The story on our front page yesterday tells a wider tale. In Bahrain, the security forces uncovered a 54-member militant group suspected of involvement in a number of attacks, as well as a cache of weapons. The group had ties to Iran.
On the other side of the Arabian Peninsula, the US has intercepted shipments of weapons – such as sniper rifles and anti-tank missiles – bound for the Houthi rebels. GPS data showed unquestionably that their origin was Iran.
The interference of Iran in the Arab region remains undimmed. Iran has extensively interfered in at least five countries in the Arab world: in Iraq, the country supports the Shia-led Popular Mobilisation Forces; in Bahrain, it sponsors terror cells; in Syria, the group has sent fighters and advisers to prop up the regime of Bashar Al Assad; in Lebanon, it supports Hizbollah; and in Yemen, most egregiously, it has given money and weapons to the rebel Houthis, who have dragged Yemen into a long and brutal war. The hand of Iran can be detected in all these conflicts, and in none of them is the influence positive.
All of this comes, of course, at the same time as Iran boasts of its weapons prowess. Days ago, having finally acquired the sophisticated Russian S-300 air defence system, Iranian state TV showed successful tests. Iran, despite signing up to a nuclear deal that was meant to bring the country back into the fold of the international community, has no intention of dialling back its martial posturing.
For the Gulf states, this is neither acceptable nor will be allowed to go unanswered. Other Gulf countries can speak for themselves, but the UAE will not stand idly by while Iran stretches its hands into the affairs of our region and our neighbours. Already, the UAE has taken a key role in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. On the battlefield, as in the field of diplomacy, the UAE has demonstrated that it can and will protect and defend its interests and has the military ability to do so.
Last weekend on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the country staged a spectacular display of military might, the first such public display. While this was mainly a celebration of the Armed Forces, Tehran would be advised to pay close attention: the UAE will not wait to be defended by the United States or any other ally. It has the ability and the will to defend itself. Peace is always in the interests of our region. But we are prepared for alternatives.
ETFs explained
Exhchange traded funds are bought and sold like shares, but operate as index-tracking funds, passively following their chosen indices, such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100 and the FTSE All World, plus a vast range of smaller exchanges and commodities, such as gold, silver, copper sugar, coffee and oil.
ETFs have zero upfront fees and annual charges as low as 0.07 per cent a year, which means you get to keep more of your returns, as actively managed funds can charge as much as 1.5 per cent a year.
There are thousands to choose from, with the five biggest providers BlackRock’s iShares range, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisors SPDR ETFs, Deutsche Bank AWM X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.
Racecard:
2.30pm: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoun Emirates Breeders Society Challenge; Conditions (PA); Dh40,000; 1,600m
3pm: Handicap; Dh80,000; 1,800m
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Mile Prep Rated Conditions; Dh110,000; 1,600m
4pm: Handicap; Dh95,000; 1,950m
4.30pm: Maiden; Dh65,000; 1,400m
5pm: Handicap; Dh85,000; 1,200m
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Company%20Profile
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Pathaan
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Company%20Profile
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