Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi has called the sectarian system imposed on Iraq in order to “create national balance … a big lie”.
In an exclusive interview with The National, Mr Al Kadhimi said that sectarianism is one of the main drivers of corruption in the country.
“There are defects in the structure of some state institutions since 2003, as they were wrongly built on sectarian and ethnic divides, leading to political divisions [known as muhasasa].
"It is a big lie to say that a national balance was created by sectarian divisions, rather these are political divisions that lead to the weakening of the state and corrupting its institution”. As part of his reform programme, Mr Al Kadhimi said: “We are working at securing state entities, and at fighting the individuals inside these entities who are not patriotic.”
We will hold these individuals to account for the crimes that they have committed
The Iraqi Prime Minister has vowed to strengthen security forces and bring those behind the killing of Iraqi activists to justice.
Mr Al Kadhimi said “the groups that believe they are above the law will soon see serious moves from our security forces”. He added “our government programme is built on stressing the sovereignty of the state, which includes limiting the use of force to official security forces and prohibiting the use of weapons outside of the law".
"In the past, there was a concerted effort to diminish the state’s security forces and corrupt them," he said. "We are now working on re-establishing these forces, and cleansing them of all corrupt elements. This will take time. But we will hold these individuals to account for the crimes that they have committed”.
Mr Al Kadhimi came to office after protesters took to the streets last October, demanding reforms and the end of corruption and militia rule. Since being tasked with leading the country last April, Mr Al Kadhimi has promised to deliver on these reforms but has faced great challenges, from militias whose interests are at risk and from the impact of Covid-19 and collapsing oil prices.
The majority of parliamentary blocs are not supporting efforts that will ultimately hinder their patronage networks, not to mention curb the continued corruption and mismanagement across all government spending. Mr Al Kadhimi says “everyone has to understand that the strength of the state applies to them all. A prerequisite for any reform process is respecting the decisions of the state and implementing them. There are those who will not accept the sovereignty of the state easily, but we have ways of dealing with them”.
As the efforts of Mr Al Kadhimi to face off with militias were stepped up, they have been ramping up their attacks on those calling for reforms, including a respected analyst Husham Al Hashemi, who Mr Al Kadhimi knew well and considered a friend.
Asked who stands behind the assassinations, Mr Al Kadhimi referred to "criminal groups that abuse the vulnerabilities in some of our security apparatus".
"For this reason, one of the key goals of my government’s programme is to investigate and reveal the facts regarding the killing of protesters.
"We have placed a plan, which started with the announcement last week of the names of those who have been killed and injured and their families the support they need. We continue to investigate those who have been killed, after the attacks on activists and intellectuals after I came to office”.
Mr Al Kadhimi asked for patience, saying “judicial timeframes are different from political ones, and we cannot be driven by emotions or political stances in dealing with matters that require accuracy and justice. We will follow the assassinations of Dr Reham Al Yacoub, Dr Hisham AlHashemi and Tahseen Oussama. We have some leads but the investigations will require time”.
However, Mr Al Kadhimi was confident that the killers would be caught, stating “we will get the offenders for sure”.
“We will be transparent in announcing the results of the investigations so that everyone can be privy to them.”
On a regular basis, armed groups launch rockets into security areas. “We continue to arrest those behind these attacks, and their aim is clear, that is to embarrass the government. The assassination attempts against young people are also part of that effort. They want the government to appear weak, these reckless rocket attacks hurt Iraqis also.”
Unlike his predecessors, Mr Al Kadhimi has been keen to hear from regular Iraqis frequently, meeting with those who do not enjoy the security of 24-hour electricity of the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad. On the first day of Eid Al Fitr in May, he spend the day visiting Baghdad’s largest hospital, Medical City. He has visited a number of state entities, including the pensions authority which is notorious in delaying payments to pensioners.
He has visited provinces such as Kirkuk, Ninevah and Basra, and spent time surveying their problems. One of the key issues raised by Iraqis is the lack of electricity, with some areas getting less than 4 hours of electricity from the national grid a day. Mr Al Kadhimi admits this is a major issue and says “reliable electricity is a priority”.
He added: “The electricity problem from 2003 until now is based on a lack of planning and the lack of a commitment to protect the dignity of the Iraqi people. Consecutive ministries did not work seriously on delivering these services, rather most were interested in benefiting financially and through corrupt means.”
With new contracts signed with GE and efforts under way to connect with regional grids and produce Iraqi gas, Mr Al Kadhimi says "we will put in all our efforts to ensure next summer will be better than this one".
Youth movements in Iraq have been active in organising protests and swaying public opinion, however their members have yet to formulate a strong political bloc, nor find an entry way into the political system. Mr Al Kadhimi said he was committed to providing them every aid possible, including through the ballot box.
Mr Al Kadhimi has called for early elections in June next year.
“Corrupt forces are working at full force to ensure sectarian divisions are maintained, as they can thrive under these circumstances," he said.
"The reform programme will require a long time. We will use all the strength we have to push for the principles of patriotism and nationalism. We will support nationalist forces as much as possible.”
Mr Al Kadhimi has said he will not stand for election, and he explained that his current focus is “allowing Iraqis to vote freely, without fraud or intimidation or the threat of the use of force".
"I am focused on creating the circumstances to allow for free and fair elections and regaining the trust of Iraqis in the electoral process. I am not thinking of anything else at this stage.”
Speaking to The National hours after landing from Amman, Mr Al Kadhimi was optimistic about Iraq's relations with the Arab world. He said that the summit hosted on Tuesday by Jordan's King Abdullah II and attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is part of an attempt to create a "New Levant", with economic, social and cultural ties forged to create a stable basin uniting these countries.
The outcomes of the summit include an agreement “to focus on trade, energy and agriculture sectors, with a focus on food security. The world is enduring great challenges due to Covid19, so we are working on creating food resources for our people but also the people of the wider region”.
He explained: “This summit is a continuation of long work with previous summits being held between Iraq, Jordan and Egypt, but at the same time it is the start of a new era to strengthen co-operation between these three countries. The societal, economic and historical circumstances of the three countries are similar, much binds them. We also face similar challenges and can face them together.”
“Our region is in need of a new vision, outside the polarised state today. We need to make economic and social development a priority in our relations, bringing to a halt the conflicts [in the region], while respecting the sovereignty of each country and ensuring non-interference in their internal affairs”.
He added: “We have to stand against the sectarian and ethnic divisions that have spread in the by region.
"On the other hand, we are facing another challenge and that is the global crises caused by Covid19 and the collapse of oil prices and its economic impact. We want this summit to become a framework for our three countries to work together and to be broadened to include other countries in the future.”
He was quick to add “this is not an effort against a particular party, rather working together to face our collective challenges, based on economic co-operation”.
Thirty years after the invasion of Kuwait, Iraq’s ties with Arab Gulf countries are improving but still in need of development.
“We have to learn lessons from the invasion of Kuwait. Without a doubt, the invasion of Kuwait was an unjustified attack by Saddam Hussein on a neighbour. The Gulf countries represent our strategic depth and we seek to develop our ties to the best possible level, as this will serve stability in the region, and will put a stop to the divisions and sectarianism that tore us apart in wars, and this is the desire of most Iraqis. Most Iraqis seek ties with the Gulf and believe in the need for these relations”.
A cornerstone in these ties is the possibility of investment opportunities in Iraq, including a GCC-Iraq electricity project supported by the US, but which has faced extensive delays. Asked about these delays, Mr Al Kadhimi said: “This is a new government and it is the first time that there is a serious step between Gulf countries and Iraq to face joint challenges.
I personally sensed an American commitment to developing our partnership
"The joint electricity project was delayed due to past mismanagement in Iraq, due to corruption and political interference in Iraq.” However, he explained that “today, there is a serious commitment to make this project a reality”.
Mr Al Kadhimi was due to visit Saudi Arabia last month but the visit was delayed due to King Salman requiring surgery. “There will be a visit soon to Saudi Arabia and we stress the brotherly ties there.”
Of course relations with the US remain of paramount importance to Iraq and last week Mr Al Kadhimi was received by US President Donald Trump. Mr Al Kadhimi said that "the visit was a success … the most important outcome was the economic partnership between the two sides".
He added: “Our relationship has entered a new phase that does not rest solely on security co-operation, rather on economic co-operation and attracting American companies to Iraq and launching long term co-operation, especially in the areas of energy, technology, education and health.”
The US also provides vital support through backing credit lines from international financial organisations.
Asked about the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, Mr Al Kadhimi insisted that a “redeployment” was taking place and that “combat troops” were no longer needed in the country.
“I personally sensed an American commitment to developing our partnership”.
The presence of US troops in Iraq is a contentious topic. The Iraqi Parliament held a vote in January on demanding American troops leave the country. Although no official count was made of the vote, the Speaker of Parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi announced that a majority had voted to demand US troops leave the country.
Asked whether he personally feels Iraq would be better off without American troops on the ground, Mr Al Kadhimi said: “We have moved into a new phase, we do not need combat troops on the ground as Iraqi forces are capable of fighting ISIS militants. However, they need logistical and technical support, in addition to training.” So support continues for an American presence in Iraq, with a lighter footprint.
When asked about Iran and Turkey, Iraq’s two neighbours who have extensively interfered in its affairs, his responses are brief and diplomatic. Mr Al Kadhimi faces a challenge primarily from political parties and militant groups supported by Iran. However, he had been careful to maintain good relations with Tehran, where he visited in July.
Asked about Tehran’s interference, Mr Al Kadhimi said: “We believe two principles should guide our relations. First, non-interference in the domestic affairs of each country and rejecting the use of the territories of either country to launch an attack on the other, and the second principle being that relations with Iran should be state-to-state based on mutual interests”.
Implicitly, he is referring to the need for Tehran to go through official channels, rather than proxies. The issue of non-interference was raised during the Prime Minister’s visit to Iran, and he said that “it is clear that there is a reassessment there towards relations with Iraq. It is in Iran’s interest that Iraq is stable”.
As for Turkey, which continuously carries out military actions in Iraq, Mr Al Kadhimi said: “Of course we reject the Turkish incursion in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. At the same time, we can understand Turkish concerns about [militant Kurdish group] PKK actions emerging from Iraq and which target Turkey… We need to remove the concerns of both sides so we can stabilise relations”.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP
Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan
Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
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
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
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EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
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The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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
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The currency conundrum
Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”
Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support," says Mr Mould.
This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.
8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint
Greenheart Organic Farms
This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.
www.greenheartuae.com
Modibodi
Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.
www.modibodi.ae
The Good Karma Co
From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes.
www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco
Re:told
One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.
www.shopretold.com
Lush
Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store.
www.mena.lush.com
Bubble Bro
Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.
www.bubble-bro.com
Coethical
This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.
www.instagram.com/coethical
Eggs & Soldiers
This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.
www.eggsnsoldiers.com
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
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EA Sports FC 24
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
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Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
More on animal trafficking
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Results
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If you go
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Santiago, via Sao Paolo cost from Dh5,295 with Emirates.
The trip
A five-day trip (not including two days of flight travel) was split between Santiago and in Puerto Varas, with more time spent in the later where excursions were organised by TurisTour.
When to go
The summer months, from December to February are best though there is beauty in each season
The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
ENGLAND SQUAD
For first two Test in India Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, James Anderson , Dom Bess, Stuart Broad , Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes. Reserves James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.
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Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
}Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Trolls World Tour
Directed by: Walt Dohrn, David Smith
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake
Rating: 4 stars
We Weren’t Supposed to Survive But We Did
We weren’t supposed to survive but we did.
We weren’t supposed to remember but we did.
We weren’t supposed to write but we did.
We weren’t supposed to fight but we did.
We weren’t supposed to organise but we did.
We weren’t supposed to rap but we did.
We weren’t supposed to find allies but we did.
We weren’t supposed to grow communities but we did.
We weren’t supposed to return but WE ARE.
Amira Sakalla
Scoreline
Man Utd 2 Pogba 27', Martial 49'
Everton 1 Sigurdsson 77'
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Company profile
Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
On sale: now
Price: Dh149,000
