Iran's new Shahed-149 'Gaza' drone. Photo: X
Iran's new Shahed-149 'Gaza' drone. Photo: X
Iran's new Shahed-149 'Gaza' drone. Photo: X
Iran's new Shahed-149 'Gaza' drone. Photo: X

How Iran’s American-style drones compare to US models


Robert Tollast
  • English
  • Arabic

Last month Iran showed off pictures of the Shahed 149 drone on exercises. Referred to as the “Gaza” drone, the system is almost identical to the US Reaper drone, and has impressive capabilities such as a camera with 100 times magnification and the ability to fly 1,000km or more on 35-hour missions.

It joins a long list of Iranian drones that appear to be copied from US models, from the Yasir, a copy of the US ScanEagle, to the Saeqeh, a near copy of the US RQ-170.

How then, might the systems compare? Much about drones like the Reaper and the Shahed 149 remains classified, but aerospace experts interviewed by The National were able to provide a glimpse of the capabilities of the Iranian systems.

The US Reaper

Evolving from the Predator drone – originally an unarmed reconnaissance drone first deployed during Nato’s 1995 intervention in Bosnia – the Reaper became synonymous with the US’s so-called Global War on Terror.

Conducting thousands of air strikes in Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen, among other fronts - often from controllers in the US using satellite links to control the drone - it was sought-after for its persistence surveilling small groups of militants, able to fly for 30 hours or more.

Reapers would eventually be kitted out with a Wide Area Motion Imaging (Wami) sensor, a system of cameras and image processors with a data link that could film city-size areas in "super resolution."

“Super resolution – I'm simplifying a lot here – is taking a lot of imagery from multiple cameras, and then you basically bring the imagery all together,” says Robi Sen, an independent consultant on drone technology. During Reaper deployments in Afghanistan, that could result in two-gigapixel imagery, 20 times the resolution of an iPhone 15 photograph, and based on similar civilian technology, CMOS image sensors.

In 2009, the US said its drones had captured 24 years’ worth of video feed if played continuously. Today, Wami sensors can often film areas over 100km2 at once in the right conditions and the latest available for Reapers are 8.1 gigapixels.

Drone imagery of people playing baseball in Montgomery County, Maryland
Drone imagery of people playing baseball in Montgomery County, Maryland

They can simultaneously collect infrared imagery – light invisible to the human eye, usually for night vision, but in daytime simultaneous IR collection helps detect objects in shadows. To detect infrared light, the sensor needs a cryocooler, which cools down the detector to around -150°C.

“When you stitch all that imagery together, you can get one really good image, maybe 10 times better than any of the cameras can do by themselves. So this is pretty interesting for things like intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or protecting an area, anything where you may need a lot more resolution," Mr Sen says.

"You could be filming a boat. Let's say there's a figure on the boat, and with your normal resolution you can just see the figure. And when you take the super resolution, you can then zoom in on the individual and see things like facial features.”

Reapers can also be equipped with the Lynx multi mode radar. This has two powerful capabilities, Synthetic Aperture Radar (Sar) which creates images from radar waves, meaning it can peer through clouds (the example in the X post below shows Sar from space).

Secondly, Ground-Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) which can pick out people moving at barely walking speed amid the wide image captures. The Lynx also features automatic man-made object recognition. Combined, these capabilities (which are added according to the mission) give the Reaper the ability to collect large streams of data, in some cases for over 40 hours, in the case of the SkyGuardian Reaper.

The “endurance” of 40 hours is helped by a Honeywell T76 engine, a military version of a propeller plane turboprop engine which propels the drone to speeds of over 480km/h.

Endurance is enhanced by lightweight, strong materials such as carbon fibre and titanium in the airframe, which are expensive. The Reaper therefore doesn't come cheap, at roughly $30 million per aircraft.

How Iran’s Shahed 149 compares

Experts The National spoke to said Iran’s drone is not as capable as the Reaper for several critical reasons, particularly sanctions, which limit Iran’s access to “leading edge” microchips. Sanctions also stop critical components, from camera equipment to cryocoolers for infrared detection and metals such as titanium.

But Iran has a long history of reverse engineering aircraft parts and smuggling, to the point where most components in some of its drones are of US origin. Despite lacking anything close to the US defence budget (approximately $850bn vs $16bn for 2024) Iran’s drones could therefore be “good enough” imitations.

That could be dangerous if they can be made in large enough numbers, but Iran struggles with mass production of drones like the Shahed 149, and for some drones has even resorted to stealing foreign engines. The Shahed 149 contrasts with the cheaper Shahed 136s sent to Russia for the Ukraine war and sent to the Houthis, so-called kamikaze drones.

A Shahed-136 in the sky above Kyiv. Reuters
A Shahed-136 in the sky above Kyiv. Reuters

“We have seen cryocooling equipment used for optics in the Mohaher-6,” says Taimur Khan, a researcher with Conflict Armament Research, which forensically studies Iranian drones used in Yemen by the Houthis and the Russians in Ukraine. “What we have seen are a mix of DSLR cameras, video cameras made for small commercial UAVs and other readily available commercial optics,” he says.

For sophisticated systems like inertial navigation – devices which navigate by calculating changes in speed and altitude, rather than relying on GPS – “we don’t think they make them from scratch, they still require a lot of smuggled non-domestic technology from the US, Japan and China,” Mr Khan says.

An Iranian Shahed drone. Reuters
An Iranian Shahed drone. Reuters

“Inertial navigation devices are not the only critical component but a very important one. Iran does still try to domesticate some component production,” Mr Khan adds.

“They have produced their own copies of electromechanical systems such as servo motors to try to be a bit more independent from external supply chains but they will always be dependent on those supply chains when it comes to more sophisticated technology and semiconductors. Even though those components are made by Western manufacturers, they are still in a position to acquire them relatively easily from Chinese distributors.”

For Iran, rapid advances in microchip technology could enable the Shahed 149’s S-813 Sar radar. Iran's advertised capability for the system is much lower-fidelity than the Lynx radar's claimed ability. Mr Sen says that advances in civilian cameras and image processing also mean basic Wami sensors could be within reach.

Military aircraft on the deck of the first Iranian drone carrier, the Martyr Bahman Bagheri, during its unveiling in February 2025. AFP
Military aircraft on the deck of the first Iranian drone carrier, the Martyr Bahman Bagheri, during its unveiling in February 2025. AFP

“Synthetic Aperture Radar is relatively old technology. I'm not surprised the Iranians can do it because a good radar engineer can build one of these things. For drones, it's perfect, because you're flying along and the act of flying creates this artificially large antenna. You need a good processor to do it. But that's not impossible with the chips you can buy now,” says Thomas Withington, an expert on electronic warfare and radar, and an associate fellow at London's Rusi think tank.

Sanctions busting

Daniel Salisbury has studied Iran’s efforts to circumvent sanctions. He says that it is extremely difficult for the West to curtail defence supplies to Iran when it comes to drones.

“The sheer amount of trade moving around the globe makes uncovering, tracking and interdicting even large shipments difficult. There are a number of ways that large shipments are undertaken to avoid scrutiny. If using containerised or commercial shipping, goods are frequently mislabelled on the manifest (something benign like 'machinery') and associated paperwork,” he says.

“Shipments might also be broken up into smaller parts to avoid scrutiny. The states involved in these networks also often use state-controlled assets to move goods rather than commercial logistics. This allows them to remain more in control of the shipments, and reduces the chance of interdiction.

“The dual-use nature of many of these goods make countering the trade even more challenging, making it difficult to uncover shipments destined for military programmes, and also making it difficult to ask countries like China to act and shut down procurement channels," Mr Salisbury says. “The number of states that both seriously care about these transfers and have the means to do something about them is quite low.”

Mr Salisbury says microchip smuggling – and supplies from allies like China – is Iran’s great hope for scaling up drone capability. “Chips are much smaller and easier to transfer," he says.

"We have seen cases where procurement agents are personally trafficking them in suitcases on commercial flights, for example, or in diplomatic pouches. Supply chains for semiconductors are long and complex. They seem to – at least for the lower-end, off-the-shelf chips – involve many intermediaries and distributors. These firms often stock thousands of variants of the chips and have less understanding of what the goods can be used for.”

Despite these opportunities for Iran, Mr Withington cautions that copying only gets you so far, as the US fields next-generation technology. The drone-mounted T-Soar pod, for example, records an enemy radar wave, instantly copies it and broadcasts it back, meaning a Reaper could be almost invisible on radar. “The problem for the Iranians is that they're in danger of not just falling a generation behind, but actually being two generations behind in radar technology,” Mr Withington says.

In%20the%20Land%20of%20Saints%20and%20Sinners
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERobert%20Lorenz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Liam%20Neeson%2C%20Kerry%20Condon%2C%20Jack%20Gleeson%2C%20Ciaran%20Hinds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Why your domicile status is important

Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.

The biog

Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children

She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career

She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence

Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

Overview

Cricket World Cup League Two: Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu

Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal

The Facility’s Versatility

Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
 
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
 
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
 
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
 
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
 
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket

The Beach Bum

Director: Harmony Korine

Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg

Two stars

World Series

Game 1: Red Sox 8, Dodgers 4
Game 2: Red Sox 4, Dodgers 2
Game 3: Saturday (UAE)

* if needed

Game 4: Sunday
Game 5: Monday
Game 6: Wednesday
Game 7: Thursday

UAE SQUAD

 

Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani

Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Mohammed Al Attas

Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah

Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue

MATCH INFO

Manchester United v Manchester City, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match is on BeIN Sports

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

The biog

Marital status: Separated with two young daughters

Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo

Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian

Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness

Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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.

The biog

Name: Sarah Al Senaani

Age: 35

Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2

Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism

Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding

Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier

Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish

The specs: 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali

Price, base / as tested Dh207,846 / Dh220,000

Engine 6.2L V8

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 420hp @ 5,600rpm

Torque 624Nm @ 4,100rpm

Fuel economy, combined 13.5L / 100km

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League last 16, first leg

Liverpool v Bayern Munich, midnight, Wednesday, BeIN Sports

The%20Iron%20Claw
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sean%20Durkin%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zac%20Efron%2C%20Jeremy%20Allen%20White%2C%20Harris%20Dickinson%2C%20Maura%20Tierney%2C%20Holt%20McCallany%2C%20Lily%20James%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
england euro squad

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Last 10 NBA champions

2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile

Company: Eighty6 

Date started: October 2021 

Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh 

Based: Dubai, UAE 

Sector: Hospitality 

Size: 25 employees 

Funding stage: Pre-series A 

Investment: $1 million 

Investors: Seed funding, angel investors  

Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
​​​​​​​Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books

Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

Continental champions

Best Asian Player: Massaki Todokoro (Japan)

Best European Player: Adam Wardzinski (Poland)

Best North & Central American Player: DJ Jackson (United States)

Best African Player: Walter Dos Santos (Angola)

Best Oceanian Player: Lee Ting (Australia)

Best South American Player: Gabriel De Sousa (Brazil)

Best Asian Federation: Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima


Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder

Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km

The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):

British group

Coldplay

Foals

Bring me the Horizon

D-Block Europe

Bastille

British Female

Mabel

Freya Ridings

FKA Twigs

Charli xcx

Mahalia​

British male

Harry Styles

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Michael Kiwanuka

Stormzy​

Best new artist

Aitch

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Mabel

Sam Fender

Best song

Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care

Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up

Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant

Dave - Location

Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove

Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved

Tom Walker - Just You and I

Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger

Stormzy - Vossi Bop

International female

Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish

Camila Cabello

Lana Del Rey

Lizzo

International male

Bruce Springsteen

Burna Boy

Tyler, The Creator

Dermot Kennedy

Post Malone

Best album

Stormzy - Heavy is the Head

Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka

Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent

Dave - Psychodrama

Harry Styles - Fine Line

Rising star

Celeste

Joy Crookes

beabadoobee

Get inspired

Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).

Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.  

Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?). 

WHAT ARE NFTs?

     

 

    

 

   

 

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are tokens that represent ownership of unique items. They allow the tokenisation of things such as art, collectibles and even real estate.

 

An NFT can have only one official owner at one time. And since they're minted and secured on the Ethereum blockchain, no one can modify the record of ownership, not even copy-paste it into a new one.

 

This means NFTs are not interchangeable and cannot be exchanged with other items. In contrast, fungible items, such as fiat currencies, can be exchanged because their value defines them rather than their unique properties.

 

THE SPECS

Touareg Highline

Engine: 3.0-litre, V6

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 340hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh239,312

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFixtures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ESaturday%2C%20May%2028%2C%20United%20States%20v%20Scotland%3Cbr%3ESunday%2C%20May%2029%2C%20United%20States%20v%20Scotland%3Cbr%3ETuesday%2C%20May%2031%2C%20UAE%20v%20Scotland%3Cbr%3EWednesday%2C%20June%201%2C%20UAE%20v%20United%20States%3Cbr%3EFriday%2C%20June%203%2C%20UAE%20v%20Scotland%3Cbr%3ESaturday%2C%20June%204%2C%20UAE%20v%20United%20States%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAhmed%20Raza%20(captain)%2C%20Chirag%20Suri%2C%20Muhammad%20Waseem%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20CP%20Rizwan%2C%20Basil%20Hameed%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Kashif%20Daud%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Alishan%20Sharafu%2C%20Akif%20Raja%2C%20Rahul%20Bhatia%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETable%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Oman%2032%2019%2011%2040%20%2B0.156%3Cbr%3E2.%20Scotland%2016%2011%203%2024%20%2B0.574%3Cbr%3E3.%20UAE%2018%2010%206%2022%20%2B0.22%3Cbr%3E4.%20Namibia%2014%207%207%2014%20%2B0.096%3Cbr%3E5.%20United%20States%2016%207%209%2014%20-0.229%3Cbr%3E6.%20Nepal%2012%206%206%2012%20%2B0.113%3Cbr%3E7.%20Papua%20New%20Guinea%2020%201%2019%202%20-0.856%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: March 07, 2025, 11:25 AM