The British-Lebanese lawyer Amal Alamuddin, who is due to marry to Hollywood actor George Clooney next month, has turned down a United Nations offer to join the team investigating Israel for possible war crimes in Gaza. "I was contacted by the UN about this for the first time this morning," she said. "I am honoured to have received the offer, but given existing commitments – including eight ongoing cases – I unfortunately could not accept this role." The 36-year-old added that she was "horrified by the situation in the occupied Gaza Strip, particularly the civilian casualties that have been caused". The UN had asked her to be part of a three-person commission looking into whether Israel had deliberately targeted civilians during their military action in Gaza against Hamas. She has previously served as the legal adviser to the prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and has represented high-profile clients such as the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and the former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. She was born in Lebanon but moved to England as a child. – The National staff
Emma Stone to portray Sally Bowles on Broadway
Spider-Man star Emma Stone, who last year abandoned plans to appear in the Broadway revival of the musical , might still be in need of fishnets and a bowler hat. Roundabout Theatre Company said that the actress was in negotiations to make her Broadway debut as Sally Bowles. She would take over from Michelle Williams, who has extended her run as Bowles, opposite the Scottish actor and The Good Wife star Alan Cumming, until November 9. The revival opened on Broadway in April. Williams stepped into the role, once played by Liza Minnelli, when Stone had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts. Set in 1931 Berlin, Cabaret centres on the world of the indulgent Kit Kat Klub as it becomes intertwined with the world outside, which gets more precarious as Nazis take over. The songs by John Kander and Fred Ebb include Willkommen and Tomorrow Belongs to Me. – AP
Distinction between men and women ‘silly’, says SRK
Shah Rukh Khan, who was seen dancing with a female police officer at a recent event in Kolkata – for which she was later reprimanded – said the whole fuss wasn't about the uniform but about a "lady in a uniform". "It's strange … a few years ago, I was shooting for Veer Zaara. At that time, I had danced with jawans [infantrymen] in uniform. In the 1960s and 1970s, many actors performed on the border for the jawans to encourage them. This is not about the uniform, it's about a lady inspector in uniform. This distinction between men and women is rubbish and silly. It should not even be talked about," Khan said. Sub-inspector Sampa Haldar was criticised by politicians after she danced with the star to a popular song from Khan's 2012 film Jab Tak Hai Jaan while a host of top police officers and West Bengal's chief minister Mamata Banerjee watched from the gallery during the Kolkata Police's annual cultural programme at the Netaji Indoor Stadium on Saturday. – IANS
Pharrell teaming up with basketball video game NBA 2K15
Pharrell is teaming up with the world’s best-selling basketball video game franchise as a music curator.
2K Sports has announced that the Grammy-winning performer chose 27 tracks for the soundtrack of the upcoming NBA 2K15. He’s the second performer to select songs for the popular video game, following Jay Z who served as the executive producer in 2012.
LeBron James picked out songs for last year’s instalment, which sold seven million copies.
Pharrell said that he wanted to create an "eclectic mix" of songs. Three of his songs are featured on the soundtrack including Hunter, Can I Have It Like That and How Does It Feel?
Another song Pharrell will be featured on is Major Lazer's Aerosol Can. The soundtrack will also include songs from Lauryn Hill, One Republic, Snoop Dogg, Lorde, A Tribe Called Quest, Missy Elliott, Junior, Basement Jaxx, Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force, Clipse, Death from Above 1979, No Doubt, Public Enemy, Ratatat, Santigold, The Black Keys, The Rapture, The Strokes, Strafe, Depeche Mode and Red Hot Chili Peppers. The game is expected to go on sale on October 7, 2014. – AP
Salman Khan to host Bigg Boss Season 8
Colors TV confirmed, via Twitter, that Salman Khan will host the controversial Indian reality show Bigg Boss Season 8.
Big Boss is based on the premise of the UK's Big Brother series - a reality show where contestants live in a house together and are voted off week by week until a winner emerges. Other stars touted to appear on the show are Rashmi Desai, Poonam Pandey, Sunil Grover, Lulia Vantur, Alok Nath, Gurmeet Choudhary and Debina, Shanti Dynamite. – The National staff
Kings of Leon drummer cancels Fallon because of broken ribs
The Kings of Leon will be off the road for two weeks while drummer Nathan Followill recovers from broken ribs.
The family band from Nashville, Tennessee, will be off the road for two weeks while Followill recovers, a statement from the band says. But Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson is coming to the rescue for Tuesday night's appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Thompson, the house bandleader, will sit in for the 35-year-old Followill on the song Family Tree.
The band is cancelling nine shows, including Sunday’s missed gig in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Followill broke his ribs when the band’s tour bus driver was forced to stop short when a pedestrian crossed the street in front of the vehicle Saturday night after KOL’s show in Boston.
The Grammy Award-winning band will return to the stage on August 28 in Holmdel, New Jersey. The group's current tour is scheduled to run into October. – AP
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
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
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.
More coverage from the Future Forum
Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
Ten10 Cricket League
Venue and schedule Sharjah Cricket Stadium, December 14 to 17
Teams
Maratha Arabians Leading player: Virender Sehwag; Top picks: Mohammed Amir, Imad Wasim; UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Zahoor Khan
Bengal Lions Leading player: Sarfraz Ahmed; Top picks: Sunil Narine, Mustafizur Rahman; UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Rameez Shahzad
Kerala Kings Leading player: Eoin Morgan; Top picks: Kieron Pollard, Sohail Tanvir; UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Imran Haider
Pakhtoons Leading player: Shahid Afridi; Top picks: Fakhar Zaman, Tamim Iqbal; UAE players: Amjad Javed, Saqlain Haider
Punjabi Legends Leading player: Shoaib Malik; Top picks: Hasan Ali, Chris Jordan; UAE players: Ghulam Shabber, Shareef Asadullah
Team Sri Lanka Cricket Will be made up of Colombo players who won island’s domestic limited-overs competition
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
EXPATS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lulu%20Wang%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nicole%20Kidman%2C%20Sarayu%20Blue%2C%20Ji-young%20Yoo%2C%20Brian%20Tee%2C%20Jack%20Huston%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience
by David Gilmour
Allen Lane
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
