• ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno, 6 – The Arsenal shot-stopper was the victim of some static defending in front of him, epitomised as Daniel Podence pounced on the loose ball to slot home after Leno had smartly saved from Neto with his feet. Reuters
    ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno, 6 – The Arsenal shot-stopper was the victim of some static defending in front of him, epitomised as Daniel Podence pounced on the loose ball to slot home after Leno had smartly saved from Neto with his feet. Reuters
  • Hector Bellerin, 6 – Another hard working display from the right-back who was buzzing around the Wolves box when Arsenal were able to get on the front foot, but produced a vital header at the other end to nick the ball away from Pedro Neto. AFP
    Hector Bellerin, 6 – Another hard working display from the right-back who was buzzing around the Wolves box when Arsenal were able to get on the front foot, but produced a vital header at the other end to nick the ball away from Pedro Neto. AFP
  • David Luiz, 5 – He suffered a nasty clash of heads with Raul Jimenez in the opening stages that left Luiz heavily bandaged and both players needing lengthy treatment. He bravely soldiered on, but struggled against the unrelenting pace of the Wolves attack. EPA
    David Luiz, 5 – He suffered a nasty clash of heads with Raul Jimenez in the opening stages that left Luiz heavily bandaged and both players needing lengthy treatment. He bravely soldiered on, but struggled against the unrelenting pace of the Wolves attack. EPA
  • Gabriel, 7 - The soaring Gabriel produced a monstrous header to level the scores, but he was floored by the brilliance of Podence who restored his side’s lead. In fairness, the defender bounced back again though with a series of vital interventions to keep his side in the game. Reuters
    Gabriel, 7 - The soaring Gabriel produced a monstrous header to level the scores, but he was floored by the brilliance of Podence who restored his side’s lead. In fairness, the defender bounced back again though with a series of vital interventions to keep his side in the game. Reuters
  • Kieran Tierney 5 - It was a difficult night’s work for the normally classy full-back who struggled to contain the energy of Adama Traore and the trickery of Podence and failed to provide his side with any real attacking support on the left flank. Reuters
    Kieran Tierney 5 - It was a difficult night’s work for the normally classy full-back who struggled to contain the energy of Adama Traore and the trickery of Podence and failed to provide his side with any real attacking support on the left flank. Reuters
  • Dani Ceballos, 5 - Another quiet evening for the midfielder who saw little of the ball as the opposition looked to work the ball in wide areas, which made it difficult for Arsenal to escape their own territory. Reuters
    Dani Ceballos, 5 - Another quiet evening for the midfielder who saw little of the ball as the opposition looked to work the ball in wide areas, which made it difficult for Arsenal to escape their own territory. Reuters
  • Granit Xhaka, 4 – Like Ceballos, he had minimal impact in a passive opening 45 minutes from his side and things didn’t get much better after the break which led to his withdrawal for the closing stages. Reuters
    Granit Xhaka, 4 – Like Ceballos, he had minimal impact in a passive opening 45 minutes from his side and things didn’t get much better after the break which led to his withdrawal for the closing stages. Reuters
  • Joe Willock, 5 - I’m genuinely not sure if he touched the ball in the first-half. To his credit, he worked hard to try and get involved in the second but, despite asking the Wolves defence a couple of questions, he was unable to create anything of real significance. Reuters
    Joe Willock, 5 - I’m genuinely not sure if he touched the ball in the first-half. To his credit, he worked hard to try and get involved in the second but, despite asking the Wolves defence a couple of questions, he was unable to create anything of real significance. Reuters
  • Willian, 6 - What he’s lacking in years he certainly has in quality and he inch-perfect cross put the equaliser on a plate for Gabriel, but he couldn’t replicate that same pinpoint accuracy when he fired a free-kick over the bar from a promising area. AFP
    Willian, 6 - What he’s lacking in years he certainly has in quality and he inch-perfect cross put the equaliser on a plate for Gabriel, but he couldn’t replicate that same pinpoint accuracy when he fired a free-kick over the bar from a promising area. AFP
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 5 – Just two goals in 10 Premier League games now for Aubameyang who started brightly as his early cut-back almost caused problems, but nodded a golden chance over late on and was ultimately isolated for most of the game. AFP
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 5 – Just two goals in 10 Premier League games now for Aubameyang who started brightly as his early cut-back almost caused problems, but nodded a golden chance over late on and was ultimately isolated for most of the game. AFP
  • Bukayo Saka, 7 - The versatile youngster never seems to stop running. His pace on the counter caused issues again as he picked out Aubameyang whose pull-back was hacked clear, and he continued to make a nuisance of himself in the second-half. AFP
    Bukayo Saka, 7 - The versatile youngster never seems to stop running. His pace on the counter caused issues again as he picked out Aubameyang whose pull-back was hacked clear, and he continued to make a nuisance of himself in the second-half. AFP
  • SUB: Rob Holding, 6 - Replaced David Luiz at the break who, despite his bravery, was clearly worse for wear as blood continued to flow from that nasty head wound, but the substitute could only head over from Saka’s cross and was booked for hauling down Traore. AFP
    SUB: Rob Holding, 6 - Replaced David Luiz at the break who, despite his bravery, was clearly worse for wear as blood continued to flow from that nasty head wound, but the substitute could only head over from Saka’s cross and was booked for hauling down Traore. AFP
  • SUB: Reiss Nelson, 6 - Brought on for Willian who, despite his assist, had found openings hard to come by. He almost struck the equaliser too, but he lashed over on the volley after a neat piece of chest control. Reuters
    SUB: Reiss Nelson, 6 - Brought on for Willian who, despite his assist, had found openings hard to come by. He almost struck the equaliser too, but he lashed over on the volley after a neat piece of chest control. Reuters
  • SUB: Alexandre Lacazette, NR - The striker was hauled in desperation by Arteta for the final 12 minutes, but it was too little too late and he had little opportunity to make an impact. Reuters
    SUB: Alexandre Lacazette, NR - The striker was hauled in desperation by Arteta for the final 12 minutes, but it was too little too late and he had little opportunity to make an impact. Reuters
  • WOLVES RATINGS: Rui Patricio, 6 – There was little he could do to keep out Gabriel’s thumping header, but beyond that he had little to do. Despite that, he nearly caused himself problems when a sloppy touch saw him robbed of possession by Aubameyang. Reuters
    WOLVES RATINGS: Rui Patricio, 6 – There was little he could do to keep out Gabriel’s thumping header, but beyond that he had little to do. Despite that, he nearly caused himself problems when a sloppy touch saw him robbed of possession by Aubameyang. Reuters
  • Nelson Semedo, 7 - A calm and collected night’s work from the full-back who was beaten by the pace of Saka early on but marshalled the game well for the most part, although he was thankful to see Aubameyang head wide after losing an aerial battle with the Gabon man. Reuters
    Nelson Semedo, 7 - A calm and collected night’s work from the full-back who was beaten by the pace of Saka early on but marshalled the game well for the most part, although he was thankful to see Aubameyang head wide after losing an aerial battle with the Gabon man. Reuters
  • Willy Boly, 6 – Another who was largely untroubled asides from Gabriel’s leveller, he joined a lengthy list of names in Michael Oliver’s book for cynically taking out the advancing Willock. AFP
    Willy Boly, 6 – Another who was largely untroubled asides from Gabriel’s leveller, he joined a lengthy list of names in Michael Oliver’s book for cynically taking out the advancing Willock. AFP
  • Conor Coady, 7 - A commanding display from the skipper, though his heart will have been in his mouth as he slid in to try and repel a low cross but ultimately came within inches of poking the ball into his own net. AFP
    Conor Coady, 7 - A commanding display from the skipper, though his heart will have been in his mouth as he slid in to try and repel a low cross but ultimately came within inches of poking the ball into his own net. AFP
  • Fernando Marcal, 7 – The left-back capped a composed performance with a pivotal header to see off Saka's dangerous cross as Arsenal lay siege to the Wolves penalty area late on, after he had earlier picked out Neto with a smart ball down the line. Reuters
    Fernando Marcal, 7 – The left-back capped a composed performance with a pivotal header to see off Saka's dangerous cross as Arsenal lay siege to the Wolves penalty area late on, after he had earlier picked out Neto with a smart ball down the line. Reuters
  • Adama Traore, 8 - The winger’s terrifying pace is normally enough to give any defender nightmares. He wriggled away from Kieran Tierney before standing up a lovely cross that was eventually bundled home by Neto and was again instrumental in the build-up to Wolves second. Reuters
    Adama Traore, 8 - The winger’s terrifying pace is normally enough to give any defender nightmares. He wriggled away from Kieran Tierney before standing up a lovely cross that was eventually bundled home by Neto and was again instrumental in the build-up to Wolves second. Reuters
  • Leander Dendoncker, 6 - Right place, right time, but the wrong outcome as the midfielder’s header hammered the woodwork when it looked easier to score, while Leno was easily able to hang on to another headed effort from the midfielder. Reuters
    Leander Dendoncker, 6 - Right place, right time, but the wrong outcome as the midfielder’s header hammered the woodwork when it looked easier to score, while Leno was easily able to hang on to another headed effort from the midfielder. Reuters
  • Joao Moutinho, 6 - Having earlier floored Gabriel with an absolute piledriver, he was caught flat-footed as Saka burst away from him with Arsenal chasing an equaliser. In fairness to Moutinho, he probably covered every blade of grass in a breathless outing. Reuters
    Joao Moutinho, 6 - Having earlier floored Gabriel with an absolute piledriver, he was caught flat-footed as Saka burst away from him with Arsenal chasing an equaliser. In fairness to Moutinho, he probably covered every blade of grass in a breathless outing. Reuters
  • Daniel Podence, 9 - Quite simply brilliant. After a subdued start to the campaign the Wolves man is flying now and he restored his side’s lead with a calm finish into the corner after an exquisite flick over the grounded Gabriel. AFP
    Daniel Podence, 9 - Quite simply brilliant. After a subdued start to the campaign the Wolves man is flying now and he restored his side’s lead with a calm finish into the corner after an exquisite flick over the grounded Gabriel. AFP
  • Pedro Neto, 8 - The tricky winger looked keen to add to his strike against Southampton from the off and he did so. He had Arsenal defender’s scrambling inside the opening 30 seconds and smashed home the opener after Dendoncker shook the bar. Reuters
    Pedro Neto, 8 - The tricky winger looked keen to add to his strike against Southampton from the off and he did so. He had Arsenal defender’s scrambling inside the opening 30 seconds and smashed home the opener after Dendoncker shook the bar. Reuters
  • Raul Jimenez, 6 – Wolves’ star striker will have been keen to add to his tally at the Emirates, but his side suffered a huge blow as a nasty clash of heads with David Luiz saw the Mexican striker’s evening come to an abrupt end when he was stretchered off inside 10 minutes. EPA
    Raul Jimenez, 6 – Wolves’ star striker will have been keen to add to his tally at the Emirates, but his side suffered a huge blow as a nasty clash of heads with David Luiz saw the Mexican striker’s evening come to an abrupt end when he was stretchered off inside 10 minutes. EPA
  • SUB: Fabio Silva, 7 - An early introduction for the 18-year-old who looked at ease against an at times quivering defence. He was unlucky not to grab an assist too as Traore fired into the side netting from the teenager’s selfless lay-off. Reuters
    SUB: Fabio Silva, 7 - An early introduction for the 18-year-old who looked at ease against an at times quivering defence. He was unlucky not to grab an assist too as Traore fired into the side netting from the teenager’s selfless lay-off. Reuters
  • SUB: Ruben Neves, 6 - Replaced the superb Podence for the final 20 minutes as Wolves switched to a more robust shape to preserve their advantage, but he didn;’t see much of the ball in truth. Reuters
    SUB: Ruben Neves, 6 - Replaced the superb Podence for the final 20 minutes as Wolves switched to a more robust shape to preserve their advantage, but he didn;’t see much of the ball in truth. Reuters
  • SUB: Max Kilman, NR - Replaced a fellow substitute when he was brought on in place of Fabio Silva for the closing stages as Nuno Espirito Santo looked to protect his side’s lead, which they did in fairness. Reuters
    SUB: Max Kilman, NR - Replaced a fellow substitute when he was brought on in place of Fabio Silva for the closing stages as Nuno Espirito Santo looked to protect his side’s lead, which they did in fairness. Reuters

Arsenal exposed to rising hostility as fans return to stadium during poor run of form


Ian Hawkey
  • English
  • Arabic

Last Saturday morning, it felt like the days when a long away trip would be the highlight of a weekend. Thousands of Arsenal supporters rose early, felt the adrenalin, but this being England under strict lockdown, rushed only as far as their laptops or smartphones.

They were chasing tickets, special ones. Arsenal’s will be the first Premier League stadium since March to host supporters in a competitive game on Thursday night, and though it may only be a Europa League match against Rapid Vienna in a group Arsenal have already qualified from, it is a breakthrough moment. Hence the rush to be first in the queue when the club website opened the race for the limited seats allowed at 9am last Saturday.

Because government easing of a ban on spectators was announced only late the previous week, there was no time for Arsenal to design a more sophisticated allocation system for the 2,000 paid seats allowed than first come, first served.

Even to get that many makes Arsenal luckier than some; London is deemed less at risk than many parts in England, so fans can attend matches in small numbers there but cannot in many parts of the north and midlands.

Players have almost universally welcomed an end to matches played out only to the sound of teammates, coaches, opponents and sometimes self-conscious radio commentators, but it may feel a little startling to them to suddenly hear passionate loyalists and critics again.

Two thousand people in a stadium with a capacity and acoustics for 60,000 - as Arsenal’s stadium has - will not vibrate to a constant thrum. But if the performance irritates, there will be enough groans in unison to be heard. And those lucky enough to have tickets will find it still quiet enough to hear the specific instructions coming from the technical areas.

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, says he likes the idea of that close communion. “I want them [the fans] to see really closely what the team is trying to do,” says Arteta, who is in the curious position of having spent two thirds of his career so far as a senior head coach operating in emptied arenas.

He was only appointed late last December, and when he became one of the first high-profile figures in the sport to test positive for coronavirus, it signalled to the wider game that there would be no prospect of carrying on as normal.

After the long lockdown, behind-closed-doors football resumed for Premier League clubs in July. About Arteta, the novice manager, much would be learned thanks to the silence of the stadiums. Because there was no crowd noise, reporters, staff and TV viewers gained a sharper sense of how vocal, and clear, he is on the touchline.

And, indeed, how multilingual. For an Arsenal team made up, typically, of more footballers whose native language is French or Spanish than English, they have an ideal boss. Arteta, a Spaniard who grew up in the Basque Country and Catalonia and once a midfielder with Paris Saint-Germain, is fluent in many tongues.

He often selects the most appropriate one depending which player he is talking to. Eavesdroppers learnt during the summer resumption of football, when ‘cooling breaks’ were timetabled into matches, that Arteta speaks with clarity and purpose to his players, whatever the language.

His predecessors would be forgiven for thinking that a run of 30 matches without crowds present, the run Arteta is coming out of, might be a beneficial initiation for an Arsenal manager. A culture of hostility took hold at the handsome Emirates stadium during the later years of Arsene Wenger’s long reign, and it was shrill. Unai Emery, who succeeded Wenger and lasted a season and a half, heard the same tone.

So did Granit Xhaka when he was wearing the captain's armband. All big clubs have indignant, noisy fans, but Arsenal are the only club, in the last 14 months of Premier League football, whose skipper relinquished the armband because he swore at supporters who had been jeering him.

Xhaka has captained Arsenal again, since then, under Arteta, in the Europa League, behind-closed-doors. He redeemed his reputation to a degree, influential in a post-shutdown run that delivered an FA Cup triumph under the new manager. But the same frustrations that stirred the chants of ‘Wenger Out’ and chased Emery a year ago have not disappeared. Arteta’s team have lost more than they have won in the league so far in 2020-21.

They are 14th in the table, and their bad luck is that, on the first Premier League weekend with fans back, they must go to the home of the leaders.

Tottenham Hotspur are allowed 2,000 fans on Sunday, and they will certainly make themselves heard - because it’s Arsenal and it has been a while since the gap between the two rivals was quite so wide.

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UAE%20SQUAD
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David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

How Beautiful this world is!
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
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Haemoglobin disorders explained

Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.

Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.

The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions - about 450 of the UAE's 2,000 thalassaemia patients - though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.

The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded 45,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.

A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 'new carrier couples' every year and annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.

Test series fixtures

(All matches start at 2pm UAE)

1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday

2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18

3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31

4th Test Manchester from August 4-8

UAE%20ILT20
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Winners

Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)

Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)

Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)

Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)

Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)

Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)

Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)

THREE
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Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
​​​​​​​Bloomsbury Academic

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Ferdous, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-3 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,400m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6pm: UAE Arabian Derby Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 2,200m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Championship Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 2,200m
Winner: Somoud, Patrick Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Conditions (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Bairaq, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

THE BIO

Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.

Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.

She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.

Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring  the natural world.

Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt

Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure

Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers

Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised

Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels

Asia Cup 2018 final

Who: India v Bangladesh

When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium

Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD

Brief scores:

Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37

South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62

Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59

Match info

Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4
(Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)

Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

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 banned).

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.

Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

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. 

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fasset%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mohammad%20Raafi%20Hossain%2C%20Daniel%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.45%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2086%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-series%20B%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Investcorp%2C%20Liberty%20City%20Ventures%2C%20Fatima%20Gobi%20Ventures%2C%20Primal%20Capital%2C%20Wealthwell%20Ventures%2C%20FHS%20Capital%2C%20VN2%20Capital%2C%20local%20family%20offices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The specs

Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Power: 300hp

Torque: 420Nm

Price: Dh189,900

On sale: now

The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X

Price, as tested: Dh84,000

Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: Six-speed auto

Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km

The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback

Price, base: Dh315,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm

Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMaly%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mo%20Ibrahim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.6%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2015%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%2C%20planning%20first%20seed%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GCC-based%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?

Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
 

How to help

Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:

2289 - Dh10

2252 - Dh50

6025 - Dh20

6027 - Dh100

6026 - Dh200

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

The biog

Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball

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Men’s singles 
Group A:
Son Wan-ho (Kor), Lee Chong Wei (Mas), Ng Long Angus (HK), Chen Long (Chn)
Group B: Kidambi Srikanth (Ind), Shi Yugi (Chn), Chou Tien Chen (Tpe), Viktor Axelsen (Den)

Women’s Singles 
Group A:
Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn), Pusarla Sindhu (Ind), Sayaka Sato (Jpn), He Bingjiao (Chn)
Group B: Tai Tzu Ying (Tpe), Sung Hi-hyun (Kor), Ratchanok Intanon (Tha), Chen Yufei (Chn)

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Scoreline:

Manchester City 1

Jesus 4'

Brighton 0

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to help

Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.

Account name: Dar Al Ber Society

Account Number: 11 530 734

IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734

Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae

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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt

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”

Key facilities
  • 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
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).