WTO pushes for reform, warns multilateralism ‘under attack’
Speaking on the first day of MC13, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted a need to "reform the multilateral trading system" and boost international cooperation. "Looking around, uncertainty and instability are everywhere," the WTO chief said, adding that the world is in an "even tougher place today" compared to two years...
World leaders discuss climate, economy, vaccines at G20
Summit host Mario Draghi, the Italian prime minister, has called for a ‘G20 commitment on the need to limit the rise in temperatures to 1.5 degrees’ above pre-industrial levels. On Friday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a dire warning of what could happen if the world failed.
World needs $23bn from G20 to fight pandemic: WHO
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus bluntly told the G20 they could no longer leave poorer countries hanging in the pandemic.UAE, Israel to recognize each other’s vaccine certificates
The competent authorities in the two countries will be able to develop specific procedures ensuring the unrestricted movement of vaccinated individuals. This is apparently part of the efforts made by the two countries’ governments to facilitate the safe movement of travelers under the Covid-19 pandemic.
Savills says GCC real estate to benefit from global migration
The Middle East’s real estate sector may benefit from the return of global population movement to pre-pandemic levels in 2024.
UAE economy to grow at 2.1% this year, 4.2% in 2022: IIF
The Institute of International Finance (IIF) said that the UAE economy is rebounding from its deepest downturn in decades as oil prices recover and the country’s accelerated vaccination policy has allowed a broad-based reopening of sectors.
WHO unveils $8bn Covid-19 vaccination plan
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said a reduction of cases in any one country will not be sustained over time without a coordinated, equitable approach. ‘For everyone’s sake, we must urgently bring all countries to a high level of vaccination coverage,’ he said.
Saudi Arabia announces vaccine mandate for public
Saudi authorities will require people to have double immunization starting at 6 am on October 10 if they are to go to places.
United Airlines fires 593 workers
The employees refused to comply with a requirement to be vaccinated for Covid-19.
Higher oil prices, widespread vaccine roll-out to drive Saudi economic rebound: S&P
Saudi Arabia’s economy will benefit from higher oil prices and its successful COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, ratings agency S&P Global has said as it affirmed the Kingdom’s stable outlook in its latest report.UAE relaxes mask mandate, but with riders
UAE residents may not wear a face mask in certain places while keeping a safe physical distance of two meters.Global economy to grow by 5.3 percent in 2021: UN
But if widening economic gaps between the developed world and the poor countries persists, only a few will enjoy the dividends, said a report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development.Study: Delta does not cause severe childhood Covid
The health agency analyzed hospital records from across an area covering around 10 percent of the US populationAbu Dhabi directs residents to take Covid booster shots
Residents of Abu Dhabi have been directed to take a booster shot of the Sinopharm Covid vaccine by September 20, six months after taking the second dose of the vaccine.
Vaccine inequality alarming: UN
The UN leaders released a joint statement in which they condemned what they called the ‘crisis of vaccine inequity,’ among countries.Oman sets terms for top hotels to open event halls
Four and five-star hotels in Oman may open meeting and celebration halls, but must follow certain restrictions.
Oman lifts travel ban on India, Pakistan, Bangladesh
Fully-vaccinated passengers from 21 countries can now travel to Oman, according to a new circular issued by the country’s Civil Aviation Authority, which took the decision by consulting several stakeholders.Iran Covid deaths at new daily high as curbs lifted
The ministry said the deaths of 684 people in the past 24 hours brought the total number of fatalities to 102,038Antibody tests for kids to develop vaccine
The survey is being conducted jointly by the health and education ministries and by the army's Home Front command
Riyadh clears Moderna vaccine for people aged between 12 and 17
Saudi Arabia has approved the use of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for people aged between 12 and 17. The kingdom's decision was based on the data provided by the pharmaceutical company.
Iran, China to discuss ways to expand cooperation
Iranian President Raisi told Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping his government would prioritize the expansion of bilateral relations.
Oman to ease Covid-19 measures from Aug 21
The relaxation will see the reopening of public buildings, malls, and restaurants, as well as resumption of public events.Recorded Covid deaths top 100,000 in Iran
Iranian health officials have acknowledged that the ministry's figures understate the real tollSaudi Arabia to accept IATA Travel Pass from Sept 30
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has accepted the pass as a valid way of confirming Covid-19 test.US sanctions hamper medicine purchase, says Iran
Iran is currently experiencing its worst wave of new Covid-19 infections, in what is the third wave of the pandemic in the country.US to announce Covid vaccine booster campaign
US officials are considering whether a third dose should be the same type of vaccine as a person's first two
Covid-19: Abu Dhabi issues new travel norms for green countries
From Sunday, vaccinated travelers arriving into Abu Dhabi from green list destinations will have to take a PCR test on arrival and another on day 6 without the need for quarantine. Travelers from other destinations need to take a PCR test on arrival, quarantine for seven days and take a...
Palestinians get 150,000 doses of Pfizer virus vaccine
A Health Ministry statement said that of 4 million doses ordered from the pharmaceutical giant, 1 million have been received so far. The rest should be delivered in batches by the end of the year, it added. Health Minister Mai Al-Kaila had warned that the Palestinian territory was facing a...Jazeera Airways posts 138% growth in passenger traffic in Q2
The operational performance shows positive signs that travel will recover at a fast pace after eased restrictions come to effect by the middle of Q3 2020China approves first mixed-vaccine trial as Delta spread
The trial will test the efficacy of combining an "inactivated" vaccine made by China's Sinovac with a DNA-based one developed by US pharmaceutical company InovioUAE sends 300,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Comoros
An aircraft loaded with the supplies, which also included 600,000 injection needles, left the UAE for Comoros on Tuesday.
Egypt receives first shipment of J&J vaccine
Egypt has received its first shipment of J&J vaccine to inoculate Egyptians against Covid. The Ministry of Health stated that 261,600 doses of the J&J vaccine were received at Cairo International Airport.
Umrah permits for double-jabbed Saudis aged 12-18
Saudi nationals aged 12-18 can obtain Umrah permits if they have received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, the ministry of Hajj and Umrah has said. Local media reports said the ministry’s announcement follows the inauguration of the 2021 Umrah season on August 10.Israel sets up Covid rapid test stations nationwide
The testing centres are aimed at the non-vaccinated and those who have recovered from the virus and need a health passEgypt to have covid vaccine galore
Egypt will have Covid vaccines galore as it is set to receive shipments of AstraZeneca’s and J&J’s vaccines next week. The jabs, according to Egyptian Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed, will be distributed across the country.
Saudi Arabia asks pupils to take two jabs in order to attend school
With the government having made clear that only fully jabbed students aged 12-18 would be allowed to attend classes during the new academic session, Saudi Arabia is urging students to make appointments for taking the vaccine.Fully jabbed 60% less likely to get Covid-19: Study
The study also found double vaccinated people may be less likely to pass on the virus to others than those who have not received a vaccine.
UAE children aged 3-17 to receive Chinese Sinopharm vaccine
The UAE has decided to inoculate children between the ages of 3 and 17 with Chinese Covid-19 vaccine Sinopharm. Children between 12 and 15 are aleady being inoculated with the Pfizer vaccine.New Israel Covid-19 rules trigger protest
Older citizens need to get booster vaccine shot, mask requirement indoors reimposed, vaccine certificates must for entering enclosed spacesSix die in UAE from Covid-19, 1,537 test positive
The country's Ministry of Health and Prevention aims to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.Saudis queue up for vaccines as delta variant strikes world with force
Saudis have been queuing up in larger numbers in the last 10 days with the arrival of August 1 deadline, requiring everyone to get one dose of the vaccine.
Elderly Israelis to receive third jab of Pfizer vaccine
Much before the US begins to administer a third jab of the Pfizer/Biontech Covid-19 vaccine, Israel will start to give the booster shot to people over 60.
26m Saudis receive vaccine against Covid so far
Saudi Arabia has vaccinated more than 26 million people against the coronavirus ever since the kingdom began to inoculate its population a few months back.Iraqis ask for jabs as Covid tears through the country
Covid has resurfaced in Iraq with a vehemence that people are now frantically looking for jabs as their reluctance to take the vaccine ebbs away.Fully-vaccinated Saudi citizens can fly abroad from Aug 9
Also eligible for travel are citizens who recovered from virus six months ago and those who were infected six months earlier and vaccinated with a single dose.On-campus workers must be vaccinated, say Google, Facebook
Spikes in infections due to a Delta variant of the virus have ramped up concerns in the United States, where 611,000 people have died in the pandemic.
Bahrain bats for booster shots to battle Covid-19
Bahrain’s National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus said the booster shots help maximize immunity against Covid-19.
Rich-poor gap widening due to unequal vaccine access: IMF
Advanced nations have vaccinated nearly 40 percent of the population, compared to barely 11 percent in emerging markets and a tiny fraction in low-income countriesSaudi Arabia to donate a million vaccine doses to Malaysia
The King has directed the country’s officials to provide Malaysia with aid after the country’s Foreign Minister requested Saudi Arabia for assistance in fighting off the surge in infection.
WHO chief hails Bahrain efforts to combat Covid-19
Bahrain has seen more than 269,000 Covid-19 cases of the pandemic, which has resulted in 1,383 deaths
Algeria to manufacture Chinese Sinovac vaccine
Even as Sinovac will become the second Covid-19 vaccine to be manufactured locally in the country, only 10 percent of the 44 million population has been inoculated in nearly six months of the vaccination drive.
