What can we say about a year that caused once-in-a-lifetime damage to all aspects of the music industry?
While it was tempting to call 2020 a write-off as early as March, Arab artists and those with links to the region managed to make the most of the situation by creating works underscoring our times.
From innovative songs to heart-warming viral videos and pioneering online music festivals, here are 20 standout musical moments of the year.
1. A 24K magic start to the year with Bruno Mars
The year began with finesse courtesy of Bruno Mars. The US pop star's concert at Abu Dhabi's du Arena was the region's biggest New Year's Eve celebration, with 20,000 people watching the diminutive singer bust out the moves and hits to kick off 2020 on a hopeful note. If only we had known what was in store ...
2. Stormzy wears the crown
He came, he saw and he conquered.
UK grime star Stormzy’s exhilarating show at the RedFestDXB festival in Dubai was not so much a concert as a coronation for one of the music industry's newest stars.
Stormzy knew it, too, with Dubai the first international stop of an extensive world tour, stretching from the region to South-East Asia, the US, Europe and Africa, and a platform for his latest album, the opus Heavy is the Head. However, those well-laid plans were scuppered when the encroaching pandemic slowly but surely cancelled his global victory lap.
3. The pandemic halts the Arab world’s biggest dance music festival
The region's entertainment industry first came face to face with the severity of the pandemic when hugely anticipated dance music festival Ultra Abu Dhabi was scrapped.
Set to take place in the capital in March, the event was expected to attract 40,000 people to see sets by some of the world's leading DJs. With travel restrictions imposed worldwide as a safety measure against Covid-19, the festival pulled the plug with a promise to return in "the near future".
4. Dance with Sara
With movement restricted in the region owing to the pandemic, Lebanese dance instructor Sara Karrit brought smiles to our faces in March with a viral video featuring herself, flanked by her husband and six-year-old son, dancing along to the sounds of Afrobeat DJ Neptune. Judging by its viral reception, it seemed the world wanted to groove along, too.
5. Elissa goes pandemic pop with new single
With Hanaghani Kaman Wa Kaman, the Lebanese singer gave us a tune for our times. Translated as "we shall sing again and again", the song, released in April, acted as a message of encouragement as well as a plea for people to stay home amid the pandemic.
The star-studded video was presented in the style of a Zoom call, with Elissa at home, in pink pyjamas, reaching out to friend and fellow pop star Haifa Wehbe, who was also isolating at home.
6. 'I'm proud to be Emirati': Hussain Al Jassmi performs at One World Together at Home concert
UAE pop music king Hussain Al Jassmi represented the region by being the only Arab artist tapped to perform at the One World Together at Home concert.
Held on April 18 and organised by both Global Citizen and the World Health Organisation, the epic affair hosted Al Jassmi dozens of international artists, including Beyonce, Elton John and Paul McCartney, who all performed their hits.
Wearing a white kandura, Al Jassmi took to the piano to play a two-song medley of Bahebek Wahashtini and Mohem Jedan. You can catch the performance by scrolling to minute 46 of the YouTube video above.
7. Saudi Arabian singers shine during all female online music festival
As part of The Beat DXB Lockdown online music series, more than a dozen artists from the kingdom's eclectic music scene teamed up for what was likely the first all-female Saudi music festival.
The April 22 event featured Jeddah RnB singer Sarah Chafei, Los Angeles soul singer Tamtam and UK soprano Sawsan Al Bahiti.
8. Nancy Ajram points the way with rooftop YouTube concert
As the pandemic raged on, Lebanese star Nancy Ajram delivered a concert both soulful and gently ground-breaking in terms of what the online medium offers regional artists.
While peers recorded their gigs in cold and stark studios, Ajram shot her May show on a Beirut rooftop as she delivered stripped-down version of her hits.
9. ‘Rona-rona-rona-virus’ with Mohamed Ramadan
Released in June, this arguably remains the catchiest Arabic ode to the pandemic. Actor and sometime rapper Mohamed Ramadan's song Corona Virus is as much a public safety message as a club banger.
The lyrics are full of vibrant Egyptian colloquiums and scatting. The chorus, teeming with snappy couplets, also referenced Ramadan's Ramadan drama series El Prince.
“I am the prince, I am the gentleman,” it begins. “A mask I wear and gloves as well. I say hello from afar and with no hugs. Coronavirus – that way I am safe.”
10. A message of hope from Baalbeck
To underscore the tumultuous period, the Baalbeck International Festival held a special July concert from one of the ancient city's most prestigious sites. Broadcast live online, The Sound of Resilience orchestral concert, held at the foot of the Temple of Bacchus, featured The Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra as well as some of Lebanon's top choirs.
With the festival cancelled in the wake of the pandemic, the one-off performance served to not only highlight the event's cherished place in the region's cultural landscape, but to provide moments of serenity in what had already been a torrid year.
11. Beauty amid the wreckage
An eminent Italian classical music festival paid tribute to the region in July. As part of the Ravenna Festival, the 24th Roads of Friendship concert was held at the Paestum archaeological site in southern Italy.
With this year's performance dedicated to Syrian archaeologist Khaled Al-Asaad and Kurdish-Syrian politician Hevrin Khalaf, both killed in Syria's civil war, nine musicians from Europe's Syrian diaspora performed as guests of the acclaimed Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra under the baton of founder and maestro, Riccardo Muti.
12. Classic Lebanese anthems give comfort in wake of modern tragedy
Lebanese citizens sought the voices of the past for comfort in the aftermath of the August 4 explosion at Beirut port.
From Wadih Al Safi's Ma'lesih Ya Lebnan to Fairouz's Bhebak Ya Lebnan, social media channels in Lebanon were flooded with songs by local legends whose humane lyrics provided light amid the darkness of despair.
13. Amr Diab and Dina El Sherbiny confirm they are a match
August finally revealed one of the Arab entertainment industry’s biggest open secrets.
After countless reports that pop star Amr Diab and fellow Egyptian actress Dina El Sherbiny had married, the pair somewhat confirmed their relationship status in a lavish music video.
While the visuals for Diab's single, Amaken El Sahar, show the couple without wedding rings, their connection appear to be the real deal to the delight of their fans.
14. Concerts return to Saudi Arabia
One of the Arab world's first large-scale music performances took place in Saudi Arabia throughout September to celebrate the kingdom's 90th anniversary. Arena concerts took place in Jeddah and Riyadh featuring the cream of the Arab pop world, including Egypt's Amr Diab and the UAE's Ahlam.
15. French President Emmanuel Macron meets Fairouz
The much-loved and enigmatic Lebanese singer Fairouz made a rare public appearance on August 31, hosting French president Emmanuel Macron in her home on the outskirts of Beirut.
Macron bestowed on Fairouz, 84, the Legion of Honour, France's highest order of merit for military and civil merits.
"I told her everything that she represented to me, of a Lebanon that we love and that many are expectant of, a nostalgia that many have," he said of the meeting.
16. Mika's ode to Lebanon is unforgettable
Mika has often spoken about his affection for Beirut, but he has never expressed it so clearly as in this entertaining and affecting online concert dedicated to his native Lebanon.
Blending performance with documentary-style images of Beirut's extensive destruction in the wake of the port explosion, as well as interviews with survivors, September's I Love Beirut concert remains a stirring tribute to a resilient city picking itself up from the wreckage.
“My irrepressible Beirut. Your flame has never been extinguished, it flickers on,” Mika said in the concert opening. “You witnessed my birth under the falling bombs in 1983 but I have never forgotten that I was also born of your grandeur. My beautiful Beirut, you are not alone.”
17. Mohamed Ramadan’s face in New York City lights
The Arab music scene notched another international moment on September 8 when Egyptian actor and pop star Mohamed Ramadan had his face projected on Spotify's billboard in New York City's Times Square.
The moment coincided with the Dubai launch of his single Ya Habibi, the video for which was also shot in the emirate.
Ramadan is the second Arab music artist to appear on the display, following fellow Egyptian singer Amr Diab’s appearance in November last year.
18. Kimaera makes Majida El Roumi see red with black metal cover of Lebanese pop music classic
When heavy metal group Kimaera released their thunderous version of Beirut Set El Donya, they got more than they bargained for.
As well as ecstatic reviews from the region's metal community, the group got a stern letter from El Roumi's management stating her intention to file a copyright claim against the group for what she alleges is an unofficial use of the song.
While legal discussions continue to take place between both parties, El Roumi's intervention only served to highlight one of the most interesting and innovative cover songs to come from the region. "The video doubled its number of views within two days of what happened," keyboardist Charbel Abboud told The National in November. "I think the more people see it, they will understand our artistic intentions."
19. Israeli musicians perform special concert at Dubai Opera
On December 8, a landmark concert take place at Dubai Opera.
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli flew into the UAE to perform a private concert alongside a number of Israeli musicians.
Dubbed A Celebration of Peace, the gala event was held in honour of the UAE and Israel's formal ties as part of the Abraham Accords. In attendance were a group of UAE dignitaries and Israeli officials, including the deputy mayor of Jerusalem, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, who documented the show on social media.
20. Giving 2020 the big Kiss-off
The UAE is gearing up to end this challenging year on a bright and explosive note with a Kiss concert in Dubai on New Year's Eve. The rock behemoths will perform on the grounds of Atlantis, The Palm, in front of a limited live audience.
Most fans will catch the mammoth gig on the small screen, with the concert being streamed live. Kiss will arrive in Dubai with 400 crew and the show will feature attempts to break the world record for the "largest-ever pyro display".
Speaking to The National, bassist Gene Simmons said the show will aim to turbocharge us into what will hopefully be a better year.
"Forget about 2020, it's been a pain in the butt,” he said. “2021 is going to be a much better time for planet Earth, for everybody.” Let’s hope he is right.
_________________
Read more:
Lights, camera, no action: how the pandemic brought film industry to its knees
Covid Conversations: UAE artists explore emotions ignited by pandemic in new show
12 celebrity biopics coming in 2021: from Pamela Anderson and Elvis Presley to Whitney Houston and Madonna
_________________
More on animal trafficking
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships
2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds
2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58
2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified
2012 London Olympics 9.63
2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77
2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79
2016 Rio Olympics 9.81
2017 London World Championships 9.95
Results
5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar
7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed
T20 World Cup Qualifier, Muscat
UAE FIXTURES
Friday February 18: v Ireland
Saturday February 19: v Germany
Monday February 21: v Philippines
Tuesday February 22: semi-finals
Thursday February 24: final
ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
More coverage from the Future Forum
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors
Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km
Price: from Dh199,900
On sale: now
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20Znap%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarted%3A%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Uday%20Rathod%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%241m%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EInvestors%3A%20Family%2C%20friends%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Read more about the coronavirus
Getting%20there
%3Cp%3EGiven%20its%20remote%20location%2C%20getting%20to%20Borneo%20can%20feel%20daunting%20even%20for%20the%20most%20seasoned%20traveller.%20But%20you%20can%20fly%20directly%20from%20Kuala%20Lumpur%20to%20Sandakan%20and%20Sepilok%20is%20only%20half%20an%20hour%20away%20by%20taxi.%20Sandakan%20has%20plenty%20of%20accommodation%20options%2C%20while%20Sepilok%20has%20a%20few%20nature%20lodges%20close%20to%20the%20main%20attractions.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RECORD%20BREAKER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20debutant%20for%20Barcelona%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2015%20years%20and%20290%20days%20v%20Real%20Betis%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20La%20Liga%20starter%20in%20the%2021st%20century%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%20years%20and%2038%20days%20v%20Cadiz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20player%20to%20register%20an%20assist%20in%20La%20Liga%20in%20the%2021st%20century%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%20years%20and%2045%20days%20v%20Villarreal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20debutant%20for%20Spain%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2016%20years%20and%2057%20days%20v%20Georgia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20goalscorer%20for%20Spain%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2016%20years%20and%2057%20days%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20player%20to%20score%20in%20a%20Euro%20qualifier%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2016%20years%20and%2057%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
NEW%20UTILITY%20POLICY%3A%20WHAT%20DOES%20IT%20REGULATE%3F
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Agreements%20on%20energy%20and%20water%20supply%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Applied%20service%20fees%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customer%20data%20and%20information%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Prohibition%20of%20service%20disconnections%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customer%20complaint%20process%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Management%20of%20debts%20and%20customers%20in%20default%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Services%20provided%20to%20people%20of%20determination%20and%20home%20care%20customers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIXTURES
UAE’s remaining fixtures in World Cup qualification R2
Oct 8: Malaysia (h)
Oct 13: Indonesia (a)
Nov 12: Thailand (h)
Nov 17: Vietnam (h)
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
MATCH INFO
BRIGHTON 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 3
McTominay 44'
Mata 73'
Pogba 80'
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Torno Subito, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Untold Secret, Jose Santiago, Salem bin Ghadayer
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Levante v Getafe (5pm), Sevilla v Real Madrid (7.15pm), Atletico Madrid v Real Valladolid (9.30pm), Cadiz v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday Granada v Huesca (5pm), Osasuna v Real Betis (7.15pm), Villarreal v Elche (9.30pm), Alaves v Real Sociedad (midnight)
Monday Eibar v Valencia (midnight)
Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
Paltan
Producer: JP Films, Zee Studios
Director: JP Dutta
Cast: Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood, Arjun Rampal, Siddhanth Kapoor, Luv Sinha and Harshvardhan Rane
Rating: 2/5
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)
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
The biog
Fast facts on Neil Armstrong’s personal life:
- Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio
- He earned his private pilot’s license when he was 16 – he could fly before he could drive
- There was tragedy in his married life: Neil and Janet Armstrong’s daughter Karen died at the age of two in 1962 after suffering a brain tumour. She was the couple’s only daughter. Their two sons, Rick and Mark, consulted on the film
- After Armstrong departed Nasa, he bought a farm in the town of Lebanon, Ohio, in 1971 – its airstrip allowed him to tap back into his love of flying
- In 1994, Janet divorced Neil after 38 years of marriage. Two years earlier, Neil met Carol Knight, who became his second wife in 1994
Results:
Women:
1. Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) 322.95 points
2. Lysanne Richard (CAN) 285.75
3. Ellie Smart (USA) 277.70
Men:
1. Gary Hunt (GBR) 431.55
2. Constantin Popovici (ROU) 424.65
3. Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) 392.30
Autumn international scores
Saturday, November 24
Italy 3-66 New Zealand
Scotland 14-9 Argentina
England 37-18 Australia
Brief scores:
Day 1
Toss: India, chose to bat
India (1st innings): 215-2 (89 ov)
Agarwal 76, Pujara 68 not out; Cummins 2-40
Brief scores:
Arsenal 4
Xhaka 25', Lacazette 55', Ramsey 79', Aubameyang 83'
Fulham 1
Kamara 69'
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
2019 ASIAN CUP FINAL
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Copa del Rey
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Men's football draw
Group A: UAE, Spain, South Africa, Jamaica
Group B: Bangladesh, Serbia, Korea
Group C: Bharat, Denmark, Kenya, USA
Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda
RESULTS FOR STAGE 4
Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.
Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Other IPL batting records
Most sixes: 292 – Chris Gayle
Most fours: 491 – Gautam Gambhir
Highest individual score: 175 not out – Chris Gayle (for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013)
Highest strike-rate: 177.29 – Andre Russell
Highest strike-rate in an innings: 422.22 – Chris Morris (for Delhi Daredevils against Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017)
Highest average: 52.16 – Vijay Shankar
Most centuries: 6 – Chris Gayle
Most fifties: 36 – Gautam Gambhir
Fastest hundred (balls faced): 30 – Chris Gayle (for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013)
Fastest fifty (balls faced): 14 – Lokesh Rahul (for Kings XI Punjab against Delhi Daredevils in 2018)
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Keita 5', Firmino 26'
Porto 0
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Zakat definitions
Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.
Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.
Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.
Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.
FA CUP FINAL
Manchester City 6
(D Silva 26', Sterling 38', 81', 87', De Bruyne 61', Jesus 68')
Watford 0
Man of the match: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
RESULT
Fifth ODI, at Headingley
England 351/9
Pakistan 297
England win by 54 runs (win series 4-0)
ARGENTINA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez
Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
Places to go for free coffee
- Cherish Cafe Dubai, Dubai Investment Park, are giving away free coffees all day.
- La Terrace, Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai, are serving their first 50 guests one coffee and four bite-sized cakes
- Wild & The Moon will be giving away a free espresso with every purchase on International Coffee Day
- Orange Wheels welcome parents are to sit, relax and enjoy goodies at ‘Café O’ along with a free coffee
ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Saturday's results
West Ham 2-3 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton
Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves
Brighton 0-2 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Everton 0-2 Norwich City
Watford 0-3 Burnley
Manchester City v Chelsea, 9.30pm
The specs: 2019 Audi A8
Price From Dh390,000
Engine 3.0L V6 turbo
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 345hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy, combined 7.5L / 100km
The years Ramadan fell in May
PAKISTAN SQUAD
Pakistan - Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Aamer Yamin, Rumman Raees.
No_One Ever Really Dies
N*E*R*D
(I Am Other/Columbia)
Henrik Stenson's finishes at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship:
2006 - 2
2007 - 8
2008 - 2
2009 - MC
2010 - 21
2011 - 42
2012 - MC
2013 - 23
2014 - MC
2015 - MC
2016 - 3
2017 - 8
FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Brackets denote aggregate score
Tuesday:
Roma (1) v Shakhtar Donetsk (2), 11.45pm
Manchester United (0) v Sevilla (0), 11.45pm
Wednesday:
Besiktas (0) v Bayern Munich (5), 9pm
Barcelona (1) v Chelsea (1), 11.45pm
The five pillars of Islam
