Egyptians at a centre in Kuwait for residency offenders wishing to avail of an amnesty announced amid the coronovirus crisis, in Kuwait City on April 6, 2020. AFP
Egyptians at a centre in Kuwait for residency offenders wishing to avail of an amnesty announced amid the coronovirus crisis, in Kuwait City on April 6, 2020. AFP
Egyptians at a centre in Kuwait for residency offenders wishing to avail of an amnesty announced amid the coronovirus crisis, in Kuwait City on April 6, 2020. AFP
Egyptians at a centre in Kuwait for residency offenders wishing to avail of an amnesty announced amid the coronovirus crisis, in Kuwait City on April 6, 2020. AFP

Coronavirus: eight repatriated Kuwaitis among 109 new cases


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Kuwait reported an almost 20 per cent daily increase in confirmed coronavirus infections on Monday, taking its total number of cases to 665.

Out of the 109 Covid-19 cases confirmed since Sunday, eight were Kuwaiti citizens who had been repatriated from Europe and the US, health ministry spokesman Abdullah Al Sanad said at his daily briefing. Five had returned from Britain, two from Spain and one from the US, Dr Al Sanad said.

The other new cases comprised 79 Indian residents, six Bangladeshis, six Iranians, six Egyptians, three Pakistanis and a Filipino.

Dr Al Sanad said 561 people were still being treated in hospital. Twenty of the patients were in intensive care, including seven in critical condition.

Earlier on Monday Health Minister Basel Al Sabah announced the recovery of four more Covid-19 patients, taking the total number of recoveries to 103.

  • Municipality workers spray disinfectant as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus at the Kuwait Salmiya market. EPA
    Municipality workers spray disinfectant as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus at the Kuwait Salmiya market. EPA
  • Children hold olive branches as they look out from the sunroof of a car to be blessed by priests to celebrate Palm Sunday, amid the lockdown to contain the coronavirus in Marjayoun, southern Lebanon. Reuters
    Children hold olive branches as they look out from the sunroof of a car to be blessed by priests to celebrate Palm Sunday, amid the lockdown to contain the coronavirus in Marjayoun, southern Lebanon. Reuters
  • An empty Greek Catholic Church during a Mass on Palm Sunday in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
    An empty Greek Catholic Church during a Mass on Palm Sunday in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
  • Members of the Kurdish Red Crescent check passengers who were stranded in Damascus upon their arrival at the Qamishli airport in Syria's north-eastern Hasakeh province. AFP
    Members of the Kurdish Red Crescent check passengers who were stranded in Damascus upon their arrival at the Qamishli airport in Syria's north-eastern Hasakeh province. AFP
  • Coptic girls reacting while watching hymns performed on telelvision at home at Shubra Al Khema district in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
    Coptic girls reacting while watching hymns performed on telelvision at home at Shubra Al Khema district in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
  • Iraqi priests celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass at the empty Saint Joseph Church in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. AFP
    Iraqi priests celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass at the empty Saint Joseph Church in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. AFP
  • A Palestinian man, who was quarantined, talks on his phone on a hotel window in Gaza City. EPA
    A Palestinian man, who was quarantined, talks on his phone on a hotel window in Gaza City. EPA
  • Palestinian security policemen wearing protective gear, patrol on the street of Gaza city. EPA
    Palestinian security policemen wearing protective gear, patrol on the street of Gaza city. EPA
  • A street vendor wearing protective face mask stands between lines of cars during a sandstorm in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
    A street vendor wearing protective face mask stands between lines of cars during a sandstorm in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
  • Members of the Kurdish Red Crescent check passengers who were stranded in Damascus upon their arrival at the Qamishli airport in Syria's north-eastern Hasakeh province. AFP
    Members of the Kurdish Red Crescent check passengers who were stranded in Damascus upon their arrival at the Qamishli airport in Syria's north-eastern Hasakeh province. AFP
  • A view of an empty street during the coronavirus pandemic in Tunis, Tunisia. EPA
    A view of an empty street during the coronavirus pandemic in Tunis, Tunisia. EPA
  • A view of an empty street during the coronavirus pandemic in Tunis, Tunisia. EPA
    A view of an empty street during the coronavirus pandemic in Tunis, Tunisia. EPA
  • A statue representing the Virgin Mary and Jesus is seen in front of the closed St Maroun Maronite Catholic Church during Mass on Palm Sunday in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
    A statue representing the Virgin Mary and Jesus is seen in front of the closed St Maroun Maronite Catholic Church during Mass on Palm Sunday in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
  • Municipality workers spray disinfectant as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus at the Kuwait Salmiya market following the outbreak of coronavirus in Kuwait. EPA
    Municipality workers spray disinfectant as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus at the Kuwait Salmiya market following the outbreak of coronavirus in Kuwait. EPA
  • Afghan health workers spray disinfectants at public places in Helmand, Afghanistan. EPA
    Afghan health workers spray disinfectants at public places in Helmand, Afghanistan. EPA

Kuwait has reported only one death from the coronavirus, an Indian man who died on Saturday.

In Saudi Arabia, four people died of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours, a government tracking site showed on Monday.

The Saudi Covid-19 Dashboard said the number of deaths confirmed as having been caused by the virus had reached 38 among a total of 2,523 people infected in the kingdom so far.

More than 750 of the cases detected in Saudi Arabia were in Riyadh, while Makkah had the second-highest number with 483. Jeddah had 378 cases and Madinah had 252. Al Qatif, the eastern city that was isolated early in the outbreak, had 146 cases while Dammam, the kingdom’s oil centre, had 149.

The Saudi health ministry said 488 patients had recovered.

The Covid-19 case count in Oman rose to 331 with 33 new confirmed infections announced on Monday.

Oman's health ministry said 61 patients had recovered.

Two people have died from the disease in the sultanate.

An update of cases in Bahrain, published on the Ministry of Health website on Monday, said the kingdom had 268 active cases, of which four were critical, while 451 had been discharged.

Bahrain has recorded four deaths so far from Covid-19, according to the website.

The latest figures available from Qatar's health ministry showed the country had 1,604 confirmed Covid-19 infections on Sunday, of which 279 were detected in the previous 24 hours. Four people have died from the disease and 123 have recovered.

Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

Fast%20X
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Louis%20Leterrier%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Vin%20Diesel%2C%20Michelle%20Rodriguez%2C%20Jason%20Statham%2C%20Tyrese%20Gibson%2C%20Ludacris%2C%20Jason%20Momoa%2C%20John%20Cena%2C%20Jordana%20Brewster%2C%20Nathalie%20Emmanuel%2C%20Sung%20Kang%2C%20Brie%20Larson%2C%20Helen%20Mirren%20and%20Charlize%20Theron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.

Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.

The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Long read

Mageed Yahia, director of WFP in UAE: Coronavirus knows no borders, and neither should the response

How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ogram%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Karim%20Kouatly%20and%20Shafiq%20Khartabil%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20On-demand%20staffing%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2050%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMore%20than%20%244%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%2C%20Aditum%20and%20Oraseya%20Capital%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

Results

5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m

Winner No Riesgo Al Maury, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)

5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m

Winner Marwa W’Rsan, Sam Hitchcott, Jaci Wickham.

6pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m

Winner Dahess D’Arabie, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi.

6.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m

Winner Safin Al Reef, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m

Winner Thulbaseera Al Jasra, Shakir Al Balushi, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.

7.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 80,000 2,200m

Winner Autumn Pride, Szczepan Mazur, Helal Al Alawi.

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Rain Management

Year started: 2017

Based: Bahrain

Employees: 100-120

Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund

Where can I submit a sample?

Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.

Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:

  • Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
  • Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
  • Al Towayya in Al Ain
  • NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
  • Bareen International Hospital
  • NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
  • NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
  • NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
RESULTS

5pm: Watha Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 2,000m

Winner: Dalil De Carrere, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m

Winner: Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner: Pharitz Al Denari, Bernardo Pinheiro, Mahmood Hussain

6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner: Oss, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m

Winner: AF Almajhaz, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi

8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m

Winner: AF Lewaa, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qaiss Aboud.

Sreesanth's India bowling career

Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40

ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55

T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12