• A Palestinian boy reads the Quran in the Al-Omari mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Gaza City, June 20, 2015. Most Muslims around the world have begun observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Mohammed Saber / EPA
    A Palestinian boy reads the Quran in the Al-Omari mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Gaza City, June 20, 2015. Most Muslims around the world have begun observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Mohammed Saber / EPA
  • Young Syrian refugee children line up for food as Syrians break their fasting on June 20, 2015 in Akcakale, Turkey, during the holy month of Ramadan. Bulent Kilic / AFP photo
    Young Syrian refugee children line up for food as Syrians break their fasting on June 20, 2015 in Akcakale, Turkey, during the holy month of Ramadan. Bulent Kilic / AFP photo
  • A man feeds pigeons in the Zitouna mosque during the month of Ramadan in Tunis, Tunisia, on June 20, 2015. Zoubeir Souissi / Reuters
    A man feeds pigeons in the Zitouna mosque during the month of Ramadan in Tunis, Tunisia, on June 20, 2015. Zoubeir Souissi / Reuters
  • An internally displaced Afghan family breaks their fast during the holy month of Ramadan in Kabul, Afghanistan, on June 20, 2015. Devout Muslims throughout the world are marking the month of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar during which devotees fast from dawn till dusk. Rahmat Gul / AP photo
    An internally displaced Afghan family breaks their fast during the holy month of Ramadan in Kabul, Afghanistan, on June 20, 2015. Devout Muslims throughout the world are marking the month of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar during which devotees fast from dawn till dusk. Rahmat Gul / AP photo
  • Palestinian worshippers pray in front of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. The golden Dome of the Rock shrine is seen in the background. Mahmoud Illean / AP photo
    Palestinian worshippers pray in front of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. The golden Dome of the Rock shrine is seen in the background. Mahmoud Illean / AP photo
  • Somali internally displaced people (IDP) receive food aid donated by a Qatari charity during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan in Mogadishu, Somalia on June 20, 2015. Aid is distributed to the poor and needy in the month of Ramadan, where believers fast from sunrise to sunset. Mohamed Abdiwahab / AFP photo
    Somali internally displaced people (IDP) receive food aid donated by a Qatari charity during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan in Mogadishu, Somalia on June 20, 2015. Aid is distributed to the poor and needy in the month of Ramadan, where believers fast from sunrise to sunset. Mohamed Abdiwahab / AFP photo
  • Muslim children eat their iftar (breaking of fast) meal during the holy month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) in the old quarters of Delhi, India, on June 20, 2015. Anindito Mukherjee / Reuters
    Muslim children eat their iftar (breaking of fast) meal during the holy month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) in the old quarters of Delhi, India, on June 20, 2015. Anindito Mukherjee / Reuters
  • A Congolese Muslim waits for dusk to break the fast on the second day of Ramadan, in the mosque of Zongo on June 19, 2015. About 1500 Central African Republic (CAR) refugees live in this congolese city of Zongo, located near Bangui, after fleeing brutal inter-religious violence in 2013-2014. Federico Scoppa / AFP photo
    A Congolese Muslim waits for dusk to break the fast on the second day of Ramadan, in the mosque of Zongo on June 19, 2015. About 1500 Central African Republic (CAR) refugees live in this congolese city of Zongo, located near Bangui, after fleeing brutal inter-religious violence in 2013-2014. Federico Scoppa / AFP photo
  • A crescent moon is seen above a mosque on the second day of Ramadan in Beirut, Lebanon on June 19, 2015. Jamal Saidi / Reuters
    A crescent moon is seen above a mosque on the second day of Ramadan in Beirut, Lebanon on June 19, 2015. Jamal Saidi / Reuters
  • Muslims pray on the first day of Ramadan at a mosque in Taunggyi capital city of Shan State, Myanmar on June 19, 2015. Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters
    Muslims pray on the first day of Ramadan at a mosque in Taunggyi capital city of Shan State, Myanmar on June 19, 2015. Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters
  • Pakistani Muslim devotees receive a sweet drink to break their fast during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Lahore on June 19, 2015. Islam’s holy month of Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Arif Ali / AFP photo
    Pakistani Muslim devotees receive a sweet drink to break their fast during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Lahore on June 19, 2015. Islam’s holy month of Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Arif Ali / AFP photo
  • Thai Muslim women pray in a mosque in the southern province of Pattani, Thailand, during the holy month of Ramadan, June 19, 2015. Surapan Boonthanom / Reuters
    Thai Muslim women pray in a mosque in the southern province of Pattani, Thailand, during the holy month of Ramadan, June 19, 2015. Surapan Boonthanom / Reuters

A look at Ramadan around the world – in pictures


  • English
  • Arabic

A look at how Muslims around the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan.

Tank warfare

Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks. 

“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.

“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”

Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

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
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%203-litre%20V6%20turbo%20(standard%20model%2C%20E-hybrid)%3B%204-litre%20V8%20biturbo%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20350hp%20(standard)%3B%20463hp%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20467hp%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20500Nm%20(standard)%3B%20650Nm%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20600Nm%20(S)%0D%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh368%2C500%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Racecard

7pm: Abu Dhabi - Conditions (PA) Dh 80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.30pm: Dubai - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m

8pm: Sharjah - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m

8.30pm: Ajman - Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,200m

9pm: Umm Al Quwain - The Entisar - Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 2,000m

9.30pm: Ras Al Khaimah - Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m

10pm: Fujairah - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m

Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people. 

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.

 

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Fixtures
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The biog

Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.

Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.

Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.

Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

Favourite food: Dim sum

Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.

THE SPECS

Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury

Engine:  3.6L V-6

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 310hp

Torque: 367Nm

Price: Dh280,000