Follow the latest news on the 2024 Paris Olympics
The Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony was a lavish affair, and the team uniforms have been well documented, but as the Games surge forward, a new type of style is emerging – namely the personal snap of the athletes. Although dressed in matching clothes that have been carefully designed for each team, a few souls still manage to stand out for, well, their swag, "main character energy", whatever you want to call it.
Marwa Abdelhady and Doaa Elghobashy, Egypt
France may have imposed a hijab ban during the Olympics but two players from the Egyptian beach volleyball team stood in defiance of it. Olympians Marwa Abdelhady and Doaa Elghobashy both wore hijabs, long-sleeve T-shirts and black leggings to face the Spanish team at the Games.
Snoop Dogg, US
Snoop Dogg's knack for making baggy tracksuits in garnish patterns look the epitome of style is well known. Yet seeing the rapper arrive as a spectator for the equestrian dressage, alongside Martha Stewart, while clad in an impeccable equestrian uniform is the salve that we didn't know we needed. Extra swag for him dancing for the horses.
Princess Anne, UK
An Olympian herself – Princess Anne competed in the equestrian three-day event at the 1976 Olympics – today the British royal is a member of the International Olympic Committee and is actively involved with the event. On a visit to the Team GB headquarters, she broke all royal dress codes by accessorising her straight blue trainers and smock top with trainers, and a bucket hat.
Yusuf Dikec, Turkey
The Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec is the latest Olympian to go viral for his casual demeanour. Taking part in the Mixed 50m Pistol event, Dikec, 51, stole the show by competing without the normal ear protectors and specialised lenses, that magnify one eye and block the other. Instead, he wore normal glasses and shot with one hand in a pocket. He won the silver medal.
Kim Yeji, South Korea
South Korean shooter Kim Yeji, who took silver at the women’s 10 metre air pistol event earlier this week, is a prime example. In a get-up of baseball cap and bizarre glasses that combined a magnifying lens on one eye and a sight blocker on the other, she displayed a level of coolness that was something to behold. Add to this the mini plush elephant hanging from her pocket, and her personal style levels were off the chart.
Thankfully, Yeji is not the only one.
Rayssa Leal, Brazil
Rayssa Leal from Brazil rocked up to the Women’s Skateboarding Street Final in a white vest and a pair of cargo trousers. Later, she took off the vest, to reveal a lime green crop top, and carried on competing. Looking as relaxed as if she was at a Brazilian skate park, and not in an Olympic final, she eventually won bronze.
Yuto Horigome, Japan
Another skateboarder who looked totally relaxed was Japan's Yuto Horigome. With his mop of coloured hair and a nonchalant attitude, Horigome may have only scored bronze but he won a host of fans.
Worthy de Jong, Netherlands
Like something out of a movie, the improbably named Worthy de Jong was an inconsistent basketball player in the Netherlands, until he bleached his hair blonde and found his form. He is now representing his country at the Olympics and looks like a model while doing it.
Sha’Carri Richardson, USA
Sha’Carri Richardson may have undergone a style evolution recently – ditching the most flamboyant aspects of her running looks – but she has kept one thing: her nails. Spotted with nails at least two inches long, and painted in a patriotic red, white and blue, she showed them off during the opening ceremony, along with her undone Ralph Lauren striped shirt.
Gabriel Medina, Brazil
Widely considered to be the shot of the Olympics, this image of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina floating upright above a wave gives off a level of cool the rest of us can only aspire to. With one arm in the air, feet flat as if standing on a solid surface and his board magically floating next to him, this will go down in history as the ultimate pose. The fact that he looks like he is mid-conversation with someone only adds to the mystique. An honourable mention goes to the photographer Jerome Brouillet for capturing it.
Melissa Teresa Vargas, Turkey
Turkish volleyball player Melissa Teresa Vargas is another competitor with a shaved head. With her hair cropped so short as to be little more than stubble, Vargas is pushing back against standards expected of women – even when they're high-performance athletes. Add to this her copious tattoos and necklaces that includes a pendant in the shape of the Olympic rings, and she is a bona fide style setter.
Jehanara Nabi, Pakistan
Pakistani swimmer Jehanara Nabi may have to ultimately settle for 26th place in the women's 200 metre swim, but she defied critics in her home country by wearing a three-quarter length race suit. Against widespread condemnation of her competing at all, Nabi broke down barriers with her knee-length suit. Hopefully, she will inspire girls to follow her lead.
Stephen Nedoroscik, USA
An unexpected figure has emerged in the form of Stephen Nedoroscik. A part of Team USA gymnastics squad – who picked up bronze for his performance on the pommel horse – he wears Buddy Holly glasses and takes a Rubix Cube along to help him stay focused during rounds and keeps his glasses on the side of the chalk bowl while competing. He even managed to look fashionably bored when picking up his team medal.
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The specs
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Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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MATCH INFO
Group B
Bayern Munich v Tottenham, midnight (Thursday)
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
PFA Team of the Year: David de Gea, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Alonso, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
