Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The World Health Organisation has this week set out plans to administer 1.2 million polio vaccine doses in Gaza in an effort to prevent an outbreak that could exacerbate the current humanitarian crisis.
Two rounds of mass vaccination – targeting hundreds of thousands of children under the age of eight – are to begin this month after the detection of poliovirus in sewage.
Healthcare facilities and sewage systems in Gaza have suffered severe damage after months of bombardment by Israel following the attacks on October 7 last year, raising the dangers of disease spreading.
Here we consider the risks facing Gaza and ask experts whether there is a likelihood of people suffering paralysis as a result of the spread of polio.
What is polio and what has been found in Gaza?
Typically passed on through the faecal-oral route – such as by eating or drinking something contaminated with faeces – poliomyelitis is a viral condition that, in most cases, does not cause symptoms.
A minority of infected people have headaches and other mild effects, but about one in 200 suffers irreversible paralysis. Five to 10 per cent of such paralysis cases result in death when breathing becomes affected.
It was revealed last month that poliovirus had been detected in a number of sewage samples collected from two governorates in Gaza in June. The WHO says it could have been in circulation since last year.
This viral matter is not wild poliovirus, but instead is circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), which appears to be spreading within the Gazan population.
With many areas in Gaza severely overcrowded, and with health facilities and sewerage damaged, conditions are ripe for the spread of polio.
cVDPV originates from the oral polio vaccine (OPV), which contains a weakened form of the virus that, in populations where immunisation rates are low, can spread between people.
"When vaccine-derived polio circulates unhindered, after a certain length of time there’s concern it would mutate back to become fully virulent," said Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia in the UK.
"Then you would start to see a big rise in cases of paralytic poliomyelitis."
Vaccine-derived poliovirus can circulate even in developed nations when vaccination rates fall, such as in New York, where it caused the paralysis of a man in 2022.
Huge progress has been made against wild poliovirus, especially since the launch, in 1988, of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, with cases having dropped by 99 per cent.
Only Pakistan and Afghanistan are still affected by the wild poliovirus, while in Africa, for example, cVDPV is the problem.
What vaccination programme is planned in Gaza?
The WHO aims to have two vaccination rounds of 600,000 doses for children under eight in Gaza, but has admitted that administering this could be difficult logistically.
The organisation is reportedly securing approvals to enter Gaza to undertake the programme and has called for a ceasefire so it can operate safely.
Prof Hunter, who helped to prepare a report for the WHO on infection control in Gaza during the conflict, said the situation there was "turning into one of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes" of the region in recent times.
Separate to the vaccination in Gaza, in May the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced it was carrying out a round of vaccinations using the OPV for children aged under five in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
While there is a small risk with the OPV that it could mutate, become virulent again and spread in populations where vaccination rates are not high enough, it is easier to administer than the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), which is given by injection. Also, the OPV offers stronger protection against the spread of the disease than the IPV does.
In developed nations the polio vaccine used is typically the IPV, which is given as an injection in the arm or leg.
In the US, for example, the IPV has been used since 2000, while the UK moved from the OPV to the IPV four years later.
Should other countries be worried?
Prof John Oxford, emeritus professor of virology at Queen Mary, University of London, said there was a danger that polio could spread outside Gaza.
"It’s very worrisome indeed," he said. "You cannot escape the fact it’s a risk to neighbours and even further afield. It’s a huge dilemma and humanitarian crisis. We don’t want polio coming back anywhere in the world."
Given the risks to Israel, Prof Hunter said the country should allow vaccination efforts to take place for reasons of self-interest, as well as for the sake of the Gazan population.
"If paralytic poliomyelitis started spreading in Gaza, the risk is that it spreads more regionally to Israel and Egypt," he said.
"If it happened in Gaza, it would be absolutely appalling for the Palestinians but it would present a risk for neighbouring countries, including Israel.
"Israel has a responsibility to allow this vaccination to go ahead not only for humanitarian reasons, but to protect its own population."
Separate to the WHO’s planned vaccination of Gazan children, the Israeli military last month announced it would give polio boosters to its soldiers in Gaza.
Dr Hamid Jafari, director of the WHO polio eradication programme, said a fast international response to contain the outbreak could reduce the risk of a wider health crisis.
“There is a clear and present danger and risk of spread internationally of this virus, and the sooner we can respond, the faster we can begin to reduce that risk,” Dr Jafari told The National.
Israel-Gaza war - in pictures
“Our risk assessment tells us there is a very high risk of spread to surrounding countries, particularly Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
“Under-vaccinated pockets are everywhere, including in Israel.
“It's very concerning. Polio is the only ongoing public health emergency of concern under the international health regulation.
“This requires a regional response and what that means is an initial focus on Gaza to stop the outbreak.”
Travel restrictions within the enclave have made it increasingly difficult for health workers to interact with communities in dire need of care.
The polio virus has been detected in sewage in two governates, from several sites in Deir al Balah and in Khan Younis.
The WHO and Unicef are working closely with the Ministry of Health to get the OPV programme up and running.
The initial plan was to start the campaign on August 17 but that has been delayed by another week to August 24.
Maintaining the cold chain storage required for the integrity of vaccine doses is another considerable challenge.
“Most likely polio has been circulating perhaps as long as since September last year,” said Dr Jafari.
“The conditions for polio virus transmission and the force of infection in the present situation in Gaza are extremely high.
“People are getting constantly displaced and they're coming into contact in crowded conditions.
“Gaza had very high immunisation rates and childhood immunisation, but they are falling.
“These conditions are perfect for the virus to circulate very efficiently and risk of spread to other parts of the occupied territories.
“The focus of our response is Gaza, but we are also preparing other countries of the region for a regional response, to increase their surveillance and preparedness.
“The only way to stop this outbreak is a series of mass vaccination campaigns.”
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
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6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The Bio
Ram Buxani earned a salary of 125 rupees per month in 1959
Indian currency was then legal tender in the Trucial States.
He received the wages plus food, accommodation, a haircut and cinema ticket twice a month and actuals for shaving and laundry expenses
Buxani followed in his father’s footsteps when he applied for a job overseas
His father Jivat Ram worked in general merchandize store in Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the early 1930s
Buxani grew the UAE business over several sectors from retail to financial services but is attached to the original textile business
He talks in detail about natural fibres, the texture of cloth, mirrorwork and embroidery
Buxani lives by a simple philosophy – do good to all
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Racecard
6.35pm: American Business Council – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.10pm: British Business Group – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,200m
7.45pm: CCI France UAE – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
8.20pm: Czech Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,400m
8.55pm: Netherlands Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Indian Business and Professional Council – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
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Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
One in four Americans don't plan to retire
Nearly a quarter of Americans say they never plan to retire, according to a poll that suggests a disconnection between individuals' retirement plans and the realities of ageing in the workforce.
Experts say illness, injury, layoffs and caregiving responsibilities often force older workers to leave their jobs sooner than they'd like.
According to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research, 23 per cent of workers, including nearly two in 10 of those over 50, don't expect to stop working. Roughly another quarter of Americans say they will continue working beyond their 65th birthday.
According to government data, about one in five people 65 and older was working or actively looking for a job in June. The study surveyed 1,423 adults in February this year.
For many, money has a lot to do with the decision to keep working.
"The average retirement age that we see in the data has gone up a little bit, but it hasn't gone up that much," says Anqi Chen, assistant director of savings research at the Centre for Retirement Research at Boston College. "So people have to live in retirement much longer, and they may not have enough assets to support themselves in retirement."
When asked how financially comfortable they feel about retirement, 14 per cent of Americans under the age of 50 and 29 per cent over 50 say they feel extremely or very prepared, according to the poll. About another four in 10 older adults say they do feel somewhat prepared, while just about one-third feel unprepared.
"One of the things about thinking about never retiring is that you didn't save a whole lot of money," says Ronni Bennett, 78, who was pushed out of her job as a New York City-based website editor at 63.
She searched for work in the immediate aftermath of her layoff, a process she describes as akin to "banging my head against a wall." Finding Manhattan too expensive without a steady stream of income, she eventually moved to Portland, Maine. A few years later, she moved again, to Lake Oswego, Oregon. "Sometimes I fantasise that if I win the lottery, I'd go back to New York," says Ms Bennett.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm Majestic Thunder
7.05pm Commanding
7.40pm Mark Of Approval
8.15pm Mulfit
8.50pm Gronkowski
9.25pm Walking Thunder
10pm Midnight Sands
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
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Price: From Dh439,000
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THREE
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500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
