• Health workers collect swab samples at a newly opened Covid-19 test centre at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. EPA
    Health workers collect swab samples at a newly opened Covid-19 test centre at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. EPA
  • People in Toronto show their support for lorry drivers on their way to Ottawa to protest against cross-border vaccine mandates. Reuters
    People in Toronto show their support for lorry drivers on their way to Ottawa to protest against cross-border vaccine mandates. Reuters
  • Passengers on an underground train in London. Although it is no longer legally compulsory to wear masks in indoor venues, some rail companies in England still require passengers to wear face coverings. EPA
    Passengers on an underground train in London. Although it is no longer legally compulsory to wear masks in indoor venues, some rail companies in England still require passengers to wear face coverings. EPA
  • A health worker holds a swab sample collected from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
    A health worker holds a swab sample collected from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
  • A House of Fraser department store, which closed down during the coronavirus outbreak, on Oxford Street in London. AP
    A House of Fraser department store, which closed down during the coronavirus outbreak, on Oxford Street in London. AP
  • Crowds of people wait for the train at a railway station in Shanghai during the Chinese New Year travel rush. Reuters
    Crowds of people wait for the train at a railway station in Shanghai during the Chinese New Year travel rush. Reuters
  • Naples, Italy. More EU countries now require people to wear FFP2 multi-layered face masks outdoors to curb the spread of the more contagious Omicron coronavirus strain. EPA
    Naples, Italy. More EU countries now require people to wear FFP2 multi-layered face masks outdoors to curb the spread of the more contagious Omicron coronavirus strain. EPA
  • A health worker collects a swab sample at a Covid-19 test centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. EPA
    A health worker collects a swab sample at a Covid-19 test centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. EPA
  • A pupil receives a dose of the Sinovac vaccine at a primary school in Tangerang, Indonesia. EPA
    A pupil receives a dose of the Sinovac vaccine at a primary school in Tangerang, Indonesia. EPA
  • A health worker treats a Covid-19 patient in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Marica, Brazil. AP
    A health worker treats a Covid-19 patient in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Marica, Brazil. AP
  • A doctor prescribes medicine for a person infected with Covid-19, in Quito, Ecuador. AP
    A doctor prescribes medicine for a person infected with Covid-19, in Quito, Ecuador. AP
  • A driver places a swab into a vial at a drive-through test centre in Darby, Pennsylvania. AP
    A driver places a swab into a vial at a drive-through test centre in Darby, Pennsylvania. AP
  • Medics take a swab from a patient outside a doctor's office in Laatzen, Germany. AP
    Medics take a swab from a patient outside a doctor's office in Laatzen, Germany. AP
  • Residents undergo nucleic acid tests at a Covid-19 test centre in Anyang, China. AFP
    Residents undergo nucleic acid tests at a Covid-19 test centre in Anyang, China. AFP
  • A man receives a shot of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in Moscow. EPA
    A man receives a shot of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in Moscow. EPA
  • A health worker collects a swab sample at a government hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
    A health worker collects a swab sample at a government hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
  • A health worker collects a swab sample from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
    A health worker collects a swab sample from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
  • Medics transfer a Covid-19 patient at a hospital in Krasnodar, Russia. AP
    Medics transfer a Covid-19 patient at a hospital in Krasnodar, Russia. AP

Covid-19 cases and deaths rising in Middle East as rest of world sees drop


Nada El Sawy
  • English
  • Arabic

The Middle East and North Africa is the only World Health Organisation region in which Covid-19 case numbers and deaths continue to rise since the beginning of the year because of lower vaccination rates, the organisation said on Wednesday.

Weekly case numbers increased by 36 per cent in the Eastern Mediterranean region, which includes 22 countries and territories stretching from Morocco to Pakistan, during the week of January 31 to February 6. The WHO said weekly deaths increased by 45 per cent.

“There has been a dramatic increase in the number of Covid-19 cases over the past six weeks, with a daily average of over 110,000 cases. A rise in deaths has also been reported over the past three weeks, with a daily average of 345 deaths,” Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said in Cairo.

The five other WHO regions — Africa, the Americas, South-east Asia, Europe and Western Pacific — reported decreases in weekly cases this month.

Globally, the number of new Covid-19 cases decreased by 17 per cent compared with the number during the previous week, although the new seven-day death toll rose by 7 per cent.

Many of the countries that reported an early increase in the number of cases caused by the Omicron variant have reported declines in new infections since the beginning of January, the WHO said in its latest weekly epidemiological update.

The low vaccination rate in the Eastern Mediterranean region and a lack of adherence to public health and social measures have fuelled the increase in case numbers and deaths, WHO officials said at the Cairo briefing.

About 35 per cent of the region’s population of nearly 700 million people is now fully vaccinated, but the rates vary “enormously among countries, ranging from between 1 per cent and 94 per cent”, Dr Al Mandhari said.

Six countries in the region still have vaccination coverage of less than 10 per cent, far lower than the 40 per cent coverage target set by the WHO by the end of 2021.

“Even though before the end of the year, we had some shortage of vaccine supply, right now this is not the problem,” said Dr Rana Hajjeh, director of programme management at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (Emro). “All the countries have adequate vaccine supplies, but we need to mobilise the population.”

Improving vaccination coverage has to be combined with sticking to interventions, such as wearing masks, avoiding crowded areas and keeping places well ventilated, Dr Hajjeh said.

“The implementation of all of these has unfortunately been quite relaxed over the last few months, partly due to fatigue and various other factors,” she said.

Countries cannot rely on the concept of herd immunity, as Omicron has increased the level of reinfection among those who are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19, said Dr Abdinasir Abubakar, manager for infectious hazards prevention at Emro.

“Omicron has changed the equation when it comes to herd immunity. There are countries where almost 80 per cent or 90 per cent of people have either been vaccinated or infected,” he said. “At the same time, we need to push vaccination coverage to minimise severe cases and deaths.”

The region has reported more than 19.8 million cases and more than 324,000 deaths.

A Palestinian pupil receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 at a school in Gaza's Al Shati refugee camp. AFP
A Palestinian pupil receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 at a school in Gaza's Al Shati refugee camp. AFP

In the first week of February, nine countries reported increases in new cases of 20 per cent or greater, with the highest relative increases reported from Iran, Afghanistan and Jordan. In Iran new cases increased by 188 per cent to more than 221,000.

Iran has vaccinated about 65 per cent of its population, while vaccination coverage in Jordan is about 40 per cent and in Afghanistan about 10 per cent.

In contrast, in the UAE, which has inoculated about 95 per cent of the population, cases have decreased in the past two weeks.

The highest number of new deaths were reported from Tunisia, Iran and Egypt. In Tunisia, where about half of the population is fully vaccinated, the 383 deaths represented a 39 per cent increase compared with the previous week.

An added challenge in the region is areas of conflict and the 21 million internally displaced people (IDPs), who account for 45 per cent of the total number of IDPs worldwide, Dr Al Mandhari said.

Dr Al Mandhari emphasised the importance of collective solidarity and action to help end the pandemic.

“It is up to all of us — as individuals and community members — to take actions that can and will determine the course of this pandemic and ensure that future generations are spared from what we are currently enduring,” he said.

Coronavirus around the world — in pictures

  • A young woman receives a Pfizer jab in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo
    A young woman receives a Pfizer jab in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo
  • A girl wearing a face mask rides on a merry-go-round at the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
    A girl wearing a face mask rides on a merry-go-round at the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
  • People travel on a London underground tube train on the Jubilee Line, in London, during the pandemic. AP Photo
    People travel on a London underground tube train on the Jubilee Line, in London, during the pandemic. AP Photo
  • People wait for the tram in Vienna, Austria, amid the crisis. AP Photo
    People wait for the tram in Vienna, Austria, amid the crisis. AP Photo
  • A woman passes by an empty terrace in the Marrolles quarter in Brussels, Belgium. AP Photo
    A woman passes by an empty terrace in the Marrolles quarter in Brussels, Belgium. AP Photo
  • A teacher gives online lessons via webcam at the temporarily closed elementary school in the town of Trebisov, eastern Slovakia. TASR via AP
    A teacher gives online lessons via webcam at the temporarily closed elementary school in the town of Trebisov, eastern Slovakia. TASR via AP
  • Hairdressers and clients wear masks in Amsterdam, Netherlands. AFP
    Hairdressers and clients wear masks in Amsterdam, Netherlands. AFP
  • A man disinfects seats for tourists at a beach in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
    A man disinfects seats for tourists at a beach in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
  • Israeli boy Itamar, 5, receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Meuhedet Healthcare Services Organisation in Tel Aviv. AFP
    Israeli boy Itamar, 5, receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Meuhedet Healthcare Services Organisation in Tel Aviv. AFP
  • A patient suffering from Covid-19 is admitted in the intensive care unit of the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
    A patient suffering from Covid-19 is admitted in the intensive care unit of the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
  • A health worker prepares to administer the AstraZeneca jab in Abuja, Nigeria. AFP
    A health worker prepares to administer the AstraZeneca jab in Abuja, Nigeria. AFP
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPyppl%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEstablished%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAntti%20Arponen%20and%20Phil%20Reynolds%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20financial%20services%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2418.5%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEmployees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20150%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20series%20A%2C%20closed%20in%202021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20venture%20capital%20companies%2C%20international%20funds%2C%20family%20offices%2C%20high-net-worth%20individuals%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile

Date started: December 24, 2018

Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer

Based: Dubai Media City

Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)

Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech

Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year

Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020

Leaderboard

15 under: Paul Casey (ENG)

-14: Robert MacIntyre (SCO)

-13 Brandon Stone (SA)

-10 Laurie Canter (ENG) , Sergio Garcia (ESP)

-9 Kalle Samooja (FIN)

-8 Thomas Detry (BEL), Justin Harding (SA), Justin Rose (ENG)

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Chelsea 1
Alonso (62')

Huddersfield Town 1
Depoitre (50')

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

What is a robo-adviser?

Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.

These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.

Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.

Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.

Jumanji: The Next Level

Director: Jake Kasdan

Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas 

Two out of five stars 

Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier

Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August

 

Group A

Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar

 

Group B

UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

The%20Afghan%20connection
%3Cp%3EThe%20influx%20of%20talented%20young%20Afghan%20players%20to%20UAE%20cricket%20could%20have%20a%20big%20impact%20on%20the%20fortunes%20of%20both%20countries.%20Here%20are%20three%20Emirates-based%20players%20to%20watch%20out%20for.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHassan%20Khan%20Eisakhil%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMohammed%20Nabi%20is%20still%20proving%20his%20worth%20at%20the%20top%20level%20but%20there%20is%20another%20reason%20he%20is%20raging%20against%20the%20idea%20of%20retirement.%20If%20the%20allrounder%20hangs%20on%20a%20little%20bit%20longer%2C%20he%20might%20be%20able%20to%20play%20in%20the%20same%20team%20as%20his%20son%2C%20Hassan%20Khan.%20The%20family%20live%20in%20Ajman%20and%20train%20in%20Sharjah.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMasood%20Gurbaz%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20opening%20batter%2C%20who%20trains%20at%20Sharjah%20Cricket%20Academy%2C%20is%20another%20player%20who%20is%20a%20part%20of%20a%20famous%20family.%20His%20brother%2C%20Rahmanullah%2C%20was%20an%20IPL%20winner%20with%20Kolkata%20Knight%20Riders%2C%20and%20opens%20the%20batting%20with%20distinction%20for%20Afghanistan.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOmid%20Rahman%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20fast%20bowler%20became%20a%20pioneer%20earlier%20this%20year%20when%20he%20became%20the%20first%20Afghan%20to%20represent%20the%20UAE.%20He%20showed%20great%20promise%20in%20doing%20so%2C%20too%2C%20playing%20a%20key%20role%20in%20the%20senior%20team%E2%80%99s%20qualification%20for%20the%20Asia%20Cup%20in%20Muscat%20recently.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Multitasking pays off for money goals

Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O'Neill at least $1 million.

That's how much Ms O'Neill, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University in the US, figures she lost by starting saving for retirement only after she had created an emergency fund, bought a car with cash and purchased a home.

"I tell students that eventually, 30 years later, I hit the million-dollar mark, but I could've had $2 million," Ms O'Neill says.

Too often, financial experts say, people want to attack their money goals one at a time: "As soon as I pay off my credit card debt, then I'll start saving for a home," or, "As soon as I pay off my student loan debt, then I'll start saving for retirement"."

People do not realise how costly the words "as soon as" can be. Paying off debt is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of other goals, particularly saving for retirement. The sooner money is contributed, the longer it can benefit from compounded returns. Compounded returns are when your investment gains earn their own gains, which can dramatically increase your balances over time.

"By putting off saving for the future, you are really inhibiting yourself from benefiting from that wonderful magic," says Kimberly Zimmerman Rand , an accredited financial counsellor and principal at Dragonfly Financial Solutions in Boston. "If you can start saving today ... you are going to have a lot more five years from now than if you decide to pay off debt for three years and start saving in year four."

On the menu

First course

▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water  

▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle

Second course

▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo

▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa

Third course

▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro

▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis

Dessert

▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate

▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
 

Pakistan v New Zealand Test series

Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza

New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner

Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EMuhammad%20Waseem%20(captain)%2C%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20Aryan%20Lakra%2C%20Ashwanth%20Valthapa%2C%20Asif%20Khan%2C%20Aryansh%20Sharma%2C%20CP%20Rizwaan%2C%20Hazrat%20Billal%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%20and%20Zawar%20Farid.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Greatest Royal Rumble results

John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match

Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus

Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal

Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos

Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe

AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out

The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match

Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Teenage%20Mutant%20Ninja%20Turtles%3A%20Shredder's%20Revenge
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Updated: February 12, 2022, 8:27 PM