March 11 (Xinhua) -- An airstrike targeted an area in Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour on Wednesday evening, state news agency SANA reported.

The airstrike targeted an area southeast of the city of al-Bukamal in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour, said the report with no further details.

It's known that the Iranian-backed fighters have several positions in areas near al-Bukamal.

11 Mar 2020; MEMO: Egyptian authorities yesterday said visits to all prisons would be suspended for ten days starting Tuesday “in the interest of public health and the safety of the inmates after an increase in the number of Coronavirus infection cases.”

11 Mar 2020; MEMO: The defence team of the family of the late Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi expressed severe concern over the safety of Morsi’s imprisoned son, Osama Morsi, and the constant threats he is subject to.

In a statement, the defence team called on the Egyptian authorities to make sure to treat the detainee Osama Morsi under international law.

11 Mar 2020; MEMO: A Turkish citizen with high fever and cough symptoms was diagnosed with the coronavirus following tests, making him the country’s first confirmed diagnosis, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said early on Wednesday.

The male patient is in good health condition and his family and people who had close contact with him are under observation.

11 Mar 2020; MEMO: Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mines and Business Reza Rahmani recovered from the novel coronavirus Tuesday after receiving treatment at a hospital, according to media reports.

He was transferred to the intensive care unit after his health deteriorated, and the doctors’ efforts improved his condition and he was discharged from the hospital, according to the semi-official Fars news agency, which cited the Rahmani’s advisor Ali Akbar Rezaei, who said the minister is convalescing at home.