• Health workers collect swab samples at a newly opened Covid-19 test centre at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. EPA
    Health workers collect swab samples at a newly opened Covid-19 test centre at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. EPA
  • People in Toronto show their support for lorry drivers on their way to Ottawa to protest against cross-border vaccine mandates. Reuters
    People in Toronto show their support for lorry drivers on their way to Ottawa to protest against cross-border vaccine mandates. Reuters
  • Passengers on an underground train in London. Although it is no longer legally compulsory to wear masks in indoor venues, some rail companies in England still require passengers to wear face coverings. EPA
    Passengers on an underground train in London. Although it is no longer legally compulsory to wear masks in indoor venues, some rail companies in England still require passengers to wear face coverings. EPA
  • A health worker holds a swab sample collected from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
    A health worker holds a swab sample collected from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
  • A House of Fraser department store, which closed down during the coronavirus outbreak, on Oxford Street in London. AP
    A House of Fraser department store, which closed down during the coronavirus outbreak, on Oxford Street in London. AP
  • Crowds of people wait for the train at a railway station in Shanghai during the Chinese New Year travel rush. Reuters
    Crowds of people wait for the train at a railway station in Shanghai during the Chinese New Year travel rush. Reuters
  • Naples, Italy. More EU countries now require people to wear FFP2 multi-layered face masks outdoors to curb the spread of the more contagious Omicron coronavirus strain. EPA
    Naples, Italy. More EU countries now require people to wear FFP2 multi-layered face masks outdoors to curb the spread of the more contagious Omicron coronavirus strain. EPA
  • A health worker collects a swab sample at a Covid-19 test centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. EPA
    A health worker collects a swab sample at a Covid-19 test centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. EPA
  • A pupil receives a dose of the Sinovac vaccine at a primary school in Tangerang, Indonesia. EPA
    A pupil receives a dose of the Sinovac vaccine at a primary school in Tangerang, Indonesia. EPA
  • A health worker treats a Covid-19 patient in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Marica, Brazil. AP
    A health worker treats a Covid-19 patient in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Marica, Brazil. AP
  • A doctor prescribes medicine for a person infected with Covid-19, in Quito, Ecuador. AP
    A doctor prescribes medicine for a person infected with Covid-19, in Quito, Ecuador. AP
  • A driver places a swab into a vial at a drive-through test centre in Darby, Pennsylvania. AP
    A driver places a swab into a vial at a drive-through test centre in Darby, Pennsylvania. AP
  • Medics take a swab from a patient outside a doctor's office in Laatzen, Germany. AP
    Medics take a swab from a patient outside a doctor's office in Laatzen, Germany. AP
  • Residents undergo nucleic acid tests at a Covid-19 test centre in Anyang, China. AFP
    Residents undergo nucleic acid tests at a Covid-19 test centre in Anyang, China. AFP
  • A man receives a shot of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in Moscow. EPA
    A man receives a shot of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in Moscow. EPA
  • A health worker collects a swab sample at a government hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
    A health worker collects a swab sample at a government hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
  • A health worker collects a swab sample from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
    A health worker collects a swab sample from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
  • Medics transfer a Covid-19 patient at a hospital in Krasnodar, Russia. AP
    Medics transfer a Covid-19 patient at a hospital in Krasnodar, Russia. AP

Omicron live updates: New Zealand to start easing tough border controls


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Omicron – also known as B.1.1.529 – is a coronavirus variant with an unusually large number of mutations. It was first detected in South Africa, but has since spread around the world.

Follow our live blog below for the latest updates.

French business

France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.

Day 1 results:

Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)

Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES

September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand

October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia

8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21

  1. Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
  2. Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
  3. Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
  4. Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
  5. Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
  6. Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
  7. Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
  8. Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes. 

The trip

From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Updated: February 03, 2022, 4:20 AM