DUBAI // Al Nasr have confirmed they are considering making moves for Edgar Benitez and Cristian Rodriguez, who are both starring for their countries at the Copa America.
Benitez, 27, scored the only goal in Paraguay’s win over Jamaica, while Uruguay’s Rodriguez also found the net against the same opponents in another 1-0 victory.
Humaid Al Tayer, a member of Nasr’s board of directors, said the club was “closely following” the performance of the two players at the Copa America after the duo were offered to the Arabian Gulf League club a “while ago”.
“We had some communications with them, but the coach [Ivan Jovanovic] preferred to wait for a technical report before we initiate formal contracting procedures,” Al Tayer said.
Nasr, who won the Arabian Gulf Cup and President’s Cup double last season, have decided to change all four of their foreign players — Senegalese forward Ibrahima Toure, Australian midfielder Brett Holman, Spain’s Pablo Hernandez and Renan Garcia of Brazil — ahead of the new season.
“Our aim is to bring such players who are able to help the team build on the successful season we had,” Al Tayer said. “We are looking forward to winning the league title now and flying the UAE flag high in the AFC Champions League.
Al Tayer also said the club is seeking to sign three new Emirati players for the next season.
Jovanovic will miss the services of winger Fahad Hadeed, who has been ruled out for six months following a cruciate ligament surgery.
Hadeed, 21, picked up the injury in the President’s Cup semi-final win over Al Shabab and had surgery last week in the Italian city of Bologna.
Denilson to Al Wahda
Meanwhile, former Arsenal midfielder Denilson has confirmed he is leaving Sao Paulo and is expected to complete a move to Al Wahda.
The Brazilian is expected in Abu Dhabi next week to undergo a medical and complete the deal.
In a statement released through his press office, the 27-year-old had accepted to leave “with a heavy heart because everyone knows my passion for Sao Paulo”.
“About my next destination, I want to speak only after signing the contract,” he said. “For now, I prefer to wait until everything is official.”
According to the GloboEsporte.com, Denilson is expected to sign a three-year deal with Wahda, with the value of the transfer being estimated at €3.1 million. The player will be receiving double the wages he is currently getting Sao Paulo.
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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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.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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”.
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Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
