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Abu Dhabi, UAEWednesday 14 April 2021

US soldiers patrol a village in Afghanistan's Khost province.  AFP 

US forces to leave Afghanistan by September 11
Seven million people in the US have received Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine. Reuters

US to pause Johnson & Johnson vaccine distribution

The Americas
Katie Wright, left, the mother of Daunte Wright, and other family and friends gather during a news conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AP

Minnesota police chief and officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright resign

The Americas
US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry attends a joint news conference at the Bercy Finance Ministry in Paris, France, March 10, 2021. Reuters

Climate emergency: John Kerry heads to China to discuss global emissions

World
EDITOR'S PICKS
Worshippers perform dhuhr prayers inside the Masjid Muhammad in Washington on the first day of Ramadan. Willy Lowry / The National

With vaccine comes a slightly more ‘normal’ Ramadan for American Muslims

The Americas
The UAE will send a rover to the Moon on Japan's next space mission in 2022. Borja Suarez / Reuters

UAE aims to land Rashid rover on Moon's surface by 2022

Science
The non-profit America First Policy Institute (AFPI) reportedly has 40 staffers and a $20 million first-year budget. AP

Trump think tank keeps America First agenda alive

The Americas

The claim 'diplomacy is back' falls flat if world leaders keep up the name calling

Sholto Byrnes
The UAE moved from 16th to 15th place on the Henley Passport Index over the past few months, and up 50 spots in a decade. Unsplash

World's most and least powerful passports in 2021:
US President Joe Biden pauses at the casket of slain US Capitol Police officer William Evans during a ceremony at the Capitol in Washington. Reuters

Biden and members of Congress pay tribute to US Capitol Police officer killed by motorist
A member of the moon sighting committee looks through a telescope to view the moon ahead of Ramadan to mark the beginning of the holy fasting month, near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 12, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Ramadan begins in the Gulf - best pictures
The World Trade Centre, still under construction, as seen behind dunes, late 1970s. Courtesy of Gordon Heald.

'Showpiece City' tells Dubai's story through architecture
Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman will air pre-recorded shows on its YouTube channel in May and June 2021. Courtesy Royal Opera House Muscat

10 pieces of classical music you need to hear
Date gift selection in hand crafted wooden box, Dh815, Bateel

Ramadan: 30 gift ideas for the holy month to suit all budgets
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Muslims around the world would observe Ramadan 'differently' due to the pandemic.  AP

Blinken thanks Muslims for Covid-19 ‘resilience’ in Ramadan message
A street of elegant Victorian Edwardian luxury houses in the exclusive area of South Kensington, London. Alamy Stock Photo

Top of the world: London the global hotspot for luxury homes
Coronavirus
Dubai returnee Emma Kelly has been released from hotel quarantine after bringing a case in Ireland's High Court. Alamy

Dubai returnee released from Irish hotel quarantine

Europe
The UAE has conducted one of the most successful vaccination campaigns in the world. AFP

UAE authorities urge young people to have Covid-19 vaccine

UAE Government
Israel is reopening to vaccinated travellers from May 23, according to the country's Ministry of Tourism.. Unsplash

Israel to reopen for vaccinated travellers in May

Travel
New data suggests a quarter of Covid deaths in the UK were not caused by the disease. Getty Images

One in four UK Covid-19 deaths not caused by disease

Europe
World
Tugboats pull the container ship 'Ever Given' after it was fully dislodged from the banks of the Suez Canal. Suez Canal Authority / AFP

Egypt seeks out-of-court financial settlement with owners of 'Ever Given' ship

Egypt

'Why have you abandoned us?': the Afghan families left to grieve alone after horror attacks

Asia

Bread crisis in Lebanon could lead to loss of hundreds of jobs

Lebanon

Fukushima: Japan to start releasing 1.25 million tonnes of treated radioactive water into sea

Asia
Business
The UAE on Monday reviewed progress on action plans to fight money laundering and countering terrorism financing. Victor Besa / The National 

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed reviews country's action plans to fight financial crimes

Economy

10 start-ups graduate from Abu Dhabi's Techstars Hub71 Accelerator programme

Technology

Spring Loaded: What to expect from Apple’s April 20 event

Technology

Dubai International Financial Centre drafts intellectual property rules

Markets
Opinion
The Natanz facility is at the centre of Iran's nuclear programme. EPA

Explosion at Iran plant gives Biden time

Editorial

The claim 'diplomacy is back' falls flat if world leaders keep up the name calling

Comment

With Singapore’s succession line in flux, an unusual drama is playing out

Comment

Tanzania’s first female leader has steel in her veins

Comment

Violence in Northern Ireland has awakened fears of the Troubles

Comment
OPERATION 300bn
A hydroponic farm in Dubai. Food security is one of five priority sectors that Emirates Development Bank seeks to support. Antonie Robertson / The National.

Emirates Development Bank to sign deals with five partner banks

Banking
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs, with Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and EDB's chairman, at the launch of EDB Strategy.

How will Emirates Development Bank help the UAE to achieve its Operation 300bn goals?

Economy
Taqa's 1.2-gigawatt Noor Abu Dhabi solar park. The company will generate more than 30 per cent of its power from renewable sources by 2030. Taqa

Abu Dhabi's Taqa to invest Dh40bn and expand its push into renewables as part of 2030 strategy

Energy
UAE firepower by Caracal at Idex 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National 

10 things that are made in the UAE, from perfume to plane parts

UAE
UAE
Tourists take an Abra ride through Dubai's Madinat Jumeirah resort. Courtesy: Dubai Tourism

Dubai hotels brace for 'summer like no other'

Students do better in exams when taught online, UAE study shows

The Debt Panel: 'How many credit card instalments can I miss before my bank files a police case?'

Coronavirus: Sharjah reduces PCR test result validity to 72 hours for all passengers

Arts & Culture
Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl have teamed up for a hard-rock pandemic anthem called 'Eazy Sleazy'. AP Photo

'Easy Sleazy': Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl release song about lockdown life

Jennifer Lopez to star in concert raising funds for Covid-19 vaccines

Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer joins the cast of 'Black Adam'

From Beethoven to Bach: 10 pieces of classical music you need to hear

'The Christmas Pig': JK Rowling to release new children's book
Lifestyle
The UAE moved from 16th to 15th place on the Henley Passport Index over the past few months, and up 50 spots in a decade. Unsplash

The world's most and least powerful passports in 2021: UAE moves up list

Ramadan 2021: 28 outfit ideas to see you through the holy month

France looks to ban short-haul domestic flights if trains are available

Popcorn salad anyone? Why this viral food trend is dividing the internet

Baftas 2021: Stars walk the red carpet – Priyanka Chopra to Phoebe Dynevor
Travel
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa offers endless untouched dune views from your private infinity pool. Courtesy Marriott Hotels

A review of Dubai's Al Maha Desert Resort: two decades after it first opened

Israel to reopen for vaccinated travellers in May

Dubai hotels brace for 'summer like no other'

New AR app aims to highlight Dubai destinations' Covid-19 policies

The world's most and least powerful passports in 2021: UAE moves up list
Technology
Techstars started its first accelerator programme in Abu Dhabi in January last year. Victor Besa / The National

10 start-ups graduate from Abu Dhabi's Techstars Hub71 Accelerator programme

Technology

Spring Loaded: What to expect from Apple’s April 20 event

Technology

Facebook Oversight Board allows appeals on content that remains online

Technology

Ride-hailing firm Grab agrees to $40bn merger with 'blank cheque' company

Markets

Ramadan 2021: Online shopping trend to accelerate during the holy month

Technology
Motoring
A steely glance from the new Toyota Corolla Cross. All photos courtesy Toyota

New Toyota Corolla Cross arrives in the UAE – and it's a bit of a surprise

Hummer resurrected: Meet the brand new fully-electric super truck

Custom-made Land Rover to carry Prince Philip to funeral

New Volkswagen Teramont takes on tough terrain in Hatta

Liability or lifeline: how did you use your car during the pandemic?
Sport
epa09122934 Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno in action during the UEFA Europa League quarter final, 1st leg match between Arsenal London and Slavia Prague in London, Britain, 08 April 2021. EPA/NEIL HALL

Leno and Arteta stress importance of Arsenal beating Slavia Prague

Euro comeback kings Liverpool need another miraculous night at Anfield

Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak banned from all cricket for eight years

'If we don’t win, I’ll be a failure': City manager Guardiola says defeat not an option

Five managers who could replace Mourinho at Tottenham
Podcasts
William Li, chief executive officer of Nio Inc., front right, uses a smartphone to take a photograph during an event marking the rollout of the company’s 100,000th electric vehicle at the automaker’s factory in Hefei, Anhui province, China, on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Nio said it delivered 7,257 cars last month, bringing its first quarter total to 20,060 vehicles - a 423% jump from the previous year period. Photograph: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

Can the reality of the electric vehicle market justify the hype?

Dubai rent freeze, UAE passports, 2,022 new cases - The Daily Update

Ramadan Kareem, Dubai’s driverless taxis, Dubai police patrols, 1,928 new cases - Daily Update

Why salaries in the UAE will remain stable in 2021 – Pocketful of Dirhams

Sheikh Khalifa pardons, Dubai restaurants, UAE's first digital bank, 1,810 new cases - The Daily Update
#STAYHOME
From left: quinoa harira soup, vegan cheese samboosas, cauliflower musakkhan and salted caramel date cake. Courtesy One Arab Vegan

A vegan iftar: Plant-based recipes for a four-course Ramadan meal

28 of the best Ramadan TV shows to watch in the UAE

Greatest Ramadan hits: 10 classic series you can still watch online

Sharjah to broadcast more than 130 shows in Ramadan

16 home spa, nail and hairdressing services in the UAE
LONG READS
Members of the Mesopotamia Commission, set up to discuss the future of Mesopotamia at the Cairo Conference, in 1921. Pictured are Gertrude Bell (second from left, second row), T E Lawrence (fourth from the right, second row), Winston Churchill (centre, front row), and Herbert Samuel, 1st Viscount Samuel (left of Churchill). Getty

How Winston Churchill’s ‘40 thieves’ carved out the modern Middle East

Egypt
Scholemoor Cemetery in Bradford, northern England, has struggled to cope with an increase in burials during the pandemic. Getty

How Covid-blighted UK city Bradford has fought back against virus

World
Shorthand teaser. Getty Images

Lessons in Covid lockdown: Resilience, routines and self-recognition

World
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg uses outsourcing firms to employ content moderators. PA

Backlash at Facebook’s outsourcing firms policing social media

World
The UAE moved from 16th to 15th place on the Henley Passport Index over the past few months, and up 50 spots in a decade. Unsplash

World's most and least powerful passports in 2021:
US President Joe Biden pauses at the casket of slain US Capitol Police officer William Evans during a ceremony at the Capitol in Washington. Reuters

Biden and members of Congress pay tribute to US Capitol Police officer killed by motorist
A member of the moon sighting committee looks through a telescope to view the moon ahead of Ramadan to mark the beginning of the holy fasting month, near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 12, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Ramadan begins in the Gulf - best pictures
The World Trade Centre, still under construction, as seen behind dunes, late 1970s. Courtesy of Gordon Heald.

'Showpiece City' tells Dubai's story through architecture
Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman will air pre-recorded shows on its YouTube channel in May and June 2021. Courtesy Royal Opera House Muscat

10 pieces of classical music you need to hear
Date gift selection in hand crafted wooden box, Dh815, Bateel

Ramadan: 30 gift ideas for the holy month to suit all budgets
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Muslims around the world would observe Ramadan 'differently' due to the pandemic.  AP

Blinken thanks Muslims for Covid-19 ‘resilience’ in Ramadan message
A street of elegant Victorian Edwardian luxury houses in the exclusive area of South Kensington, London. Alamy Stock Photo

Top of the world: London the global hotspot for luxury homes