Coronavirus cases in the UAE have been falling in recent weeks
Updated 26 August 2021
Arab News
DUBAI: The UAE’s daily COVID-19 cases hovered under 1,000 on Thursday, after the health ministry reported record-lows for the first time this year.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) reported on Thursday 991 new cases and three deaths, putting the country’s caseload to 713,402 since the pandemic began, and 2,031 deceased from the coronavirus.
The MoHAP said an additional 1,576 people had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 697,419
Coronavirus cases in the UAE have been falling in recent weeks, with 17,843,063 having received one jab of the vaccine or both, as the country’s vaccine campaign continues.
Before this week, the last time COVID-19 cases hit below 1,000 was on Dec. 27 last year when 944 infections were recorded.
Smugglers' boat collides with rocks as it attempted to flee pursuing as Coast Guard vessels
The boat was about to illegally transport passengers from the Syrian coast of Tartus coast to Cyprus
Updated 08 February 2026
Arab News
DAMASCUS: Syrian Coast Guard forces have arrested members of a human smuggling network operating in the western town of Tartus, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Saturday.
Authorities pounced on the smugglers as they were about to transport passengers from the Tartus coast to Cyprus by illegal means, the state media said, citing a statement from the General Authority of Ports and Customs.
"The operation resulted in the arrest of all those involved, including the organizers of the trip," said the report, adding that the smugglers' boat attempted to escape as Coast Guard vessels surrounded it, but collided with rocks.
No details were made available on how many suspects were arrested and how many passengers were rescued. Criminal charges are being prepared against the arrested suspects, SANA said.
Headquarters of the Syrian General Authority of Ports and Customs in Damascus. (SANA photo)
New restrictions on commercial transit
In a separate move to regulate trade and border security, the ports and customs authority has issued a new policy restricting truck access at land crossings and seaports.
Commercial trucks will now only be permitted entry for loading or unloading upon presentation of an original receipt from the Ministry of Transport’s freight office.
The transfer of cargo between Syrian and non-Syrian vehicles must now take place strictly within designated customs yards at border crossings.
Trucks passing through Syria in transit remain permitted, provided they are under a mandatory customs escort between entry and exit points.
