Pope Francis, left, embraces Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill during their meeting in Cuba, in 2016. Reuters
Pope Francis, left, embraces Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill during their meeting in Cuba, in 2016. Reuters
Pope Francis, left, embraces Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill during their meeting in Cuba, in 2016. Reuters
Pope Francis, left, embraces Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill during their meeting in Cuba, in 2016. Reuters

Pope Francis 'could meet Russian patriarch in Jerusalem this summer'


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The Vatican could extend Pope Francis's trip to Lebanon in June, so he can fly to Jerusalem and meet Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, Reuters reported on Monday.

It would be only the second meeting between Francis, 85, and Kirill, 75. Their meeting in Cuba, in 2016, was also the first between a pope and a leader of the Russian Orthodox Church since the Great Schism that split Christianity into eastern and western branches in 1054.

Kirill has given his blessing for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a position that has splintered the worldwide Orthodox Church and unleashed an internal rebellion that theologians and academics say is unprecedented.

The plan was for the Pope, who is expected in Lebanon on June 12-13, to fly to Amman, Jordan on the morning of June 14, two sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

From there, he would board a helicopter to Jerusalem on the same day for the meeting with Kirill and then return to Rome, the sources said.

One source said the trip appeared to be almost certain, while the other said it was one possibility.

Returning from his trip to Malta last week, Francis said he hoped to meet Kirill somewhere in the Middle East this year, but gave no specific location.

Pope Francis is expected in Lebanon on June 12-13. AFP
Pope Francis is expected in Lebanon on June 12-13. AFP

Kirill called on Russians on Sunday to rally around the authorities as Moscow pursues what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

The patriarch has previously made statements defending Moscow's actions in Ukraine and views the war as a bulwark against a liberal western culture that he considers decadent.

"Let the Lord help us unite during this difficult time for our fatherland, including around the authorities," the Interfax news agency quoted Kirill as saying at a sermon in Moscow.

Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on February 24 to degrade its southern neighbour's military capabilities and root out people it called dangerous nationalists.

Francis has already rejected that terminology, calling it a war.

Since the war began, Francis has only mentioned Russia explicitly in prayers, such as during a special global event for peace on March 25. But he has made clear his opposition to Russia's actions, using the words invasion, aggression and atrocities.

On Sunday, the pope called for an Easter truce in Ukraine and, in a remark that appeared to be directed at Russia, questioned the value of planting a victory flag "on a heap of rubble".

Pope Francis in Cyprus - in pictures

  • Pope Francis prays with migrants at the Roman Catholic church of the Holy Cross near the United Nations buffer zone in the Cypriot city of Nicosia. AFP
    Pope Francis prays with migrants at the Roman Catholic church of the Holy Cross near the United Nations buffer zone in the Cypriot city of Nicosia. AFP
  • Worshippers take pictures of Pope Francis. AFP
    Worshippers take pictures of Pope Francis. AFP
  • Pope Francis holds an ecumenical prayer with migrants. EPA
    Pope Francis holds an ecumenical prayer with migrants. EPA
  • Pope Francis greets a woman holding a child after an ecumenical prayer with migrants. AFP
    Pope Francis greets a woman holding a child after an ecumenical prayer with migrants. AFP
  • Pope Francis greets faithful at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, where he is on the second day of his trip to the island.
    Pope Francis greets faithful at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, where he is on the second day of his trip to the island.
  • Thousands of faithful flocked to the football stadium in Nicosia to attend mass led by Pope Francis. EPA / ALESSANDRO DI MEO
    Thousands of faithful flocked to the football stadium in Nicosia to attend mass led by Pope Francis. EPA / ALESSANDRO DI MEO
  • Overseas workers were among the thousands of Catholics who attended a mass celebrated by Pope Francis at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Friday morning. EPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU
    Overseas workers were among the thousands of Catholics who attended a mass celebrated by Pope Francis at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Friday morning. EPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU
  • Worshippers wave flags at a football stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, ahead of a mass celebrated by Pope Francis. The pontiff will head to Greece after he wraps up his visit to the island. EPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU
    Worshippers wave flags at a football stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, ahead of a mass celebrated by Pope Francis. The pontiff will head to Greece after he wraps up his visit to the island. EPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU
  • Pope Francis holds up the Eucharist during mass at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Friday morning, drawing thousands of Catholics. EPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU
    Pope Francis holds up the Eucharist during mass at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Friday morning, drawing thousands of Catholics. EPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU
  • Worshippers seated in front of a Lebanese flag at a public mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Nicosia, Cyprus. (Photo by Amir MAKAR / AFP)
    Worshippers seated in front of a Lebanese flag at a public mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Nicosia, Cyprus. (Photo by Amir MAKAR / AFP)
  • Young girls waving flags at Pope Francis' open air mass in Nicosia, Cyprus. EPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU
    Young girls waving flags at Pope Francis' open air mass in Nicosia, Cyprus. EPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU
  • Pope Francis leads a Holy Mass at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, as worshippers, many of whom are overseas workers, look on. EPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU
    Pope Francis leads a Holy Mass at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, Cyprus, as worshippers, many of whom are overseas workers, look on. EPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU
  • Pope Francis greets journalists onboard the papal plane before his five-day pastoral visit to Cyprus and Greece. The visit has been eagerly awaited by the estimated 25,000 Catholics in Cyprus. These include thousands of Maronites whose ancestors arrived from Syria and Lebanon, but most are overseas workers from the Philippines and South Asia, along with African migrants. AP
    Pope Francis greets journalists onboard the papal plane before his five-day pastoral visit to Cyprus and Greece. The visit has been eagerly awaited by the estimated 25,000 Catholics in Cyprus. These include thousands of Maronites whose ancestors arrived from Syria and Lebanon, but most are overseas workers from the Philippines and South Asia, along with African migrants. AP
  • Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Larnaca, Cyprus. AP
    Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Larnaca, Cyprus. AP
  • Pope Francis will use his trip to push two of his priorities: religious dialogue and the plight of migrants. AFP
    Pope Francis will use his trip to push two of his priorities: religious dialogue and the plight of migrants. AFP
  • Pope Francis is the second Catholic pontiff to set foot on Cyprus, which has a Greek Orthodox majority. Benedict XVI visited in 2010. AFP
    Pope Francis is the second Catholic pontiff to set foot on Cyprus, which has a Greek Orthodox majority. Benedict XVI visited in 2010. AFP
  • The visit by Pope Francis has been eagerly awaited by the estimated 25,000 Catholics in a country of about a million people. These include thousands of Maronites whose ancestors arrived from Syria and Lebanon, but most are overseas workers from the Philippines and South Asia, along with African migrants. AFP
    The visit by Pope Francis has been eagerly awaited by the estimated 25,000 Catholics in a country of about a million people. These include thousands of Maronites whose ancestors arrived from Syria and Lebanon, but most are overseas workers from the Philippines and South Asia, along with African migrants. AFP
  • Pope Francis's trip to Cyprus and Greece is drawing new attention to the plight of migrants on Europe's borders. AP
    Pope Francis's trip to Cyprus and Greece is drawing new attention to the plight of migrants on Europe's borders. AP
  • Pope Francis is greeted at Larnaca International Airport. Reuters
    Pope Francis is greeted at Larnaca International Airport. Reuters
  • Pope Francis greets people upon his arrival in Larnaca. AFP
    Pope Francis greets people upon his arrival in Larnaca. AFP
  • Children holding Lebanese flags wait for Pope Francis at Larnaca International Airport. Reuters
    Children holding Lebanese flags wait for Pope Francis at Larnaca International Airport. Reuters
A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Key Points
  • Protests against President Omar Al Bashir enter their sixth day
  • Reports of President Bashir's resignation and arrests of senior government officials
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Specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%20train%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20and%20synchronous%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E950Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E25.7kWh%20lithium-ion%3Cbr%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%203.4sec%3Cbr%3E0-200km%2Fh%3A%2011.4sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E312km%2Fh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20electric-only%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2060km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Q3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1.2m%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

The specs: 2018 Maxus T60

Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder

Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm

Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm

Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km

Price: from Dh362,500

On sale: now

Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush

Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”

A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.

“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”

How it works

1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground

2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water

3) One application is said to last five years

4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare 

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If you go

The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting

-      Don’t do it more than once in three days

-      Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days

-      Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode

-      Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well

-      Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days

-      Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates

-      Manage your sleep

-      People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting

-      Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEjari%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYazeed%20Al%20Shamsi%2C%20Fahad%20Albedah%2C%20Mohammed%20Alkhelewy%20and%20Khalid%20Almunif%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPropTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESanabil%20500%20Mena%2C%20Hambro%20Perks'%20Oryx%20Fund%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS

5pm: Sweihan – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Shamakh, Fernando Jara (jockey), Jean-Claude Picout (trainer)

5.30pm: Al Shamkha – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Daad, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar

6pm: Shakbout City – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Ghayyar, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Gold Silver, Sandro Paiva, Ibrahim Aseel

7pm: Masdar City – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Khalifa City – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Ranchero, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar

MATCH INFO

Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')

Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Updated: April 12, 2022, 12:11 PM