With the discovery of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant, the architects of the lockdowns that brought much of the world to a standstill have lost no time in seeking to impose a range of new measures designed to curb the spread of the virus.
In Europe, these have ranged from imposing new lockdowns, as has happened in Austria, to more modest precautions, such as those outlined by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this week, in which the wearing of face masks has become mandatory for people travelling on public transport and entering shops.
But with scientific opinion around the world deeply divided on the potential threat posed by the Omicron variant, there are mounting fears that the discovery could result in another phase of international lockdowns, with all the implications that could have for global recovery.
Industries that were worst affected by the lockdowns that were implemented last winter, such as travel and hospitality, have only just begun to show signs of recovery following the financial devastation they suffered during the past year.
But even though the measures imposed so far have yet to reach the drastic levels seen at the height of the last lockdown, there are mounting concerns that the emergence of the new variant could yet result in painful restrictions being put in place.
This is certainly the case as far as the US and Europe are concerned, with politicians on both sides of the Atlantic giving serious consideration to the introduction of new measures.
In the US, where travel restrictions to the country were only lifted earlier in the autumn, President Joe Biden's administration is preparing to require anyone entering the country to have proof of a negative test taken one day before their flight. This follows the discovery of the first Omicron case in the US: a person in California who had travelled from South Africa and has so far only developed mild symptoms.
The change could have an impact on tourism to the US because of concerns over the increased costs of having tests, as well as being able to have a negative test in time to board a flight. The effects on the tourism and aviation sectors could be even more dramatic if the administration imposes seven-day quarantines for all incoming travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, measures that are said to be the subject of serious consideration in Washington.
Industries that were worst affected by last winter's lockdowns have only just begun to show signs of recovery
In Europe, meanwhile, most of the changes implemented so far have focused on the requirement for new Covid-19 tests. France has announced that all travellers from outside the EU will have to present a negative test that is less than 48 hours old, while Britain is requiring all arrivals to be tested within 48 hours of arrival.
Nevertheless, while scientists argue over whether existing vaccinations will be able to cope with the new Omicron variant, the prospect of more stringent measures being introduced cannot be discounted.
In Britain, health minister Gillian Keegan earlier this week raised the possibility that European countries could be added to the travel red list, which would require all arrivals to quarantine in a hotel at their own expense for 11 days. The Netherlands has had the highest number of cases in Europe so far. Such measures could also be expanded to other parts of the world – possibly including the Middle East – if a significant spike in the new variant were to emerge.
So far, 10 countries in and around South Africa have been put on Britain’s red list since the Omicron variant first emerged last week.
Apart from the economic implications of the proposed new measures, there are concerns that any attempt to impose new lockdowns could fuel public unrest as British citizens tire of measures that restrict their freedoms.
Protests have taken place on both sides of the Atlantic against restrictions on personal liberties, as well as calls from some political and business leaders that vaccines should be mandatory for certain key workers, such as medical and care staff.
Last month saw tens of thousands of people take to the streets in capitals throughout Europe to protest against new anti-Covid-19 measures. In the Belgian capital, Brussels, protesters threw fireworks at police officers, who intervened with teargas and water cannons. This followed protests in the Netherlands against new lockdown rules, where people hurled fireworks at police and set fire to bicycles in The Hague. This followed protests in Rotterdam that turned violent and saw police firing gunshots. Thousands of demonstrators have staged protests in Austria, Croatia and Italy.
But as politicians fret about the potential economic cost of new restrictions, the pressure for mandatory vaccinations is growing.
In this context, comments made earlier this week by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who called for member states to give serious consideration to introducing mandatory vaccinations, are likely to prove highly controversial.
Ms von der Leyen argued mandatory vaccinations could prove necessary because of the “highly contagious” nature of the Omicron variant.
A former medical doctor, Ms von der Leyen argued that mandatory immunisations should be given serious thought because of the worryingly low take-up across the bloc, which still has an estimated 150 million people who have not been vaccinated against the disease.
“We have the vaccines, the life-saving vaccines, but they are not being used adequately everywhere,” she commented at a press conference earlier this week. “If you look at the numbers, we now have 77 per cent of the adults in the EU vaccinated or, if you take the whole population, it’s 66 per cent. And this means one third of the European population is not vaccinated.”
The only glimmer of hope in this otherwise depressing landscape is recent research conducted in Israel that suggests current vaccination measures will be sufficient to tackle the Omicron variant.
Nitzan Horowitz, the country's health minister, said that there was “room for optimism that the current range of vaccines worked on Omicron based on 'initial indications'". So, if the Israeli predictions prove correct, then the need for the imposition of new restrictive measures will not be necessary, and the world can breathe a sigh of relief that it will not have to suffer the painful consequences of yet another global lockdown.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 5
Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'
Huddersfield 0
Funk Wav Bounces Vol.1
Calvin Harris
Columbia
Juvenile arthritis
Along with doctors, families and teachers can help pick up cases of arthritis in children.
Most types of childhood arthritis are known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. JIA causes pain and inflammation in one or more joints for at least six weeks.
Dr Betina Rogalski said "The younger the child the more difficult it into pick up the symptoms. If the child is small, it may just be a bit grumpy or pull its leg a way or not feel like walking,” she said.
According to The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in US, the most common symptoms of juvenile arthritis are joint swelling, pain, and stiffness that doesn’t go away. Usually it affects the knees, hands, and feet, and it’s worse in the morning or after a nap.
Limping in the morning because of a stiff knee, excessive clumsiness, having a high fever and skin rash are other symptoms. Children may also have swelling in lymph nodes in the neck and other parts of the body.
Arthritis in children can cause eye inflammation and growth problems and can cause bones and joints to grow unevenly.
In the UK, about 15,000 children and young people are affected by arthritis.
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Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
SPECS
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