The world is battling new mutant strains of Covid-19 that are wreaking havoc on embattled healthcare systems.
Governments have imposed fresh lockdowns and introduced travel bans to deal with the variants first detected in Brazil, South Africa and the UK.
These variants have particular mutations – changes to the virus’s genetic material – that affect the virus’s spike protein, the structure that allows the pathogen to attach to and enter human cells.
With more than 2 million people across the world having died of the coronavirus, how much of a threat are they and can we expect more?
"Flu, covid and polio throw up variants all the time," said Prof John Oxford, professor emeritus at the University of London and co-author of Human Virology, a landmark book about the subject.
Everyone had a free-for-all at Christmas. People's behaviour has generated all these cases rather than the new mutant.
“It’s come to the fore because of molecular techniques available for the first time to analyse the genome. We’ve got a lot more detail now.”
The coronavirus has undergone many thousands of mutations since emerging in 2019. Most are inconsequential – and some are harmful to the virus – but the mutations characterising the new variants make them more transmissible and therefore better able to outcompete other forms.
“They will rise to dominate geographical areas,” said Prof Ian Jones, a professor of virology at the University of Reading in the UK.
“It is unlikely that one variant will dominate the world, as different mutations can give the same outcome, so they will end up jostling with each other at the boundaries of where they arose.”
Variants are often referred to by the country in which they were first identified, but this is not necessarily where they arose. Some nations undertake much more coronavirus genetic sequencing, so are more likely to identify new variants.
Dr Andrew Freedman, an infectious diseases specialist at Cardiff University in the UK, said that vaccine programmes could lead to strains that can be transmitted even between vaccinated people becoming dominant.
"That's why we might have to tweak the vaccines," he said.
Here, we look at the key variants and consider what distinguishes them from others.
UK variant - wreaking havoc across 50 countries
Known by technical names including B.1.1.7, this variant has been traced to south-east England in September 2020 and has spread to more than 50 countries.
It is characterised by 17 mutations, including one called N501Y, which involves a specific change in the coronavirus spike protein's receptor binding domain – the part that attaches to human cells.
The RBD is a target for the immune system, so changes to it could potentially render vaccines less effective, because they work by stimulating an immune response.
Recent research suggests this variant is 30 to 50 per cent more transmissible than most forms of the coronavirus, not the 70 per cent first estimated.
The UK variant has been blamed for a rise in cases in Germany and the UK, but Prof Oxford said current surges in infections could be because lockdowns were eased over Christmas.
“Everyone had a free-for-all at Christmas. People’s behaviour has generated all these cases rather than the new mutant,” he said.
Although it spreads more easily, this variant does not make people more ill and despite concerns to the contrary, research has shown that even with N501Y the virus is still susceptible to vaccines.
South African variant - could evade the body's immune defence
Called B.1.351, this variant shares the N501Y mutation with the British variant, although the mutations happened independently.
The earliest coronavirus samples known to contain this variant date from October 2020 in South Africa, where it was linked to a surge in cases.
More transmissible than “regular” forms of the coronavirus – possibly because N501Y allows the virus to reach higher concentrations in upper parts of the human airway – this variant has been found in more than 20 countries. The US Centres for Disease Control has reported that it is the dominant variant in Zambia, for example.
One study has suggested that an additional spike protein mutation in this variant, called E484K, may make the virus better able to evade the body's immune defences. However, in common with the UK variant, the South African one does not make people any more sick.
Brazilian variant - could new vaccines be needed?
Two variants first detected in Brazil have also hit the headlines, the most concerning of which, known as P.1, has been found in travellers who arrived in Japan from the South American nation.
It is thought to have emerged in December in northern Brazil and has three mutations in the RBD, including N501Y and E484K.
Officials say there is no evidence that the variant is more resistant to treatment, but Prof Jones said it could be difficult to determine whether new forms caused more harm.
“The new variants haven't been tracked long enough yet to know if the rate of serious disease and death is lower than previously,” he said.
“It’s also confused by the fact that treatment generally improves with time, so the death rate is expected to drop anyway. How much is better clinical care and how much virus change might be hard to work out.”
Researchers are analysing whether the Brazilian variant may be better able to evade the immune response to vaccines, with the CDC reporting there is some evidence to suggest it might be able to. If new vaccines are needed, scientists could develop them in as little as a matter of weeks.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
Recent winners
2018 Dubai Hurricanes
2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Calendar 2018/19
July 29: OTA Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan
Sep 22-23: LA Convention Centre in Los Angeles, US
Nov 16-18: Carioca Arena Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Feb 7-9: Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mar 9-10: Copper Box Arena in London, UK
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Race card
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
9.50pm: Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm: Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
RESULTS
Light Flyweight (48kg): Alua Balkibekova (KAZ) beat Gulasal Sultonalieva (UZB) by points 4-1.
Flyweight (51kg): Nazym Kyzaibay (KAZ) beat Mary Kom (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (54kg): Dina Zholaman (KAZ) beat Sitora Shogdarova (UZB) 3-2.
Featherweight (57kg): Sitora Turdibekova (UZB) beat Vladislava Kukhta (KAZ) 5-0.
Lightweight (60kg): Rimma Volossenko (KAZ) beat Huswatun Hasanah (INA) KO round-1.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Milana Safronova (KAZ) beat Lalbuatsaihi (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Valentina Khalzova (KAZ) beat Navbakhor Khamidova (UZB) 5-0
Middleweight (75kg): Pooja Rani (IND) beat Mavluda Movlonova (UZB) 5-0.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Farida Sholtay (KAZ) beat Ruzmetova Sokhiba (UZB) 5-0.
Heavyweight (81 kg): Lazzat Kungeibayeva (KAZ) beat Anupama (IND) 3-2.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
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2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Sub Regional Qualifier
Event info: The tournament in Kuwait is the first phase of the qualifying process for sides from Asia for the 2020 World T20 in Australia. The UAE must finish within the top three teams out of the six at the competition to advance to the Asia regional finals. Success at regional finals would mean progression to the World T20 Qualifier.
Teams: UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Maldives, Qatar
Friday fixtures: 9.30am (UAE time) - Kuwait v Maldives, Qatar v UAE; 3pm - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain
Oppenheimer
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Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures
Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
Friday, November 1
Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Blah
Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
