Dubai Achieves Marked Progress in Curbing Spread of COVID-19

A vistor wears a mask during the Arab Health Exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Christopher Pike
A vistor wears a mask during the Arab Health Exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Christopher Pike
TT

Dubai Achieves Marked Progress in Curbing Spread of COVID-19

A vistor wears a mask during the Arab Health Exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Christopher Pike
A vistor wears a mask during the Arab Health Exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Christopher Pike

The UAE has registered 346 COVID-19 cases, and the total infection count has now scaled to 42,982. An additional 732 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 28,861.

Meanwhile, two people who had previously tested positive for the virus died due to complications, taking the death toll to 293 as of June 16.

Dubai’s COVID-19 Command and Control Centre said the precautionary measures implemented in the emirate to combat COVID-19, and the concerted efforts of the public and private sector as well as the community, have helped Dubai achieve marked progress in curbing the spread of the virus.

The Centre said Dubai’s progress is borne out by the rise in the recovery rate, and the decline in the number of identified cases and people with COVID-19 symptoms visiting hospitals in the last few weeks.

Head of Dubai’s COVID-19 Command and Control Centre Dr. Amer Ahmad Sharif said there are a number of hospitals in Dubai that do not have any COVID-19 cases. Most government and private hospitals in the emirate have resumed their diagnostic and treatment services and their capacity is not under pressure due to COVID-19 cases, he said.

Dr. Sharif added that the results indicate Dubai is moving steadily towards overcoming the pandemic.

The easing of movement restrictions in the emirate and the reopening of economic activities were smoothly implemented due to the cooperation of all members of the community. Their commitment remains crucial in avoiding any future setbacks that could undermine the efforts of the last few months, as well as regaining the emirate’s economic momentum and enabling all sectors to resume normal activities, he added.



Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Decision to Lift Sanctions on Syria, Congratulates Damascus

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
TT

Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Decision to Lift Sanctions on Syria, Congratulates Damascus

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

Saudi Arabia welcomed on Friday a US decision to lift sanctions imposed on Syria pursuant to the Caesar Act, affirming that this step will contribute to supporting the country’s stability, prosperity, and development in a manner that fulfills the aspirations of the Syrian people.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the Kingdom commended the significant and positive role played by US President Donald Trump, beginning with his announcement to lift all sanctions imposed on Syria during his historic visit to Riyadh in May 2025, and culminating in his signing of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which included the repeal of the Caesar Act.

The Kingdom also extended its sincere congratulations to the Syrian leadership, government, and people on the lifting of all sanctions imposed on Syria.

The statement expressed Saudi Arabia’s appreciation for the steps taken by the Syrian government to restore stability across all Syrian territories, create conducive conditions for rebuilding the state and economy, and facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons.


Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with Foreign Minister II of Brunei Darussalam

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah -File Photo (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah -File Photo (Reuters)
TT

Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with Foreign Minister II of Brunei Darussalam

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah -File Photo (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah -File Photo (Reuters)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call with Minister for Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

During the call, the two officials reviewed bilateral relations between their countries and discussed issues of common interest.


King Salman Center Sets Up Camps for Displaced Gaza Residents


The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)
TT

King Salman Center Sets Up Camps for Displaced Gaza Residents


The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has established the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah, as displaced people struggle with the impact of war and cold weather (KSrelief)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) said it has set up the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah in Gaza, as thousands of Palestinians displaced by the war grapple with harsh winter conditions brought by a cold and rainy weather system this week.

Fahad Al-Osaimi, the center’s director of emergency relief, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the camp is sheltering more than 200 displaced families, with the number of beneficiaries exceeding 2,000 women, children and elderly people whose homes and tents were damaged or destroyed by the war and recent weather conditions.

He said the center is currently operating under a rapid response mechanism to appeals received by its operations and emergency room in the Gaza Strip.

Al-Osaimi said two fully equipped camps were completed this week, and that preparations are underway to establish several additional camps in coordination with relevant United Nations agencies, based on assessed needs on the ground.

He said the camp is playing a critical role in providing refuge to hundreds of families whose tents were flooded or collapsed due to heavy rainfall, offering safer shelter that helps mitigate humanitarian risks, particularly for children, women and the elderly.

Al-Osaimi said the center’s efforts extend beyond emergency shelter, noting that work is ongoing to establish organized camps that meet international humanitarian response standards and to ensure they are supplied with essential services.

These services include blankets, shelter materials, clothing for women and children, sanitation facilities such as toilets, hygiene kits and cleaning supplies, in addition to other forms of relief assistance as needs arise.

He said the interventions form part of KSrelief’s sustained efforts to alleviate the suffering of displaced people in the Gaza Strip and bolster their resilience amid severe humanitarian and weather conditions.

The deteriorating weather has coincided with growing uncertainty over the future of the ceasefire agreement and the possibility of moving to its second phase. According to local and international organizations, living conditions for displaced people continue to worsen.

Against this backdrop, the establishment of the largest displacement camp in Deir al-Balah marks a fresh chapter in Saudi Arabia’s emergency response to Palestinians, particularly Gaza residents, since the outbreak of the war following Oct. 7, 2023, providing lifelines to more than 2,000 people facing mounting challenges.