Q: Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay both on the scoresheet for Napoli in their first Serie A match of the season. Looks like they have a 'bromance', can they fire Napoli to another title?
@Faisalsaleh via Instagram
A: Italian newspapers have already noted how inseparable McTominay and De Bruyne are. Both players share a commitment to winning at Napoli and the fans and media cannot get enough of them. It's easy to see why.
McTominay was crowned Serie A’s Player of the Year last season and scored the opening goal that helped clinch the title on the final day. Against Sassuolo over the weekend, he picked up right where he left off, heading in the opener. Napoli supporters have affectionately dubbed him apribottiglie – “the bottle opener” – for his knack of opening up play and striking first. He lived up to the nickname yet again.
De Bruyne is the brains of the operation. The Belgian marked his league debut with a free-kick goal and dictated the tempo, forever pushing Napoli onto the front foot. At 34 he is the oldest outfield player to feature for Napoli since 1995, but it’s his experience that is viewed as the quality that can elevate the team further. They may have the oldest squad in Serie A, but critics believe that age and experience could be exactly what propels them to another title.
Napoli want to play with more exuberance this season. Last term, they had only the sixth-best attack in the league, and with Romelu Lukaku out injured, they are looking to bring in a new striker, potentially Rasmus Hojlund, and want the midfield to carry more of the goalscoring burden. The 4-1-4-1 shape against Sassuolo was fluid: McTominay drifting centrally from wide left to attack space, De Bruyne dropping deep to orchestrate before ghosting forward as a false nine. The Scotland international has proved to be a fan favourite of the Partenopei and I’m sure De Bruyne will soon be the latest object of their affection.
Q: Was Kingsley Coman pushed out of Bayern Munich? How will they replace him and do you think Al Nassr was the right place to go?
@Zeeh107 on X
A: Bayern’s decision to part with Kingsley Coman was seemingly determined by both finances and politics. The club’s wage bill had spiralled under the previous regime of Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic, leaving new sporting director Max Eberl under orders to cut costs while refreshing the squad. Coman’s high salary and injury record made him the obvious sacrifice, even if Vincent Kompany admitted it was an emotional farewell after a decade, eight Bundesliga titles and a Uefa Champions League crown. But the way it happened has sparked tension. According to Süddeutsche Zeitung, Eberl pushed through the sale to Al Nassr without board approval, then further angered leadership by requesting funds for a replacement, one Bayern have yet to secure.
How will they replace him?
Losing Coman on top of Leroy Sane, who was sold to Galatasaray, and with Jamal Musiala out with a long-term injury, has left Bayern light in attack. Their very public pursuit of Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade, a player they have tracked for some time, has not proved fruitful. Stuttgart want around €70 million for the attacking midfielder, a fee Bayern deem excessive. They have since turned their attention to Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku.
Al Nassr finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season. According to German media, Cristiano Ronaldo himself pushed for Coman's signing, believing his direct play would help push the team to challenge for honours. With Ronaldo and Joao Felix alongside him, Coman could make the difference.
Q: I just read that Jobe Bellingham’s parents have been banned from Borussia Dortmund’s dressing room. What happened?
@Lanoushak via Instagram
A: The 19-year-old Bellingham, signed from Sunderland this summer, was handed his first start at St Pauli at the weekend but lasted only 45 minutes before Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac replaced him with Felix Nmecha. Dortmund were 2-1 up at the break but contrived to throw it away, conceding twice in the final minutes to draw 3-3.
Jobe's dad, Mark Bellingham, had flown in from England to see his son’s debut and was spotted in what was described as an “emotional conversation” with sporting director Sebastian Kehl outside the dressing room. Reports suggested he had demanded to know why Jobe was taken off, which obviously caused headlines.
Lars Ricken, Dortmund’s CEO for sport, played down rumours of a rift. He admitted the exchange happened but insisted it was nothing dramatic, just the natural emotions of a family who have a close relationship with the club. "We'll ensure that we don't get into a furore again by commenting on such matters," Ricken said.
Nonethless, changes will be made. In future, only players, coaches and officials will be allowed near the dressing room. Kehl echoed that same message, noting the area will be reserved for the team, not families or advisors.
It wasn’t the dream debut Jobe and his family had hoped for, and it has caused quite the drama in Germany. BVB are desperate for the fuss to die down, so the player can focus on football rather than headlines.
Q: Why did Barcelona take so long to register Marcus Rashford and what have you made of his appearances for the club?
@Amal_hope4 via Instagram
A: Barcelona took so long to register Marcus Rashford because of the same financial issues that have plagued the club for so many years now. La Liga’s strict rules meant that, after spending more on transfers and wages than they earned in revenue last season, Barca had to free up space before new players could be registered. Hansi Flick admitted before the season that he was “not happy” with the situation, but there is little he can do about it. In the end, Rashford and fellow summer recruit Joao Garcia were only registered on August 17, the morning of the match.
Rashford was introduced as a substitute in the 69th minute for his debut against Mallorca, but by then, the game was already won as Barca were already 2-0 up against nine men. That meant there was little space to operate in, considering how deep Mallorca sat in a damage-limitation exercise.
His full debut came against Levante last weekend, and it wasn’t great. The Manchester United loanee showed early intent but soon drifted out of the game, barely influencing play as Levante repeatedly broke through a shaky defensive line. Trailing 2-0 at half time, Flick opted to withdraw him. Rashford’s subdued display was more a symptom of the team’s collective play.
Whether or not he can be an asset remains to be seen.
Q: Federico Chiesa finally scored a league goal! Do you think he will stay at Liverpool and will he make the desired impact?
@KIdilby via Instagram
A: And what a goal it was. Chiesa waited a full year for his first Premier League strike and delivered it just when Liverpool needed it most, restoring Liverpool's lead against Bournemouth in the opening match of the season. The celebration said everything – the joy on his face, the embrace of his teammates, the cheering from the stands. It showed not only how desperate he is to make an impact, but also how loved he is by the club and supporters.
The Bournemouth game was emotional for many reasons, and it underlined once more that Chiesa is a player for the big occasions. Once a match-winner for Juventus and Italy, injuries have cruelly interrupted his development. But, when fit and given freedom, he still produces. Arne Slot has said as much. AC Milan and others in Serie A were reportedly eager to tempt him back to Italy, but as Tuttosport put it, his strike against Bournemouth felt like a sliding-doors moment, one that could keep him in red for another season. However, reports in England suggest Liverpool may consider including him in a deal for Alexander Isak.
If he stays fit, Chiesa improves any squad. Despite playing only 104 league minutes last season, he has accepted Slot’s decisions, put his head down and worked hard. He is resilient and deserves a run of games. Let's hope Liverpool offer him the opportunity.
MATCH INFO:
Second Test
Pakistan v Australia, Tuesday-Saturday, 10am daily at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Entrance is free
Funk Wav Bounces Vol.1
Calvin Harris
Columbia
Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
More from our neighbourhood series:
If%20you%20go
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The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
RACECARD
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community
• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style
“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.
Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term.
From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”
• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International
"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed. Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."
• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."
• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com
"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.
His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.
Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."
• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher
"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen. He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”
• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org
"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
At Eternity’s Gate
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen
Three stars
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
Results
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How Beautiful this world is!
Women%E2%80%99s%20Asia%20Cup
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
