Osman Samiuddin looks back on the week that was in sport, and all the pleasant sights that it threw our way.
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1. Best celebration: Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook became the first Englishman and the youngest player ever to reach 10,000 Test runs in England’s second-Test win over Sri Lanka. It was a big moment, with some gravitas: Cook a modern great, in the format revered the most in the country. So what Ben Stokes was doing applauding the moment on the players’ balcony in green boxer shorts and no trousers? He was on home territory granted, but it had been freezing all week long in Durham.
2. Cruelest cut: European Cup
Take your pick from Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone or Antoine Griezmann about whom you should feel most sorry for. Sure Atletico, now twice Uefa Champions League runners-up in three years. Simeone, too, managing them through both with all that fire and passion, and for what? The damp squib of a failed penalty shoot-out? Our choice is Griezmann, who, was least deserving of missing the penalty that cost Atletico.
3. Best spat: Cantona v Deshamps
Eric Cantona and Didier Deschamps probably do not send each other Christmas cards, not after Cantona famously dismissed Deschamps as a “water carrier”. But there will soon be something in Cantona’s mailbox from Deschamps soon: a legal notice. This is in response to Cantona suggesting that racism was at the root of Deschamps’s decision to leave out Karim Benzema and Hatim ben Arfa from France’s Euros squad. Cantona is famously stubborn so best grab your popcorn and a seat – this could go on.
4. Least surprising: ICC ritual
The International Cricket Council (ICC) released its schedule for the 2017 Champions Trophy. And lo and behold, the defending champions India begin their tournament by playing Pakistan. This is an ICC ritual – in the absence of bilateral ties, the ICC has taken it upon itself to ensure they play at least once in its major tournaments. It makes sense commercially, of course, but a little randomness in schedules would not hurt.
5. Best singing in the rain: French Open
OK, so Wimbledon now has a retractable roof but remember the days when the tournament was permanently hostage to England’s rain? If you had forgotten, Roland Garros has been on hand to remind you. Entire days have been washed away, causing a scheduling crush as well as anger. Like Agnieszka Radwanksa, the No 2 seed who lost a rain-disrupted three-setter: “I’m just so surprised and angry that we have to play in the rain. I mean it’s not a $10,000 [Dh36,730] tournament. It’s a grand slam.” Ouch.
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Company%20profile
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ANALYSTS’ TOP PICKS OF SAUDI BANKS IN 2019
Analyst: Aqib Mehboob of Saudi Fransi Capital
Top pick: National Commercial Bank
Reason: It will be at the forefront of project financing for government-led projects
Analyst: Shabbir Malik of EFG-Hermes
Top pick: Al Rajhi Bank
Reason: Defensive balance sheet, well positioned in retail segment and positively geared for rising rates
Analyst: Chiradeep Ghosh of Sico Bank
Top pick: Arab National Bank
Reason: Attractive valuation and good growth potential in terms of both balance sheet and dividends
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
French Touch
Carla Bruni
(Verve)
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Sunday's games
Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)