• As the UK passes 100,000 deaths, here's a look back at some of the most poignant moments of the pandemic. Photographs and memorials for those who died during the pandemic sit outside Riverside Church in Burton-on-Trent, England. The 13 crosses include three members from the same family: Jayne Harvey, 62, died from Covid-19 after nursing her parents Keith and Jean McVicar through the virus. Getty Images
    As the UK passes 100,000 deaths, here's a look back at some of the most poignant moments of the pandemic. Photographs and memorials for those who died during the pandemic sit outside Riverside Church in Burton-on-Trent, England. The 13 crosses include three members from the same family: Jayne Harvey, 62, died from Covid-19 after nursing her parents Keith and Jean McVicar through the virus. Getty Images
  • Daniel, the son of the late Eric Stonestreet, and daughter Victoria embrace after the service for their father at Ipswich Crematorium in May. Eric Stonestreet was a British Army veteran with the 1st Battalion Royal Green Jackets. He served in Guyana, Hong Kong, Germany and did five tours of duty in Northern Ireland. Though Eric had suffered from PTSD, his family said he had no underlying health problems. He left behind his son Daniel and daughter Victoria. Getty Images
    Daniel, the son of the late Eric Stonestreet, and daughter Victoria embrace after the service for their father at Ipswich Crematorium in May. Eric Stonestreet was a British Army veteran with the 1st Battalion Royal Green Jackets. He served in Guyana, Hong Kong, Germany and did five tours of duty in Northern Ireland. Though Eric had suffered from PTSD, his family said he had no underlying health problems. He left behind his son Daniel and daughter Victoria. Getty Images
  • Canon Maggie McLean, the canon missioner at York Minster, lights the Paschal Candle in memory of victims of coronavirus in May. York Minster launched a new initiative for worshipers to email a request for their loved one to be remembered in a prayer that would be said by clergy at the Paschal Candle. Getty Images
    Canon Maggie McLean, the canon missioner at York Minster, lights the Paschal Candle in memory of victims of coronavirus in May. York Minster launched a new initiative for worshipers to email a request for their loved one to be remembered in a prayer that would be said by clergy at the Paschal Candle. Getty Images
  • Darrell Blakely, 88, a church choir singer from Alkrington, Greater Manchester. Darrell died after contracting coronavirus at a restaurant when he came into contact with a skier returning from northern Italy. His son Jonathan has told of his heartbreak that he could not be with his father in his "direst hour" due to strict rules surrounding the respiratory disease. Rex/Shutterstock
    Darrell Blakely, 88, a church choir singer from Alkrington, Greater Manchester. Darrell died after contracting coronavirus at a restaurant when he came into contact with a skier returning from northern Italy. His son Jonathan has told of his heartbreak that he could not be with his father in his "direst hour" due to strict rules surrounding the respiratory disease. Rex/Shutterstock
  • Mary Orme embraces her mother Rose McKimm, during a Christmas Day visit at Aspen Hill Village care home in Hunslet, Leeds. The care home was able to host almost 50 visits for family members during the Christmas period. Getty Images
    Mary Orme embraces her mother Rose McKimm, during a Christmas Day visit at Aspen Hill Village care home in Hunslet, Leeds. The care home was able to host almost 50 visits for family members during the Christmas period. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth II awards Captain Sir Thomas Moore with the insignia of Knight Bachelor at Windsor Castle in July. British World War II veteran Captain Tom Moore raised over £32 million for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth II awards Captain Sir Thomas Moore with the insignia of Knight Bachelor at Windsor Castle in July. British World War II veteran Captain Tom Moore raised over £32 million for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images
  • A nurse at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool sheds a tear as she pays tribute to 'Captain Tom'. Getty Images
    A nurse at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool sheds a tear as she pays tribute to 'Captain Tom'. Getty Images
  • Craig Ruston, 45, who was at the time the youngest coronavirus patient to die in the UK, in March 2020. Mr Rushton, a father of two from Kettering, had motor neuron disease. His wife Sally wrote on Facebook: "My amazing Craig passed away yesterday morning at 6.20am. We are truly heartbroken." Rex/Shutterstock
    Craig Ruston, 45, who was at the time the youngest coronavirus patient to die in the UK, in March 2020. Mr Rushton, a father of two from Kettering, had motor neuron disease. His wife Sally wrote on Facebook: "My amazing Craig passed away yesterday morning at 6.20am. We are truly heartbroken." Rex/Shutterstock
  • David Lewis, centre, husband to Gladys and father to Darren and Dean Lewis, is helped out of church by mourners during the funeral of Gladys, Dean, and Darren at St Peter's Church in Pentre, South Wales. Mrs Lewis and her two sons all died of Covid-19 within five days of each other. Getty Images
    David Lewis, centre, husband to Gladys and father to Darren and Dean Lewis, is helped out of church by mourners during the funeral of Gladys, Dean, and Darren at St Peter's Church in Pentre, South Wales. Mrs Lewis and her two sons all died of Covid-19 within five days of each other. Getty Images
  • Geoff Holland, 90, and Jenny Holland, 86, are seen after receiving their injections of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in Mansfield. The couple, who met in a sheltered housing complex, were due to be married in April but had to postpone their wedding twice due to lockdown restrictions. They eventually held their ceremony in August. Reuters
    Geoff Holland, 90, and Jenny Holland, 86, are seen after receiving their injections of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in Mansfield. The couple, who met in a sheltered housing complex, were due to be married in April but had to postpone their wedding twice due to lockdown restrictions. They eventually held their ceremony in August. Reuters
  • Pilot John Romain stands with his NHS Spitfire aircraft. The plane is covered in handwritten names of people nominated for acts of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic. After taking off from its home base at Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire, its flight path takes it over hospitals and local communities around the country. Getty Images
    Pilot John Romain stands with his NHS Spitfire aircraft. The plane is covered in handwritten names of people nominated for acts of kindness during the coronavirus pandemic. After taking off from its home base at Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire, its flight path takes it over hospitals and local communities around the country. Getty Images
  • Heart transplant patient Richard Priest is clapped out by staff as he leaves Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge. Mr Priest had been in the hospital waiting for the transplant for more than 200 days, throughout the entire coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images
    Heart transplant patient Richard Priest is clapped out by staff as he leaves Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge. Mr Priest had been in the hospital waiting for the transplant for more than 200 days, throughout the entire coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images
  • Donna Campbell, 54, died after testing positive for coronavirus while working as a nurse in the intensive care unit at University Hospital of Wales. Rex/Shutterstock
    Donna Campbell, 54, died after testing positive for coronavirus while working as a nurse in the intensive care unit at University Hospital of Wales. Rex/Shutterstock
  • A memorial service for the victims of coronavirus at Manchester Cathedral in July. The service was held with social distancing measures and streamed online to honour those who have died. Getty Images
    A memorial service for the victims of coronavirus at Manchester Cathedral in July. The service was held with social distancing measures and streamed online to honour those who have died. Getty Images
  • Ann Clapham, the sister of Covid-19 victim Dennis Clapham, her son Andrew and niece Ellie attend Mr Clapham's funeral and celebration service in Shipley, West Yorkshire. Ann cared for her brother at home during his illness. Getty Images
    Ann Clapham, the sister of Covid-19 victim Dennis Clapham, her son Andrew and niece Ellie attend Mr Clapham's funeral and celebration service in Shipley, West Yorkshire. Ann cared for her brother at home during his illness. Getty Images
  • People wearing face masks and holding lanterns attend a vigil for the victims of the coronavirus on Westminster Bridge in London. Getty Images
    People wearing face masks and holding lanterns attend a vigil for the victims of the coronavirus on Westminster Bridge in London. Getty Images
  • Margaret Keenan, 90, is applauded by staff as she returns to her ward after becoming the first person in the United Kingdom to receive the Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine on December 8, 2020 in Coventry. Getty Images
    Margaret Keenan, 90, is applauded by staff as she returns to her ward after becoming the first person in the United Kingdom to receive the Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine on December 8, 2020 in Coventry. Getty Images
  • Medical staff at Louisa Jordan Hospital stand during a UK-wide moment of silence to commemorate workers who have died from coronavirus in April in Glasgow. Getty Images
    Medical staff at Louisa Jordan Hospital stand during a UK-wide moment of silence to commemorate workers who have died from coronavirus in April in Glasgow. Getty Images
  • NHS staff applaud themselves and their colleagues at the entrance of the Royal Liverpool Hospital as part of the "Clap for Our Carers" campaign in April. Getty Images
    NHS staff applaud themselves and their colleagues at the entrance of the Royal Liverpool Hospital as part of the "Clap for Our Carers" campaign in April. Getty Images
  • Marks made from wearing PPE are pictured on the face of nurse Susie Jewsbury, who works on the intensive care unit at Frimley Park Hospital in Frimley, south-west England. AFP
    Marks made from wearing PPE are pictured on the face of nurse Susie Jewsbury, who works on the intensive care unit at Frimley Park Hospital in Frimley, south-west England. AFP
  • Care home resident Albert Rose, 98, looks on as carers and staff applaud him outside Richden Park care home in Scunthorpe. There was an appeal for people to come forward and help the resident celebrate his birthday, after his only surviving relative was not able to visit due to the pandemic. AFP
    Care home resident Albert Rose, 98, looks on as carers and staff applaud him outside Richden Park care home in Scunthorpe. There was an appeal for people to come forward and help the resident celebrate his birthday, after his only surviving relative was not able to visit due to the pandemic. AFP
  • Nurse Tina has her name on her visor and a picture of herself on her apron in an intensive care unit where she is treating victims of the coronavirus in Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey. Getty Images
    Nurse Tina has her name on her visor and a picture of herself on her apron in an intensive care unit where she is treating victims of the coronavirus in Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey. Getty Images
  • A trained volunteer walks past coffins stacked next to refrigeration units inside the temporary mortuary set up in the car park of Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif in Birmingham in April. The temporary mortuary was set up to deal with the pressure of the Covid 19 outbreak. AFP
    A trained volunteer walks past coffins stacked next to refrigeration units inside the temporary mortuary set up in the car park of Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif in Birmingham in April. The temporary mortuary was set up to deal with the pressure of the Covid 19 outbreak. AFP
  • A member of staff looks at artwork by street artist Banksy called 'Game Changer', showing a boy playing with a nurse superhero toy, on a wall at the University Hospital Southampton. AFP
    A member of staff looks at artwork by street artist Banksy called 'Game Changer', showing a boy playing with a nurse superhero toy, on a wall at the University Hospital Southampton. AFP
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak stand inside the Cabinet Room of 10 Downing Street, London, to observe a minute's silence in tribute to the NHS staff and key workers who have died during the coronavirus outbreak. Getty Images
    Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak stand inside the Cabinet Room of 10 Downing Street, London, to observe a minute's silence in tribute to the NHS staff and key workers who have died during the coronavirus outbreak. Getty Images
  • A nurse takes a video of a newborn baby in the maternity ward at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey to send to the parents, as visiting hours are restricted because of the pandemic. Getty Images
    A nurse takes a video of a newborn baby in the maternity ward at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey to send to the parents, as visiting hours are restricted because of the pandemic. Getty Images
  • Chloe Middleton, 21, died after contracting coronavirus in March 2020. Her mother, Diane Middleton, issued a warning to others on Facebook following her daughter's death. She wrote: "To all the people out there that thinks it's just a virus please think again speaking from a personal experience this so called virus has taken the life of my 21 year old daughter". Rex/Shutterstock
    Chloe Middleton, 21, died after contracting coronavirus in March 2020. Her mother, Diane Middleton, issued a warning to others on Facebook following her daughter's death. She wrote: "To all the people out there that thinks it's just a virus please think again speaking from a personal experience this so called virus has taken the life of my 21 year old daughter". Rex/Shutterstock
  • Ellis Tustin, the grandson of Berrice Moore, holds up his grandfather's name as he stages a personal protest against Prime Minister Boris Johnson outside the Houses of Parliament in May. Mr Tustin believes that the government is forgetting that each of the figures listed in the daily death toll update is a real person. He is displaying the name as Mr Johnson passes on the way to and from the weekly PMQ session. Getty Images
    Ellis Tustin, the grandson of Berrice Moore, holds up his grandfather's name as he stages a personal protest against Prime Minister Boris Johnson outside the Houses of Parliament in May. Mr Tustin believes that the government is forgetting that each of the figures listed in the daily death toll update is a real person. He is displaying the name as Mr Johnson passes on the way to and from the weekly PMQ session. Getty Images
  • Dental nurses embrace before treating a possible Covid-19 positive patient at the Dental Unit at Coed Celyn Hospital in Wrexham. It is the only time the nurses can embrace and have a team hug after fully dressing in their full personal protection equipment. Getty Images
    Dental nurses embrace before treating a possible Covid-19 positive patient at the Dental Unit at Coed Celyn Hospital in Wrexham. It is the only time the nurses can embrace and have a team hug after fully dressing in their full personal protection equipment. Getty Images

Europe

How Covid-19 damaged Brand Britain

UK's reputation harmed by vaccine wars, new strains and chaotic response

Brodie Owen
London

January 27, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The detrimentally named "UK strain" and the government's handling of the Covid-19 crisis damaged Britain's reputation, experts said.

With the highest death count in Europe and families devastated by the debilitating illness, the country’s standing on the international stage also suffered, they suggested.

A new survey of 4,000 respondents found that the government’s chaotic response to the outbreak had created negative opinions about the UK’s ability to handle a crisis, harming its national reputation abroad.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Tuesday lamented that the UK’s identification of a new variant of the virus, found in Kent in southern England and dubbed "the UK strain", had effectively penalised the country, by forcing others to shut their borders to British travellers.

Mr Hancock's remarks came on the day Britain's coronavirus death toll passed 100,000, the fifth highest in the world, giving ammunition to those who believe the UK, at least so far, has failed to adequately handle the pandemic.

On top of that, a dispute broke out between UK pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the EU after vaccine supplies were cut.

That led to calls for the EU to restrict exports of the vaccine and to the suggestion that Britain may be trying to unfairly hold on to doses made within its borders.

The UK’s vaccine stockpile was unaffected by the move, prompting concern in the EU that pharmaceutical companies were giving priority to higher bidders outside the bloc.

It added to the impression that Britain was no longer playing fairly after failing to deal with the crisis.

The survey of 53 countries, conducted by strategists Bloom Consulting, suggested the UK’s reputation had had been damaged.

It ranked the UK as among those suffering the most reputational damage from its pandemic response, ahead of other hard-hit countries including Spain, Italy and the US.

South Korea, Germany and Singapore were deemed “the winners of the crisis”, emerging with stronger reputations after their response to the first wave of the virus, the study said.

Malcolm Allan, president of Bloom Consulting, said the results of the survey should cause concern.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock in Downing Street. A new survey found that the UK's pandemic response had harmed the country's reputation abroad. AP
Health Secretary Matt Hancock in Downing Street. A new survey found that the UK's pandemic response had harmed the country's reputation abroad. AP

"There is too much dislike of what the Westminster government has done," he told The National.

Mr Allan said that Downing Street’s response was generally regarded by survey respondents as chaotic.

“I think the tourists will eventually come back, but the response is damaging in terms of inter-government relations and how the international press are reporting us, which could affect investment in the UK,” he said.

Mr Allan said the "UK variant" title for the strain found in Britain would also harm the country’s reputation.

He likened the name to Donald Trump’s labelling of Covid-19 as the “China virus” during his term as US president.

“It’s not helpful for international relations," Mr Allan said. "There is a negative association with these labels that somehow it is someone else’s fault."

Mr Hancock acknowledged that the UK's advanced genome sequencing capabilities had brought inevitable consequences, such as border closures after scientists identified the new strain.

“Obviously it’s incredibly important we share transparently all that’s going on with our response to Covid and other communicable diseases,” Mr Hancock told Chatham House, a London independent policy institute.

“But there’s a paradox here: the countries that have spotted and sequenced new variants of concern then understandably cause reactions from their neighbours around the world.

"But it is still the right thing to do to protect life."

Sharon Peacock, chair of the Covid-19 Genomics UK Consortium, said many of the Covid-19 variants may not have emerged in the countries they were first discovered.

She said Britain is sequencing more virus genomes than anywhere else, therefore many future variants might be discovered in the UK, even if they came from somewhere else.

"The more you sequence, the more you find," she told The Washington Post. "First detected doesn't mean first emergent."

The World Health Organisation said last week that it was planning a new naming system without reference to countries.

The technical name for the variant first identified in Britain is B117.

“It’s really important that when people call it the ‘UK variant’ or ‘South African variant’ that we aren’t assigning values to these countries,” said the WHO's emergencies director, Mike Ryan.

"These countries aren’t the cause of this problem."

Mr Ryan said the UK should be “commended and lauded” for identifying the new strain.

Porsche Macan T: The Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo 

Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm 

Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm 

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto 

Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec 

Top speed: 232kph 

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km 

On sale: May or June 

Price: From Dh259,900  

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier

Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August

 

Group A

Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar

 

Group B

UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

The biog

Name: Sarah Al Senaani

Age: 35

Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2

Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism

Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding

Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier

Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish

THE 12 BREAKAWAY CLUBS

England

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus

Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid

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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

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Crawley Town 3 (Tsaroulla 50', Nadesan 53', Tunnicliffe 70')

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Dir: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Chris O'Dowd, Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Two stars

Spare

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Company name: Spare

Started: March 2018

Co-founders: Dalal Alrayes and Saurabh Shah

Based: UAE

Sector: FinTech

Investment: Own savings. Going for first round of fund-raising in March 2019

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

CoronavirusEurope