The second edition of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open gets under way on Monday as many of the world's best female tennis players battle for glory at Zayed Sports City.
With 10 of the world's top 20 in action, plus a couple of superstar wildcard entries, the competition is sure to be fierce at the WTA 500 tournament.
Before the matches begin, get to know the players with this complete guide (listed in order of world ranking).
Elena Rybakina
World ranking: 5 (career-high No 3)
Career singles titles: 6
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Quarter-finals (2023)
Part of the WTA Tour's "Big Four" alongside Iga Swaitek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff, Rybakina surged to stardom in the summer of 2022 by winning the Wimbledon title.
The 24-year-old Kazakh, known for her massive serve and power hitting, began 2024 in style by winning the Brisbane International, destroying eventual two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in the final, only to fall to a shock second-round defeat in Melbourne.
Despite that setback, she should still be considered the player to beat at Zayed Sports City; having reached the quarter-finals last year and at the one-off Abu Dhabi WTA Women's Tennis Open in 2021, Rybakina has more experience than most of the Abu Dhabi courts and conditions.
Ons Jabeur
World ranking: 6 (career-high No 2)
Career singles titles: 5
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Debut
One of the most prominent and adored athletes in the Arab world, Jabeur has been making history throughout her trailblazing career, and will undoubtedly enjoy the majority of support in Abu Dhabi.
The 29-year-old Tunisian, the highest-ranked Arab tennis player ever and the first woman from the region to reach a Grand Slam final, was set to headline last year's inaugural tournament but withdrew due to health and fitness reasons. While this year will be her debut appearance, Jabeur has experience of the Zayed Sports City court having competed twice at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition event.
A stylish player with an arsenal of tricks and great variety, Jabeur will hope to kick-start her 2024 season in the capital after a disappointing Australian Open, where she was resoundingly beaten in the second round.
Maria Sakkari
World ranking: 9 (career-high No 3)
Career singles titles: 2
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Debut
One of the fittest and most athletic players on the WTA Tour, 28-year-old Sakkari enjoyed a bright start to the season with a 100 per cent record representing Greece at the United Cup. However, her largely disappointing Grand Slam record continued with a second-round loss at the Australian Open.
Still, she will hope to build on her last visit to Abu Dhabi, when she reached the semi-finals of the Abu Dhabi WTA Women's Tennis Open in 2021. Very much a confidence player – as revealed in the Netlfix series Break Point – Sakkari certainly has the ability to go all the way next week if she finds form and momentum.
Barbora Krejcikova
World ranking: 11 (career-high No 2)
Career singles titles: 7
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Second round (2023)
The 28-year-old Czech is something of a late bloomer. Krejcikova initially made her name alongside compatriot Katerina Siniakova on the doubles circuit, where together they have won seven Grand Slam titles. Then in 2021, she made the ultimate breakthrough as a singles player by winning the French Open. Since then, Krejcikova has become a regular contender on the singles circuit, amassing seven titles.
Her two previous visits to Abu Dhabi both ended in second-round defeats, although she has tasted success in the UAE; she is the reigning champion at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where she defeated world No 1 Swiatek in the final.
Jelena Ostapenko
World ranking: 12 (career-high No 5)
Career singles titles: 7
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Second round (2023)
There are few players as entertaining to watch as Ostapenko, whose default mode is to try and hit winners at every available opportunity. When the Latvian is in the zone, she's almost impossible to stop, but when the radar is off, she can be beaten by most players. That prospect of inconsistency makes her essential viewing.
Ostapenko, 26, burst on to the scene in 2017 when she won the French Open as an unseeded 20-year-old for her first career title and has since added six more trophies to her collection.
Her most recent triumph came at the start of this season when she won the Adelaide International but she could only reach the third round of the Australian Open. She has shown strong enough form so far in 2024 to suggest she should be a contender in Abu Dhabi.
Beatriz Haddad Maia
World ranking: 13 (career-high No 10)
Career singles titles: 3
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Semi-final (2023)
One of the stars of the inaugural tournament 12 months ago, Haddad Maia reached the semi-finals before going down to eventual champion Belinda Bencic. Among her victories was a quarter-final triumph over Rybakina.
The 24-year-old Brazilian has had a mixed start to 2024, winning half of her six matches while recording her best result at the Australian Open by reaching the third round. Given her success last season in the capital, Haddad Maia will have ambitions to go deep again at Zayed Sports City.
Daria Kasatkina
World ranking: 14 (career-high No 8)
Career singles titles: 6
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Quarter-final (2023)
The top seed at last year's tournament, Kasatkina won one match and lost one; after receiving a bye into the second round, the Russian beat Jil Teichmann but was defeated by recent Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng in the quarter-finals.
A player of remarkable consistency from the baseline, 26-year-old Kasatkina has had a busy start to the season having played three tournaments already, reaching the quarter-finals in Brisbane and the final in Adelaide, before losing in the Australian Open second round.
Liudmila Samsonova
World ranking: 15 (career-high No 12)
Career singles titles: 4
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Final (2023)
Samsonova had the inaugural Abu Dhabi trophy in her grasp; after racing to a one-set lead 6-1, the Russian saw three match points in a marathon second-set tiebreak come and go before Bencic sealed the victory in a tense decider.
The 25-year-old Samsonova will hope the positive memories of last year – where she beat Krejcikova and Zheng en route to the final – will help kickstart her season as she is yet to win a match from three tournaments in 2024, falling at the first hurdle in Brisbane, Adelaide and at the Australian Open.
Veronika Kudermetova
World ranking: 16 (career-high No 9)
Career singles titles: 2
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Quarter-final (2023)
Kudermetova enjoyed her first trip to the capital for the Abu WTA Women's Tennis Open in 2021 when she reached the final, and made the quarter-finals of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open 12 months ago, losing to eventual finalist Samsonova. She has also fared well down the road in Dubai, reaching the 2022 final.
The 26-year-old Russian is yet to find her best form in 2024, winning two matches in three tournaments, including a first-round defeat at the Australian Open.
Caroline Garcia
World ranking: 20 (career-high No 4)
Career singles titles: 11
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Debut
A frequent participant at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where she reached the semi-finals in 2016, Garcia will make her debut in Abu Dhabi this year.
One of the most established players on the WTA Tour, the 30-year-old Frenchwoman's crowning moment came at the 2022 WTA Finals and she boasts an enviable record in finals: 16 played, 11 won. For a player of her undoubted talent, Garcia has a curiously underwhelming Grand Slam record, reaching one quarter-final (2017 French Open) and one semi-final (2022 US Open).
That record continued at the Australian Open this month where she only reached the second round, following an impressive United Cup campaign with France (three wins, one defeat), and a second-round exit in Adelaide.
Emma Navarro
World ranking: 23 (career-high No 23)
Career singles titles: 1
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Debut
Of all the players competing in Abu Dhabi, Navarro arrives in arguably the finest form. The 22-year-old American began the season by reaching the Auckland Classic semi-finals, losing to eventual champion Gauff, before clinching her maiden title at the Hobart International. She then produced her best Grand Slam showing by reaching the Australian Open third round.
Navarro, enjoying a career-high ranking, should be full of confidence ahead of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and could be one to watch.
Jasmine Paolini
World ranking: 24 (career-high No 24)
Career singles titles: 1
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Debut
Like Navarro, Paolini enters the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open with a career-high ranking following her best showing at a major, making the Australian Open fourth round.
The 28-year-old Italian, whose sole title came at the 2021 Slovenian Open and who helped Italy reach the final of the Billie Jean King Cup last year, has experience of the Zayed Sports City courts having played at the Abu WTA Women's Tennis Open. Another player who could make a deep run next week given her good recent form.
Sorana Cirstea
World ranking: 25 (career-high No 21)
Career singles titles: 2
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: First round (2023)
The Romanian veteran's impressive longevity is perhaps best exemplified by her two best Grand Slam results. She made her first major quarter-final at the French Open in 2009 then emulated that feat 14 years later at the US Open last season.
However, since New York, Cirstea's form has nosedived; she has only won one match in six tournaments since, beginning this season with successive losses in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Melbourne. The 33-year-old lost in the first round in Abu Dhabi last year, so will need to go one better to end her frustrating start to the year.
Anastasia Potapova
World ranking: 27 (career-high No 21)
Career singles titles: 2
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: First round (2023)
An encouraging start to the season by Potapova was stopped in its tracks when she retired injured in the Brisbane International quarter-finals and she proceeded to lose in the Australian Open first round two weeks later.
A two-time winner on the WTA Tour, the 22-year-old Russian will aim to improve on her Abu Dhabi debut from 12 months ago when she lost in the opening round to Sakkari.
Lesia Tsurenko
World ranking: 31 (career-high No 23)
Career singles titles: 4
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Debut
After an encouraging start to the Australian Open, Tsurenko will want to block her most recent match from her memory. Taking on defending, and eventual, champion Sabalenka in the third round, the Ukrainian was crushed 6-0, 6-0 in less than an hour.
Still, the 34-year-old has the experience to quickly bounce back and has been impressive in returning to the top of the game having suffered a loss of form a couple of years ago. Making her debut in Abu Dhabi, Tsurenko will hope her many years competing in Dubai will help her adapt to the conditions.
Anhelina Kalinina
World ranking: 32 (career-high No 25)
Career singles titles: 0
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Debut
A prolific player on the ITF circuit with 15 titles, 26-year-old Kalinina was one win away from a massive trophy last season but retired injured in the final of the Italian Masters. Since Rome eight months ago, the Ukrainian has struggled for form and has lost all three matches so far this season.
Kalinina will be making her first appearance in Abu Dhabi but has competed twice down the road at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Magda Linette
World ranking: 56 (career-high No 19)
Career singles titles: 2
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Debut
A surprise semi-finalist at the 2023 Australian Open, Linette saw her ranking plummet last week after retiring in the first round of this year's tournament. Dating back to the end of last season, the 31-year-old Pole has been on a poor run of form, losing eight of her last nine matches.
Linette, 31, is yet to play a main draw match in the UAE – she twice fell short in qualifying in Dubai – so will be aiming to fare much better on her Abu Dhabi debut.
Alexandra Eala
World ranking: 184 (career-high No 184)
Career singles titles: 0
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Debut
The Philippines' top-ranked player is sure to receive a huge amount of support on her Abu Dhabi debut after receiving a wildcard into the main draw.
Eala, 18, has already been making her mark on the ITF circuit with four titles from seven finals and will be making her ninth appearance on the WTA Tour when she takes to the court at Zayed Sports City. She also enjoyed an impressive junior career, winning the 2022 US Open and two major doubles titles at the Australian Open in 2020 and French Open in 2021.
Emma Raducanu
World ranking: 295 (career-high No 10)
Career singles titles: 1
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Debut
The first player to receive a wildcard, Raducanu is in the early stages of her comeback after cutting short her 2023 season last April due to serious wrist and ankle injuries. Those fitness issues contributed to a difficult two years following her historic triumph at the 2021 US Open, where she became the first qualifier in the Open era to win a Grand Slam title.
There have been encouraging signs so far this season that the 21-year-old Briton is on the right track in terms of regaining fitness and sharpness, with two wins and two defeats so far.
Raducanu will be making her debut in Abu Dhabi, although she has competed at Zayed Sports City before when she played Jabeur at the 2022 Mubadala World Tennis Championship event.
Naomi Osaka
World ranking: 759 (career-high No 1)
Career singles titles: 7
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open record: Debut
One of the biggest stars in global tennis continues her highly-anticipated comeback in Abu Dhabi next week after Osaka accepted a wildcard from the tournament organisers.
Prior to her return earlier this month, the four-time Grand Slam champion had been absent from the tour since September 2022 when she decided to take a break to prioritise her mental health. The Japanese former world No 1 then announced in January last year that she was pregnant, and after giving birth to her daughter last July, skipped the remainder of the season.
The 26-year-old's comeback has so far consisted of one win and two losses, and while she is lacking match fitness, the magic is still there. Osaka will be making her Abu Dhabi debut but has played three times in Dubai, reaching the quarter-finals in 2018.
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
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Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
RESULT
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia: Rebic (53'), Modric (80'), Rakitic (90' 1)
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
Roger Federer's 2018 record
Australian Open Champion
Rotterdam Champion
Indian Wells Runner-up
Miami Second round
Stuttgart Champion
Halle Runner-up
Wimbledon Quarter-finals
Cincinnati Runner-up
US Open Fourth round
Shanghai Semi-finals
Basel Champion
Paris Masters Semi-finals
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Revival
Eminem
Interscope
HWJN
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RESULT
Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay: Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')
Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books
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
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On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
Company%20profile
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Sunday's Super Four matches
Dubai, 3.30pm
India v Pakistan
Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangladesh v Afghanistan
T20 SQUADS
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shinwari, Hassan Ali, Imad Wasim, Waqas Maqsood, Faheem Ashraf.
TOURNAMENT INFO
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
Thursday results
UAE beat Kuwait by 86 runs
Qatar beat Bahrain by five wickets
Saudi Arabia beat Maldives by 35 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, third-place playoff – Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
3pm, final – UAE v Qatar
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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.
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
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The biog
Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children
She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career
She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence
Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken
Everything Now
Arcade Fire
(Columbia Records)
Directed: Smeep Kang
Produced: Soham Rockstar Entertainment; SKE Production
Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Jimmy Sheirgill, Sunny Singh, Omkar Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma
Rating: Two out of five stars
RESULT
Wolves 1 (Traore 67')
Tottenham 2 (Moura 8', Vertonghen 90 1')
Man of the Match: Adama Traore (Wolves)
'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Brief scoreline
Switzerland 0
England 0
Result: England win 6-5 on penalties
Man of the Match: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
FIGHT CARD
1. Featherweight 66kg
Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg
Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg
Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg
Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg
Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg
Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg
Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg
Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Abdipatta Abdizhali (KGZ)
9. Featherweight 66kg
Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
Six tips to secure your smart home
Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.
Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.
Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.
Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.
Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.
Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good
One star
Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.
Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
MATCH INFO
World Cup qualifier
Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')
UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
Why the Tourist Club?
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
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Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.
Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.
The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.
Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10
*November 15 to November 24
*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com
*TV: Ten Sports
*Streaming: Jio Live
*2017 winners: Kerala Kings
*2018 winners: Northern Warriors
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