Live updates: follow the latest news on Covid-19 variant Omicron
UAE authorities have said that a third Covid-19 vaccine shot is necessary to ensure the well-being of residents as countries around the globe are hit by new waves of the virus.
A booster shot can be taken by people who were vaccinated against coronavirus more than six months ago and all adults are eligible for a third shot.
People who took two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sputnik V can book a third shot over the phone or via the mobile app of the Dubai Health Authority.
On December 27, the UAE also approved a new Sinopharm vaccine to be used as a booster in emergency cases.
The new “recombinant protein-based vaccine” would be used as a booster for those who previously received two doses of the inactive Sinopharm vaccine.
DHA call centre staff confirmed appointments for staff from The National who received Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines earlier this year. Each was told they would be given Pfizer boosters, regardless of their original dose.
UAE residents vaccinated with AstraZeneca were previously unable to make a booking. The small number of residents who took the Russian-made Sputnik V have been encouraged to book an appointment.
Boosters are important in fighting the Omicron variant, a coronavirus strain with an unusually large number of mutations. It was first detected in South Africa but has since spread around the world.
According to the World Health Organisation, the latest variant is a major genetic mutation that affects characteristics of the virus to make it spread faster.
The highly contagious strain is driving record-high infections but also appears to be a less severe form of the disease.
According to preliminary findings, the key weapon to stop the spread is delivering booster shots to as many people as possible.
How do I make a booking for a booster?
Appointments must be made either through the DHA app or by reaching the call centre on 800342.
Residents can use the app to choose a day, time and location for a booster.
Who is eligible?
Anyone above 18 who has received their second vaccination at least six months ago
What do I need to bring to my appointment?
An Emirates ID is required by all while Dubai visa holders must also bring their passport and Dubai visa copy.
Those living in Dubai but with a UAE residence visa issued elsewhere must also bring proof of residence.
Do I need a medical record number?
Yes. This can be generated on the DHA website by entering your Emirates ID number. This link is https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/pages/mrn.aspx.
Where can I receive a booster shot?
These are the clinics that offer the vaccine:
- Al Barsha Health Centre
- Al Garhoud Medical Fitness Centre
- Al Mizhar Primary Healthcare Centre
- Nadd Al Hamar Primary Healthcare Centre
- Uptown Mirdif Medical Fitness Centre
- Hatta Hospital
- Dubai Hospital
- Latifa Hospital
- One Central Covid-19 vaccination Centre
- Rashid Hospital
- Zabeel Clinic
Private hospitals
- Al Garhoud Hospital
- Aster Healthcare
- Al Zahra Hospital
- King's College Hospital London
- Saudi German Hospital
- Health Hub facilities
- Emirate Hospital
- Mediclinic
- Valiant Clinic
- Fakeeh University Hospital
- International Modern Hospital
- NMC Royal Hospital
- American Hospital Dubai
- Al Tadawi
- Zulekha Hospital
- Prime Group
- Canadian Hospital
Do I need a booster to travel?
Not yet, but that is expected to change in early 2022 as more countries change their policy regarding what it means to be fully vaccinated to include a third booster.
A recommendation in the EU could place a nine-month time limit on vaccine validity due to scientific research that shows immunity declines after six months.
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
Bullet%20Train
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CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')
Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')
Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)
WISH
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How to invest in gold
Investors can tap into the gold price by purchasing physical jewellery, coins and even gold bars, but these need to be stored safely and possibly insured.
A cheaper and more straightforward way to benefit from gold price growth is to buy an exchange-traded fund (ETF).
Most advisers suggest sticking to “physical” ETFs. These hold actual gold bullion, bars and coins in a vault on investors’ behalf. Others do not hold gold but use derivatives to track the price instead, adding an extra layer of risk. The two biggest physical gold ETFs are SPDR Gold Trust and iShares Gold Trust.
Another way to invest in gold’s success is to buy gold mining stocks, but Mr Gravier says this brings added risks and can be more volatile. “They have a serious downside potential should the price consolidate.”
Mr Kyprianou says gold and gold miners are two different asset classes. “One is a commodity and the other is a company stock, which means they behave differently.”
Mining companies are a business, susceptible to other market forces, such as worker availability, health and safety, strikes, debt levels, and so on. “These have nothing to do with gold at all. It means that some companies will survive, others won’t.”
By contrast, when gold is mined, it just sits in a vault. “It doesn’t even rust, which means it retains its value,” Mr Kyprianou says.
You may already have exposure to gold miners in your portfolio, say, through an international ETF or actively managed mutual fund.
You could spread this risk with an actively managed fund that invests in a spread of gold miners, with the best known being BlackRock Gold & General. It is up an incredible 55 per cent over the past year, and 240 per cent over five years. As always, past performance is no guide to the future.
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
The biog
Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.
Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.
Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
Favourite food: Dim sum
Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat