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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has apologised for lifting coronavirus restrictions too soon after infections in the Netherlands surged to their highest levels this year fuelled by the fast-spreading Delta variant.
Only two weeks after most lockdown measures in the country were lifted, Mr Rutte reimposed restrictions on bars and restaurants to halt a rise in infections among young people.
About 6.5 million of the 17 million population are fully vaccinated against Covid, government figures show.
But Mr Rutte said it was not the right time to consider lifting restrictions.
"What we thought would be possible turned out not to be possible in practice," he said.
"We had poor judgment, which we regret and for which we apologise."
His apology marked an about-turn from his stance last week, when he repeatedly defended the earlier easing of restrictions as a "logical step" and refused to accept any blame for the rise in case numbers.
Dutch health authorities accused the government of throwing caution to the wind by encouraging young people to go out and socialise.
Coronavirus infections in the Netherlands have jumped to their highest levels of 2021 since the decision to fully reopen bars, restaurants and nightclubs two weeks ago.
A system of health checks and mandatory Covid-19 tests for entry was put in place, but it struggled to work because of the large number of people going for a night out after months of lockdown.
Health Minister Hugo de Jonge gave a warning that the low level of hospital admissions could be threatened by an "unprecedented" increase in infections.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron hosted a high-level virus security meeting on Monday morning before he was due to give a televised address in the evening.
French health authorities say the fast-spreading Delta variant is on course to become the dominant strain in the country.
European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune said France could reintroduce limits on the number of people allowed in bars, restaurants and other venues.
“We must live with the virus and this means we don’t close everything again and positions aren’t as hard as they used to be, because we have the vaccine,” he said.
Mr Macron is expected to announce mandatory vaccinations for health workers as well as the new restrictions on gatherings.
A number of other European countries are also being forced to reintroduce or at least consider curbs.
Portugal has broadened its night-time curfew to more municipalities.
The limits already apply in Lisbon and some locations in the southern Algarve region that are popular with tourists.
Greece’s government is expected to issue an update on its virus measures early this week, which may include new tighter social restrictions after a jump in case numbers.
In Cyprus, which is now one of Europe’s coronavirus hotspots, authorities set a limit of 50 per cent capacity at indoor venues such as theatres and cinemas.
From July 21, the capacity can increase to 75 per cent as long as patrons are fully vaccinated or were infected with Covid-19 in last six months.
Italy is considering options given its increase in case numbers. The country could elevate its risk level if the current trends continue, which would lead to tougher restrictions for bars and restaurants.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said the experience of some of Germany’s neighbours showed that infections can “quickly explode again”.
Sweden's government said on Monday it would move ahead with a planned easing of pandemic restrictions this week but warned that new variants of the virus demanded vigilance and urged people to adhere to social distancing recommendations.
Sweden has relied mainly on voluntary measures to stem the spread of infections, though curbs on opening hours for restaurants and limits on crowds at venues such as shopping malls were also put in place.
The country is set to remove limits on the number of passengers on trains and the number of shoppers allowed in shops on July 15.
"Things are steadily moving in the right direction in our country," Business and Industry Minister Ibrahim Baylan said. "Step by step, we are moving toward a society without restrictions."
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Results
2pm: Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.
4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.
5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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Twenty20 International series
Thu Oct 26, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
Fri Oct 27, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
Sun Oct 29, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Tickets are available at www.q-tickets.com
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
SPEC%20SHEET
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Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh875,000
On sale: now
'O'
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Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family