For the first time since the onset of the Covid pandemic, the Emirates Dubai Sevens will be up to a full quota of teams when it returns this weekend.
Some of the stars of the past are returning to the site of their former glories, while there are many more bidding to make names for themselves.
Here are 10 players to look out for among the 4,500 or so participants at The Sevens on the National Day weekend.
Jordan Conroy (Ireland)
Once scored five tries in a single match in Dubai, he is back again with Ireland.
First chance to see him: 10.06am, Friday, Pitch 2 – Ireland v Spain
Jaz Joyce (Great Britain)
Part of the Wales squad at the XVs World Cup in New Zealand this month, she has raced back into sevens in time for Dubai.
First chance to see her: 9.44am, Friday, Pitch 1 – Great Britain v New Zealand
Perry Baker (United States)
Now 36, he remains one of the most recognisable faces on the circuit.
First chance to see him: 10.06am, Friday, Pitch 1 – United States v Canada.
Charlotte Caslick (Australia)
Olympic, Commonwealth and World Cup Sevens gold medals. Ex-World Rugby Sevens player of the year. She’s basically won it all.
First chance to see her: 9.22am, Friday, Pitch 1 – Australia v China
Branco du Preez (South Africa)
A hundred tries on the World Sevens Series. Closing in on 1,500 points. Still mint.
First chance to see him: 11.34am, Friday, Pitch 1 – South Africa v Great Britain
Charity Williams (Canada)
Once aspired to be an Olympian in gymnastics – instead she made it there as a rugby player.
First chance to see her: 9am, Friday, Pitch 1 – Canada v United States
Charlie Taylor (Dubai Tigers)
Played at Dubai Sevens twice on the World Series with Australia. Had four years out, now is back playing in the Gulf Men’s League.
First chance to see him: 6pm, Thursday, Pitch 2 – Dubai Tigers v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Christelene Steinhobel (Dubai Sharks)
Swapped cricket for rugby, played for South Africa, and is now heading up Dubai Sharks in the Gulf Women’s competition.
First chance to see her: 6.40pm, Thursday, Pitch 8 – Dubai Sharks v Sharjah Wanderers Ladies
Dafydd James (100 World Legends)
The former Wales and British & Irish Lions wing will captain an all-star side in the International Vets.
First chance to see him: 8am, Thursday, Pitch 2 – 100 World Legends v Airbus
Emily Eglen (DESC)
Leading try-scorer as UAE U20s won in Uzbekistan in the Asia Sevens Series recently, she will be leading her school’s challenge in the Gulf U19 Girls.
First chance to see her: 1pm, Thursday, Pitch 4 – DESC v Al Maha
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; (D) 1,200m
7.40pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (D) 1,900m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 2,000m
8.50pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; (D) 2,000m
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.
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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.
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 5 (Lenglet 2', Vidal 29', Messi 34', 75', Suarez 77')
Valladolid 1 (Kiko 15')
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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%20
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Results:
5pm: Baynunah Conditions (UAE bred) Dh80,000 1,400m.
Winner: Al Tiryaq, Dane O’Neill (jockey), Abdullah Al Hammadi (trainer).
5.30pm: Al Zahra Handicap (rated 0-45) Dh 80,000 1,400m:
Winner: Fahadd, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
6pm: Al Ras Al Akhdar Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m.
Winner: Jaahiz, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
6.30pm: Al Reem Island Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m.
Winner: AF Al Jahed, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
7pm: Al Khubairah Handicap (TB) 100,000 2,200m.
Winner: Empoli, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh80,000 2,200m.
Winner: Shivan OA, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Company%20Profile
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