Follow the latest updates on Expo 2020 Dubai here
The UAE is fully prepared to host Expo 2020 Dubai with strict coronavirus safety measures in place, the authorities said on Tuesday.
With the opening of the event just two days away, Dr Taher Al Ameri, spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, said the country was "fully prepared to manage large-scale global events while ensuring the safety of all visitors and tourists".
He reminded the public to follow Covid-19 rules and to preserve the country’s achievements in fighting the pandemic.
“It is a national responsibility,” he said at a weekly Covid-19 briefing. “We trust people will continue to be aware and adhere to all the protocols.
“At this phase, social integration is essential to return to a new normal life. We recommend following all measures, regular testing and getting vaccinated.”
The UAE leads the world in vaccinating its population with at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
A comprehensive and free national vaccination campaign began in December last year.
Vaccination centres were quickly set up all over the country.
“To support the vaccine drive and its safe use, a national team was formed to oversee all studies and research on the Covid-19 vaccines, whether conducted by international health organisations or in the UAE,” Dr Al Ameri said.
“All information on vaccines, including booster shots and how to get them, are announced according to the findings of the team with great transparency to ensure everyone is well informed.”
He said the UAE has been transparent by providing all the information through government media briefings as well as other official channels.
“All information and protocols on the pandemic are shared through official platforms, in addition to information on the vaccines and other important topics,” he said.
“We call upon the people to confirm the accuracy of news being shared on social media.
“We stress the need to obtain information from official accredited sources to avoid legal liability.
“The spread of misinformation and rumours is damaging, as it hinders the country’s efforts to recover across different sectors.”
On Tuesday, the UAE reported 277 new coronavirus cases and 329 recoveries.
Officials said no one died from the virus.
The country has recorded 735,457 cases, 727,845 recoveries and 2,094 deaths since the first Covid-19 case was detected in the Emirates on January 29 last year.
More than 90,500 doses of Covid-19 vaccine were administered, bringing the total percentage of fully vaccinated people in the UAE to 83.03 per cent. Currently, 93.71 per cent have had at least one dose.
The total number of vaccine doses administered since the start of the pandemic is 19,963,359.
UAE vaccination campaign - in pictures
What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Milkman by Anna Burns
Ordinary People by Diana Evans
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Circe by Madeline Miller
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
THE BIG MATCH
Arsenal v Manchester City,
Sunday, Emirates Stadium, 6.30pm
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Results:
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres
Winner: AF Al Sajanjle, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m
Winner: Blue Point, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Muntazah, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
8.15pm: Meydan Trophy Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m
Winner: Art Du Val, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Poetic Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m
Winner: Lava Spin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m
Winner: Mountain Hunter, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
