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Abu Dhabi, UAESunday 18 April 2021

US Marines carry their equipment as British and US troops withdraw from the Camp Bastion-Leatherneck complex at Lashkar Gah in Helmand province on October 26, 2014. AFP Photo

US may briefly raise number of troops in Afghanistan to assist withdrawal
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (left) and Prince Harry follow the coffin during the ceremonial funeral procession of Prince Philip. AFP/pool

Royal funeral finds time for William and Harry to talk

Europe
Migrants and refugees of different nationalities wait for assistance aboard an overcrowded wooden boat in the Mediterranean Sea. AP 

Biden to announce new increased US refugee cap by May 15

The Americas
A SpaceX Starship SN8 rocket taking off during a test flight from the company's facility in Boca Chica,Texas, in December. Reuters

Elon Musk beats Jeff Bezos to win Nasa Moon flight contract

Technology
EDITOR'S PICKS
Mourner at at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. AP/pool

Prince Philip laid to rest at Windsor Castle near London

World
Roger Stone said claims of him living a lavish lifestyle were 'a laughable joke'. AP Photo

Former Donald Trump ally Roger Stone sued by US Justice Department

The Americas
First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party Raul Castro attending the opening session of the eighth congress of the Cuban Communist Party. Cuban News Agency/AFP

Raul Castro to resign as head of Cuba's Community Party

The Americas

If Biden cannot lead on Afghanistan, Taliban rule will follow

Con Coughlin
Los Angeles Lakers fans attend the NBA game between the Boston Celtics and the Lakers at Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California. EPA

Lakers fans return to Staples Centre for first time in over a year - in pictures
ROME, ITALY - APRIL 15: A detail from Gucci Aria collection on April 15, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ernesto S. Ruscio/Getty Images for Gucci)

Gucci sends a rabbit down the runway for Aria collection
An injured man stands inside the wrecked site of the port of Beirut while firefighters work to put out the fires that engulfed the warehouses after the explosion. Lorenzo Tugnoli/ Contrasto for The Washington Post

In pictures: World Press Photo contest winners and runners up
Workers near a stained glass window under the vaults at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. EPA

France aims to start Notre Dame restoration two years after destructive fire
Malek Jandali focuses all his indefatigable energies on composing, humanitarian projects and philanthropy. 'There’s an urgency,' he says. 'Time is ticking. That’s our most valuable asset.' Courtesy Malek Jandali  

Chords for accord: Malek Jandali hopes to spread harmony throughout Syria
Lentil soup with Swiss chard and aniseed cake with tahini glaze are two of the dishes included in The National's collection of daily Ramadan dishes with Table Tales. The National / Victor Besa, courtesy Maie Jeneidi

Ramadan recipes: daily dishes to try from the 'Table Tales' series

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?

Adam Driver and Lady Gaga seen on set in the first picture from upcoming film 'House of Gucci'. Lady Gaga / Instagram

Gucci heirs worry over family depiction in new film
Coronavirus
The Maldives aims to offer tourists the chance to be vaccinated during their holiday. Velaa Private Island

Maldives to offer Covid-19 vaccine to tourists

Travel
Progressive taxation could be an option to raise additional revenue for governments across the globe, according to the IMF. Reuters

Taxes on high-income earners and corporations can help countries recover from Covid-19 pandemic, IMF says

Economy
An official records body temperature of voters queueing up at a polling station to cast their ballot during the 5th phase of West Bengal's state legislative assembly elections. AFP 

India Covid-19 cases reach 'truly frightening' 250,000 per day

Asia
A volunteer with Pacific Beach Coalition, pulls the ear loops off of a discarded surgical mask while picking up trash near Pacifica Esplanade Beach. Getty Images/AFP 

Discarded masks litter beaches worldwide and threaten sea life

The Americas
World
Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Iran’s enrichment of uranium to 60 per cent was a clear step towards a nuclear bomb. EPA, Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry

Iran’s 60% enrichment a ‘clear step to a bomb,’ says Arab League head

MENA

Iraq: explosion rocks Baghdad's Sadr City

Iraq

Australia says Afghanistan withdrawal a ‘milestone’ as reactions roll in

Oceania

India’s Covid-19 second wave prompts queues of ambulances and full crematoriums

Asia
Business
An office complex in Frankfurt with the KPMG logo. A KPMG study said chief executives are planning for scenarios that might result in an uneven recovery Bloomberg 

Businesses are not expected to return to normal until 2022, new KPMG study finds

Economy

UAE reviews plans to launch federal gold trading platform

Economy

‘What happens if I don’t return to my job in Dubai after my holiday ends?’

Money

Oman introduces 5% VAT on goods and services

Economy
Opinion
The UN increasingly is invested in tackling the tragedy of gender-based violence in wars. AFP

Ending war's most taboo weapon

Editorial

Yellen's global tax rate idea first step for progressive agenda

Comment

The heroes I met fighting Iran’s brutal prison system

Comment

The price of iftar is soaring across much of the Arab world

Editorial

If Biden cannot lead on Afghanistan, Taliban rule will follow

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
A draft law to freeze rents in Dubai for three years has found support from tenants and landlords in the emirate. Antonie Robertson / The National

Dubai draft law to freeze rents will provide 'peace of mind' for landlords

Sheikh Mohamed calls UK's Prince Charles to offer condolences on the death of Prince Philip

Dubai Police responds to 65 distress calls at sea

Traffic update: diversion on Dubai-Al Ain Road as new flyover opens

UAE weather: Dubai and Abu Dhabi to see low-30s
Arts & Culture
Al Pacino leaves Palazzo Parigi in Milan, Italy, where 'House of Gucci' is being filmed. AP

'Fat, short, really ugly': Why the Gucci family are wrong about Al Pacino

Oscar-nominated songs to be performed from new LA film museum roof-top and a tiny town in Iceland

'Black Panther' director won't boycott Georgia for superhero sequel

David Attenborough's 'The Year Earth Changed' shows the silver lining to a year of pandemic

From zombie flicks to martial arts movies: 5 films inspired by Romeo and Juliet
Lifestyle
The Maldives aims to offer tourists the chance to be vaccinated during their holiday. Velaa Private Island

Maldives to offer Covid-19 vaccine to tourists

Upgrade Ikea furniture: Say no to cookie-cutter cabinets and sofas

Kanye West's Nike Air Yeezy 1 sneakers set to sell for $1 million at auction

Officer Clarence, America's first official comfort dog, meets president Joe Biden

'Salt Bae' sued for $5 million over 'salt-sprinkling' mural
Travel
The Maldives aims to offer tourists the chance to be vaccinated during their holiday. Velaa Private Island

Maldives to offer Covid-19 vaccine to tourists

11 daycation offers in Abu Dhabi, Ras al Khaimah, Ajman and Fujairah

Anthony Bourdain's new book is a guidebook to the places he loved best

Emirates starts trialling Iata's coronavirus travel passport

Greece to lift quarantine rule for travellers from UAE, UK and US
Technology
A SpaceX Starship SN8 rocket taking off during a test flight from the company's facility in Boca Chica,Texas, in December. Reuters

Elon Musk beats Jeff Bezos to win Nasa Moon flight contract

Technology

Crypto craze fuels Dogecoin rise from joke to $50bn

Banking

Apple rolls out $200m fund in bid to reduce carbon

Technology

Google misled consumers about use of location data, Australian court rules

Technology

Google Earth adds time-lapse video to depict climate change

Technology
Motoring
Volkswagen Middle East launch the eighth iteration of the Golf GTI in time for Ramadan, alongside a T-Roc baby SUV and face-lifted Teramont

Volkswagen Middle East releases three cars in two weeks to cash in on Ramadan buyers

Future positive for UAE motoring, says Al-Futtaim chief

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
Sport
Soccer Football - FA Cup Semi Final - Chelsea v Manchester City - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 17, 2021 Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech celebrates scoring their first goal with Timo Werner Pool via REUTERS/Adam Davy

City quadruple dreams over after Ziyech scores FA Cup semi-final winner for Chelsea

'A chance lost' for West Ham after Newcastle dent top-four hopes

Manager Flick says that he wants to leave Bayern at end of season

Ronaldo out of Juve's clash with Atalanta because 'he has played too many games'

Fans finally welcomed back to watch sport in England - in pictures
Podcasts
A pedestrian uses an umbrella during a downpour in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Ramadan rain, UAE's moon rover, 1,798 new cases - The Daily Update

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
#STAYHOME
Swedish nasheed singer Maher Zain appears in a number of Ramadan-specific playlists across major streaming sites. Courtesy Youness Hamiddine/Mawazine

From playlists to podcasts: what streamers have in store this Ramadan

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
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
Los Angeles Lakers fans attend the NBA game between the Boston Celtics and the Lakers at Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California. EPA

Lakers fans return to Staples Centre for first time in over a year - in pictures
ROME, ITALY - APRIL 15: A detail from Gucci Aria collection on April 15, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ernesto S. Ruscio/Getty Images for Gucci)

Gucci sends a rabbit down the runway for Aria collection
An injured man stands inside the wrecked site of the port of Beirut while firefighters work to put out the fires that engulfed the warehouses after the explosion. Lorenzo Tugnoli/ Contrasto for The Washington Post

In pictures: World Press Photo contest winners and runners up
Workers near a stained glass window under the vaults at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. EPA

France aims to start Notre Dame restoration two years after destructive fire
Malek Jandali focuses all his indefatigable energies on composing, humanitarian projects and philanthropy. 'There’s an urgency,' he says. 'Time is ticking. That’s our most valuable asset.' Courtesy Malek Jandali  

Chords for accord: Malek Jandali hopes to spread harmony throughout Syria
Lentil soup with Swiss chard and aniseed cake with tahini glaze are two of the dishes included in The National's collection of daily Ramadan dishes with Table Tales. The National / Victor Besa, courtesy Maie Jeneidi

Ramadan recipes: daily dishes to try from the 'Table Tales' series

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?

Adam Driver and Lady Gaga seen on set in the first picture from upcoming film 'House of Gucci'. Lady Gaga / Instagram

Gucci heirs worry over family depiction in new film