A handout still image taken from a video provided by the Russian Defence ministry press-service shows 'Yars' intercontinental ballistic missile launched at Plesetsk Cosmodrome to Kura Test Range during training to test the Russian strategic deterrence forces in Russia. EPA
A handout still image taken from a video provided by the Russian Defence ministry press-service shows 'Yars' intercontinental ballistic missile launched at Plesetsk Cosmodrome to Kura Test Range during training to test the Russian strategic deterrence forces in Russia. EPA
A handout still image taken from a video provided by the Russian Defence ministry press-service shows 'Yars' intercontinental ballistic missile launched at Plesetsk Cosmodrome to Kura Test Range during training to test the Russian strategic deterrence forces in Russia. EPA
A handout still image taken from a video provided by the Russian Defence ministry press-service shows 'Yars' intercontinental ballistic missile launched at Plesetsk Cosmodrome to Kura Test Range durin

Putin oversees ballistic missile launches in 'massive' nuclear drills


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Russia rehearsed a nuclear strike on Wednesday with the world on high alert for its next move in Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin monitored the drills, which simulated a response to a nuclear attack on Russia.

Mr Putin “conducted an exercise for ground, marine and air strategic defence forces, which included launches of ballistic and cruise missiles,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

US officials said said they were notified of the drills in advance, amid repeated threats of nuclear force from Moscow during the war in Ukraine.

Nato told Moscow it would not be intimidated by the Russian narrative that Ukraine could be preparing to use a radioactive "dirty bomb".

Ukraine meanwhile said its counter-offensive in the southern Kherson region was being bogged down by bad weather.

"We have a lot of irrigation and water supply channels, and the Russians use them like trenches," Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said.

In Russia, state television showed Mr Putin overseeing the nuclear drills from a control room.

They involved the test-firing of a Yars land-based intercontinental ballistic missile from Plesetsk, Russia's northern launch site, and the launch of a Sineva intercontinental ballistic missile by a Russian nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea.

Air-launched cruise missiles were also deployed with Tu-95 strategic bombers launching their ammunition at practice targets, Moscow said.

All missiles reached their target, it added.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to Mr Putin that the drills were simulating a “massive nuclear strike” by Russia in retaliation for a nuclear attack.

Russia has been warned of “severe consequences” if it orders the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, although western powers are keeping quiet on what these might be.

Images released by the Russian Defence Ministry appeared to show a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. Reuters
Images released by the Russian Defence Ministry appeared to show a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. Reuters

US President Joe Biden warned Moscow on Tuesday that a nuclear escalation would be an “incredibly serious mistake”.

However, the Pentagon and State Department said Russia had complied with its arms control obligations by giving warning of the missile launches.

"While Russia engages in unprovoked aggression and reckless nuclear rhetoric, these notification measures do ensure we are not taken by surprise," said State Department spokesman Ned Price.

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned Russia against escalating the conflict with claims that Kyiv is planning to use a dirty bomb on its own territory.

Russian military chiefs claim Ukraine is developing such a device and could use it to frame Russia for a nuclear attack.

"Allies reject this blatantly false accusation, and Russia must not use false pretexts to escalate the war further," Mr Stoltenberg told reporters at Nato headquarters in Brussels.

In a meeting with senior French and British officials, Ukraine called the Russian allegation "completely groundless" and said it was part of a Kremlin disinformation campaign.

Russia announced the annexation of four regions of Ukraine last month and hinted that it could use nuclear force to defend what it now considers its territory.

Western powers rejected the annexations as illegal and invalid and the referendums that led to them as a charade.

Russian footage showing the launch of what was said to be Russia's Yars intercontinental ballistic missile. Reuters
Russian footage showing the launch of what was said to be Russia's Yars intercontinental ballistic missile. Reuters

The Dark Blue Winter Overcoat & Other Stories From the North
Edited and Introduced by Sjón and Ted Hodgkinson
Pushkin Press 

Results:

First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15

Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24

Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15

Tenet

Director: Christopher Nolan

Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh 

Rating: 5/5

SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY

Wimbledon order of play on Saturday, July 8
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Centre Court (4pm)
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Timea Bacsinszky (19)
Ernests Gulbis v Novak Djokovic (2)
Mischa Zverev (27) v Roger Federer (3)

Court 1 (4pm)
Milos Raonic (6) v Albert Ramos-Vinolas (25)
Anett Kontaveit v Caroline Wozniacki (5)
Dominic Thiem (8) v Jared Donaldson

Court 2 (2.30pm)
Sorana Cirstea v Garbine Muguruza (14)
To finish: Sam Querrey (24) leads Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (12) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 6-5
Angelique Kerber (1) v Shelby Rogers
Sebastian Ofner v Alexander Zverev (10)

Court 3 (2.30pm)
Grigor Dimitrov (13) v Dudi Sela
Alison Riske v Coco Vandeweghe (24)
David Ferrer v Tomas Berdych (11)

Court 12 (2.30pm)
Polona Hercog v Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)
Gael Monfils (15) v Adrian Mannarino

Court 18 (2.30pm)
Magdalena Rybarikova v Lesia Tsurenko
Petra Martic v Zarina Diyas

Specs

Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo V6
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 405hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 562Nm at 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.2L/100km
Price: From Dh292,845 (Reserve); from Dh320,145 (Presidential)
On sale: Now

The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

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

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
STAR%20WARS%20JEDI%3A%20SURVIVOR
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What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
57%20Seconds
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

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

Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)

  • Arrive with a thank you gift, or make sure you have one for your host by the time you leave. 
  • Offer to buy groceries, cook them a meal or take your hosts out for dinner.
  • Help out around the house.
  • Entertain yourself so that your hosts don’t feel that they constantly need to.
  • Leave no trace of your stay – if you’ve borrowed a book, return it to where you found it.
  • Offer to strip the bed before you go.
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

The Disaster Artist

Director: James Franco

Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan

Four stars

THREE
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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Updated: October 27, 2022, 4:00 AM`