A man is vaccinated against Covid-19 in Tunis.
A man is vaccinated against Covid-19 in Tunis.
A man is vaccinated against Covid-19 in Tunis.
A man is vaccinated against Covid-19 in Tunis.

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi orders donation of half a million vaccine doses to Tunisia


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has ordered the donation of half a million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Tunisia.

The country is struggling to contain a second wave of infections.

Sheikh Mohamed spoke with Tunisian President Kais Saied on the phone on Sunday.

He told Mr Saied the UAE was keen to help the North African country to curb Covid-19.

They also discussed ties between their countries and ways to enhance co-operation in all sectors.

The surge has been blamed on the more infectious Delta variant, which has placed the country’s healthcare system under severe strain.

Many hospitals have been left overflowing with patients and the test positivity rate in the country has soared to about 30 per cent. Some regions have returned positivity rates of up to 50 per cent.

Last week Tunisia recorded its highest daily death toll since the pandemic began, with 194 fatalities on Saturday.

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Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021

Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.

Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.

Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.

Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.

Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.

Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.

Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”

Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI. 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Updated: July 12, 2021, 10:17 AM