Emphasising its resilience as the leading economic hub in the Gulf, the Emirate of Dubai on Sunday (27 December) unveiled a growth-oriented 2021 budget that seeks to accelerate the pace of economic recovery, strengthen social benefits and enhance infrastructure. Dubai seeks a quick bounce back in 2021 after the setbacks due to the coronavirus pandemic

A Europe-wide mass vaccination against the covid-19 virus started on Sunday (27 December) as part of an EU-wide effort co-ordinated by the European Commission. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had been delivered to all 27 member states.

The semi official Anadolu news agency quoted the president as saying in a video address from Istanbul that "as promised, I hope 2021 will be a year of democratic and economic reforms". 

Four members of the Islamic State group were apprehended as part of an operation by the Russian security services. Their identity is not yet known.

Over 500,000 people have already registered to take the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia since its launch last Tuesday, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday.

Bethlehem on Thursday ushered in Christmas Eve with a stream of joyous marching bands and the triumphant arrival of the top Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land, but few people were there to greet them as the coronavirus pandemic and a strict lockdown dampened celebrations in the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

She cited the coronavirus pandemic and the country’s economic crisis as her priorities while promising to appoint a team of experts to tackle the issues. Sandu has presented closer integration with the EU as a way out of the economic crisis.

The EU has now allocated €485 million to support refugees in Turkey via the two programs delivered through Turkish partners, such as the Turkish Red Crescent Society. These programmes help over 1.8 million refugees meet their basic needs and will help over 700,000 children to continue their education, and will now be funded under the EU budget. The EU is now allocating €485 million ($591.6 million) to support refugees in Turkey via the two programs.