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Abu Dhabi, UAETuesday 2 March 2021

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epa09014013 A woman offers lanterns and other Spring Festival decorations for sale in Shanghai, China, 15 February 2021. Tourist attractions, sports venues, movies, and other attractions in Shanghai are flooded with people who could not go back home to celebrate the Spring Festival due to the new outbreak of COVID-19 in China, government regulations, and travel restrictions. Usually Spring Festival lasts 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year’s eve to the Lantern Festival, and this year it is from 11. February to 26. February. EPA/ALEX PLAVEVSKI

Travel plunges 70% as Covid-19 hampers Chinese New Year festivities
US President Joe Biden has vowed to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Reuters

Biden administration undeterred by Iran’s refusal to engage in direct nuclear talks

The Americas
US envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad (C) and US Army General Scott Miller, commander of NATO's Resolute Support Mission and United States Forces  Afghanistan, attend Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani's inauguration as president, in Kabul, Afghanistan March 9, 2020. Reuters

US Afghanistan peace envoy travels to meet Taliban representatives

Asia
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida. Reuters

CPAC meeting shows Trumpism reigns supreme in Republican Party

World

Kremlin critic Navalny moved to prison colony outside Moscow

Europe

Joe Biden writes letter to US Congress justifying air strikes in Syria

The Americas

One dead and several wounded as Myanmar police crack down on protests for second day

World
IN DEPTH
A Chinese warship taking part in exercises in the Arabian Sea near Pakistan. AP

Global military spending grows as US dominance is ‘being challenged’ by China

Europe
Iraqi forces patrol Tarmiyah on February 20, 2021, following clashes with ISIS fighters. The Popular Mobilisation Forces helped the Iraqi government fight ISIS and have now become a powerful political force. AFP

Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces have widespread power

Iraq
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Reuters

Boris Johnson’s challenge: turn Global Britain slogan into economic reality

Economy
Children like these being homeschooled in Mexico already faced widening educational disparities prior to Covid. AFP

Trailblazing UAE commended but global education in Covid mire

Europe
The UAE's diplomatic adviser to the president, Anwar Gargash, is seen during meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 29, 2019. REUTERS

Gargash: Biden is right in prioritising diplomacy with Iran

The Americas
Supporters of former President Donald Trump and anti-Trump groups clash outside of CPAC at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

Nine of the best pictures from around the world today
epa09014013 A woman offers lanterns and other Spring Festival decorations for sale in Shanghai, China, 15 February 2021. Tourist attractions, sports venues, movies, and other attractions in Shanghai are flooded with people who could not go back home to celebrate the Spring Festival due to the new outbreak of COVID-19 in China, government regulations, and travel restrictions. Usually Spring Festival lasts 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year’s eve to the Lantern Festival, and this year it is from 11. February to 26. February. EPA/ALEX PLAVEVSKI

Travel plunges 70% as Covid-19 hampers Chinese New Year festivities
TAINAN, TAIWAN - FEBRUARY 26: Participants of the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival, with their backs to the fireworks. as the large cart of fireworks go off on February 26, 2021 in Tainan, Taiwan. The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival is an annual tradition held on the 15th day after the beginning of the Lunar New Year in Tainan City for over 130 years. Located in Yanshui District, it is regarded as one of the most dangerous fireworks festivals in the world. Participants wear motorcycle helmets, fire-retardant clothing and thick gloves, with hundreds of thousands of firecrackers going off at the same time. According to Taiwan's Tourism Bureau, the 'beehive fireworks' festival started in 1885 as a request to the gods to spare the area from a cholera outbreak that was making its way through the villages. Future generations followed this tradition. It is believed that the 'baptism of fireworks' gets rid of calamities while bringing good fortune in the new lunar year. (Photo by An Rong Xu/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***

Eight of the best pictures from around the world today
The nearly-full moon rises beyond a hiker at Papago Park, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

10 of the best pictures from around the world today
Large streams of red hot lava shoot into the night sky as Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, continues to erupt, as seen from the village of Fornazzo, Italy February 23, 2021. REUTERS/Antonio Parrinello TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY REFILE - CORRECTING ACTION

Eight of the best photos from around the world today
The surface of Mars directly below NASA's Mars Perseverance rover is seen using the Rover Down-Look Camera in an image acquired February 22, 2021. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Handout via REUTERS MANDATORY CREDIT. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.

10 of the best photos from around the world today
Visitors view water flowing around ice at the American Falls due to cold temperatures in Niagara Falls, New York, U.S., February 21, 2021. REUTERS/Lindsay DeDario

Nine of the best photos from around the world today
Protesters march with a giant banner with images of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi during an anti-coup protest in Mandalay, Myanmar, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. Police in Myanmar shot dead a few anti-coup protesters and injured several others on Saturday, as security forces increased pressure on popular revolt against the military takeover. (AP Photo)

Nine of the best photos from around the world today
Coronavirus
A healthcare worker gives an injection of Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine to a man at the Guru Nanak Darbar gurudwara, a Sikh temple in Dubai. AFP / Karim SAHIB

Sinopharm in the UAE: How effective is the Covid-19 vaccine?

Health
Locals stand outside a boutique hotel in the village of Misfat Al Abriyeen, which opened its narrow streets six years ago to foreigners and locals seeking adventure in the deserts. AFP

Oman brings in two-week coronavirus curfew as case numbers rise

Gulf
German authorities have been struggling to convince people that the AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine is safe. Getty Images

Germany could lift AstraZeneca vaccine age limit in revamp of ‘very bad’ campaign

Europe
A Sikh healthcare worker holds a box of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine during vaccination at the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara (Sikh temple) in Dubai on February 28, 2021. / AFP / Karim SAHIB

Coronavirus: Sikh temple hosts vaccinations for Dubai residents

Health
Coronavirus Explained
A woman is vaccinated at a London mosque. AP

Covid-19 vaccine will not break Ramadan fast

Europe
A Saudi physician prepares to inject thePfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a coronavirus vaccination centre at Jeddah's old airport. AP

Doctors answer your questions about Covid-19 vaccine in UAE

Health
Dr Hind Al Awadhi, head of health promotion and education at Dubai Health Authority, has outlined isolation rules for people who have either tested positive for Covid-19 or are awaiting a result. Pawan Singh / The National

How to protect yourself and others after contracting Covid-19

Health
A woman wearing two face masks for extra protection against Covid-19 waits at a traffic light in Hanoi, a day after Vietnam recorded its first coronavirus outbreak in almost two months. AFP

Covid-19: are two masks better than one? And what about three?

Health
Gulf
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres opened a pledging conference for Yemen on Monday. Reuters

UN chief calls for $3.85 billion to answer Yemen's crisis

Oman brings in two-week coronavirus curfew as case numbers rise

UK aid cut risks millions of Yemenis 'starving to death’

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince receives call from Emir of Qatar

'Apocalyptic': Kuwaitis recall the nightmare of the 1991 oil fires
MENA
Electricity company executive Yahya Mawloud at Zouk power plant, north of Beirut, Lebanon. He says there is only enough fuel for 10 days. Courtesy Finbar Anderson

Lebanon’s electricity sector teeters on the brink of collapse

Israel says 'Iranian commandos' used limpet mines to attack ship in Gulf of Oman

Who is Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Libya's controversial prime minister designate

UAE ambassador presents credentials to Israeli president in historic first

The road from Abu Dhabi to Baghdad is full of peril for Pope Francis
ASIA
The hospitality industry is in decline all over the world. EPA

Jobs after Covid-19: business not as usual

US report reveals wasted billions on cars and buildings in Afghanistan

Protests reignite after popular Hong Kong dissidents charged with 'subversion'

Myanmar's Suu Kyi hit with two more criminal charges

Myanmar manufacturing activity in steep fall as unrest keeps factories shut

AFRICA
Sudanese vendors sell vegetables in the central market of Khartoum. AFP

Sudan launches cash transfer scheme for low income families amid economic crisis

Kidnappers abduct schoolchildren in Nigeria

Unicef launches learning passport as Covid threatens education of 20 million girls

Egypt supports Sudan's international arbitration proposal in dam dispute

US Navy ship docks in Sudan to strengthen military ties
EUROPE
Christie's employees adjust an oil on canvas painting by Sir Winston Churchill painted in Jan. 1943 called 'Tower of the Koutoubia Mosque'. AP

Churchill's 'most important' painting sells for £7m

Fraudsters offer 1 billion Covid-19 doses across EU, agency warns

Iraqi parliament recognises ISIS crimes against Yazidis and other groups as genocide

Universities face investigation over alleged secret waiting lists for 2020 entrants

Germany could lift AstraZeneca vaccine age limit in revamp of ‘very bad’ campaign
THE AMERICAS
People enjoy an evening at a restaurant on February 24, 2021, in New York City as the city continues reopening despite threat of new variant. AFP

New York marks anniversary of first coronavirus case

Canadians furious over ‘sloppy’ Covid-19 vaccine strategy

US distributes first four million 'one shot' Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines

CPAC meeting shows Trumpism reigns supreme in Republican Party

Biden administration undeterred by Iran’s refusal to engage in direct nuclear talks
OCEANIA
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the minister had categorically denied the allegation. Getty

Australian government under pressure to act on historic rape allegation

Watch: sheep has new fleece of life after 35kg coat is sheared

Australia passes law forcing Facebook and Google to pay for news

Facebook lifts blackout on Australian news after reaching government deal

Kangaroo painting identified as oldest known rock art in Australia
COMMENT
The hospitality industry is in decline all over the world. EPA

Jobs after Covid-19: business not as usual

When an Emirati and an Israeli diplomat meet

How Turkey's government abuses - and uses - Kurdish groups

Joe Biden has hit Iran (and political commentators) where it hurts

Citizenship must be sacrosanct – even Shamima Begum's
BREXIT
The sun rises behind the skyline of the City of London, Britain. Mr Sunak has already made it clear that the tech sector is a key focus of the budget next week. Reuters

UK to take stakes in later-stage tech start-ups through £375m fund

Construction halted at Northern Ireland's post-Brexit inspection facilities

Boris Johnson’s challenge: turn Global Britain slogan into economic reality

Designer Erdem Moralioglu says Brexit has cost UK industry dear

UK accepts EU request for more time to scrutinise Brexit deal
Beyond the Headlines
Thousands of Indian farmers on Tuesday escalated protests to revoke controversial new agricultural laws, clashing with police and storming key landmarks in the capital to pressure Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bloomberg

Beyond The Headlines: why are Indian farmers protesting?
The Ras Ghanada coral reef off the coast of Abu Dhabi. NYU Abu Dhabi

Beyond the Headlines: How the UAE moved an entire coral reef to save it
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed , Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, witness Hope's orbit insertion at Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. Rashid Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs 

Beyond the Headlines: How UAE's Hope probe made history
A rally against Donald Trump's executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority nations in New York's Times Square, February 19, 2017. AP Photo

Beyond the Headlines: How repealing the 'Muslim Ban' will affect refugees
Healthcare workers attend to a Covid-19 patient in the new emergency-care tent at Saint Georges Hospital in Beirut. EPA

Beyond the Headlines: can Lebanon survive the coronavirus pandemic?
Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th US president on January 20, 2021, at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP

An unprecedented presidential handover
Sexual harassment in Egypt was the inspiration for photographer Eman Helal’s essay ‘Just Stop’. Courtesy Eman Helal

Beyond the Headlines: how Egypt's #MeToo movement is changing the country
A syringe and a vial containing the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. AFP

Beyond the Headlines: will vaccines help us return to normal in 2021?
An Iraqi demonstrator walks among smoke from burning tires during ongoing anti-government protests in Kerbala. Reuters

Beyond the Headlines: Stories from 2020 of Covid-19 and beyond
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attend a military parade in Baku on December 10, 2020 to mark Azerbaijan's victory in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Turkish Presidential Press Service / AFP

Beyond the Headlines: will Azerbaijan's victory in Nagorno-Karabakh lead to lasting peace?
Damaged buildings in Mosul are surrounded by mounds of rubble three years after Iraqi forces liberated the city from ISIS. AP Photo

Beyond The Headlines: Memories of Mosul three years after ISIS
Hydroponic farming, which is more water and land efficient than conventional farming, may be the future of the industry in the UAE. Victor Besa / The National

Beyond The Headlines: The UAE's tactic against food crisis