Luxembourg blocks US bid for 9/11 compensation from Iran
A long-running US request to transfer US$1.6 billion (Dh 5.88 billion) in Iranian assets to victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York has been blocked by a Luxembourg court.
An official statement said that an appeals court on April 1 found the US seizure demand "inadmissible", but that the verdict can be appealed.
Israel extends government formation deadline
Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin has accepted a last minute request from opposition leader Benny Gantz to extend the deadline to form a coalition government, after previously rejecting a similar request on the grounds that he was not close to reaching a power-sharing agreement with rival Benjamin Netanyahu. The pair said they had made “meaningful progress” in their efforts to form a joint government.
Forest fires rage near Chernobyl nuclear plant
Forest fires are raging in the contaminated area near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, but officials say there is no radiation threat.
Hundreds of firefighters backed by aircraft have been battling the fires since last week. They managed to contain the initial blazes, but new fires are now raging close to the decommissioned plant.
Sanders endorses Biden for US president
Bernie Sanders endorsed the Democratic candidate and former vice president Joe Biden for president, a week after ending his own campaign.
"We need you in the White House," Mr Sanders told Mr Biden during a videolink event Mr Biden streamed live online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cardinal Pell links abuse accusations to his fight against corruption
Cardinal George Pell served 13 months in prison before Australia’s High Court last week acquitted him for molesting two choirboys in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne while he was archbishop in the 1990s.
The former finance minister to Pope Francis said on TV on Tuesday that some church officials believed he was prosecuted by Australian authorities because of the trouble he had caused in the Vatican with financial reforms.
“Most of the senior people in Rome who are in any way sympathetic to financial reform believe that they are” linked to his prosecution, the 78-year-old cleric told Sky News.
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
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 BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
