• Towers in Fujairah city surrounded by floodwaters. Photo: Mahesh Jangam / @MaheshMj80202 / Twitter
    Towers in Fujairah city surrounded by floodwaters. Photo: Mahesh Jangam / @MaheshMj80202 / Twitter
  • Vehicles partially submerged on the streets of the city. Photo: Mahesh Jangam / @MaheshMj80202 / Twitter
    Vehicles partially submerged on the streets of the city. Photo: Mahesh Jangam / @MaheshMj80202 / Twitter
  • A flooded area in Fujairah city. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
    A flooded area in Fujairah city. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
  • A dam in the emirate of Fujairah overflows. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
    A dam in the emirate of Fujairah overflows. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
  • Emergency teams relocate people in Fujairah, after their homes were flooded. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence
    Emergency teams relocate people in Fujairah, after their homes were flooded. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence
  • Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, inspects the areas affected by heavy rains. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
    Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, inspects the areas affected by heavy rains. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
  • During the inspection tour, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that efforts will continue and all resources will be allocated to deal with the situation. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
    During the inspection tour, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that efforts will continue and all resources will be allocated to deal with the situation. Photo: Fujairah Media Office
  • The Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defence announced the continuation of Operation Loyal Hands in Fujairah, after heavy rain and flash flooding. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence
    The Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defence announced the continuation of Operation Loyal Hands in Fujairah, after heavy rain and flash flooding. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence
  • Civilians were evacuated and given medical aid where required. Photo: MOD UAE
    Civilians were evacuated and given medical aid where required. Photo: MOD UAE
  • Search and rescue teams and equipment were sent to Fujairah. Photo: MOD UAE
    Search and rescue teams and equipment were sent to Fujairah. Photo: MOD UAE
  • Civil authorities were working to diminish the effects of the torrential rain. Photo: MOD UAE
    Civil authorities were working to diminish the effects of the torrential rain. Photo: MOD UAE
  • Flooding in Fujairah city, as more rain is expected. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Flooding in Fujairah city, as more rain is expected. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Flooding in Fujairah city: Damage in the Alfaseel neighbourhood. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Flooding in Fujairah city: Damage in the Alfaseel neighbourhood. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Flooding in Fujairah city: Damage in the Alfaseel neighbourhood. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Flooding in Fujairah city: Damage in the Alfaseel neighbourhood. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Damage and flooding near the carpet souk area. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Damage and flooding near the carpet souk area. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • An SUV negotiates a flooded Fujairah city road after heavy rain hit parts of the Northern Emirates. Antonie Robertson / The National
    An SUV negotiates a flooded Fujairah city road after heavy rain hit parts of the Northern Emirates. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Roads and residential areas in Fujairah were flooded, displacing many from their homes. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Roads and residential areas in Fujairah were flooded, displacing many from their homes. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Sitting on the fence, residents are all smiles despite pools of standing water forming on roads in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Sitting on the fence, residents are all smiles despite pools of standing water forming on roads in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Civil defence workers help to recover cars in water-logged Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Civil defence workers help to recover cars in water-logged Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The weather bureau has forecast more rain in the next few days. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The weather bureau has forecast more rain in the next few days. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Vehicles submerged in water-logged roads in Fujairah. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Vehicles submerged in water-logged roads in Fujairah. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Car swept away in flash floods lies beside a road in Fujairah. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Car swept away in flash floods lies beside a road in Fujairah. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Waterlogged low lying areas and subways in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Waterlogged low lying areas and subways in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • An overturned car in Fujairah city beside a flooded road. Antonie Robertson / The National
    An overturned car in Fujairah city beside a flooded road. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • More rain is forecast for the UAE's east coast. Antonie Robertson/The National
    More rain is forecast for the UAE's east coast. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Downpours have led to flooding across Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Downpours have led to flooding across Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Flooding in Fujairah city. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Ministry of Defence images show servicemen helping residents in floodwaters in the Northern Emirates. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence
    Ministry of Defence images show servicemen helping residents in floodwaters in the Northern Emirates. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence
  • Flooding in Fujairah city with more rains expected. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Flooding in Fujairah city with more rains expected. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Rescue personnel help residents affected by the flooding in the Northern Emirates. Photo: UAE Ministry Of Defence
    Rescue personnel help residents affected by the flooding in the Northern Emirates. Photo: UAE Ministry Of Defence
  • Servicemen move residents to dry ground. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence
    Servicemen move residents to dry ground. Photo: UAE Ministry of Defence
  • Ministry of Defence images show servicemen helping residents in floodwaters in the Northern Emirates. Photo: UAE MOD
    Ministry of Defence images show servicemen helping residents in floodwaters in the Northern Emirates. Photo: UAE MOD
  • Cars navigate flooded roads in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
    Cars navigate flooded roads in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
  • A car swept away in the floods on the outskirts of Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
    A car swept away in the floods on the outskirts of Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
  • Cars that were washed away by flooding on the outskirts of Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
    Cars that were washed away by flooding on the outskirts of Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
  • The aftermath of flooding in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
    The aftermath of flooding in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
  • Water on the roads in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
    Water on the roads in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
  • A man takes a photo of the floods in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
    A man takes a photo of the floods in Fujairah. Issa Alkindy/The National
  • Families stop at the side of a mountain in Khor Fakkan to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Families stop at the side of a mountain in Khor Fakkan to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Families stop to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Families stop to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Children play in the water flowing down the side of the road. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Children play in the water flowing down the side of the road. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • There was some rockfall in areas along the road. Ruel Pableo for The National
    There was some rockfall in areas along the road. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Families stop at the side of the mountain to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Families stop at the side of the mountain to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • A man clears rocks from the road. Ruel Pableo for The National
    A man clears rocks from the road. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Families stop to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Families stop to play in the water. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Cars navigate a flooded road in Khor Fakkan, amid heavy rains in the city. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Cars navigate a flooded road in Khor Fakkan, amid heavy rains in the city. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Waterlogged roads in the city after torrential rain fell overnight. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Waterlogged roads in the city after torrential rain fell overnight. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Khor Fakkan has experienced two days of intense rainfall. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Khor Fakkan has experienced two days of intense rainfall. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Authorities are urging people to take care in hazardous conditions. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Authorities are urging people to take care in hazardous conditions. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • More wet weather is expected this week, particularly in the Northern Emirates. Ruel Pableo for The National
    More wet weather is expected this week, particularly in the Northern Emirates. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • A cyclist struggles to make progress on a flooded road. Ruel Pableo for The National
    A cyclist struggles to make progress on a flooded road. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Rain was expected in the UAE on July 27. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Rain was expected in the UAE on July 27. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Bouts of heavy rain made for slippery road conditions for motorists in Sharjah. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Bouts of heavy rain made for slippery road conditions for motorists in Sharjah. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Khor Fakkan has borne the brunt of much of the stormy weather. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Khor Fakkan has borne the brunt of much of the stormy weather. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • A waterlogged road in the mountains. Ruel Pableo for The National
    A waterlogged road in the mountains. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • People seek shelter during a downpour. Ruel Pableo for The National
    People seek shelter during a downpour. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • The mountainous area has been lashed by rain. Ruel Pableo for The National
    The mountainous area has been lashed by rain. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • A flooded road in Khor Fakkan. Ruel Pableo for The National
    A flooded road in Khor Fakkan. Ruel Pableo for The National

Flash floods in Sharjah on wet Wednesday across UAE


  • English
  • Arabic

Latest: More rain forecast for UAE as northern emirates workers stay home

Sharjah was hit by flash floods for a second day with drivers in the emirate battling challenging road conditions.

Large pools of standing water formed on roads in Khor Fakkan on Wednesday after similar scenes the previous day.

The East Coast enclave has been lashed by torrential rain during unsettled weather affecting much of the country.

Dramatic footage showed storms light up the early morning sky in the area.

Kalba, also in Sharjah, and Fujairah, were also hit by heavy rain on Wednesday.

The National Centre of Meteorology issued an alert shortly after 5am on Wednesday urging people in eastern areas of the country to take care during hazardous conditions.

People were advised to stay away from areas of flash floods and where pools of rain had accumulated.

The weather centre reported heavy rain in Sharjah, Fujairah and Al Ain between 2am and 4am.

It said there was further rainfall in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah shortly after 6am.

Videos from Storm Centre UAE showed roads badly flooded after torrential rain.

A cyclist navigates a flooded road in Khor Fakkan. Ruel Pableo for The National
A cyclist navigates a flooded road in Khor Fakkan. Ruel Pableo for The National

Residents caught up in wet weather

Emirati fisherman Ahmad Darweesh, from Kalba, said older roads in the area were worst hit by the weather.

“Several roads and mainly old ones have been flooded but the municipality is on site and I saw them dealing with the issue suing pumps to reduce the amount of water,” he said.

“One of the roads I passed by near the Clock Tower was flooded from pavement to pavements.

“The rain is very heavy. It started yesterday and would stop for only five or ten minutes then resume.”

Khalid Saleem, who lives in Khor Fakkan, said water flooded the street and the pavement before it made its way inside the fitness centre he works at.

"Some machines were also flooded by water not just the floor."

He said most shops on the same street are facing the same problem which regularly happens during spells of heavy rain.

It was a similarly soggy story in Fujairah.

Khalid Salim from the Merbah area of the emirate, said some poorly-maintained roads quickly flooded.

“They are full of cracks and holes that are now flooded by rain water,” he said.

“It was very heavy around dawn but is now moderate, it didn’t stop though.”

Fatima Al Shujaa, head of media department at Dibba Fujairah Municipality, said no flooding of homes had been reported but the authority remained on alert.

Police in Fujairah called on drivers to stay away from flooded areas and to keep a safe distance from other vehicles during the rainy weather.

Unstable weather in the UAE and Oman is expected to continue for the next few days, with haze and rain expected in some areas.

Forecasters at the NCM said it will be cloudy over scattered areas of the Emirates on Wednesday.

The centre said wet weather was in prospect because of the formation of convective clouds until 9pm on Wednesday.

The temperature is likely to fall slightly too, with lows of 29°C in Dubai and 30°C in Abu Dhabi, but the weather is expected to clear up by Saturday.

Thursday looks to be similar, with fresh winds and possible rain likely to continue. However, the NCM predicted a slight increase in temperature, with lows of 30°C in Dubai and 31°C in Abu Dhabi.

On Tuesday, the weather forecaster issued an alert over dusty conditions as rain fell across the country.

On its Twitter page, footage was shared showing challenging driving conditions during downpours in Dubai and Sharjah, and police authorities issued warnings urging people to drive carefully and stay away from wadis.

Wet in Oman

There was a wet start to the day in Oman on Wednesday, with heavy rain forecast from early morning, with sunnier intervals by lunchtime.

Dry weather is then set to continue for the rest of the week, with the temperature expected to rise to 32°C by the end of the week.

Essentials

The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.

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 

Anna and the Apocalypse

Director: John McPhail

Starring: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Mark Benton

Three stars

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

The Specs

Engine 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 582bhp (542bhp in GTS model)

Torque: 730Nm

Price: Dh649,000 (Dh549,000 for GTS) 

The specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: nine-speed

Power: 542bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh848,000

On sale: now

No%20Windmills%20in%20Basra
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Diaa%20Jubaili%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20180%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublisher%3A%20Deep%20Vellum%20Publishing%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership

China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.

1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.

2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe. 

3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.

4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects. 

5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.

6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.

7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime. 

8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism. 

9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.

10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.

 

 

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
MATCH INFO

AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports

Top Hundred overseas picks

London Spirit: Kieron Pollard, Riley Meredith 

Welsh Fire: Adam Zampa, David Miller, Naseem Shah 

Manchester Originals: Andre Russell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sean Abbott

Northern Superchargers: Dwayne Bravo, Wahab Riaz

Oval Invincibles: Sunil Narine, Rilee Rossouw

Trent Rockets: Colin Munro

Birmingham Phoenix: Matthew Wade, Kane Richardson

Southern Brave: Quinton de Kock

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Ready Player One
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance

SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELong-range%20dual%20motor%20with%20400V%20battery%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E360kW%20%2F%20483bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E840Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20628km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210kph%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh360%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

The Internet
Hive Mind
four stars

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch

Power: 710bhp

Torque: 770Nm

Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds

Top Speed: 340km/h

Price: Dh1,000,885

On sale: now

British Grand Prix free practice times in the third and final session at Silverstone on Saturday (top five):

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.063 (18 laps)

2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:28.095 (14)

3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:28.137 (20)

4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:28.732 (15)

5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault)  1:29.480 (14)

MATCH INFO

Serie A

Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)

Match is on BeIN Sports

ABU DHABI ORDER OF PLAY

Starting at 10am:

Daria Kasatkina v Qiang Wang

Veronika Kudermetova v Annet Kontaveit (10)

Maria Sakkari (9) v Anastasia Potapova

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Ons Jabeur (15)

Donna Vekic (16) v Bernarda Pera 

Ekaterina Alexandrova v Zarina Diyas

Tell Me Who I Am

Director: Ed Perkins

Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis

Four stars

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

THE DETAILS

Kaala

Dir: Pa. Ranjith

Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar  

Rating: 1.5/5 

Total eligible population

About 57.5 million people
51.1 million received a jab
6.4 million have not

Where are the unvaccinated?

England 11%
Scotland 9%
Wales 10%
Northern Ireland 14% 

Dubai World Cup factbox

Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)

Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)

Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)

Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)

MATCH DETAILS

Manchester United 3

Greenwood (21), Martial (33), Rashford (49)

Partizan Belgrade 0

Who are the Sacklers?

The Sackler family is a transatlantic dynasty that owns Purdue Pharma, which manufactures and markets OxyContin, one of the drugs at the centre of America's opioids crisis. The family is well known for their generous philanthropy towards the world's top cultural institutions, including Guggenheim Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate in Britain, Yale University and the Serpentine Gallery, to name a few. Two branches of the family control Purdue Pharma.

Isaac Sackler and Sophie Greenberg were Jewish immigrants who arrived in New York before the First World War. They had three sons. The first, Arthur, died before OxyContin was invented. The second, Mortimer, who died aged 93 in 2010, was a former chief executive of Purdue Pharma. The third, Raymond, died aged 97 in 2017 and was also a former chief executive of Purdue Pharma. 

It was Arthur, a psychiatrist and pharmaceutical marketeer, who started the family business dynasty. He and his brothers bought a small company called Purdue Frederick; among their first products were laxatives and prescription earwax remover.

Arthur's branch of the family has not been involved in Purdue for many years and his daughter, Elizabeth, has spoken out against it, saying the company's role in America's drugs crisis is "morally abhorrent".

The lawsuits that were brought by the attorneys general of New York and Massachussetts named eight Sacklers. This includes Kathe, Mortimer, Richard, Jonathan and Ilene Sackler Lefcourt, who are all the children of either Mortimer or Raymond. Then there's Theresa Sackler, who is Mortimer senior's widow; Beverly, Raymond's widow; and David Sackler, Raymond's grandson.

Members of the Sackler family are rarely seen in public.

HOW DO SIM CARD SCAMS WORK?

Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.

They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards, often by claiming their phone has been lost or stolen 

They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.

The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.

Uefa Nations League

League A:
Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, France, England, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Croatia, Netherlands

League B:
Austria, Wales, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Turkey

League C:
Hungary, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Norway, Montenegro, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania

League D:
Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Malta, Andorra, Kosovo, San Marino, Gibraltar

Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain

West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership

UAE Premiership
}Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes

UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby

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PULITZER PRIZE 2020 WINNERS

JOURNALISM 

Public Service
Anchorage Daily News in collaboration with ProPublica

Breaking News Reporting
Staff of The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky.

Investigative Reporting
Brian M. Rosenthal of The New York Times

Explanatory Reporting
Staff of The Washington Post

Local Reporting  
Staff of The Baltimore Sun

National Reporting
T. Christian Miller, Megan Rose and Robert Faturechi of ProPublica

and    

Dominic Gates, Steve Miletich, Mike Baker and Lewis Kamb of The Seattle Times

International Reporting
Staff of The New York Times

Feature Writing
Ben Taub of The New Yorker

Commentary
Nikole Hannah-Jones of The New York Times

Criticism
Christopher Knight of the Los Angeles Times

Editorial Writing
Jeffery Gerritt of the Palestine (Tx.) Herald-Press

Editorial Cartooning
Barry Blitt, contributor, The New Yorker

Breaking News Photography
Photography Staff of Reuters

Feature Photography
Channi Anand, Mukhtar Khan and Dar Yasin of the Associated Press

Audio Reporting
Staff of This American Life with Molly O’Toole of the Los Angeles Times and Emily Green, freelancer, Vice News for “The Out Crowd”

LETTERS AND DRAMA

Fiction
"The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday)

Drama
"A Strange Loop" by Michael R. Jackson

History
"Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America" by W. Caleb McDaniel (Oxford University Press)

Biography
"Sontag: Her Life and Work" by Benjamin Moser (Ecco/HarperCollins)

Poetry
"The Tradition" by Jericho Brown (Copper Canyon Press)

General Nonfiction
"The Undying: Pain, Vulnerability, Mortality, Medicine, Art, Time, Dreams, Data, Exhaustion, Cancer, and Care" by Anne Boyer (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

and

"The End of the Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America" by Greg Grandin (Metropolitan Books)

Music
"The Central Park Five" by Anthony Davis, premiered by Long Beach Opera on June 15, 2019

Special Citation
Ida B. Wells

 

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

FIXTURES

Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm

Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: from Dh317,671

On sale: now

The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

Price, base: Dh1,731,672

Engine: 6.5-litre V12

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm

Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm

Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km

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WWE Super ShowDown results

Seth Rollins beat Baron Corbin to retain his WWE Universal title

Finn Balor defeated Andrade to stay WWE Intercontinental Championship

Shane McMahon defeated Roman Reigns

Lars Sullivan won by disqualification against Lucha House Party

Randy Orton beats Triple H

Braun Strowman beats Bobby Lashley

Kofi Kingston wins against Dolph Zigggler to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Mansoor Al Shehail won the 50-man Battle Royal

The Undertaker beat Goldberg

 

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The chef's advice

Troy Payne, head chef at Abu Dhabi’s newest healthy eatery Sanderson’s in Al Seef Resort & Spa, says singles need to change their mindset about how they approach the supermarket.

“They feel like they can’t buy one cucumber,” he says. “But I can walk into a shop – I feed two people at home – and I’ll walk into a shop and I buy one cucumber, I’ll buy one onion.”

Mr Payne asks for the sticker to be placed directly on each item, rather than face the temptation of filling one of the two-kilogram capacity plastic bags on offer.

The chef also advises singletons not get too hung up on “organic”, particularly high-priced varieties that have been flown in from far-flung locales. Local produce is often grown sustainably, and far cheaper, he says.

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Updated: July 28, 2022, 4:10 AM