Artificial intelligence systems to monitor plant health could draw more students to agricultural research. Photo: Wageningen University and Research
Artificial intelligence systems to monitor plant health could draw more students to agricultural research. Photo: Wageningen University and Research
Artificial intelligence systems to monitor plant health could draw more students to agricultural research. Photo: Wageningen University and Research
Artificial intelligence systems to monitor plant health could draw more students to agricultural research. Photo: Wageningen University and Research

How AI can help produce a new crop of Emirati farmers


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The UAE is taking a leaf out of the Netherlands' book in attempting to persuade young Emiratis to take up farming by using advanced technology – including artificial intelligence – to drum up interest in the agricultural sector.

UAE professors and government officials from the environment and education ministries recently met diplomats, private companies, farmers and academics in the Netherlands to discuss food security before Cop28, which will be held in Dubai this November.

The meetings were part of a series of dialogues to gain knowledge of how the Netherlands has retained its role as the world’s second-largest exporter of agricultural produce after the US.

Young people don’t want to be farmers anymore
Oscar Niezen,
senior adviser at Lentiz Education Group, Netherlands

During field visits, experts from the Netherlands explained how AI, using real-time analysis of data, can monitor crop health round-the-clock.

AI systems can also help improve the quality of a harvest and detect disease in plants, with sensors providing detailed information to increase efficiency, forecast temperatures and predict the yield.

Agriculture no longer ‘old fashioned’

Leo Marcelis, professor horticulture and product physiology at Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands, said it was a struggle to capture the attention of young people.

“Students and young people are traditionally not so interested in agriculture because they think it’s old-fashioned,” he said.

“But when they see new technology, they say, ‘Wow, this is innovation.’

“The young take sustainability really seriously and it attracts them to come here to study.

UAE professors plan to set up winter school projects and exchange programmes with colleges in the Netherlands including Wageningen University. Photo: Wageningen University and Research
UAE professors plan to set up winter school projects and exchange programmes with colleges in the Netherlands including Wageningen University. Photo: Wageningen University and Research

“With international collaboration we can ensure food is produced for people in the whole world in a sustainable way.”

Ranked among the world’s top agricultural research institutes, the university is known for cutting-edge studies and works with companies using greenhouses to employ technology to reduce water consumption and control the environment so crops can thrive.

Students have the option to study in applied agricultural science colleges or vocational schools that teach agricultural skills. Training and education is also available for farmers.

“We need to make farming attractive for young people. No farmers, no food,” said one poster at an education institute.

Change the perception of young people

Oscar Niezen, senior adviser for international projects with the Lentiz Education Group, said it was important that UAE students understand the quality of life farmers could have.

The group organises training programmes for international students in the Netherlands that run from a week to nine months.

Students visit farms for internships and work in greenhouses growing vegetables and flowers.

“They see the life of the grower is comfortable, cool even,” Mr Niezen said.'

  • Students at the Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands are drawn to addressing food security challenges. Photo: Wageningen University & Research / Vincent Koperdraat
    Students at the Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands are drawn to addressing food security challenges. Photo: Wageningen University & Research / Vincent Koperdraat
  • Technology used in greenhouses handled by university students in Wageningen University in the Netherlands is geared to promoting plant health and productivity. Photo: Wageningen University & Research / Vincent Koperdraat
    Technology used in greenhouses handled by university students in Wageningen University in the Netherlands is geared to promoting plant health and productivity. Photo: Wageningen University & Research / Vincent Koperdraat
  • A researcher at a laboratory in Wageningen University in the Netherlands that has delivered projects to save energy and reduce water consumption. Photo: Wageningen University & Research / Vincent Koperdraat
    A researcher at a laboratory in Wageningen University in the Netherlands that has delivered projects to save energy and reduce water consumption. Photo: Wageningen University & Research / Vincent Koperdraat
  • Fewer students are keen on taking agriculture as a profession worldwide and innovative research with sustainability as a focus can draw young people to farming. Photo: Wageningen University & Research / Vincent Koperdraat
    Fewer students are keen on taking agriculture as a profession worldwide and innovative research with sustainability as a focus can draw young people to farming. Photo: Wageningen University & Research / Vincent Koperdraat
  • UAE professors plan to set up winter school projects and exchange programmes with colleges in the Netherlands. Photo: Wageningen University & Research / Vincent Koperdraat
    UAE professors plan to set up winter school projects and exchange programmes with colleges in the Netherlands. Photo: Wageningen University & Research / Vincent Koperdraat
  • A visit by UAE government officials and academicians to the Netherlands on agriculture, technology and educational cooperation.
    A visit by UAE government officials and academicians to the Netherlands on agriculture, technology and educational cooperation.
  • Controlling the temperature in a greenhouse, monitoring water supplied to plants improves the yield. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    Controlling the temperature in a greenhouse, monitoring water supplied to plants improves the yield. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • Real-time sensors and detailed data can improve the quality of a harvest and detect disease in plants. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    Real-time sensors and detailed data can improve the quality of a harvest and detect disease in plants. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • Innovative technology in agriculture to boost farm productivity can raise interest in farming as a career option. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    Innovative technology in agriculture to boost farm productivity can raise interest in farming as a career option. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • A visit by UAE government officials to the Netherlands on agriculture, technology and educational cooperation is set to lead to exchange programmes, food security technology initiatives between both countries. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    A visit by UAE government officials to the Netherlands on agriculture, technology and educational cooperation is set to lead to exchange programmes, food security technology initiatives between both countries. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • A UAE delegation visits the Netherlands as part of ongoing partnerships to tackle water, food security and climate issues. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    A UAE delegation visits the Netherlands as part of ongoing partnerships to tackle water, food security and climate issues. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • Winter school projects and exchange programmes with colleges in the Netherlands are being planned following an educational and research visit by UAE professors and government officials. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    Winter school projects and exchange programmes with colleges in the Netherlands are being planned following an educational and research visit by UAE professors and government officials. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • Netherlands is one of the world's biggest exporters of flowers. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    Netherlands is one of the world's biggest exporters of flowers. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • Horticulture businesses in the Netherlands were hit with crippling bills after Russia restricted gas supplies in response to Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    Horticulture businesses in the Netherlands were hit with crippling bills after Russia restricted gas supplies in response to Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • LED lights that change colour, more robust insulation of greenhouses recommended for years by research students in the Netherlands were finally implemented by agricultural companies when faced with rising bills due to the energy crisis. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    LED lights that change colour, more robust insulation of greenhouses recommended for years by research students in the Netherlands were finally implemented by agricultural companies when faced with rising bills due to the energy crisis. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • UAE academics are keen to collaborate with companies and universities in the Netherlands on robotics in agriculture. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    UAE academics are keen to collaborate with companies and universities in the Netherlands on robotics in agriculture. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • UAE government officials on a visit to the Netherlands as part of an ongoing dialogue on food security and educational cooperation. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    UAE government officials on a visit to the Netherlands as part of an ongoing dialogue on food security and educational cooperation. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • Variable lighting, LED lights that change colour recommended by university research students in the Netherlands have cut energy usage and improved the health of plants and flowers. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    Variable lighting, LED lights that change colour recommended by university research students in the Netherlands have cut energy usage and improved the health of plants and flowers. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
  • UAE government officials and university professors on field visits in the Netherlands ahead of Cop 28 to be hosted in the Emirates later this year. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
    UAE government officials and university professors on field visits in the Netherlands ahead of Cop 28 to be hosted in the Emirates later this year. Photo: Rolf van Koppen

“They understand it’s not dirty. It’s good for young people to actually see this because for students all over the world, agriculture has a bad name.

“Young people don’t want to be farmers any more.

“But then they see how profitable it can be, that the grower has a nice car and house. Yes, he works hard but it’s a good job.

“The technology used in modern greenhouses can help change the perception of young people.

“When they see all this, it comes alive.”

Tech for the UAE

The UAE is aiming to become self-sufficient and produce fresh food locally.

Charbel Tarraf, chief of operations and development at the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture, said that, to achieve this, a strategy was required to build vocational agricultural schools in the UAE to train young people.

The ICBA, based in Dubai, works with more than 50 countries, conducting crucial studies to improve the resilience of trees, irrigation efficiency and crop genome research.

“The UAE is at the start of its agricultural journey, the Netherlands is advanced and so we need to see how to learn from them,” he said.

“To have successful agriculture, you need manpower, human capital.”

He said sometimes in the Arab world, farmers are not as valued as they should be.

“But when you talk about entrepreneurship, technology that requires skill and bringing this to farms – that will definitely be an incentive for the young.”

Elke Neumann, a professor of plant nutrition in United Arab Emirates University's College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, said exchange programmes would build knowledge on both sides.

The UAEU in Al Ain is the only institute in the country that offers higher education programmes in horticulture, food sciences and agribusiness.

UAE citizens make up the majority of about 160 students in specialised agriculture programmes at the university.

“Most students join not because they don’t find anything else to study but because they are really truly interested in agriculture,” she said.

“More and more students are finding jobs in new private companies.”

A visit by UAE government officials and academicians to the Netherlands on agriculture, technology and educational co-operation. Photo: Rolf van Koppen
A visit by UAE government officials and academicians to the Netherlands on agriculture, technology and educational co-operation. Photo: Rolf van Koppen

Over the past few years, the UAE has used technology to produce locally farmed salmon, berries and quinoa.

Vertical farms use a hydroponics system in which plants are grown in nutrient-rich water instead of soil.

Ms Neumann said the task before researchers was to develop unique systems to tackle harsh climate conditions.

“This requires confidence that we can find solutions specifically tailored to UAE requirements,” she said.

“We need intrinsically to do something for our country and not always modify a solution that is imported.

“We require a massive expansion of our agri-research capacity and it absolutely can be achieved.”

Disease detection

UAEU has joined forces with Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi to develop robotic technology for agriculture.

Irfan Hussain, assistant professor in Khalifa University’s mechanical department, is keen to use AI to guard against the spread of diseases in plants.

This is the future and is much needed for the UAE,” he said.

“I do believe we can get the next generation excited because of the tech element and the promise of innovation.”

UAE government officials said changing the mindset of local farmers to embrace technology and training was the way forward.

“We are looking to further develop our agricultural sector in terms of local production,” said Ahlam Al Mannaei, an agricultural engineer with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

“We will need more education and to develop strong communication with local farmers to shift from traditional farming to modern farms.”

RESULTS

6.30pm: Handicap (rated 95-108) US$125,000 2000m (Dirt).
Winner: Don’t Give Up, Gerald Mosse (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).

7.05pm: Handicap (95 ) $160,000 2810m (Turf).
Winner: Los Barbados, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

7.40pm: Handicap (80-89) $60,000 1600m (D).
Winner: Claim The Roses, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.15pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (Div-1) Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D)
Winner: Gold Town, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

8.50pm: Cape Verdi Group 2 $200,000 1600m (T).
Winner: Promising Run, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.

9.25pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D).
Winner: El Chapo, Luke Morris, Fawzi Nass.

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.6-litre V6

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 285bhp

Torque: 353Nm

Price: TBA

On sale: Q2, 2020

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

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

Rating: 4/5

All or Nothing

Amazon Prime

Four stars

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to report a beggar

Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)

Dubai – Call 800243

Sharjah – Call 065632222

Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372

Ajman – Call 067401616

Umm Al Quwain – Call 999

Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411

How will Gen Alpha invest?

Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.

“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.

Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.

He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.

Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

War

Director: Siddharth Anand

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor

Rating: Two out of five stars 

Tonight's Chat on The National

Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.

Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.

Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.

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if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)

Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)

Saturday

Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)

Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)

Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)

Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)

Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)

Sunday

Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)

Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)

Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)

 

 

PROFILE OF STARZPLAY

Date started: 2014

Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand

Number of employees: 125

Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners

RESULTS
%3Cp%3E3.30pm%3A%20Al%20Maktoum%20Challenge%20Round%203%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(PA)%20%2475%2C000%20(Dirt)%202%2C000m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Jugurtha%20De%20Monlau%2C%20Pat%20Dobbs%20(jockey)%2C%20Jean-Claude%20Pecout%20(trainer)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.05pm%3A%20Dubai%20City%20Of%20Gold%20%E2%80%93%20Group%202%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C410m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Global%20Storm%2C%20William%20Buick%2C%20Charlie%20Appleby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.40pm%3A%20Burj%20Nahaar%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Discovery%20Island%2C%20James%20Doyle%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.15pm%3A%20Nad%20Al%20Sheba%20Turf%20Sprint%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Al%20Dasim%2C%20Mickael%20Barzalona%2C%20George%20Boughey%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.50pm%3A%20Al%20Bastakiya%20%E2%80%93%20Listed%20(TB)%20%24170%2C000%20(D)%201%2C900m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Go%20Soldier%20Go%2C%20Adrie%20de%20Vries%2C%20Fawzi%20Nass%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E6.25pm%3A%20Al%20Maktoum%20Challenge%20Round%203%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(TB)%20%24450%2C000%20(D)%202%2C000m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Salute%20The%20Soldier%2C%20Adrie%20de%20Vries%2C%20Fawzi%20Nass%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7.10pm%3A%20Ras%20Al%20Khor%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(TB)%20%24300%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Al%20Suhail%2C%20William%20Buick%2C%20Charlie%20Appleby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7.45pm%3A%20Jebel%20Hatta%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(TB)%20%24350%2C000%20(T)%201%2C800m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Alfareeq%2C%20Dane%20O%E2%80%99Neill%2C%20Charlie%20Appleby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E8.20pm%3A%20Mahab%20Al%20Shimaal%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Sound%20Money%2C%20Mickael%20Barzalona%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BULKWHIZ PROFILE

Date started: February 2017

Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce 

Size: 50 employees

Funding: approximately $6m

Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final:

First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2

Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)

Brief scores:

Toss: South Africa, chose to field

Pakistan: 177 & 294

South Africa: 431 & 43-1

Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0

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

Mental%20health%20support%20in%20the%20UAE
%3Cp%3E%E2%97%8F%20Estijaba%20helpline%3A%208001717%3Cbr%3E%E2%97%8F%20UAE%20Ministry%20of%20Health%20and%20Prevention%20hotline%3A%20045192519%3Cbr%3E%E2%97%8F%20UAE%20Mental%20health%20support%20line%3A%20800%204673%20(Hope)%3Cbr%3EMore%20information%20at%20hope.hw.gov.ae%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Thor: Ragnarok

Dir: Taika Waititi

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson

Four stars

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks

As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.

The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
 

Not taxed:

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle

THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

On sale: now  

 
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
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

Group A

Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA

Group B

Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti

Group C

Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia

Group D

Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria

Gremio 1 Pachuca 0

Gremio Everton 95’

Tu%20Jhoothi%20Main%20Makkaar%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELuv%20Ranjan%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERanbir%20Kapoor%2C%20Shraddha%20Kapoor%2C%20Anubhav%20Singh%20Bassi%20and%20Dimple%20Kapadia%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

 

PSG's line up

GK: Alphonse Areola (youth academy)

Defence - RB: Dani Alves (free transfer); CB: Marquinhos (€31.4 million); CB: Thiago Silva (€42m); LB: Layvin Kurzawa (€23m)

Midfield - Angel di Maria (€47m); Adrien Rabiot (youth academy); Marco Verratti (€12m)

Forwards - Neymar (€222m); Edinson Cavani (€63m); Kylian Mbappe (initial: loan; to buy: €180m)

Total cost: €440.4m (€620.4m if Mbappe makes permanent move)

Five personal finance podcasts from The National

 

To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes 

·

Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth 

·

What is a portfolio stress test? 

·

What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested? 

·

How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies 

·

Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?  

Key findings
  • Over a period of seven years, a team of scientists analysed dietary data from 50,000 North American adults.
  • Eating one or two meals a day was associated with a relative decrease in BMI, compared with three meals. Snacks count as a meal. Likewise, participants who ate more than three meals a day experienced an increase in BMI: the more meals a day, the greater the increase. 
  • People who ate breakfast experienced a relative decrease in their BMI compared with “breakfast-skippers”. 
  • Those who turned the eating day on its head to make breakfast the biggest meal of the day, did even better. 
  • But scrapping dinner altogether gave the best results. The study found that the BMI of subjects who had a long overnight fast (of 18 hours or more) decreased when compared even with those who had a medium overnight fast, of between 12 and 17 hours.

 

 

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

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Racecard:

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres

7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m

7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m

8.15pm: Meydan Trophy | Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m

8.50pm: Balanchine | Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m

10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m.

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Company profile

Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019

German plea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the German parliament that. Russia had erected a new wall across Europe. 

"It's not a Berlin Wall -- it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb" dropped on Ukraine, Zelenskyy told MPs.

Mr Zelenskyy was applauded by MPs in the Bundestag as he addressed Chancellor Olaf Scholz directly.

"Dear Mr Scholz, tear down this Wall," he said, evoking US President Ronald Reagan's 1987 appeal to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.

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Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

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

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

As You Were

Liam Gallagher

(Warner Bros)

War and the virus
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City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1

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)
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.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8 
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k

Updated: May 18, 2023, 6:02 AM