Angela Merkel has put Germans on notice that tough new restrictions are on the way if they don't halt a worsening second wave. AFP
Angela Merkel has put Germans on notice that tough new restrictions are on the way if they don't halt a worsening second wave. AFP
Angela Merkel has put Germans on notice that tough new restrictions are on the way if they don't halt a worsening second wave. AFP
Angela Merkel has put Germans on notice that tough new restrictions are on the way if they don't halt a worsening second wave. AFP

Angela Merkel’s ultimatum: Beat second coronavirus wave or face clampdown


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Angela Merkel put Germans on notice that tough new restrictions are on the way if they do not halt a worsening second coronavirus wave.

The chancellor is proposing to introduce compulsory mask-wearing in all spaces where people gather in groups, as well as a curfew for restaurants and the closing of bars and clubs in areas with high infection rates, according to a draft document of her plan.

She is meeting state governors on Wednesday to outline her proposals.

The critical meeting comes a day after Mrs Merkel told the EU that Europe needs to learn from the mistakes made when the pandemic first hit.

She told member states: “We need to show that we have learnt our lesson.

“We have to ask the people of Europe to be careful, to follow the rules, to keep their distance, to cover their mouths and noses and to do what they can to contain the virus while still maintaining economic activity.”

Mrs Merkel’s proposed restrictions would kick in once an area records 35 cases per 100,000 people over seven days.

Previously, Germany used a yardstick of 50 new infections per 100,000 as the threshold for when tougher restrictions would apply.

The chancellor has repeatedly urged her country not to squander its early success in keeping numbers manageable.

She said keeping schools open so that the country's youth would not lose more education time, and ensuring that most of the economy can keep going, are her priorities.

The draft proposal takes aim at private gatherings, which it notes can help to propagate the virus, and makes an appeal to citizens to "critically weigh up in each case, whether, how and to what extent private parties are necessary and justifiable given the virus situation".

It also warned that further restrictions could be imposed if new cases are not contained.

  • A Catalan doctor protests on the second day of a four-day strike to demand better working conditions amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Barcelona, Spain. Reuters
    A Catalan doctor protests on the second day of a four-day strike to demand better working conditions amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Barcelona, Spain. Reuters
  • Morning rush hour commuters wear protective face masks while passing a poster showing the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Bloomberg
    Morning rush hour commuters wear protective face masks while passing a poster showing the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Bloomberg
  • A man wearing a face mask walks past a statue of the Beatles, as new measures across the region are set to come into force in Liverpool. AP Photo
    A man wearing a face mask walks past a statue of the Beatles, as new measures across the region are set to come into force in Liverpool. AP Photo
  • A teacher sorts drawings in an empty classroom at a closed school in Prague, Czech Republic. Amid widespread efforts to curb the new wave of coronavirus infections in one of the hardest hit European countries, the Czech Republic closed all of its schools. AP Photo
    A teacher sorts drawings in an empty classroom at a closed school in Prague, Czech Republic. Amid widespread efforts to curb the new wave of coronavirus infections in one of the hardest hit European countries, the Czech Republic closed all of its schools. AP Photo
  • A health care worker administers a flu vaccine to a man at a temporary vaccination centre in Las Rozas, near Madrid, Spain. Getty Images
    A health care worker administers a flu vaccine to a man at a temporary vaccination centre in Las Rozas, near Madrid, Spain. Getty Images
  • People walk in an empty Tuileries gardens in Paris, France. AP Photo
    People walk in an empty Tuileries gardens in Paris, France. AP Photo
  • People wearing masks are seen on a ferry following the new social restrictions announced by the Dutch government in Amsterdam. Reuters
    People wearing masks are seen on a ferry following the new social restrictions announced by the Dutch government in Amsterdam. Reuters
  • A medical worker performs a rapid antibody test during the Covid-19 pandemic in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo
    A medical worker performs a rapid antibody test during the Covid-19 pandemic in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo
  • Commuters wearing masks on a busy metro train in Paris, France. Bloomberg
    Commuters wearing masks on a busy metro train in Paris, France. Bloomberg
  • A member of parliament sits between plexiglass shields in Vienna, Austria. Reuters
    A member of parliament sits between plexiglass shields in Vienna, Austria. Reuters

The draft paper says: “It is now up to us to have a positive influence on the infection process in Germany. But this requires great determination and the will of society as a whole.”

Meanwhile, German health authorities revealed a vaccination campaign could be just months away.

Asked when Germans could expect to be vaccinated, health minister Jens Spahn said: “I assume that we would be able to start in the first quarter of next year.”

He also said Germany had ordered six million additional doses of flu vaccine to prevent the dual threat of flu and Covid.

The country of 83 million will have 26 million flu jabs – nearly double last year’s supply.

Health authorities said the country might experience delays to delivery of the flu jab but promised there would be no supply shortages, unlike Britain, where major pharmacy chains are restricting the jab to over-65s.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The biog

Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Favourite music: Classical

Hobbies: Reading and writing

 

Europa League group stage draw

Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar

MATCH INFO

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Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000

Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm

Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km

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Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.

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July 29: OTA Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan

Sep 22-23: LA Convention Centre in Los Angeles, US

Nov 16-18: Carioca Arena Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Feb 7-9: Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Mar 9-10: Copper Box Arena in London, UK

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Director: Rolan Emmerich

Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry

Rating: 3/5

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How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.

 

 

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

MATCH INFO

Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)

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