ISLAMABAD // Some questions and answers about the Pakistan-based Haqqani network and the potential impact of the Obama administration's decision to designate it a terrorist organisation:
Q: What is the Haqqani Network?
A: The Haqqanis have a record of carrying out high-profile attacks in the Afghan capital Kabul. The group is based in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal area but also has significant strength in eastern Afghanistan, the original home of the founder, Jalaluddin Haqqani. He made a name for himself in the 1980s when he fought the Soviets in Afghanistan, with extensive support from US and Pakistani intelligence agencies.
Q: What impact will the US designation of the Haqqani Network as a foreign terrorist organisation have on the group?
A: The designation requires US financial institutions to freeze assets owned by the network and outlaws Americans from providing the group funds or material support. It can also prevent members of the group from traveling to the US. Many of the Haqqani Nsetwork's senior leaders have already been blacklisted individually, and that has seemingly had little effect.
Q: How many fighters make up the Haqqani Network and how much violence are they responsible for in Afghanistan?
A: A US defence official estimated the group's size at 2,000 to 4,000 militants. US officials have believe the network is responsible for less than 20 percent of all US and Nato casualties in Afghanistan.
Q: What is the Haqqani network's relationship with the Taliban and Al Qaeda?
A: It has pledged allegiance to Taliban leader Mullah Omar, but the group largely operates independently. The elder Haqqani developed close ties to Osama bin Laden during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. The network's ties to Al Qaeda and other foreign militant groups have remained strong, one of the reasons why it has become such a potent force in Afghanistan.
Associated Press
Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
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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.
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Disposing of non-recycleable masks
Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home
Do not put them in a recycling bin
Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
- No need to bag the mask
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Scoreline
Germany 2
Werner 9', Sane 19'
Netherlands 2
Promes 85', Van Dijk 90'
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