• A Syrian refugee receives a Covid-19 vaccine at a medical centre in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan in February. AFP
    A Syrian refugee receives a Covid-19 vaccine at a medical centre in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan in February. AFP
  • Syrian refugees wait to receive their vaccine at Zaatari. AFP
    Syrian refugees wait to receive their vaccine at Zaatari. AFP
  • The UK is leading calls for a vaccination ceasefire to allow Covid-19 vaccines to reach people living in conflict zones. AFP
    The UK is leading calls for a vaccination ceasefire to allow Covid-19 vaccines to reach people living in conflict zones. AFP
  • About $2.4bn has been raised for the UN-backed Covax campaign to help developing countries that are unable to afford their own vaccine stockpiles. AFP
    About $2.4bn has been raised for the UN-backed Covax campaign to help developing countries that are unable to afford their own vaccine stockpiles. AFP
  • A medical worker prepares the coronavirus vaccine made by Sinopharm to administer to Syrian refugees in Jordan. AP Photo
    A medical worker prepares the coronavirus vaccine made by Sinopharm to administer to Syrian refugees in Jordan. AP Photo
  • Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab highlighted the 160 million people who could miss out on Covid-19 vaccination because of conflict in their countries. AP Photo
    Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab highlighted the 160 million people who could miss out on Covid-19 vaccination because of conflict in their countries. AP Photo
  • Syrian refugees ride their bicycles in the Zaatari camp, where a Covid-19 vaccination programme has begun. EPA
    Syrian refugees ride their bicycles in the Zaatari camp, where a Covid-19 vaccination programme has begun. EPA
  • 'Global vaccination coverage is essential to beating coronavirus,' UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said. EPA
    'Global vaccination coverage is essential to beating coronavirus,' UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said. EPA

WHO: 1% vaccinated for coronavirus in Middle East


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

The World Health Organisation said on Monday that only about 1 per cent of the Middle East region's population had received a first coronavirus vaccine shot.

The UN body released its data for what it calls the Eastern Mediterranean Region of nearly 600 million people, stretching from Morocco to Pakistan but excluding Israel.

It includes the UAE, which is the country with the second most vaccinations per capita in the world and has assisted other countries in the region.

"So far, more than 6.3 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been given to people in 12 countries," said Ahmed Al Mandhari, the WHO's regional chief based in Cairo.

The WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region comprises 21 countries and is home to about 583 million people.

But while it includes the Palestinian Territories, it does not include Israel, the country in the region with the biggest mass vaccination campaign.

Israel reports that 3.8 million people have received a first dose, while 2.4 million have received a second.

Mr Al Mandhari vaccines distributed through the Covax equal access programme are due to reach Tunisia and the Palestinians in coming weeks.

Tunisia is expected to receive about 37,000 doses, while 94,000 doses will go to the West Bank and Gaza Strip, he said, without specifying the makers.

The other countries in WHO's region are due to receive "an estimated 46 million to 56 million doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine during the first half of this year", he said.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been more than six million confirmed cases of the virus across the WHO region, including 140,000 deaths, Mr Al Mandhari said.

Thirteen countries are affected by variants of the coronavirus, he said.

Mr Al Mandhari also warned of the "unequal distribution of the vaccine" globally, and said it was "difficult to predict" how many vaccines were available.

"A number of countries in the region have entered into bilateral agreements with manufacturers," he said.

But he predicted that "the pace of these agreements will accelerate".

  • Lebanon's caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan administers a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to a member of the healthcare staff at the Rafik Hariri Hospital in the capital Beirut as the country started its inoculation campaign on Sunday. AFP
    Lebanon's caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan administers a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to a member of the healthcare staff at the Rafik Hariri Hospital in the capital Beirut as the country started its inoculation campaign on Sunday. AFP
  • Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab talks to reporters at the Rafik Hariri Hospital in the capital Beirut after the country started its Covid-19 inoculation campaign with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Sunday. AFP
    Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab talks to reporters at the Rafik Hariri Hospital in the capital Beirut after the country started its Covid-19 inoculation campaign with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Sunday. AFP
  • A health worker gets the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the coronavirus disease at Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday. EPA
    A health worker gets the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the coronavirus disease at Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday. EPA
  • Lebanese artist Salah Tizani, 93, also known as Abou Salim, gets the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against coronavirus at Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut on Sunday. EPA
    Lebanese artist Salah Tizani, 93, also known as Abou Salim, gets the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against coronavirus at Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut on Sunday. EPA
  • A member of the healthcare staff prepares a dose of the Covid-19 Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at Rafik Hariri Hospital in the capital Beirut, as Lebanon's inoculation campaign got under way on Sunday. AFP
    A member of the healthcare staff prepares a dose of the Covid-19 Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at Rafik Hariri Hospital in the capital Beirut, as Lebanon's inoculation campaign got under way on Sunday. AFP
  • A janitor disinfects a vaccine centre at St George hospital as Lebanon's Covid-19 inoculation campaign got under way on Sunday. Elizabeth Fitt for The National
    A janitor disinfects a vaccine centre at St George hospital as Lebanon's Covid-19 inoculation campaign got under way on Sunday. Elizabeth Fitt for The National
  • A new vaccine centre is set up at St George hospital in Beirut as Lebanon's Covid-19 inoculation campaign got under way on Sunday. Elizabeth Fitt for The National
    A new vaccine centre is set up at St George hospital in Beirut as Lebanon's Covid-19 inoculation campaign got under way on Sunday. Elizabeth Fitt for The National
  • Hamad Hasan, Lebanon's Minister for Health visits a new vaccine centre at St George hospital in Beirut. Elizabeth Fitt for The National
    Hamad Hasan, Lebanon's Minister for Health visits a new vaccine centre at St George hospital in Beirut. Elizabeth Fitt for The National
  • A janitor disinfects surfaces and floors as a new vaccine centre is set up at St George hospital in preparation for start of the inoculation campaign on Sunday. Elizabeth Fitt for The National
    A janitor disinfects surfaces and floors as a new vaccine centre is set up at St George hospital in preparation for start of the inoculation campaign on Sunday. Elizabeth Fitt for The National
  • Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan, visits a Covid-19 vaccination centre at St George hospital, a day before the start of the inoculation campaign on Sunday. Elizabeth Fitt for The National
    Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan, visits a Covid-19 vaccination centre at St George hospital, a day before the start of the inoculation campaign on Sunday. Elizabeth Fitt for The National
  • Lebanon's first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines arrives at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut on February 13, 2021. EPA
    Lebanon's first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines arrives at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut on February 13, 2021. EPA
  • Lebanon's first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines is offloaded at Rafik Hariri International Airport. EPA
    Lebanon's first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines is offloaded at Rafik Hariri International Airport. EPA
  • Workers stand next to boxes of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut on February 13, 2021. AP Photo
    Workers stand next to boxes of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut on February 13, 2021. AP Photo
  • The first batch of the shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-9 vaccine is offloaded from a plane at Beirut's international airport. Reuters
    The first batch of the shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-9 vaccine is offloaded from a plane at Beirut's international airport. Reuters
  • Health Minister Hamad Hassan speaks to media near the aircraft that brought the first batch of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine doses on Saturday. Reuters
    Health Minister Hamad Hassan speaks to media near the aircraft that brought the first batch of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine doses on Saturday. Reuters

Lebanon was the latest country to launch its vaccination drive on Sunday.

More than 89 per cent of Lebanon's Covid-19 intensive care beds were filled as of Friday.

The country had a surge in cases after the December holidays.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The National selections

Al Ain

5pm: Bolereau
5.30pm: Rich And Famous
6pm: Duc De Faust
6.30pm: Al Thoura​​​​​​​
7pm: AF Arrab​​​​​​​
7.30pm: Al Jazi​​​​​​​
8pm: Futoon

Jebel Ali

1.45pm: AF Kal Noor​​​​​​​
2.15pm: Galaxy Road
2.45pm: Dark Thunder
3.15pm: Inverleigh​​​​​​​
3.45pm: Bawaasil​​​​​​​
4.15pm: Initial
4.45pm: Tafaakhor

Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

About Takalam

Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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THE SPECS

Engine: 1.6-litre turbo

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Power: 165hp

Torque: 240Nm

Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)

On sale: Now

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5