US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis (C) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrive at the Al Udeid US military base in Qatar on September 28, 2017. Thomas Watkins / AFP
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis (C) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrive at the Al Udeid US military base in Qatar on September 28, 2017. Thomas Watkins / AFP
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis (C) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrive at the Al Udeid US military base in Qatar on September 28, 2017. Thomas Watkins / AFP
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis (C) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrive at the Al Udeid US military base in Qatar on September 28, 2017. Thomas Watkins / AFP

US halts military exercises over Qatar crisis


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The US military has halted some exercises with its Gulf allies over the continuing diplomatic crisis involving Qatar in a bid to use American influence to end the four-month-long dispute.

The US Central Command offered few details but the move appears to have emerged from American concerns over the standoff over Qatar's alleged support for radicalisation and terrorist groups. The region is home to the US Navy's 5th fleet and crucial bases for its campaign against ISIL in Iraq and Syria, as well as the war in Afghanistan.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed an economic, transport and diplomatic boycott of Qatar on June 5, accusing the country of supporting terrorists and being too close to Iran. Qatar shares a massive offshore natural gas field with Iran but denies supporting extremists.

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Air Force Col John Thomas, a Central Command spokesman, acknowledged the situation would mean some changes in its local engagement.

“We are opting out of some military exercises out of respect for the concept of inclusiveness and shared regional interests,” he said. “We will continue to encourage all partners to work together toward the sort of common solutions that enable security and stability in the region.”

American military officials have largely said the dispute does not affect their operations. Central Command oversees the US-led coalition's bombing campaign against ISIL from the region.

The US military holds exercises in part to build the confidence of local forces, many of which use American-made equipment. Among the exercises likely to be affected by the cutback is Eagle Resolve, an annual exercise held since 1999 in which GCC countries and Americans work together as a multinational force in a simulated battle. This year’s Eagle Resolve exercise was held in Kuwait in March and involved 1,000 US troops.

The US and its Gulf allies also have regularly held joint, smaller-scale exercises in the region.

Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a research fellow at the James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, said US officials could be signalling they want the crisis to end quickly.

“It is likely an indication to long-standing security and defence partners that US patience on this spat is not open-ended and is rapidly drawing to a close,” Mr Ulrichsen said.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Venom

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed

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The National photo project

Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).

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Scoreline:

Everton 4

Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', ​​​​​​​Digne 56', Walcott 64'

Manchester United 0

Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)

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  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
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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

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Dr Graham's three goals

Short term

Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines


Intermediate term

Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations


Long term

A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness  

Company Profile

Company name: NutriCal

Started: 2019

Founder: Soniya Ashar

Based: Dubai

Industry: Food Technology

Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount

Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia

Total Clients: Over 50

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Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.

Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.

The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.

Afghanistan fixtures
  • v Australia, today
  • v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
  • v New Zealand, Saturday,
  • v South Africa, June 15
  • v England, June 18
  • v India, June 22
  • v Bangladesh, June 24
  • v Pakistan, June 29
  • v West Indies, July 4
LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

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