Follow the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic here
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."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
Racecard
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The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Company%20Profile
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Read more from Kareem Shaheen
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Seven%20Winters%20in%20Tehran
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ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck
Mobile phone packages comparison
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
More on animal trafficking
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
