The UN Security Council on Friday voted unanimously to pass a resolution demanding that armed groups put down their guns so medics can bring coronavirus vaccines into people’s arms in the world's warzones.
The UK-drafted resolution was co-sponsored by 112 countries and called for a “general and immediate cessation of hostilities” in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Mali, Somalia and other hotspots that face the double danger of flying bullets and Covid-19.
The resolution will be difficult to carry out, but it marked a breakthrough for a Security Council that was for months last year deadlocked by the previous US Trump administration’s rows with China over the origin of the virus.
“We’re proud to lead in securing the swift and unanimous agreement of today’s UN Security Council ceasefire resolution, which will help get vaccines to people living in conflict zones,” UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.
As well as pushing for global ceasefires, the resolution asks rich nations to give vaccine doses to poorer countries, including through the UN-backed Covax vaccine facility, which delivered its first doses in Ghana this week.
“The resolution also builds support for Covax, through which the UK is providing over a billion vaccine doses for the most vulnerable people around the world — because we need a global solution to a global pandemic," added Mr Raab.
Barbara Woodward, the UN ambassador for the UK, which holds the council’s rotating presidency in March, said after the vote that the resolution would help bring vaccines to 160 million people in conflict zones.
“This is a first step,” Ms Woodward told reporters.
“Obviously, each of these situations will require further negotiations at the country and even at the field and local level” to ensure vaccines reach people in war-ravaged regions around the world.
The coronavirus pandemic has infected 113 million globally and claimed at least 2.5 million lives. While the distribution of vaccines is slowing the pathogen’s spread, fears persist that deadlier mutant strains could derail progress.
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
Civil%20War
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'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
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
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The%20specs
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RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Omania, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
Winner: Brehaan, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Craving, Connor Beasley, Simon Crisford
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Prep (PA) Dh100,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Fertile De Croate, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
