Only one month after it hosted its historic first Formula One Grand Prix in December, Saudi Arabia will once again be the setting for a global motorsport championship, the Diriyah E-Prix. The electric car racing series, also known as Formula E, will return for its eighth season to the outskirts of Riyadh, which is also home to the Unesco World Heritage Site of Turaif, on January 28 and 29.
The event will also feature two nights of concerts, with the first night headlined by rapper Wyclef Jean and crooner James Blunt. Artists for the second night will be revealed soon.
Haitian rapper, producer and philanthropist Jean, best known as a member of acclaimed hip-hop group Fugees, has collaborated with some of music's biggest names, including Whitney Huston, Carlos Santana and global superstars such as Lil Wayne and Akon. Jean has nine solo studio albums to his name, with his last one Wyclef Goes Back to School Volume 1 being released in 2017.
Fugees' monumental album The Score, which hit No 1 on the Billboard chart, spawned a trio of smash singles, including their reinvention of Roberta Flack’s 1973 ballad Killing Me Softly, and is now certified six times platinum.
Joining the rapper will be English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer Blunt whose 17-year career has spawned more than 23 million album sales. The Grammy nominated singer is known for his global smash hits You’re Beautiful and Goodbye My Lover.
The eighth season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will also mark the opening of Jahez Village, featuring cultural festivities, food and retail experiences.
Strict health and safety protocols will be observed, organisers said, encouraging those interested in enjoying the event live to purchase tickets early as attendance will be limited.
Tickets from 150 Saudi riyals (Dh146) are available at diriyah-eprix.com.
PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
1 Man City 26 20 3 3 63 17 63
2 Liverpool 25 17 6 2 64 20 57
3 Chelsea 25 14 8 3 49 18 50
4 Man Utd 26 13 7 6 44 34 46
----------------------------------------
5 West Ham 26 12 6 8 45 34 42
----------------------------------------
6 Arsenal 23 13 3 7 36 26 42
7 Wolves 24 12 4 8 23 18 40
8 Tottenham 23 12 4 8 31 31 39
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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.
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
WISH
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Buck%2C%20Fawn%20Veerasunthorn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ariana%20DeBose%2C%20Chris%20Pine%2C%20Alan%20Tudyk%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
