• TOPSHOT - Shiite Muslim pilgrims march with banners towards the shrine city of Karbala ahead of the Arbaeen commemorations that mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of the Prophet Mohamed's grandson Imam Hussein ibn Ali, in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province on August 14, 2024. (Photo by Asaad NIAZI / AFP)
    TOPSHOT - Shiite Muslim pilgrims march with banners towards the shrine city of Karbala ahead of the Arbaeen commemorations that mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of the Prophet Mohamed's grandson Imam Hussein ibn Ali, in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province on August 14, 2024. (Photo by Asaad NIAZI / AFP)
  • Students take part in a quilt-folding competition during a military-style training on the sports field of a senior high school in Dongyang, in China's eastern Zhejiang province. AFP
    Students take part in a quilt-folding competition during a military-style training on the sports field of a senior high school in Dongyang, in China's eastern Zhejiang province. AFP
  • A military band member looks on as he welcomes guests attending the annual State of the Nation Address at the parliament building, ahead of the country's Independence Day, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Reuters
    A military band member looks on as he welcomes guests attending the annual State of the Nation Address at the parliament building, ahead of the country's Independence Day, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Reuters
  • Taylor Swift performs at Wembley Stadium in London on her The Eras Tour. Getty Images
    Taylor Swift performs at Wembley Stadium in London on her The Eras Tour. Getty Images
  • Fans of Nacional before the Copa Libertadores round of 16 first leg football match between Uruguay's Nacional and Brazil's Sao Paulo at the Gran Parque Central stadium in Montevideo. AFP
    Fans of Nacional before the Copa Libertadores round of 16 first leg football match between Uruguay's Nacional and Brazil's Sao Paulo at the Gran Parque Central stadium in Montevideo. AFP
  • White doves are released at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo as Japan marks its surrender in the Second World War. Getty Images
    White doves are released at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo as Japan marks its surrender in the Second World War. Getty Images
  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets students after addressing the nation during Independence Day celebrations in the Red Fort in New Delhi. EPA
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets students after addressing the nation during Independence Day celebrations in the Red Fort in New Delhi. EPA
  • Pupils receive their A-level results at the Gems Wellington Academy Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Pupils receive their A-level results at the Gems Wellington Academy Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A shooting party on a moor on the Lammermuir Hills on the opening day of the grouse season, near Gifford, eastern Scotland. Getty Images
    A shooting party on a moor on the Lammermuir Hills on the opening day of the grouse season, near Gifford, eastern Scotland. Getty Images
  • A 1,680 square metre Art Nouveau themed flower carpet, made using dahlias and begonias at the Grand Place in Brussels. Reuters
    A 1,680 square metre Art Nouveau themed flower carpet, made using dahlias and begonias at the Grand Place in Brussels. Reuters
  • A green algae tide blooms in the Yeongsan River in Naju, 281km south of Seoul, South Korea, amid scorching heat. EPA
    A green algae tide blooms in the Yeongsan River in Naju, 281km south of Seoul, South Korea, amid scorching heat. EPA
  • Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park, near El Calafate, Santa Cruz province, Argentina. AFP
    Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park, near El Calafate, Santa Cruz province, Argentina. AFP
  • Lava rises from Mount Etna, on Sicily, southern Italy. Reuters
    Lava rises from Mount Etna, on Sicily, southern Italy. Reuters
  • Palestinians in northern Gaza wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, amid a growing hunger crisis as the Israel-Gaza war continues. Reuters
    Palestinians in northern Gaza wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, amid a growing hunger crisis as the Israel-Gaza war continues. Reuters
  • A worshipper touches the rock of the Grotte de Massabielle during the Assumption pilgrimage in Lourdes, southern France. AFP
    A worshipper touches the rock of the Grotte de Massabielle during the Assumption pilgrimage in Lourdes, southern France. AFP
  • Soldiers take part in India's Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in Delhi. Reuters
    Soldiers take part in India's Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in Delhi. Reuters
  • The wreckage of an plane that crashed with 61 people on board in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. AFP
    The wreckage of an plane that crashed with 61 people on board in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. AFP
  • Japan's Ami Yuasa competing in the Olympic breaking competition at La Concorde in Paris. AFP
    Japan's Ami Yuasa competing in the Olympic breaking competition at La Concorde in Paris. AFP
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong-un greets people during a visit to flood-affected Uiju County in North Pyongan Province. Reuters
    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un greets people during a visit to flood-affected Uiju County in North Pyongan Province. Reuters
  • Kenny Organ competes in the steer wrestling event at the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo in Mount Isa City, Queensland, Australia. Getty Images
    Kenny Organ competes in the steer wrestling event at the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo in Mount Isa City, Queensland, Australia. Getty Images
  • A wildfire burns in north-east Attica, Greece. Thousands of people have fled their homes as fires spread. EPA
    A wildfire burns in north-east Attica, Greece. Thousands of people have fled their homes as fires spread. EPA
  • Mannequins with their faces covered are used to display dresses at a shop in Kabul. The Taliban have controlled Afghanistan since 2021. AFP
    Mannequins with their faces covered are used to display dresses at a shop in Kabul. The Taliban have controlled Afghanistan since 2021. AFP
  • A man surfs on a canal in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. AFP
    A man surfs on a canal in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. AFP
  • Hollywood star Tom Cruise abseils into the Stade de France during the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The next Games will be hosted in Los Angeles. AP
    Hollywood star Tom Cruise abseils into the Stade de France during the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The next Games will be hosted in Los Angeles. AP
  • Iraqi Muslim women honour Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein, as they march from Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province towards the holy city of Karbala. AFP
    Iraqi Muslim women honour Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein, as they march from Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province towards the holy city of Karbala. AFP
  • Inside the remains of a house destroyed by Israeli forces in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. AFP
    Inside the remains of a house destroyed by Israeli forces in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. AFP
  • Taliban security personnel during a parade to celebrate the third anniversary of the regime's takeover of Afghanistan AFP
    Taliban security personnel during a parade to celebrate the third anniversary of the regime's takeover of Afghanistan AFP
  • Pupils carry a large Indian flag on the eve of the country's Independence Day celebrations in Vijayawada. AFP
    Pupils carry a large Indian flag on the eve of the country's Independence Day celebrations in Vijayawada. AFP
  • Election posters of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa in Colombo. AFP
    Election posters of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa in Colombo. AFP
  • The Perseid meteor shower illuminates ancient statues on Mount Nemrut in south-eastern Turkey. AP
    The Perseid meteor shower illuminates ancient statues on Mount Nemrut in south-eastern Turkey. AP

Pictures of the week: From pilgrims marching in Iraq to the Perseid meteor shower


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T20 World Cup Qualifier A, Muscat

Friday, February 18: 10am - Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm - Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain

Saturday, February 19: 10am - Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm - UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain

Monday, February 21: 10am - Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm - Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines

Tuesday, February 22: 2pm – semi-finals

Thursday, February 24: 2pm – final

UAE squad: Ahmed Raza (captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia

All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv

The specs: 2019 Haval H6

Price, base: Dh69,900

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books

About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY

Centre Court

Starting at 2pm:

Malin Cilic (CRO) v Benoit Paire (FRA) [8]

Not before 4pm:

Dan Evans (GBR) v Fabio Fogini (ITA) [4]

Not before 7pm:

Pablo Carreno Busta (SPA) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [2]

Roberto Bautista Agut (SPA) [5] v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)

Court One

Starting at 2pm

Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND) v Dennis Novak (AUT) 

Joao Sousa (POR) v Filip Krajinovic (SRB)

Not before 5pm:

Rajeev Ram (USA) and Joe Salisbury (GBR) [1] v Marin Cilic v Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Nikoloz Basilashvili v Ricardas Berankis (LTU)

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

Sweet%20Tooth
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJim%20Mickle%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristian%20Convery%2C%20Nonso%20Anozie%2C%20Adeel%20Akhtar%2C%20Stefania%20LaVie%20Owen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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 

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo%20permanent%20magnet%20synchronous%20motors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo-speed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E625hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E456km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh737%2C480%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The five types of long-term residential visas

Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:

Investors:

A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.

Entrepreneurs:

A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.  

Specialists

Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.

Outstanding students:

A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university. 

Retirees:

Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.

'The Sky is Everywhere'

Director:Josephine Decker

Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon

Rating:2/5

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
Thor%3A%20Love%20and%20Thunder%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Taika%20Waititi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Hemsworth%2C%20Natalie%20Portman%2C%20Christian%20Bale%2C%20Russell%20Crowe%2C%20Tessa%20Thompson%2C%20Taika%20Waititi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
New schools in Dubai
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESupy%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDani%20El-Zein%2C%20Yazeed%20bin%20Busayyis%2C%20Ibrahim%20Bou%20Ncoula%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFood%20and%20beverage%2C%20tech%2C%20hospitality%20software%2C%20Saas%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%20for%20six%20months%3B%20pre-seed%20round%20of%20%241.5%20million%3B%20seed%20round%20of%20%248%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBeco%20Capital%2C%20Cotu%20Ventures%2C%20Valia%20Ventures%20and%20Global%20Ventures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Stamp duty timeline

December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
Up to £125,000 - 0%; £125,000 to £250,000 – 2%; £250,000 to £925,000 – 5%; £925,000 to £1.5m: 10%; Over £1.5m – 12%

April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.

July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.

March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.

April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.

Updated: August 16, 2024, 6:01 PM