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Abu Dhabi, UAESunday 11 April 2021

The US Capitol building in Washington, US. President Joe Biden's budget proposals have displeased both left and right. Getty Images

Biden proposes increase to defence and diplomatic budgets
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Israel on April 11, 2021. Reuters

Israel to 'work closely' with US on new Iran deal, defence minister says

MENA
The UAE's latest astronauts, Mohammed Al Mulla and Nora Al Matrooshi        

UAE announces the Arab world’s first woman astronaut

Science
A protester with an image of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi on the arm joins anti-coup protest march in Yangon, Myanmar, April 10, 2021. AP

Myanmar: at least 82 killed in bloodiest day since protests began

World
EDITOR'S PICKS
A couple receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine by general practitioners Julia Erekul-Tschirner and Kerem Erekul in their doctors practice in Berlin, Germany, April 10, 2021. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

South African variant can 'break through' Pfizer vaccine, study finds

MENA
From left, Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo, Viola Davis, Michael Potts and Glynn Turman in Bafta-winning 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. AP

All that jazz at Baftas as 'Ma Rainey' wins twice on opening night

Film
Courtesy WWE 

9 memorable celebrity appearances at WrestleMania

Lifestyle

Pushback against Biden's hopes of a breakthrough in Vienna

Raghida Dergham
Shalimar Sharbatly with one of her hand-painted creations. Via Twitter

Artist Shalimar Sharbatly to transform Jeddah streets with painted cars
Peplum sweat top, Dh135, ASOS. Courtesy ASOS

Ramadan 2021: 28 outfit ideas to see you through the holy month
Alicia Keys performed for the students and staff at an all-girls' school in Al Ula. AFP

Watch: Alicia Keys serenades students in Saudi Arabia
Britain's Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip (L), in his role as the Regiment?s Colonel in Chief, is seen visiting The Queen?s Royal Hussars in Basra in this handout photograph released on October 22, 2006, by the Ministry of Defence. Prince Philip told the troops he thought most people in Britain had "a great deal of sympathy for those of you at the sharp end who are trying to do your best to make life civilized and tolerable for the locals." EDITORIAL USE ONLY. QUALITY FROM SOURCE. REUTERS/Ministry of Defence/Handout (IRAQ)

Prince Philip and the Middle East: A look back – in pictures
The eruption of La Soufriere Volcano seen from Rillan Hill in Saint Vincent. AFP

Volcano erupts in southern Caribbean, sparking evacuation 'frenzy'
A fan attaches balloons during a vigil for musician and actor DMX outside White Plains Hospital, where it is reported he is being warded following a heart attack during a drug overdose, in White Plains, New York, U.S., April 6, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Fan's story of meeting rapper DMX goes viral
Jordanian singer Issam Alnajjar topped Spotify's Global Viral 50 charts and released a new remix of his viral song 'Hadal Ahbek' today. Courtesy Issam Alnajjar

Jordanian teen whose song went viral releases new track
A photo taken from Facebook of the iPhone after it was recovered from Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan. Courtesy Bao Fei 1 Commune (爆廢1公社) Facebook group

Man finds lost iPhone as severe drought dries Taiwan lake
Coronavirus
A couple receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine by general practitioners Julia Erekul-Tschirner and Kerem Erekul in their doctors practice in Berlin, Germany, April 10, 2021. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

South African variant can 'break through' Pfizer vaccine, study finds

MENA
Emirates Airline organised a special flight with only vaccinated passengers and crew onboard. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Emirates operates charity flight with only vaccinated passengers and crew

Health
Three of the four Johnson & Johnson clotting incidents occurred in the US where the shot has been given to almost five million people. AFP

EU regulator probes Johnson & Johnson vaccine blood clot links

Europe
The UAE has implemented one of the fastest Covid-19 vaccination programmes in the world. EPA

Coronavirus: UAE records 1,810 new cases with infections under 2,000 for three days in a row

Health
World
The move by US President Joe Biden's administration formalises increasingly vocal US support for Taiwan. Reuters

US issues guidelines to encourage more Taiwan interaction

The Americas

Iran's Rouhani says Vienna nuclear talks open 'new chapter'

Europe

Syrians fight back against deportation from Denmark on social media

Europe

Egypt's El Sisi warns Ethiopia: all options are on the table

Africa
Business
A lab technician carries out tests for Covid-19 detection at MenaLabs Medical Laboratory in Abu Dhabi. Like the rest of the world, the Middle East and North Africa faces a battle between accelerating vaccinations and the spread of the virus, which will determines the economic recovery. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Mena region faces a ‘turning point’ and needs to press on with reforms as it recovers from pandemic, IMF says

Economy

GE reaches financial close on Iraqi power sector overhaul

Energy

UAE outlines plans for developing energy, housing, infrastructure and transportation sectors

Economy

Dubai's non-oil economy continues to improve in March on vaccine optimism

Economy
Opinion
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, presents an Abu Dhabi Award to Fatima Alsayedyousef Al Refaei during an awards ceremony at Qasr Al Hosn. MOPA

Awarding champions in civil society is the way to progress

Editorial

Pushback against Biden's hopes of a breakthrough in Vienna

Comment

Even as it looks ahead, UAE will be proud of its achievements

Comment

Prince Philip's activism paved way for Greta and many like her

Comment

Montreal's long winter nights during the pandemic

Comment
OPERATION 300bn
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
The Adma Enterprise rig off Abu Dhabi's Das Island in 1958. Oil was discovered that year.  BP Archive

From diving for pearls to flying to Mars - a short history of UAE industry

UAE
UAE
The Dubai skyline. Business activity in the emriate's non-oil private sector continued to improve in March. Alamy

Dubai's non-oil economy continues to improve in March on vaccine optimism

Dubai's home workers recreate office atmosphere in hotels and restaurants

Love match: Dubai businessman's gift of life from wife

Ministry of Interior to conduct security drills across UAE

Neymar tournament inspires Emirati to develop women’s football
Arts & Culture
Night 1 of WrestleMania 37 got underway on Saturday. Courtesy WWE 

WrestleMania 37's top moments: Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks steal the show

What we know about Coldplay’s new album: from title to possible tour

Jordanian teen Issam Alnajjar appears on Spotify's Times Square billboard

'Parasite' director Bong Joon-Ho shares thoughts on anti-Asian violence

Why DMX was one of hip-hop's most successful and loved artists
Lifestyle
Reigning Mrs World Caroline Jurie, left, forcibly removes Mrs Sri Lanka winner Pushpika De Silva's crown as Jurie declared that the winner was ineligible because she was divorced during the Mrs Sri Lanka pageant in Colombo on April 4, 2021. Reuters

Mrs Sri Lanka and 5 more dramatic beauty pageant moments caught on camera

The 36 greatest gowns to ever hit the Baftas red carpet

Custom-made Land Rover to carry Prince Philip to funeral

9 memorable celebrity appearances at WrestleMania: from Mr T to Kim Kardashian

Met Gala to return for 2021 with Amanda Gorman in the running to host
Travel
An aerial view of Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Hotels in the UAE had the second highest occupancy rate after China in 2020 despite the pandemic. AFP.

UAE records world's second-highest hotel occupancy rate in 2020

Spider-Man and shawarma: Disneyland's Avengers area to open in June

Emirates extends ticket rebooking policy by 12 months

Al Ula masterplan: Everything you need to know about Saudi Arabia's Journey Through Time

What is it like to travel from a country on Abu Dhabi's green list?
Technology
Alibaba logo at its office in Beijing. Chinese regulators have hit the e-commerce giant with a massive fine over practices deemed to be an abuse of the company's dominant market position. Reuters

Alibaba receives record $2.8bn penalty from Chinese antitrust regulator after monopoly probe

Markets

Clubhouse data leak exposes 1.3 million users to fraud

Technology

Quicktake: How to check if your digital identity is compromised

Technology

Generation Start-up: Basita connects audiences to cultural performances digitally during the pandemic

Technology

China's Didi picks Goldman, Morgan Stanley for mega US IPO, sources say

Markets
Motoring
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip ride an open-top Land Rover during a visit to Fiji in 1963. The Duke of Edinburgh has long been associated with the marque. Getty Images

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?

Race-inspired 2021 Nissan Patrol Nismo tears into the Middle East

Volkswagen upsets journalists by pulling name-change prank
Sport
The setting for Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua could be announced soon, with the Middle East a top contender. PA

Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury 'close' - with Middle East favourite to host

Koeman rages at ref after Barca lose Clasico to Real Madrid

Ibrahimovich on fire before getting straight red against Parma

The Masters 2021: Hideki Matsuyama on the brink of historic win

Guardiola undone by hero Bielsa as Leeds earn spectacular win at Man City
Podcasts
Emirates has announced it will extend its booking policy by an extra one year. Courtesy Emirates Airlines

UAE Ramadan hours, Emirates charity flight, first woman astronaut, 1,931 new cases - The Daily Update

Beyond the Headlines: Is the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine safe?

Covid Expo 2020 vaccines, Jordan 'strife prevented', 1,883 new cases - The Daily Update

The best way for parents to educate their teenagers about money – Pocketful of Dirhams

The future of the daily commute: How going to work will improve city life
#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
Shalimar Sharbatly with one of her hand-painted creations. Via Twitter

Artist Shalimar Sharbatly to transform Jeddah streets with painted cars
Peplum sweat top, Dh135, ASOS. Courtesy ASOS

Ramadan 2021: 28 outfit ideas to see you through the holy month
Alicia Keys performed for the students and staff at an all-girls' school in Al Ula. AFP

Watch: Alicia Keys serenades students in Saudi Arabia
Britain's Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip (L), in his role as the Regiment?s Colonel in Chief, is seen visiting The Queen?s Royal Hussars in Basra in this handout photograph released on October 22, 2006, by the Ministry of Defence. Prince Philip told the troops he thought most people in Britain had "a great deal of sympathy for those of you at the sharp end who are trying to do your best to make life civilized and tolerable for the locals." EDITORIAL USE ONLY. QUALITY FROM SOURCE. REUTERS/Ministry of Defence/Handout (IRAQ)

Prince Philip and the Middle East: A look back – in pictures
The eruption of La Soufriere Volcano seen from Rillan Hill in Saint Vincent. AFP

Volcano erupts in southern Caribbean, sparking evacuation 'frenzy'
A fan attaches balloons during a vigil for musician and actor DMX outside White Plains Hospital, where it is reported he is being warded following a heart attack during a drug overdose, in White Plains, New York, U.S., April 6, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Fan's story of meeting rapper DMX goes viral
Jordanian singer Issam Alnajjar topped Spotify's Global Viral 50 charts and released a new remix of his viral song 'Hadal Ahbek' today. Courtesy Issam Alnajjar

Jordanian teen whose song went viral releases new track
A photo taken from Facebook of the iPhone after it was recovered from Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan. Courtesy Bao Fei 1 Commune (爆廢1公社) Facebook group

Man finds lost iPhone as severe drought dries Taiwan lake