• Daniil Medvedev (L) of Russia celebrates after defeatig Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan during the Mexican Open Tennis Tournament quarter finals in Acapulco, Mexico, 24 February 2022. EPA / David Guzman
    Daniil Medvedev (L) of Russia celebrates after defeatig Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan during the Mexican Open Tennis Tournament quarter finals in Acapulco, Mexico, 24 February 2022. EPA / David Guzman
  • Daniil Medvedev of Russia against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan in the Mexican Open quarter-finals in Acapulco. EPA
    Daniil Medvedev of Russia against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan in the Mexican Open quarter-finals in Acapulco. EPA
  • Daniil Medvedev after defeating Yoshihito Nishioka in Acapulco. EPA
    Daniil Medvedev after defeating Yoshihito Nishioka in Acapulco. EPA
  • Russia's Daniil Medvedev has risen to the No 1 ranking. Reuters
    Russia's Daniil Medvedev has risen to the No 1 ranking. Reuters
  • Daniil Medvedev serves to Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka. AFP
    Daniil Medvedev serves to Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka. AFP
  • Russia's Daniil Medvedev after winning his quarter-final against Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka. Reuters
    Russia's Daniil Medvedev after winning his quarter-final against Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka. Reuters

Russia's Daniil Medvedev 'all for peace' after rising to No 1 ranking


  • English
  • Arabic

Russia's Daniil Medvedev celebrated his rise to the world No 1 ranking with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Yoshihito Nishioka in the quarter-finals of the ATP Mexico Open on Thursday.

Medvedev, 26, had to keep his emotions in check after learning he would take over the top spot this Monday following Novak Djokovic's quarter-final defeat at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

But he got the job done against Japan's Nishioka and booked a semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal in a rematch of the Australian Open final.

"It's not easy actually to play a match when you get this [news] during the day," Medvedev said.

Djokovic's 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) upset at the hands of Czech world No 123 Jiri Vesely ensured the Serb's reign will end.

"To be honest, I saw that he was losing, but I didn't know that if he loses I'm going to become number one," Medvedev said. "I thought that I had to do something big here. So then when I was receiving all the messages, well, I understood, OK, it's going to happen."

Medvedev will become the first man since 2004 outside of Djokovic, Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray to occupy the number one spot.

However, Medvedev admitted it was tough to celebrate given the tensions back home. Medvedev's rise to the top happened on the same day that Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“Watching the news from home, waking up here in Mexico, was not easy,” Medvedev said. “By being a tennis player, I want to promote peace all over the world. We play in so many different countries; I’ve been in so many countries as a junior and as a pro. It’s just not easy to hear all this news. I’m all for peace.”

Medvedev noted that the pair that won the doubles title at the Marseille Open last week included one Russian [Andrey Rublev] and one Ukrainian [Denys Molchanov], saying: “This was amazing, because people need to stay together.”

Reflecting on the day, Medvedev added: “In these moments, you understand that tennis sometimes is not that important. It was not easy to play and I’m happy that I managed to win the match, but it was a bit of a roller-coaster day for me.”

  • Jiri Vesely celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic in their quarter-final match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. AFP
    Jiri Vesely celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic in their quarter-final match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic congratulates Jiri Vesely after their quarter-final match. AFP
    Novak Djokovic congratulates Jiri Vesely after their quarter-final match. AFP
  • Jiri Vesely plays a backhand to Novak Djokovic. AP
    Jiri Vesely plays a backhand to Novak Djokovic. AP
  • Novak Djokovic during his quarter-final match against Jiri Vesely at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Reuters
    Novak Djokovic during his quarter-final match against Jiri Vesely at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Reuters
  • Jiri Vesely returns the ball to Novak Djokovic. AP
    Jiri Vesely returns the ball to Novak Djokovic. AP
  • Novak Djokovic serves the ball to Jiri Vesely. AFP
    Novak Djokovic serves the ball to Jiri Vesely. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Jiri Vesely. AFP
    Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Jiri Vesely. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic during his quarter-final match against Jiri Vesely. EPA
    Novak Djokovic during his quarter-final match against Jiri Vesely. EPA
  • Jiri Vesely hits a forehand to Novak Djokovic. AP
    Jiri Vesely hits a forehand to Novak Djokovic. AP
  • Hubert Hurkacz celebrates after winning his quarter-final match against Jannik Sinner at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. EPA
    Hubert Hurkacz celebrates after winning his quarter-final match against Jannik Sinner at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. EPA
  • Hubert Hurkacz returns the ball to Jannik Sinner. AP
    Hubert Hurkacz returns the ball to Jannik Sinner. AP
  • Jannik Sinner prepares to hit a backhand to Hubert Hurkacz. EPA
    Jannik Sinner prepares to hit a backhand to Hubert Hurkacz. EPA
  • Jannik Sinner hits a forehand to Hubert Hurkacz. AFP
    Jannik Sinner hits a forehand to Hubert Hurkacz. AFP
  • Hubert Hurkacz shakes hands with Jannik Sinner after their quarter-final match. EPA
    Hubert Hurkacz shakes hands with Jannik Sinner after their quarter-final match. EPA
  • Andrey Rublev celebrates winning his quarter-final match against Mackenzie McDonald at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Reuters
    Andrey Rublev celebrates winning his quarter-final match against Mackenzie McDonald at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Reuters
  • Andrey Rublev returns the ball to Mackenzie McDonald during their quarter-final match. AP
    Andrey Rublev returns the ball to Mackenzie McDonald during their quarter-final match. AP
  • Mackenzie McDonald gets set to hit a backhand to Andrey Rublev. AP
    Mackenzie McDonald gets set to hit a backhand to Andrey Rublev. AP
  • Andrey Rublev reacts after he lost a point against Mackenzie McDonald. AP
    Andrey Rublev reacts after he lost a point against Mackenzie McDonald. AP
  • Andrey Rublev and Mackenzie McDonald greet each other at the net after their quarter-final match. Reuters
    Andrey Rublev and Mackenzie McDonald greet each other at the net after their quarter-final match. Reuters
  • Mackenzie Mcdonald serves to Andrey Rublev. AFP
    Mackenzie Mcdonald serves to Andrey Rublev. AFP
  • Andrey Rublev reaches for the ball during his match against Mackenzie Mcdonald. AFP
    Andrey Rublev reaches for the ball during his match against Mackenzie Mcdonald. AFP
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Letswork%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Almheiri%2C%20Hamza%20Khan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20co-working%20spaces%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.1%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20with%20investors%20including%20500%20Global%2C%20The%20Space%2C%20DTEC%20Ventures%20and%20other%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2020%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.3-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E299hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E420Nm%20at%202%2C750rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12.4L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh157%2C395%20(XLS)%3B%20Dh199%2C395%20(Limited)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
MATCH INFO

Wales 1 (Bale 45 3')

Croatia 1 (Vlasic 09')

Company info

Company name: Entrupy 

Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist

Based: New York, New York

Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.  

Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius. 

Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PRESIDENTS CUP

Draw for Presidents Cup fourball matches on Thursday (Internationals first mention). All times UAE:

02.32am (Thursday): Marc Leishman/Joaquin Niemann v Tiger Woods/Justin Thomas
02.47am (Thursday): Adam Hadwin/Im Sung-jae v Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay
03.02am (Thursday): Adam Scott/An Byeong-hun v Bryson DeChambeau/Tony Finau
03.17am (Thursday): Hideki Matsuyama/CT Pan v Webb Simpson/Patrick Reed
03.32am (Thursday): Abraham Ancer/Louis Oosthuizen v Dustin Johnson/Gary Woodland

if you go

The flights

Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.

The hotel

Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850

 Events and tours

There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com

For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art. 

More information

For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BIOSAFETY LABS SECURITY LEVELS

Biosafety Level 1

The lowest safety level. These labs work with viruses that are minimal risk to humans.

Hand washing is required on entry and exit and potentially infectious material decontaminated with bleach before thrown away.

Must have a lock. Access limited. Lab does not need to be isolated from other buildings.

Used as teaching spaces.

Study microorganisms such as Staphylococcus which causes food poisoning.

Biosafety Level 2

These labs deal with pathogens that can be harmful to people and the environment such as Hepatitis, HIV and salmonella.

Working in Level 2 requires special training in handling pathogenic agents.

Extra safety and security precautions are taken in addition to those at Level 1

Biosafety Level 3

These labs contain material that can be lethal if inhaled. This includes SARS coronavirus, MERS, and yellow fever.

Significant extra precautions are taken with staff given specific immunisations when dealing with certain diseases.

Infectious material is examined in a biological safety cabinet.

Personnel must wear protective gowns that must be discarded or decontaminated after use.

Strict safety and handling procedures are in place. There must be double entrances to the building and they must contain self-closing doors to reduce risk of pathogen aerosols escaping.

Windows must be sealed. Air from must be filtered before it can be recirculated.

Biosafety Level 4

The highest level for biosafety precautions. Scientist work with highly dangerous diseases that have no vaccine or cure.

All material must be decontaminated.

Personnel must wear a positive pressure suit for protection. On leaving the lab this must pass through decontamination shower before they have a personal shower.

Entry is severely restricted to trained and authorised personnel. All entries are recorded.

Entrance must be via airlocks.

UAE v Ireland

1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets

2nd ODI, January 12

3rd ODI, January 14

4th ODI, January 16

THE SPECS

Engine: 3-litre V6

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 424hp

Torque: 580 Nm

Price: From Dh399,000

On sale: Now

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

What is blockchain?

Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.

The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.

Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.

However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.

Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.

Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting

-      Don’t do it more than once in three days

-      Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days

-      Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode

-      Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well

-      Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days

-      Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates

-      Manage your sleep

-      People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting

-      Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert

Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world

New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.

The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.

Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.

“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.

"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."

The biog

Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.

Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.

Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.

Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

Favourite food: Dim sum

Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

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 

Updated: February 25, 2022, 7:27 AM