Adel Abdullah in action, right, for Al Shabab.
Adel Abdullah in action, right, for Al Shabab.

Q&A: Adel Abdullah



What has been the best footballing moment of your career to date?
When we lifted the league trophy in 2008. If you ask me a particular game, I would say the match against Sharjah in that season because I scored. It was really the turning point for us because Sharjah were also in the running for the title. If we had lost that game, it would have been really difficult.

Who is your favourite football player of all time?
Diego Maradona. To just see Maradona in flesh is a dream; to have Maradona on the pitch, I cannot describe the feeling. It's a lot bigger than a dream. I am jealous of the Al Waslplayers really; they are able to shake his hand and hug him. We get really jealous when I see the Wasl players jumping on Maradona. He is the best thing to happen to the league.

Moving away from the football field, what is your interest in politics and current affairs?
Honestly, I try to stay away from all that. I don't want to give myself a headache. But time to time, I watch the news on TV to know what is happening around. You cannot just close your eyes and play football. You need to know what's happening around you. When you go to some majalis or your friends, and when they are talking, you should have something to share. You cannot just go there and sit, and talk only when they are talking about football or sports.

What kind of literature do you read and what is your favourite book?
I am sorry to say this, but I don't read a lot. I obviously read the Holy Quran, which is definitely my favourite book, but I don't read a lot outside that. I take the newspaper, read a bit and then throw it away. Sometimes I just pick up a book randomly to read, but I cannot focus a lot on it. This is a very bad. I have to start reading more because it gives you more knowledge. The first words of the Holy Quran to come down was Iqra, which means to read. So it is really important, but unfortunately not many people read these days.


What is your favourite holiday destination?
I have been to Italy with my wife. I have visited Italy six times, but with the club. When you are travelling with the club, you are bound by rules and timings. So it was great to be able to go there with my wife. I spent nine days there and I really like Italy. I went to Lake Garda and it is a beautiful place. The weather is also great and I love Italian food. I love the green mountains and villages. I feel at peace in such places.

* Ahmed Rizvi

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.

Last-16

France 4
Griezmann (13' pen), Pavard (57'), Mbappe (64', 68')

Argentina 3
Di Maria (41'), Mercado (48'), Aguero (90 3')

THE SPECS

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm

Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Top speed: 250kph

Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: Dh146,999

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.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
Business Insights
  • As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses. 
  • SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income. 
  • Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.

The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press

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if you go

The flights

Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes. 

The hotels 

The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).

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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Business Insights
  • Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
  • The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
  • US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Company%20Profile
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EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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