International Edition  

Abu Dhabi, UAESunday 25 October 2020

Men gesture as they stand near police officers along a street in Ikeja, as Nigeria's Lagos state remains under curfew, Nigeria October 23, 2020. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Armed gangs and roadblocks as Lagos anger rages post president’s plea
Bloodstained books and notebooks of students are seen on the ground at the scene of a suicide attack that targeted an educational center 'Kohsar Danesh' in Kabul, Afghanistan, October 24, 2020. EPA

Suicide bomber kills 17 people in Kabul, including schoolchildren

Asia
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, over France’s policies towards Islam, saying he needed ‘mental checks’. AFP

France recalls Turkey envoy after Erdogan says Macron 'needs mental treatment'

Europe
A paramedic wearing a protective face mask and gloves is seen at the back of an ambulance outside St Thomas' hospital, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, London, Britain Reuters

Europe surpasses 250,000 deaths

World
EDITOR'S PICKS
UK Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson has told The National that exams will ahead next summer despite the pandemic. Getty Images  

UAE pupils will sit A-level and GCSE exams in 2021, UK education minister pledges

Europe
Lassina Traore, left, of Ajax scored five times against VVV Venlo at the Covebo stadium. EPA

Ajax thrash Venlo 13-0 to set Eredivisie record

Football
Khabib v Gaethje clash at UFC 254. Courtesy UFC

Khabib admits to 'hard night' making weight for Gaethje clash

Sport

Turkish meddling in the Caucasus may set fire to the whole region

Armen Sarkissian
A seal examines a pup on a beach near Pelican Point, Namibia, on September 30, 2020. Picture taken September 30, 2020. Reuters

At least 7,000 dead seals wash up on Namibian tourist beach
WBS

Pool lounge Wane by SoMiya to officially open
Egyptian actress Arwa Gouda wears a protective mask against the coronavirus as she walks the red carpet at the opening ceremony of the 4th edition of El Gouna Film Festival, in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of el Gouna on October 23, 2020. XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL / Patrick Baz- NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - / AFP / El Gouna Film Festival / Patrick BAZ / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL / Patrick Baz- NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS -

27 red carpet photos from the El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt
Khabib Nurmagomedov at the weigh-in for UFC 254. Courtesy UFC

UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov, a 'crazy' destroyer from the very first day
Waiters and employees take their positions during the opening of 9 Pyramids Lounge. Reuters

Egypt upgrades visitor experience at Giza pyramids site
A health worker administers polio vaccine drops to a child during a polio vaccination door-to-door campaign in Lahore. / AFP 

World Polio Day: UAE gives warning about return of the disease as cases rise in Pakistan
“During my surprise visit in the quarantine time of my grandfather’s home, I did not expect to witness the scene in the yard of the old family home. I later photographed him from the kitchen window. Indeed, my tears fell because I saw the meaning of honesty and sincerity in what they made one day, and my grandmother was healed later, praise to God” said Akram Menari from Algeria. courtesy of National Geographic Abu Dhabi.

A year lived differently: 8 photos from National Geographic Abu Dhabi's competition
People cast their ballots for the upcoming US presidential elections as early voting begins in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Reuters

Beyond The Headlines: How will Arab Americans vote in US presidential election?

Coronavirus

Anti-lockdown protesters descended on central London on Saturday. EPA

Anti-lockdown demonstrators flock to London as top scientist warns UK at ‘critical’ point

Europe
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have designed a face mask that uses a heated copper mesh to inactivate viruses and neoprene to prevent the mask from getting too hot. Photo: Courtesy MIT researchers

MIT researchers design heated face mask to deactivate coronavirus

Technology
Omar Rabah, a management consultant living in Downtown Dubai, was among many who registered with Sarwa, the region’s first robo-advisory investment platform, during the Covid-19 uncertainty. Photo: Reem Mohammed / The National

Why portfolio diversification is the need of the hour during Covid-19

Money
Medics are on the front lines of the fight against the pandemic. Pawan Singh / The National

UAE detects 1,491 cases from more than 120,000 tests

Health

World

Estonia moved to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation on Thursday. REUTERS

US welcomes Estonian sanctions on Lebanon’s Hezbollah

MENA
An Israeli Air Force F-35 flies during an aerial demonstration at a graduation ceremony for pilots at the Hatzerim air base in southern Israel. Reuters

Israel won’t prevent UAE buying F-35 stealth fighter jets

GCC
Canon Andrew White (C) had been banned from all senior positions in any UK charity for 12 years. (Photo by Muhannad Fala'ah/Getty Images)

‘Vicar of Baghdad’ banned from UK charities over ISIS sex slaves inquiry

World
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about the decision to rescind Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., October 23, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Israel and Sudan leaders agree to normalise relations

The Americas

UAE

Jasmine Hewartson, a pupil at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, is bracing for exams to be cancelled again this year. Courtesy: Jasmine Hewartson

UAE pupils turn focus to coursework in case exams are cancelled

Education

The Dragon Boat Challenge is returning to Dubai Festival City

Wellbeing

Sharjah completes maintenance work to develop areas around three historical sites

Heritage

Emirates launches biometric 'paths' at DXB

Travel

Business

The UAE was the first in the Middle East and North Africa region to introduce economic stimulus measures, including zero interest funding to banks to boost lending growth. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai government boosts Covid stimulus to Dh6.8bn

Economy

Why portfolio diversification is the need of the hour during Covid-19

Money

UAE’s Insurance Authority merges with Central Bank

Banking

MIT researchers design heated face mask to deactivate coronavirus

Technology

#STAYHOME

Here are eight terrifying must-read novels, all of which have been written in the past 20 years.

From 'Bird Box' to 'Fever Dream': 8 terrifying novels to read this Halloween

Books
'The Alhamdulillah Book', published by Bismillah Buddies, helps children develop mindfulness and gratitude.

Islam for children: themed books and crafts are all the rage among modern Muslim parents

Family
Waitrose has launched an online delivery service in the UAE. Waitrose 

Waitrose now offers online shopping in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Food
'Among Us' has seen a rise in popularity but with more people playing comes more cheating. Supplied

'Among Us' has a cheating problem and it is ruining the game

Comment

Opinion

A Syrian medic, taking part in a vaccination campaign against polio gives vaccine drops to a child in the town of Ariha in Idlib province, on October 10. AFP 

Despite Covid-19​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ending polio is still a priority

Why Mustafa Al Kadhimi deserves Europe's support

Turkish meddling in the Caucasus may set fire to the whole region

Is the cinema a thing of the past?

Internet access is a human right - even more so during a pandemic

Lifestyle

WBS

Pool lounge Wane by SoMiya to officially open

How art can improve mental health and wellbeing

Global Village set to reopen with Covid-19 safety measures

The Dragon Boat Challenge is returning to Dubai Festival City

Palestinian thobe gets artistic makeover in social enterprise initiative for refugees

Arts & Culture

In The Moroccans, Leila Alaoui reprised Robert Frank's famous series The Americans, showing instead her countrymen in Morocco. Here, a young boy shot in the mountain village of Tamesloht, nea Marrakech, in 2011. Courtesy Fondation Leila Alaoui & GALLERIA CONTINUA 

French-Moroccan photographer Leila Alaoui's work on show in the UK for the first time

Dubai Frame drone picture takes first place in global competition

27 red carpet photos from the El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt

Dubai in 740 pieces: How Lego recreated the city's skyline for new kit

A year lived differently: 8 photos from National Geographic Abu Dhabi's competition

Podcasts

People cast their ballots for the upcoming US presidential elections as early voting begins in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Reuters

Beyond The Headlines: How will Arab Americans vote in US presidential election?

Mubadala’s Ibrahim Ajami on a long-term approach to tech investments: Business Extra

Why women’s careers have been hurt the most by Covid-19 – Pocketful of Dirhams

Beyond The Headlines: Lebanon's year of turmoil and disasters

New Dubai residency rules, 1,431 UAE cases, gold smuggler arrested — Daily Update

IPL

Nitish Rana of Kolkata Knight Riders plays a shot during match 42 of season 13 of the Dream 11 Indian Premier League (IPL) between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Delhi Capitals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on the 24th October 2020. Photo by: Pankaj Nangia / Sportzpics for BCCI

IPL 2020: Rana and Chakravarthy lead Kolkata's charge in Abu Dhabi

Cricket
Mahendra Singh Dhoni captain of CSK during match 4 of season 13 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on the 24th September 2020. Photo by: Rahul Gulati / Sportzpics for BCCI

Dhoni begins planning for next season after Chennai capitulate

Cricket
Manish Pandey of Sunrisers Hyderabad hit 83 against Rajasthan Royals. Sportzpics for BCCI

IPL 2020: Manish Pandey seals comprehensive win for Hyderabad

Cricket
Delhi Capitals pacer Kagiso Rabada is the leading wicket-taker so far in IPL 2020. Sportzpics for BCCI

Rabada interview: dream return to UAE, art of taking wickets and podcasting

Cricket

Sport

Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje in their lightweight title bout during the UFC 254 event on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Getty

UFC 254: Tearful Khabib says he is retiring after victory over Gaethje

Sport

UFC 254: Whittaker defeats Cannonier and closes in on Adesanya rematch

Sport

UFC 254: Ankalaev seals emphatic win over Cutelaba in Abu Dhabi

Sport

UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov, a 'crazy' destroyer from the very first day

Sport

Ramos penalty puts Real on way to clasico win over Barca

Football

LONG READS

Construction worker Sabah Abdulamir Al Sultani had just completed vocational training when he was killed in the Al Qa Qaa explosion. He had been married just over a month. Courtesy Safa Al Ameedee

'Like a nuclear bomb': the untold story of Iraq’s Al Qa Qaa disaster

MENA
In this handout photo taken from a footage released by Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, Azerbaijan's forces destroy Armenian anti-aircraft system at the contact line of the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan. Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan broke out Sunday around the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenian Defense Ministry said two Azerbaijani helicopters were shot down. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said in a televised address to the nation that "there are losses among the Azerbaijani forces and the civilian population as a result of the Armenian bombardment" but did not give further details. (Armenian's Defense Ministry via AP)

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Why Armenia and Azerbaijan are fighting

Europe
Empty offices in the Canary Wharf, London. Bloomberg

Alone in the city? Maybe not, but post-Covid changes are coming

Europe
Melina Timson-Katchis, a triathlete, finds it hard to exercise after getting all clear from Covid-19. Reem Mohammed / The National

Recovered Covid-19 patients tell of lingering symptoms months on

Health

MONEY

Omar Rabah, a management consultant living in Downtown Dubai, was among many who registered with Sarwa, the region’s first robo-advisory investment platform, during the Covid-19 uncertainty. Photo: Reem Mohammed / The National

Why portfolio diversification is the need of the hour during Covid-19

‘How can I get my ex-employer to pay my gratuity?’

Why Gulf investors should add ETFs to their portfolios

Household wealth remains stable despite the pandemic, Credit Suisse says

Consumer confidence in Lebanon plunges in first half as economic crisis deepens

Travel

Waiters and employees take their positions during the opening of 9 Pyramids Lounge. Reuters

Egypt upgrades visitor experience at Giza pyramids site

You can buy an entire Norwegian island nestled in a fjord for Dh11.9 million

Emirates launches biometric 'paths' at DXB

Would you book a trip to a surprise location? Air NZ launches 'mystery' packages

Would you shell out to be locked up? Inside former prisons turned luxury hotels

Technology

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have designed a face mask that uses a heated copper mesh to inactivate viruses and neoprene to prevent the mask from getting too hot. Photo: Courtesy MIT researchers

MIT researchers design heated face mask to deactivate coronavirus

Ant's record strategic allocation in Shanghai IPO fuels small investor scramble

US payments company Syncapay buys Wirecard North America

PayPal in talks to buy crypto firms including BitGo

Huawei records revenue growth despite Covid-19 and US trade woes

Motoring

The Q7 by lake and palms. All photos courtesy Audi

Road test: What Audi's Q7 lacks in speed, it makes up for in space and style

GMC finally unveils the all-new electric Hummer 2022

This unknown supercar just beat Bugatti's record to become the world’s fastest

Road test: BMW 7 Series makes a bid to hold on to its luxury sedan crown

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray muscles into the UAE
A seal examines a pup on a beach near Pelican Point, Namibia, on September 30, 2020. Picture taken September 30, 2020. Reuters

At least 7,000 dead seals wash up on Namibian tourist beach
WBS

Pool lounge Wane by SoMiya to officially open
Egyptian actress Arwa Gouda wears a protective mask against the coronavirus as she walks the red carpet at the opening ceremony of the 4th edition of El Gouna Film Festival, in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of el Gouna on October 23, 2020. XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL / Patrick Baz- NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - / AFP / El Gouna Film Festival / Patrick BAZ / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL / Patrick Baz- NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS -

27 red carpet photos from the El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt
Khabib Nurmagomedov at the weigh-in for UFC 254. Courtesy UFC

UFC 254: Khabib Nurmagomedov, a 'crazy' destroyer from the very first day
Waiters and employees take their positions during the opening of 9 Pyramids Lounge. Reuters

Egypt upgrades visitor experience at Giza pyramids site
A health worker administers polio vaccine drops to a child during a polio vaccination door-to-door campaign in Lahore. / AFP 

World Polio Day: UAE gives warning about return of the disease as cases rise in Pakistan
“During my surprise visit in the quarantine time of my grandfather’s home, I did not expect to witness the scene in the yard of the old family home. I later photographed him from the kitchen window. Indeed, my tears fell because I saw the meaning of honesty and sincerity in what they made one day, and my grandmother was healed later, praise to God” said Akram Menari from Algeria. courtesy of National Geographic Abu Dhabi.

A year lived differently: 8 photos from National Geographic Abu Dhabi's competition
People cast their ballots for the upcoming US presidential elections as early voting begins in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Reuters

Beyond The Headlines: How will Arab Americans vote in US presidential election?