• Smoke billows above Khartoum's international airport amid fighting between the forces of two rival generals in Sudan. AFP
    Smoke billows above Khartoum's international airport amid fighting between the forces of two rival generals in Sudan. AFP
  • People carry Othman Mohamed, a senior military officer loyal to army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. AFP
    People carry Othman Mohamed, a senior military officer loyal to army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. AFP
  • Residential buildings damaged in the fighting in Khartoum, Sudan. AP Photo
    Residential buildings damaged in the fighting in Khartoum, Sudan. AP Photo
  • People cheer with Sudanese army soldiers manning a position in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. AFP
    People cheer with Sudanese army soldiers manning a position in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. AFP
  • People queue for water in Khartoum. The fighting has resulted in food and water shortages. Reuters
    People queue for water in Khartoum. The fighting has resulted in food and water shortages. Reuters
  • Black smoke covering the sky above the capital, Khartoum. AFP
    Black smoke covering the sky above the capital, Khartoum. AFP
  • Vehicles destroyed during fighting in southern Khartoum. AFP
    Vehicles destroyed during fighting in southern Khartoum. AFP
  • People head for the station to flee Khartoum during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army. Reuters
    People head for the station to flee Khartoum during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army. Reuters
  • Smoke and fire rise from an apartment building, after a shell hit the complex in Khartoum. Reuters
    Smoke and fire rise from an apartment building, after a shell hit the complex in Khartoum. Reuters
  • Heavy fighting has broken out across the country. AFP
    Heavy fighting has broken out across the country. AFP
  • A building damaged by the fighting. EPA
    A building damaged by the fighting. EPA
  • A destroyed vehicle of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in southern Khartoum. AFP
    A destroyed vehicle of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in southern Khartoum. AFP
  • A building damaged by the fighting. EPA
    A building damaged by the fighting. EPA
  • People gather at a bus station to escape Khartoum. Reuters
    People gather at a bus station to escape Khartoum. Reuters
  • People leave their homes amid the fighting. AFP
    People leave their homes amid the fighting. AFP
  • People look for drinking water in Khartoum, Sudan. Faiz Abubakr for The National
    People look for drinking water in Khartoum, Sudan. Faiz Abubakr for The National
  • A building burns at Merowe Airport in Sudan. AFP
    A building burns at Merowe Airport in Sudan. AFP
  • A man holds two bullets that hit his home. Faiz Abubakr for The National
    A man holds two bullets that hit his home. Faiz Abubakr for The National
  • People gather for a meal to break their fast during Ramadan in Port Sudan. AFP
    People gather for a meal to break their fast during Ramadan in Port Sudan. AFP
  • Satellite image shows a close-up view of destroyed helicopters in South Khartoum. Reuters
    Satellite image shows a close-up view of destroyed helicopters in South Khartoum. Reuters
  • The Port Sudan branch of the Central Bank of Sudan. AFP
    The Port Sudan branch of the Central Bank of Sudan. AFP
  • A hole from an explosion on the side of a building in Khartoum, after fighting between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces led by rival generals. AFP
    A hole from an explosion on the side of a building in Khartoum, after fighting between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces led by rival generals. AFP
  • People queue for bread outside a bakery amid a food crisis in Khartoum. AFP
    People queue for bread outside a bakery amid a food crisis in Khartoum. AFP
  • Smoke rises above Khartoum. Faiz Abubakr / The National
    Smoke rises above Khartoum. Faiz Abubakr / The National
  • Fearful families try to shelter from the fighting in houses in Khartoum. Faiz Abubakr / The National
    Fearful families try to shelter from the fighting in houses in Khartoum. Faiz Abubakr / The National
  • A deserted avenue in Khartoum as residents fear to go out due to intense fighting. AP
    A deserted avenue in Khartoum as residents fear to go out due to intense fighting. AP
  • A Sudanese army tank in a street in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. AFP
    A Sudanese army tank in a street in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. AFP
  • Houses have been severely damanged during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army. Reuters
    Houses have been severely damanged during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army. Reuters
  • Satellite images show a destroyed Ukrainian plane at Khartoum International Airport. Reuters
    Satellite images show a destroyed Ukrainian plane at Khartoum International Airport. Reuters
  • Market stalls abandoned in south Khartoum as fighting in the Sudanese capital rages for a third day. AFP
    Market stalls abandoned in south Khartoum as fighting in the Sudanese capital rages for a third day. AFP
  • Smoke rises over buildings during clashes. Reuters
    Smoke rises over buildings during clashes. Reuters
  • Damage at the Communications Authority Building. Reuters
    Damage at the Communications Authority Building. Reuters
  • People queue for bread outside a bakery amid a food crisis. AFP
    People queue for bread outside a bakery amid a food crisis. AFP
  • Destroyed fuel trucks at a depot in Khartoum. Reuters
    Destroyed fuel trucks at a depot in Khartoum. Reuters
  • Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, at the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) base in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. AFP
    Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, at the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) base in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan. AFP
  • Smoke rises from a fire on the tarmac of Khartoum International Airport in Sudan as fighting between the government and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues. Reuters
    Smoke rises from a fire on the tarmac of Khartoum International Airport in Sudan as fighting between the government and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues. Reuters
  • Abdalla Hamdok, former prime minister of Sudan, addresses the current crisis and violence on the streets of his homeland at a news conference in Abu Dhabi. Reuters
    Abdalla Hamdok, former prime minister of Sudan, addresses the current crisis and violence on the streets of his homeland at a news conference in Abu Dhabi. Reuters
  • Burning planes at Khartoum International Airport. EPA
    Burning planes at Khartoum International Airport. EPA
  • Damage and a fire on the Kobar Bridge in Khartoum. AFP
    Damage and a fire on the Kobar Bridge in Khartoum. AFP
  • Heavy smoke billows above Khartoum International Airport. AFP
    Heavy smoke billows above Khartoum International Airport. AFP
  • Smoke billows above residential buildings in Khartoum, as fighting in Sudan raged for a second day. AFP
    Smoke billows above residential buildings in Khartoum, as fighting in Sudan raged for a second day. AFP
  • A military vehicle patrols the streets as the fighting continues. AFP
    A military vehicle patrols the streets as the fighting continues. AFP
  • Smoke rises over the city. Reuters
    Smoke rises over the city. Reuters
  • Thick smoke rises above buildings near the airport amid clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. AFP
    Thick smoke rises above buildings near the airport amid clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. AFP
  • Explosions rock the Sudanese capital as paramilitary fighters and the regular army attack each other's bases. AFP
    Explosions rock the Sudanese capital as paramilitary fighters and the regular army attack each other's bases. AFP
  • The fighting has raised fears of a wider conflict in the country. AP
    The fighting has raised fears of a wider conflict in the country. AP
  • Government soldiers stationed on a key road in Khartoum. AFP
    Government soldiers stationed on a key road in Khartoum. AFP
  • The fighting comes days after the army warned the country was at a 'dangerous' turning point. AP
    The fighting comes days after the army warned the country was at a 'dangerous' turning point. AP
  • People walk past a military vehicle in Khartoum. AFP
    People walk past a military vehicle in Khartoum. AFP

MENA

Sudan at 'catastrophic' moment after dozens killed in clashes, says Abdalla Hamdok

At least 97 civilians dead and 365 injured, doctors' association said early on Monday

Nada AlTaher
Nada AlTaher

April 17, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Follow the latest news from the Sudan crisis here

Sudan's military and paramilitary forces are refusing to negotiate to end deadly fighting in Khartoum, former civilian prime minister Abdalla Hamdok said on Sunday evening.

At least 97 civilians have been killed and 365 injured in the clashes, the country's doctors' association said early on Monday.

Fighting erupted on Saturday between Sudanese Army units loyal to Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, head of Sudan's transitional governing Sovereign Council, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by Gen Mohamed Dagalo ― known as Hemedti — who is deputy head of the council.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi, Mr Hamdok, former leader of the non-military arm of Sudan’s transitional government, said the country was at a “catastrophic” moment, but he was still optimistic about a peaceful resolution.

The sides have become increasingly opposed in the role of the military and armed groups in post-transition Sudan.

Many civilians who led the mass uprising to end the more than 25-year rule of Omar Al Bashir in 2019 claim Gen Dagalo’s support is political rather than based on convictions.

Former Sudanese prime minister Abdalla Hamdok said his country's conflict 'needs to end tomorrow', at a news conference in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Reuters
Former Sudanese prime minister Abdalla Hamdok said his country's conflict 'needs to end tomorrow', at a news conference in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Reuters

“I appealed to the warring sides and said that the winner of this war is a loser. I appealed to the international community to help Sudan in this plight,” said Mr Hamdok.

“The war needs to end tomorrow to allow the country to move into the transitional period which began three years ago. Peace is the only valid option for the people to avoid slipping into civil war,” he said.

He said that he had spoken to both the military and the RSF “in long talks” before fighting started and “told them to keep the option for dialogue open. They both said dialogue isn’t an option for them.

“Now I’m finding it hard to communicate with them but I’m going to exert the maximum efforts to reach the people around them. I’m still optimistic, I’m a born optimist. No matter how grim things seem there’s still a chance for sitting down and resolving issues.”

The World Health Organisation said late on Sunday it urged all parties to “respect the neutrality of health care and ensure unrestricted access to health facilities for those injured by the hostilities”.

“WHO is monitoring the health needs and resources across Khartoum and other affected cities to ensure that limited supplies are directed to where they are most needed,” it said.

The organisation said supplies it had distributed to health facilities before the escalation were now exhausted and many of Khartoum’s nine hospitals taking in injured civilians were reporting shortages of blood, transfusion equipment, and medical supplies, as well as medical personnel.

“Water and power cuts are affecting the functionality of health facilities, and shortages of fuel for hospital generators are also being reported,” it said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reminded all sides of their obligations to international law. He said that as well as the three staff members of the World Food Programme killed in North Darfur, there were two seriously injured and there had been looting and shelling of aid in locations around the country.

The UN said Mr Guterres “reiterates his call for the immediate halt to the fighting and for a return to dialogue. He continues to engage with regional leaders and with Sudanese stakeholders to find a way out of this crisis.”

His comments came as Kenyan President William Ruto's office said the Regional African bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development plans to send the presidents of Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti as soon as possible to reconcile the conflicting Sudanese groups.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have also called for calm.

Sudanese Army Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, centre, with Rapid Support Forces commander Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to his right. The pair's forces are clashing in Khartoum. EPA
Sudanese Army Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, centre, with Rapid Support Forces commander Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to his right. The pair's forces are clashing in Khartoum. EPA

Speaking to The National following his address, Mr Hamdok said that he had had assurances that Abu Dhabi and Riyadh support the push to appoint a civilian government in Sudan.

He said that the “catastrophic situation” in Sudan does not mean that a power-sharing framework agreement reached between civilian and military factions for a phased transition to democratic elections and civilian rule was dead.

RSF forces seized key infrastructure and locations around Khartoum on Saturday, but the military appeared to have the upper hand as fighting raged into Sunday.

State TV went off-air with Reuters quoting employees saying it had been cut to prevent Gen Dagalo’s forces from broadcasting.

The fighting sparked an international outcry and regional concern, including border closures by neighbours Egypt and Chad.

Explosions and gunfire rattled buildings in the capital Khartoum's densely-populated northern and southern suburbs as tanks rumbled on the streets and fighter jets roared overhead, witnesses said.

While you're here
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. 

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

While you're here
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

SNAPSHOT

While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.

Gifts exchanged
  • King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
  • Queen Camilla -  Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
  • Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
  • Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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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

More from Tom Fletcher
Scoreline

Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3

  • Agüero 18'
  • Kompany 58'
  • Silva 65'
Tomorrow 2021
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Year Earth Changed

Directed by:Tom Beard

Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough

Stars: 4

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Hurricanes

Runners up: Bahrain

 

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Bahrain

Runners up: UAE Premiership

 

UAE Premiership

Winners: Dubai Exiles

Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes

 

UAE Division One

Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens

Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

 

UAE Division Two

Winners: Barrelhouse

Runners up: RAK Rugby

The Bio

Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.

Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.

Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.

Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.

FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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."
The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Power: 575bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh554,000

On sale: now

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

UK’s AI plan
  • AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
  • £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
  • £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
  • £250m to train new AI models
While you're here
Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi

Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)

Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)

Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)

Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).

Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)

Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)

Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)

Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)

Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia

Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)

Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)

Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Whiile you're here
Updated: April 18, 2023, 8:48 AM
SudanAbdalla Hamdok