A suspected cholera patient receives treatment at a hospital in north-eastern Syria. Reuters
A suspected cholera patient receives treatment at a hospital in north-eastern Syria. Reuters
A suspected cholera patient receives treatment at a hospital in north-eastern Syria. Reuters
A suspected cholera patient receives treatment at a hospital in north-eastern Syria. Reuters

Syria’s cholera case numbers on the increase


Adla Massoud
  • English
  • Arabic

The UN on Tuesday said it had recorded 68 deaths from cholera in Syria and more than 800 cases had been confirmed.

"The health crisis started six weeks ago and during this period more than 15,800 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded in the country by the World Health Organisation," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Devastated by more than 10 years of war, Syria has been experiencing the cholera outbreak since the end of August.

It is attributed to drinking polluted water from the Euphrates River and the irrigation of fields by contaminated springs in the north-east.

The UN said public health awareness campaigns are under way on the causes, symptoms and prevention of cholera.

"Our humanitarian partners say they are facing shortages in cholera supplies, such as medicines and water and sanitation and hygiene supplies," Mr Dujarric said.

Syria has a growing water crisis as a result of the large-scale damage inflicted on its plumbing and sanitation infrastructure during the war.

The WHO says cholera can be caught by consuming food or water infected with the Vibrio cholerae bacteria.

While most cases are mild to moderate, not treating the illness could lead to death.

Recycling construction and demolition waste in Syria - in pictures

  • A Syrian worker melts iron rods, collected from the rubble of destroyed buildings, in the northern city of Raqqa. All Photos: AFP
    A Syrian worker melts iron rods, collected from the rubble of destroyed buildings, in the northern city of Raqqa. All Photos: AFP
  • A man bends steel rods at a makeshift workshop in Raqqa.
    A man bends steel rods at a makeshift workshop in Raqqa.
  • A man bends steel rods at a makeshift workshop in Raqqa.
    A man bends steel rods at a makeshift workshop in Raqqa.
  • A man bends steel rods at a makeshift workshop in Raqqa.
    A man bends steel rods at a makeshift workshop in Raqqa.
  • Workers sort steel rods.
    Workers sort steel rods.
  • Workers straighten iron rods.
    Workers straighten iron rods.
  • Workers carry steel rods to reuse or melt.
    Workers carry steel rods to reuse or melt.
  • A Syrian youth collects steel rods in Raqqa.
    A Syrian youth collects steel rods in Raqqa.
How to help

Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:

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ENGLAND SQUAD

Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

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GAC GS8 Specs

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

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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

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The specs: 2019 BMW i8 Roadster

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Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 374hp (total)

Torque: 570Nm (total)

Fuel economy, combined: 2.0L / 100km

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SQUAD

Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammed Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Saeed Ahmed, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Muhammed Jumah, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri

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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

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Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Updated: October 18, 2022, 10:32 PM