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Abu Dhabi, UAEFriday 22 January 2021

President Joe Biden signs an executive order after speaking during an event on his administration's Covid-19 response.  Bloomberg

Biden unveils ‘war-time undertaking’ to fight Covid-19
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi waves during a ceremony in Baghdad to mark the Iraqi armed forces centenary on January 6, 2021. Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office via Reuters

Iraqi PM promises intelligence revamp after Baghdad blasts

MENA
Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, addresses the daily press briefing at the White House on January 21, 2021. Reuters

US disease expert Anthony Fauci welcomes liberating change of government

The Americas
A rally against Donald Trump's executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority nations in New York's Times Square, February 19, 2017. AP Photo

Refugees breathe sigh of relief as Biden repeals Trump’s Muslim ban

The Americas
EDITOR'S PICKS
A rocket launches from missile system as part of drills at the Plesetsk facility in north-western Russia, December 9, 2020. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

Pope Francis and UN chief talk up long-shot nuclear treaty

World
A worker in a protective suit is seen at the closed seafood market in Wuhan, the city in China's Hubei province where the novel coronavirus was first detected, on January 10, 2020. Reuters

How the world's hardest-hit nations have dealt with coronavirus

World
Olivia Rodrigo's debut single 'Drivers License' has hit No 1 in the Billboard's Hot 100 chart. AFP

Who is Olivia Rodrigo? The Filipino-American singer topping charts

Music

The thorn in the side of Biden's foreign policy team

Con Coughlin
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 22: Conor McGregor of Ireland poses on the scale during the UFC 257 weigh-in on UFC Fight Island on January 22, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

McGregor and Poirier both make weight for UFC 257 clash
Biden family photos encircle a bust of activist Cesar Chavez behind the Resolute Desk, inside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Reuters

New president brings a new look to Oval Office
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pose for a photo with family members at the Celebrating America concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, after his inauguration.. (Joshua Roberts/Pool photo via AP)

A brief breakdown of the Biden and Harris families
Major news organisations around the world celebrated the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20. 

Headlines from Inauguration Day from around the world
US President Joe Biden swears in presidential appointees during a virtual ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. AFP

Joe Biden to new staff: be respectful to colleagues or you're fired
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wave as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

Joe Biden is sworn in as 46th US president - as it happened
Senator Bernie Sanders, in his now-viral mittens, sits in the bleachers on Capitol Hill before Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th US President on January 20. AFP

The story behind Bernie Sanders's inauguration mittens
Left: President Donald Trump takes the oath of office. Right: Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. AP Photo

Joe Biden and Donald Trump: same place but poles apart on inauguration day

Coronavirus

Elizabeth Kerr, 31, and Simon O'Brien, 36, embrace each other in a Covid-19 ward, days after they married in an ICU (Intensive Care Unit) in Milton Keynes University Hospital, Britain. Reuters

British couple with Covid-19 rush to marry in intensive care

Europe
An aid worker from the Alkhidmat Foundation with a pulse oximeter. Imran Mukhtar/The National

How a £20 gadget could help fight Covid-19 at home

Europe
People who are infected with coronavirus in England could be paid to stay at home. Reuters

Covid payment of £500 considered for all who test positive in England

Europe
V. Muraleedharan, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs addresses workers at Delhi Private School in Dubai, where a programme has been launched to help blue collar workers learn English, Arabic and computer skills. Reem Mohammed / The National

1.15m Indians return to UAE since Covid-19 repatriation

Transport

World

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks at the White House after the inauguration of President Joe Biden, January 20, 2021. REUTERS

Biden to focus on Iran deal re-entry in calls with US allies

The Americas

Boris Johnson: UK ready to hand out tweaked vaccine to combat new variants

Europe

Madrid explosion: three dead after huge blast in Spanish capital

Europe

Mahmoud Abbas to stand for Palestinian Authority presidency, PM says

MENA

Business

Ibrahim Dogus, who owns three restaurants in central London, says his business has relied on savings to survive the crisis. Courtesy Ibrahim Dogus

Business in England's Lockdown 3: 'I was always lucky but now my savings are gone'

Economy

Yellow Door Energy plans to double renewable portfolio in 2021

Energy

UK borrowing hits £34.1bn in highest December level on record

Economy

Why a nature-focused investment approach makes financial sense

Business

Opinion

The Sustainability Pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 site. AFP 

How the Mena region can shape the post-Covid-19 sustainability agenda

Comment

Is Biden's environmental vision for America sustainable?

Editorial

The thorn in the side of Biden's foreign policy team

Comment

‘Hope in hard times’ was central message of Biden inauguration

Comment

Let's spare the elderly the ageist remarks, shall we?

Comment

Exclusives

Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor of Ireland at the UFC 257 press conference event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 21, 2021 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Courtesy DCT

Exclusive: McGregor promises performance 'like a Picasso painting' against Poirier

Sport
Islamic Relief Worldwide founder Hany El Banna called Yazidis devil-worshippers. Twitter

IRW forced to report after Muslim Brotherhood ties exposed

World
Kurdish-German psychologist Dr Jan Ilhan Kizilhan speaks to Yazidi refugees on the outskirts of the northern town of Khanke, Iraq. DPA

Yazidi campaigners call for suicide prevention plan after 11 found dead in 10 days

World
epa08931963 Robert Williams, 84, receives an injection of a Covid-19 vaccine at Robertson House in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Britain 11 January 2021. The UK government has announced that mass vaccination centres will start operating from 11 January in London, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Surrey and Stevenage. EPA/JOE GIDDENS / POOL

Britain's virulent new Covid strain adds a third to vaccine herd immunity challenge

Europe

UAE

Chandra and Sujatha Dake bought their home after property prices dropped during the pandemic. Chris Whiteoak / The National

First-time property buyers take advantage of pandemic in Dubai

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed meets French foreign minister in Paris

'Significant drop' in temperatures expected in UAE as gusty winds persist

UAE orders arrest of four men for video harassing Asian worker

UAE decision to shut private maid-hiring agencies will stamp out rogue companies

Arts & Culture

Eman Shafiq, Nuhayr Zein Elmessalami, Tasnim Tinawi and Khawla Al Balushi have been selected for Tashkeel's Tanween 2021 programme. Photo by Jalal Abuthina

Tashkeel's Tanween programme tasks UAE designers with tackling world issues

UAE artist Farah Al Qasimi to exhibit at Rencontres d’Arles festival after award win

007 is delayed: 'No Time to Die' will now hit cinemas in October

'Gilgamesh': 'Fortnite' maker to back animated film about Mesopotamian hero

Who is Olivia Rodrigo? The Filipino-American singer topping global charts

Lifestyle

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pose for a photo with family members at the Celebrating America concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, after his inauguration.. (Joshua Roberts/Pool photo via AP)

Who are America's First and Second families? Meet the Bidens and the Harrises

A nod to Palestinian grandmother? Gigi Hadid finally reveals daughter's name

Princess Charlene of Monaco defends 'half-hawk' haircut: 'It was my decision'

Jill Biden reveals she taught a college class the day before inauguration

'SATC': What would Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda be wearing in 2021?

Travel

The Maldives was the most popular destination for Emirati travellers in 2020. Unsplash

Maldives is the most popular travel hotspot for Emiratis

British Airways sells luggage made with parts of retired Boeing 747s

Travellers with Covid-19 vaccine won't have to quarantine in the Seychelles

How the cost of Covid-19 testing varies around the world

January flight sales: Emirates and Etihad offer discounts to Maldives, Manila and more

Technology

Elon Musk is now worth $201.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP

Elon Musk plans to offer $100m prize for best carbon capture technology

Technology

Google parent Alphabet shutting down its internet balloon business

Technology

Saudi Telecom’s Q4 profit rises as operating expenses fall

Technology

Neom’s head of tech on what daily life will be like for 'Neomians'

Technology

Google and Reuters to create News Showcase product

Technology

Motoring

The covers are off. All photos courtesy EMC and Daimler AG

Inside the new Mercedes S-Class: 'luxo-barge' unveiled in Abu Dhabi

All revved up: Classic cars congregate at Hatta Wadi Hub after parade

Midas touch: Lexus launches limited-edition golden LX570 in the UAE

New car sales in Europe suffer biggest ever drop in 2020

Road test: the Mazda CX-30 Urbane is a stylish cruiser for Dh99,000

Sport

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 22: Conor McGregor of Ireland poses on the scale during the UFC 257 weigh-in on UFC Fight Island on January 22, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

McGregor and Poirier both make weight for UFC 257 clash in Abu Dhabi

McGregor insists 'war is not over' with Nurmagomedov

Koeman takes aim at Barca after two missed penalties in win over Cornella

Mathews hits stubborn century for Sri Lanka against England

IOC and local organizers push back on claims Tokyo Olympics will be cancelled

Podcasts

US President Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th US President on January 20, 2021, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. AFP

Beyond the headlines: an unprecedented presidential handover

Dubai cancels surgeries, Etihad resumes Doha flights, Biden's first orders, 3,506 new cases - The Daily Update

Neom’s head of technology describes his vision for the future city: Business Extra

Etihad and Emirates sales, UAE to shut private maid agencies, 3,491 new cases - The Daily Update

Can Artificial Intelligence make us better investors? – Pocketful of Dirhams

#STAYHOME

The Big Bad Wolf book sale last took place in Dubai in 2019. Reem Mohammed / The National

Online Big Bad Wolf Book Sale offers up to 90 per cent off on books

Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation to stream free online concerts on YouTube

NYUAD Arts Centre expands line-up of online concerts and film screenings

Arab world’s biggest stars film TV dramas for Ramadan 2021

Miranda Kerr, Barbara Sturm, Tata Harper and some of beauty's biggest names share their secrets

LONG READS

Ahmed Malek in 'The Furnace', an Australian film directed by Roderick MacKay. Courtesy MAD solutions

Tracing the cameleers who brought Islam to Australia

Travel
Refugees walking into Hamdiyet. Credit : Hussein Saleh Ary

In the age of social distancing, Sudanese open their homes to Ethiopian refugees

MENA
©2021 Tom Nicholson. 12/01/2021. Beirut, Lebanon. Dr Ousaima Dbouni, an infectious disease specialist at the Rafic Hariri University Hospital in southern Beirut, Lebanon, poses for a portrait. The country will go into a more severe lockdown on Thursday to curb a widespread increase in cases of COVID-19 Coronavirus. Tom Nicholson for The National

Inside an overwhelmed Lebanese ICU where just 20 per cent survive battle with Covid-19

MiddleEastNorthAfrica
A minaret of the mosque in Agdam. Azerbaijan reclaimed the town from ethnic Armenians after almost 30 years during fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict last year, but it had been destroyed. Finbar Anderson / The National

From the ruins of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan begins the battle for peace

Europe
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 22: Conor McGregor of Ireland poses on the scale during the UFC 257 weigh-in on UFC Fight Island on January 22, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

McGregor and Poirier both make weight for UFC 257 clash
Biden family photos encircle a bust of activist Cesar Chavez behind the Resolute Desk, inside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Reuters

New president brings a new look to Oval Office
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pose for a photo with family members at the Celebrating America concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, after his inauguration.. (Joshua Roberts/Pool photo via AP)

A brief breakdown of the Biden and Harris families
Major news organisations around the world celebrated the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20. 

Headlines from Inauguration Day from around the world
US President Joe Biden swears in presidential appointees during a virtual ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. AFP

Joe Biden to new staff: be respectful to colleagues or you're fired
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wave as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

Joe Biden is sworn in as 46th US president - as it happened
Senator Bernie Sanders, in his now-viral mittens, sits in the bleachers on Capitol Hill before Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th US President on January 20. AFP

The story behind Bernie Sanders's inauguration mittens
Left: President Donald Trump takes the oath of office. Right: Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. AP Photo

Joe Biden and Donald Trump: same place but poles apart on inauguration day