Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci celebrates with teammates after a goal in their Serie A win over Inter Milan on Sunday. Alessandro di Marco / EPA / February 28, 2016
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci celebrates with teammates after a goal in their Serie A win over Inter Milan on Sunday. Alessandro di Marco / EPA / February 28, 2016
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci celebrates with teammates after a goal in their Serie A win over Inter Milan on Sunday. Alessandro di Marco / EPA / February 28, 2016
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci celebrates with teammates after a goal in their Serie A win over Inter Milan on Sunday. Alessandro di Marco / EPA / February 28, 2016

Juventus ‘have taken one of our direct rivals for the title out of the race’ with Inter win


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A 2-0 win over hapless Inter Milan saw champions Juventus take a step towards a record-equalling fifth successive Serie A title on Sunday as AC Milan and AS Roma continued to dream of a place in Europe.

Juventus saw a new club record of 15 consecutive wins end in a scoreless stalemate at Bologna last week, then had to fight their way back to rescue their Champions League last 16 hopes in a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

But Massimiliano Allegri's champions were back to their best in Turin on Sunday, when goals from Leonardo Bonucci and Alvaro Morata, from the spot, saw Juve go four points clear of second-placed Napoli.

Bonucci smashed a wayward header from Inter defender Danilo D’Ambrosio past keeper Samir Handanovic and into the roof of the net on 47 minutes.

Inter had few real chances and another blunder at the death saw second-half substitute Morata send Handanovic the wrong way from the penalty spot after he had been felled by fiery Brazilian Joao Miranda.

While Inter coach Roberto Mancini decided not to talk to the media after seeing his side slip to 14 points off the pace, Allegri was only too happy to signal the virtual end of Inter’s title bid.

“We’ve taken one of our direct rivals for the title out of the race,” Allegri said. “Now, we’re in a position where we can win a fifth consecutive title and that hasn’t happened since 1935.”

Napoli, who are gunning for their first title since 1990, have been arguably Serie A's most exciting team this season but the Naples outfit face a difficult trip to Fiorentina on Monday when the hosts will be battling to maintain their hopes of a top three finish and possible Champions League qualification.

Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa said earlier: “The pressure is all on Napoli tomorrow. We’re trying to give ourselves a chance (of Champions League football), and we want to keep battling the teams who, for the title, have to show they are worthy.

“Neither myself nor the lads have ever hidden the fact we want to finish in third place. This week, we have a great chance to consolidate our position.”

Inter’s seventh defeat of the campaign had sporting director Pierre Ausilio in a rage.

“The players really need to have a good look at themselves,” slammed Ausilio.

But their demise will be embraced by city rivals AC Milan, who went nine games undefeated on Saturday with a precious 1-0 win over Torino at the San Siro.

Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men remain sixth and sit 14 points behind Juve, but the club – looking to end a two-year absence from the Champions League – are only six points behind Roma, and one behind Inter.

“The lads’ work ethic was great,” Mihajlovic said after seeing Luca Antonelli’s first-half strike seal the points.

“Looking at the numbers, it’s fair to say we’re on the right track. But our next three league games will tell us how much chance we have of qualifying for the Champions League.

“I believe, but let’s take things one match at a time.”

AC Milan, however, are not the only team interested in finishing third.

With Juve and Napoli expected to claim the top two spots at the end of the season, the seven-time European champions face a stiff challenge from Roma, Fiorentina and Inter.

Roma, the league runners-up the past two seasons, revived their hopes with an encouraging 3-1 win at Empoli that gave them their sixth consecutive win for the first time this season.

Luciano Spalletti could lose third spot to Fiorentina on Monday, but the Italian coach was delighted with a performance that saw Stephan El Shaarawy hit his first double for the club.

“It was a superb result, one of our best performances so far,” said Spalletti, who is back for his second spell at the club after replacing sacked Frenchman Rudi Garcia last month.

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Racecard

5.25pm: Etihad Museum – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m

6pm: Al Shindaga Museum – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (Dirt) 1,200m

6.35pm: Poet Al Oqaili – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m

7.10pm: Majlis Ghurfat Al Sheif – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m

7.45pm: Hatta – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m

8.20pm: Al Fahidi – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m

8.55pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m

9.30pm: Coins Museum – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m

10.05pm: Al Quoz Creative – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m

Fixtures
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWednesday%2C%20April%203%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EArsenal%20v%20Luton%20Town%2C%2010.30pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EManchester%20City%20v%20Aston%20Villa%2C%2011.15pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EThursday%2C%20April%204%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ELiverpool%20v%20Sheffield%20United%2C%2010.30pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

If you go

The flights

The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings

The stay

Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206-cylinder%203-litre%2C%20with%20petrol%20and%20diesel%20variants%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20286hp%20(petrol)%2C%20249hp%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E450Nm%20(petrol)%2C%20550Nm%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EStarting%20at%20%2469%2C800%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPECS

Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now

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 

Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

THE%20SPECS
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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
Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)

TV: Abu Dhabi Sports

Singham Again

Director: Rohit Shetty

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone

Rating: 3/5