• Students wear protective masks in a classroom at a school where a number of cases of the Omicron variant have been detected, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Reuters
    Students wear protective masks in a classroom at a school where a number of cases of the Omicron variant have been detected, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Reuters
  • Sarah Santos Costa gets vaccinated in Sao Paulo. Getty Images
    Sarah Santos Costa gets vaccinated in Sao Paulo. Getty Images
  • Deemah Al Sofyani, a pharmacist, prepares a Covid-19 vaccine does in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters
    Deemah Al Sofyani, a pharmacist, prepares a Covid-19 vaccine does in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters
  • A health worker collects a swab sample from a child to test for Covid-19 at a hospital in Kolkata. AFP
    A health worker collects a swab sample from a child to test for Covid-19 at a hospital in Kolkata. AFP
  • Pupils queue for a Covid-19 vaccine shot at Chogle High School in Borivali, Mumbai. India recorded 7,743 Omicron variant cases in the past 24 hours. EPA
    Pupils queue for a Covid-19 vaccine shot at Chogle High School in Borivali, Mumbai. India recorded 7,743 Omicron variant cases in the past 24 hours. EPA
  • Yodit Ben Ari, 89, receives a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at a retirement home in Netanya after Israel approved a second booster shot for the immunocompromised, people over 60 and medical staff. Reuters
    Yodit Ben Ari, 89, receives a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at a retirement home in Netanya after Israel approved a second booster shot for the immunocompromised, people over 60 and medical staff. Reuters
  • A health worker tests school pupils for Covid-19 during a surge in cases of Omicron in Karachi, Pakistan. The country has recorded more than 4,000 coronavirus cases for the second consecutive day. EPA
    A health worker tests school pupils for Covid-19 during a surge in cases of Omicron in Karachi, Pakistan. The country has recorded more than 4,000 coronavirus cases for the second consecutive day. EPA
  • A man sits and waits after receiving a Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 booster vaccine in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA
    A man sits and waits after receiving a Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 booster vaccine in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA
  • Employees work on the assembly line to produce self-testing kits at the NG Biotech factory in Guipry-Messac as France experiences a surge in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. Reuters
    Employees work on the assembly line to produce self-testing kits at the NG Biotech factory in Guipry-Messac as France experiences a surge in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. Reuters
  • Lucas Sudo receives a dose of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine as part of the first group of children under 12 to be immunised against Covid-19 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Getty Images
    Lucas Sudo receives a dose of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine as part of the first group of children under 12 to be immunised against Covid-19 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Getty Images
  • An injured 41-year-old man is pushed into the emergency ward at the main city hospital in Innsbruck, Austria. Fewer patients than usual were arriving due to a 10pm curfew as a precaution against the spread of the Omicron variant. Getty Images
    An injured 41-year-old man is pushed into the emergency ward at the main city hospital in Innsbruck, Austria. Fewer patients than usual were arriving due to a 10pm curfew as a precaution against the spread of the Omicron variant. Getty Images
  • A boy is tested for Covid-19 at a drive-through site in Jerusalem. Reuters
    A boy is tested for Covid-19 at a drive-through site in Jerusalem. Reuters
  • Even the statues are masked in Tokyo's Ginza district, as Japan reported a record high of new Covid-19 infections fuelled by the Omicron variant. AFP
    Even the statues are masked in Tokyo's Ginza district, as Japan reported a record high of new Covid-19 infections fuelled by the Omicron variant. AFP
  • A health worker draws up a dose of a Covid-19 shot at a drive-through vaccination centre outside Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers FC's ground, in north-west England. AFP
    A health worker draws up a dose of a Covid-19 shot at a drive-through vaccination centre outside Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers FC's ground, in north-west England. AFP
  • A woman receives a booster shot in Taipei, Taiwan. Reuters
    A woman receives a booster shot in Taipei, Taiwan. Reuters
  • Testing schoolchildren in Karachi. EPA
    Testing schoolchildren in Karachi. EPA
  • A weekly food distribution project in a Brooklyn community in New York City provides between 500 to 600 people with fresh vegetables, fruit and other items. More than 13. 8 million US households were described as food insecure in 2020. Inflation and job insecurity due to the coronavirus pandemic have contributed to the issue. AFP
    A weekly food distribution project in a Brooklyn community in New York City provides between 500 to 600 people with fresh vegetables, fruit and other items. More than 13. 8 million US households were described as food insecure in 2020. Inflation and job insecurity due to the coronavirus pandemic have contributed to the issue. AFP
  • A testing centre in Saint-Hilaire-de-Loulay near Nantes, France. Reuters
    A testing centre in Saint-Hilaire-de-Loulay near Nantes, France. Reuters

UAE

What is the new Omicron Covid variant BA.2 and are the symptoms more severe?

BA.2 is one of the most contagious diseases yet

Gillian Duncan
Gillian Duncan

March 25, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Latest: BA2 strain sparks urgent call for Covid vaccine for children under three

The BA.2 variant of the coronavirus is driving another surge of cases around the world, from the UK to America.

The number of people each sufferer could infect is believed to be 12, making it one of the world's most contagious diseases yet.

So why is BA.2 driving record case numbers, and are its symptoms more severe than earlier variants?

The National explains.

What is BA.2?

A sublineage of the Omicron family, which has three subvariants: BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3.

BA.1 was the one that originally took off and spread around the world, but BA.2 has gained a foothold now in many countries and is on the increase, leading to rises in case numbers.

One of the most interesting things about the three subvariants is that each is as different to the other as Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta are from each other.

The three Omicron sublineages, which were detected at the same time in South Africa, share 39 mutations. But each has some of their own. In the case of BA.1, there are 20; BA.2 has another 27, and BA.3 has 13 more.

BA.2 spreads faster than BA.1, about 30 per cent more according to estimates, which means it is easier to catch. Scientists think its extra mutations help to make it more transmissible.

“Omicron BA.2 is about 1.4 times more infectious than BA.1,” wrote former World Health Organisation scientist Prof Adrian Esterman on Twitter.

“The basic reproduction number (R0) for BA.1 is about 8.2, making R0 for BA.2 about 12.

“This makes it pretty close to measles, the most contagious disease we know about.”

The R0 of measles is between 12 and 18.

Are the symptoms more severe?

Studies in the UK and Denmark found no evidence that an infection with BA.2 is linked to a greater risk of being admitted to hospital than with BA.1. A more recent study from Qatar showed the same thing.

There had been some concern after an animal study in Japan found that BA.2 caused more severe disease in hamsters. But findings in animal studies do not always translate well to human beings.

New research from Hong Kong suggests, however, that BA.2 may be more severe in children than other variants.

They found the strain was associated with higher odds of paediatric ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and oxygen use.

“The intrinsic severity of Omicron BA.2 in children who had no past Covid-19 or vaccination is not mild,” the researchers said.

“And in fact … the Omicron BA.2 is more neuropathogenic than previous Sars-CoV-2 variants, influenza and parainfluenza viruses, resulting in more seizures.”

Although Omicron is milder in adults than Delta, BA.1 evades immunity from vaccination and other variants, making it easier for people who have been vaccinated to catch, particularly if they have not been boosted.

But BA.1 provides strong protection against BA.2, according to the WHO. So anyone who had Omicron earlier should be protected against BA.2.

Common symptoms of the variant include a cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, sore throat or hoarse voice, congestion or runny nose, and nausea or vomiting.

  • Patients rest inside a Covid-19 isolation centre in Navi Mumbai, India. AFP
    Patients rest inside a Covid-19 isolation centre in Navi Mumbai, India. AFP
  • An Israeli paramedic collects a swab sample from a child at a Covid-19 testing centre in Jerusalem. AFP
    An Israeli paramedic collects a swab sample from a child at a Covid-19 testing centre in Jerusalem. AFP
  • A caricature of Serbian tennis champion Novak Djokovic looks over a market in the Indian city of Siliguri, a day after a court overturned the Australian government's decision to cancel his visa on Covid-19 vaccination grounds. AFP
    A caricature of Serbian tennis champion Novak Djokovic looks over a market in the Indian city of Siliguri, a day after a court overturned the Australian government's decision to cancel his visa on Covid-19 vaccination grounds. AFP
  • Workers spray disinfectant outside a shopping mall in Xi'an, northern China. AFP
    Workers spray disinfectant outside a shopping mall in Xi'an, northern China. AFP
  • Women wearing kimonos and protective masks ride on an escalator in Tokyo. Reuters
    Women wearing kimonos and protective masks ride on an escalator in Tokyo. Reuters
  • Dr Anthony Fauci speaks during a US Senate committee hearing to examine the federal response to Covid-19. AP
    Dr Anthony Fauci speaks during a US Senate committee hearing to examine the federal response to Covid-19. AP
  • A centre for filling oxygen tanks in Bangalore, India. EPA
    A centre for filling oxygen tanks in Bangalore, India. EPA
  • Medical staff dressed in superhero costumes accompany children aged 6 to 11 as they receive a vaccine at a school in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. AFP
    Medical staff dressed in superhero costumes accompany children aged 6 to 11 as they receive a vaccine at a school in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. AFP
  • A shopper walks past empty frozen-food coolers at a shop in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Shortages at US shops have grown in recent weeks amid supply-chain struggles and labour issues. AP
    A shopper walks past empty frozen-food coolers at a shop in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Shortages at US shops have grown in recent weeks amid supply-chain struggles and labour issues. AP
  • Students and staff at the University of Southern California are required to get Covid-19 vaccine booster shots and show proof of a negative test to return to in-person classes. EPA
    Students and staff at the University of Southern California are required to get Covid-19 vaccine booster shots and show proof of a negative test to return to in-person classes. EPA
  • A teacher takes a class remotely at Hazelwood Elementary School in Louisville, Kentucky. Getty
    A teacher takes a class remotely at Hazelwood Elementary School in Louisville, Kentucky. Getty
  • Dr LouAnn Woodward of the University of Mississippi refers to a graph outlining the rising number of Covid-19 patients over a 14-day period. AP
    Dr LouAnn Woodward of the University of Mississippi refers to a graph outlining the rising number of Covid-19 patients over a 14-day period. AP
  • Medics tend to a Covid-19 patient at the intensive care unit of Cremona Hospital in northern Italy. AFP
    Medics tend to a Covid-19 patient at the intensive care unit of Cremona Hospital in northern Italy. AFP
  • Pharmacy workers remove Christmas decorations from a window in Lisbon, Portugal. While Portugal has been reporting record figures of daily new coronavirus cases driven by the Omicron variant, the number of patients in intensive-care units has fallen. Bloomberg
    Pharmacy workers remove Christmas decorations from a window in Lisbon, Portugal. While Portugal has been reporting record figures of daily new coronavirus cases driven by the Omicron variant, the number of patients in intensive-care units has fallen. Bloomberg
  • Students wearing protective masks study in a classroom at the Merlan school in Paillet, Ivory Coast. Reuters
    Students wearing protective masks study in a classroom at the Merlan school in Paillet, Ivory Coast. Reuters
  • A Pakistani health worker takes a sample to test for Covid-19 during a surge in Omicron cases in Islamabad. EPA
    A Pakistani health worker takes a sample to test for Covid-19 during a surge in Omicron cases in Islamabad. EPA
  • A general view of the Nightingale Covid-19 Surge Hub which is being erected at the Royal Preston Hospital in Preston, England. Getty
    A general view of the Nightingale Covid-19 Surge Hub which is being erected at the Royal Preston Hospital in Preston, England. Getty
  • Indian devotees walk for a health check-up at the Babughat transit camp before the Ganga Sagar annual fair in Kolkata, eastern India. EPA
    Indian devotees walk for a health check-up at the Babughat transit camp before the Ganga Sagar annual fair in Kolkata, eastern India. EPA

Why are case numbers rising?

Partly because of BA.2’s increased transmissibility, but many countries where case numbers are surging have dropped restrictions in an effort to learn to live with the virus.

Waning immunity is also believed to be playing a factor, as protection from boosters fades and many people received theirs months ago.

Case numbers have risen fast and high in the UK, but White House chief medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci said this week he did not expect another surge right now in the US.

However, there are signs a new wave is beginning.

Wastewater surveillance at 15 sites showed an increase greater than 1,000 per cent in the virus from February 24 to March 10.

And on Thursday, New York state reported 3,875 new cases – an increase of 87 per cent from last week.

Why is it called stealth Omicron?

It gained this nickname because it was not initially clear to labs it was of the Omicron family.

PCR tests look for three genes and with BA.1 only two react, giving labs a handy shortcut to identify it.

But BA.2 does not have this missing gene. All three can be found under examination of PCR samples of BA.2, making it look like variants, such as Delta.

Coronavirus sweeps across the globe – in pictures

  • A healthcare worker prepares to administer a Covid-19 vaccine in Mogadishu, Somalia. Reuters
    A healthcare worker prepares to administer a Covid-19 vaccine in Mogadishu, Somalia. Reuters
  • Workers take samples for Covid-19 tests at a drive-through clinic in Auckland, New Zealand. AP
    Workers take samples for Covid-19 tests at a drive-through clinic in Auckland, New Zealand. AP
  • A monk uses his mobile phone in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Reuters
    A monk uses his mobile phone in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Reuters
  • A man reads a newspaper next to closed shops after the government announced an island-wide lockdown in Colombo, Sri Lanka. EPA
    A man reads a newspaper next to closed shops after the government announced an island-wide lockdown in Colombo, Sri Lanka. EPA
  • A woman instructs her grandson to clean his hands at the State Fair in Louisville, Kentucky. Reuters
    A woman instructs her grandson to clean his hands at the State Fair in Louisville, Kentucky. Reuters
  • Medics transport a Covid-positive patient to a hospital in Houston, Texas. AFP
    Medics transport a Covid-positive patient to a hospital in Houston, Texas. AFP
  • Members of the security forces guard the Taj Mahal after sunset in Agra, India. EPA
    Members of the security forces guard the Taj Mahal after sunset in Agra, India. EPA
  • Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau signs autographs before his team's match against Los Angeles FC in Vancouver, Canada. AP
    Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau signs autographs before his team's match against Los Angeles FC in Vancouver, Canada. AP
  • An employee stands at the entrance of a supermarket to check visitors' health app QR codes and body temperature in Shanghai, China. EPA
    An employee stands at the entrance of a supermarket to check visitors' health app QR codes and body temperature in Shanghai, China. EPA
  • A man shows the green pass on his phone before entering a shopping mall in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A man shows the green pass on his phone before entering a shopping mall in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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.”

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Dhadak

Director: Shashank Khaitan

Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana

Stars: 3

Last 10 NBA champions

2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2

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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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FIGHT%20CARD
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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Three tips from La Perle's performers

1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

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More from this package
List of alleged parties
  • May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
  • 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
  • Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson 
  • Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
  • Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters 
  • Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
  • Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party 
Gulf rugby

Who’s won what so far in 2018/19

Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain

What’s left

UAE Conference

March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers

March 29, final

UAE Premiership

March 22, play-offs: 
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes

March 29, final

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Tomorrow 2021
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Sam Smith

Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi

When: Saturday November 24

Rating: 4/5

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
'Munich: The Edge of War'

Director: Christian Schwochow

Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons

Rating: 3/5

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199

More Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions:
Company%C2%A0profile
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The%20pillars%20of%20the%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Strategy
%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The Birkin bag is made by Hermès. 
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.

Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained

Defined Benefit Plan (DB)

A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.

Defined Contribution Plan (DC) 

A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.

Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
  1. Steve Baker
  2. Peter Bone
  3. Ben Bradley
  4. Andrew Bridgen
  5. Maria Caulfield​​​​​​​
  6. Simon Clarke 
  7. Philip Davies
  8. Nadine Dorries​​​​​​​
  9. James Duddridge​​​​​​​
  10. Mark Francois 
  11. Chris Green
  12. Adam Holloway
  13. Andrea Jenkyns
  14. Anne-Marie Morris
  15. Sheryll Murray
  16. Jacob Rees-Mogg
  17. Laurence Robertson
  18. Lee Rowley
  19. Henry Smith
  20. Martin Vickers 
  21. John Whittingdale
Gifts exchanged
  • King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
  • Queen Camilla -  Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
  • Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
  • Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E456hp%20at%205%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E691Nm%20at%203%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E14.6L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh349%2C545%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ILT20%20UAE%20stars
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELEADING%20RUN%20SCORERS%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1%20Nicholas%20Pooran%2C%20261%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E2%20Muhammad%20Waseem%20(UAE)%2C%20248%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E3%20Chris%20Lynn%2C%20244%3Cbr%3E4%20Johnson%20Charles%2C%20232%3Cbr%3E5%20Kusal%20Perera%2C%20230%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBEST%20BOWLING%20AVERAGE%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E(minimum%2010%20overs%20bowled)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E1%20Zuhaib%20Zubair%20(UAE)%2C%209%20wickets%20at%2012.44%3Cbr%3E2%20Mohammed%20Rohid%20(UAE)%2C%207%20at%2013.00%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E3%20Fazalhaq%20Farooqi%2C%2017%20at%2013.05%3Cbr%3E4%20Waqar%20Salamkheil%2C%2010%20at%2014.08%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E5%20Aayan%20Khan%20(UAE)%2C%204%20at%2015.50%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E6%20Wanindu%20Hasaranga%2C%2012%20at%2016.25%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7%20Mohammed%20Jawadullah%20(UAE)%2C%2010%20at%2017.00%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Everton%20Fixtures
%3Cp%3EApril%2015%20-%20Chelsea%20(A)%3Cbr%3EApril%2021%20-%20N.%20Forest%20(H)%3Cbr%3EApril%2024%20-%20Liverpool%20(H)%3Cbr%3EApril%2027%20-%20Brentford%20(H)%3Cbr%3EMay%203%20-%20Luton%20Town%20(A)%3Cbr%3EMay%2011%20-%20Sheff%20Utd%20(H)%3Cbr%3EMay%2019%20-%20Arsenal%20(A)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
'I Want You Back'

Director:Jason Orley

Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day

Rating:4/5

While you're here
MATCH INFO

CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures

Tuesday:

Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)

Second legs:

October 23

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Updated: March 27, 2022, 5:04 AM
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