It's the closing stages of the Tokyo Paralympics but there is still enough interest for the Mena contingent.
Below is the list of athletes from the region who will be competing for podium finishes on Friday in Japan.
Archery
Yumenoshima Field
Reining paralympic champion Rahimi Gholamreza of Iran will be defending his title in the men’s individual recurve.
Athletics
Olympic Stadium
The UAE’s Mohamed Al Hammadi will begin the defence of his 2016 Paralympic title when he races in the first heat of the men’s T34 800m. While Emirati Ahmed Nawad races alongside Tokyo 100m champion, Walid Ktila of Tunisia in the second heat.
Iran’s Hamed Amiri is reigning world champion in the men’s F54 javelin throw. With the longest throw in the field this year, he is a hot favourite for his first paralympic gold.
If this season’s form is anything to go by, Ayoub Sadni of Morocco is highly likely to medal in the men’s T45 400m.
Mohamed Ramadan of Egypt is making his fourth appearance at the Paralympic finals of the men’s F37 shot put.
The evening session starts with seven finals. In the women’s club throw F51 class, Dhouda Chelhi of Tunisia and Algeria’s Nadjet Boucherf both be looking to improve on the personal bests they achieved this year.
In the men’s F57 shot put final, Syria and Yemen’s sole male representatives Mohamad Mohamad and Naseb Alraoad will be looking to make their mark. Look out too for Mahmoud Rajab from Libya.
Achoura Boukoufa of Algeria will be building on her seasons best this year in the women’s javelin throw F46 category.
After an impressive finish in the men’s T37 100m final, Saudi Arabia’s Ali Al Nakhli will be pushing for a place in the final of the 200m.
Oman’s Taha Al Harrasi follows shortly after and will be racing for the final of the men’s 100m T36.
In the final of the men’s T51 race, Algeria’s Mohamed Berrahal will be hoping to build on the silver medal he won in Rio 2016.
Sonia Mansour of Tunisia is expected to make it to the finals of the women’s T38 400m, once again.
Badminton
Yoyogi National Stadium
Egyptian Eldakrory will be facing Jen Yu Fang in his second match of the men’s singles group stages.
Canoe Sprint
Sea Forest Waterway
Anas Al Khalifa of the Refugee Paralympic Team will be racing for a place in the final of the men’s kayak single 200m KL1 class.
Cycling Road
Fuji International Speedway
Iran’s Mahdi Mohammadi came 11th in the men’s C5 time trial. Today he will aim to push for a top 10 finish in the road race.
Shooting
Asaka Shooting Range
The men’s 50m rifle 3 positions was one of the events where UAE’s Abdulla Sultan Al Aryani picked up silver in Rio. The qualifying world record holder will be looking for a good result, alongside Abdulla Saif Al Aryani who came fifth in Rio.
Look out too for Israel’s Doron Shaziri competing in his 6th Paralympics.
Swimming
Tokyo Aquatics Centre
Israelis Mark Malyar and Ami Dadaon have had an impressive haul of four golds, a silver and a bronze medal between them as well as shattering three world records and four paralympic records, in their respective classes.
Malyar swims in the heats of the 50m butterfly, and Dadaon in the 50m backstroke with Ariel Malyar.
Look out too for Youssef Elsayed of Egypt in the men’s 200m freestyle s3 class.
Taekwondo
Makuhari Messe
Iran’s Mahdi Pourrahnamaahmadgourabi of Iran will start the men’s K44 -75kg tournament in the quarter-final rounds.
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
ICC Intercontinental Cup
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed
Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2
UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium
Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
WITHIN%20SAND
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Moe%20Alatawi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Ra%E2%80%99ed%20Alshammari%2C%20Adwa%20Fahd%2C%20Muhand%20Alsaleh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
West Indies v India - Third ODI
India 251-4 (50 overs)
Dhoni (78*), Rahane (72), Jadhav (40)
Cummins (2-56), Bishoo (1-38)
West Indies 158 (38.1 overs)
Mohammed (40), Powell (30), Hope (24)
Ashwin (3-28), Yadav (3-41), Pandya (2-32)
India won by 93 runs
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 285bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: TBA
On sale: Q2, 2020
