The UN said on Tuesday that Libya was experiencing an “alarming surge” in Covid-19 cases, with the fast-spreading Delta variant contributing to the highest daily rate of infection since the pandemic began.
Libya’s National Centre for Disease Control recorded more than 6,000 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing the country's overall caseload to about 221,500, the UN children's fund said.
The spike in cases comes as Libya grapples with a political crisis over its planned elections on December 24 amid concerns that a deadlock could cause the North African oil exporter to spiral back into full-scale war.
“We are alarmed at the rapid spread of the virus in the country,” said Unicef's envoy to Libya, Abdulkadir Musse.
Unicef described “terrifying” infection rates which have increased by as much as 480 per cent in southern Libya. The real number of cases is likely to be much higher, given underreporting and a lack of testing kits, the agency said.
The agency has delivered three batches of Covid-19 vaccines to Libya, but officials described “rumours and misinformation” about the injections that have made some Libyans loath to roll up their sleeves.
But even for those looking to be inoculated, vaccines are hard to come by, as the country lacks enough refrigerators to keep shots cold.
“The most important thing we can do to stop the spread of Covid-19, and the variants, is ensure everyone who is eligible gets vaccinated,” said Mr Musse.
The World Health Organisation this month said a surge of coronavirus cases had been observed in Libya, Iran, Iraq and Tunisia and that sharp rises were expected to follow in Lebanon and Morocco.
Libya's new unity government announced on July 8 it was closing its borders with Tunisia for a week owing to the rise in Covid-19 cases in the neighbouring North African country.
Libyan officials described a “worsening situation and collapsed health system” as well as the presence of the Delta variant in Tunisia.
Libya has been roiled by corruption and chaos since a Nato-backed uprising overthrew and killed long-time dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011. The country was until recently split between an internationally recognised government in the capital, Tripoli, and a rival authority in the east.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio
Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)
Engine 4.7L V8
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km
Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
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 years Ramadan fell in May
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
