Emirates

Germany to lift most coronavirus restrictions from March 20

BERLIN, 17th February, 2022 (WAM/dpa) — Restrictions ranging from crowd sizes at sporting events to rules regulating proof of vaccination for dining out are set to be lifted in Germany in the coming months as leaders signalled optimism about the course of the coronavirus pandemic.

German state and federal leaders agreed on a plan to lift most COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday, with the final steps to be taken from 20th March, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.

"We can look into the future with more optimism than we could in the last few weeks," he said.

After ramping up restrictions during an unprecedented wave of infections caused by the Delta and then the Omicron variant, Germany is set to follow several other European countries in making a gradual return to normality.

The three-point plan agreed on Wednesday envisages a stage-by-stage lifting of restrictions for private gatherings, retail outlets and restaurants and hotels.

From 20th March, all of the more far-reaching protective measures are to be dropped.

However, health experts will still call on people to protect themselves – and society at large – with face masks and social-distancing. The question about a vaccine mandate also lingers.

Such a mandate remains the policy of the German government, said Scholz.

The vaccine mandate is necessary for the next autumn and winter, he said after announcing the plans, arguing that easing of restrictions only works hand in hand with an expanded vaccination programme.

He also said that the lifting of the most onerous restrictions does not mean that the government won't be pushing for certain health standards. He said legislation would soon be forthcoming regarding masks, social-distancing and other measures.

Emirates

Two intact embalming workshops unearthed in Egypt

CAIRO, 27th May, 2023 (WAM) – Two embalming workshops dedicated to humans and animals, the largest and most complete found as yet, have been discovered in the Saqqara Necropolis, Greater Cairo, the Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa, told reporters.

In a related development, an archaeological mission, led by Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri, unearthed two tombs from different historical periods, along with a significant collection of artifacts.

The embalming workshops date back to the 30th Dynasty (380-343 BC) and the Ptolemaic period (305-30 BC), while the two tombs belong to the Old and New Kingdoms, according to Waziri.

The human embalming workshop is a rectangular building with multiple rooms containing stone beds measuring two metres long and 50 cm. These beds were used for the mummification of the deceased. They were covered with plaster and featured gutters. Among the artifacts found within the workshop were clay pots, tools and ritual vessels used for mummification.

Emirates

Mohammed bin Rashid receives greetings of Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Crown Prince of Sharjah on Al Maktoum wedding

DUBAI, 27th May, 2023 (WAM) — His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, received the greetings of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, on the occasion of the wedding of Mane', son of Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid bin Mane' Al Maktoum, to the daughter of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at a reception held today at the Za'beel Hall of the Dubai World Trade Center.

Attending the reception also were Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the Chairman of the Dubai Media Incorporated, and a number of sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries and senior state officials.

Emirates

Mohammed bin Rashid receives greetings of Mansour bin Zayed, Khaled bin Mohamed, on Al Maktoum wedding

DUBAI, 27th May, 2023 (WAM) — His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai received the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on the occasion of the wedding of Mane', son of Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid bin Mane' Al Maktoum, to the daughter of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed received the wedding greetings in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, at a reception that was held today at the Za'beel Hall of the Dubai World Trade Center.

The reception was attended by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, along with and a number of sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries and senior state officials.