Morocco players celebrate the 2-0 Group F win against Belgium at Al Thumama Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Doha. Getty
Morocco players celebrate the 2-0 Group F win against Belgium at Al Thumama Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Doha. Getty
Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech celebrate. Getty
Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech celebrate. Getty
Morocco fans celebrate after the 2-0 win. Getty
Morocco fans celebrate after the 2-0 win. Getty
Toby Alderweireld and Dries Mertens of Belgium look dejected. Getty
Toby Alderweireld and Dries Mertens of Belgium look dejected. Getty
Morocco players after their incredible win. Getty
Morocco players after their incredible win. Getty
Morocco players celebrate after Abdelhamid Sabiri scored in the Group F match against Belgium at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 27, 2022. AFP
Morocco players celebrate after Abdelhamid Sabiri scored in the Group F match against Belgium at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 27, 2022. AFP
Abdelhamid Sabiri (bottom R) of Morocco celebrates with teammates after scoring. EPA
Abdelhamid Sabiri (bottom R) of Morocco celebrates with teammates after scoring. EPA
Abdelhamid Sabiri celebrates after scoring. Getty
Abdelhamid Sabiri celebrates after scoring. Getty
Thibaut Courtois of Belgium dives in vain as Abdelhamid Sabiri scores for Morocco. Getty
Thibaut Courtois of Belgium dives in vain as Abdelhamid Sabiri scores for Morocco. Getty
Abdelhamid Sabiri celebrates with Yahya Attiat-Allah. Getty
Abdelhamid Sabiri celebrates with Yahya Attiat-Allah. Getty
Morocco's Munir El Kajoui celebrates after Abdelhamid Sabiri scores. Reuters
Morocco's Munir El Kajoui celebrates after Abdelhamid Sabiri scores. Reuters
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action. Reuters
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action. Reuters
Morocco midfielder Selim Amallah controls the ball past Belgium's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. AFP
Morocco midfielder Selim Amallah controls the ball past Belgium's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. AFP
Morocco's Youssef En-Nesyri and Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen fight for the ball. AFP
Morocco's Youssef En-Nesyri and Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen fight for the ball. AFP
Belgium's Leandro Trossard tries to get past Morocco's Noussair Mazraoui. PA
Belgium's Leandro Trossard tries to get past Morocco's Noussair Mazraoui. PA
Morocco's Abdelhamid Sabiri celebrates scoring the opening goal. PA
Morocco's Abdelhamid Sabiri celebrates scoring the opening goal. PA
Morocco take the lead against Belgium. PA
Morocco take the lead against Belgium. PA
Abdelhamid Sabiri of Morocco celebrates. Getty
Abdelhamid Sabiri of Morocco celebrates. Getty

World Cup

Morocco coach Walid Regragui: We can do anything after Belgium World Cup win

A point in their final Group F assignment against already-eliminated Canada on Thursday will see Morocco reach the knockout round of a World Cup for the first time since 1986

The National

November 28, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Morocco coach Walid Regragui said his team can improve on their 2-0 win over Belgium and that they "can do anything" at the World Cup.

A point in their final Group F assignment against already-eliminated Canada on Thursday will see Morocco reach the knockout round of a World Cup for the first time since 1986.

Goals from Romain Saiss and Zakaria Aboukhlal at Al Thumama Stadium secured Morocco their first World Cup win in 24 years on Sunday as the energetic North Africans made Belgium, ranked second in the world by Fifa, look pedestrian.

"We know if you don't give 100 percent it's impossible to win," Regragui told a press conference. "But with these fans, with these players and this spirit we can do anything.

"The competition is not over, we have to recover quickly for the game against Canada. Hopefully we can get a good result for the qualification."

Riots broke out in several Belgian and Dutch cities after Morocco’s upset win as Belgian police detained about a dozen people after they deployed water cannons and fire tear gas to disperse crowds in Brussels and eight more in the Northern city of Antwerp, the Associated Press reported.

Two police officials were injured in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam. By late evening Sunday, an uneasy calm had returned to most of the cities involved.

All five African teams were dumped out in the group stage in Russia four years ago but Morocco joined continental Senegal in winning their second match in Qatar.

The Atlas Lions sit top of the group on four points, having also held 2018 runners-up Croatia to a goalless draw.

Player ratings

BELGIUM RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois 4 – Was twice undone by free-kicks, firstly from Ziyech and an effort that was later ruled out for offside, then again for the decisive goal at his near post. Could do little about the second. Reuters
BELGIUM RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois 4 – Was twice undone by free-kicks, firstly from Ziyech and an effort that was later ruled out for offside, then again for the decisive goal at his near post. Could do little about the second. Reuters
Thomas Meunier 4 – Overlapped well on the right but his final delivery always let him down. Was also guilty of giving needless free-kicks away in his own half. AFP
Thomas Meunier 4 – Overlapped well on the right but his final delivery always let him down. Was also guilty of giving needless free-kicks away in his own half. AFP
Toby Alderweireld 4 – Belgium’s tempo was too slow and that started from the back, with Alderweireld and others taking too many touches and allowing Morocco to recover their shape. He did, though, make a key interception towards the end with Morocco threatening. Getty
Toby Alderweireld 4 – Belgium’s tempo was too slow and that started from the back, with Alderweireld and others taking too many touches and allowing Morocco to recover their shape. He did, though, make a key interception towards the end with Morocco threatening. Getty
Jan Vertonghen 5 – Won a lot in the air but like Alderweireld, his passing was usually sideways, and slowed things down. He came close with a header in the final ten minutes. Getty
Jan Vertonghen 5 – Won a lot in the air but like Alderweireld, his passing was usually sideways, and slowed things down. He came close with a header in the final ten minutes. Getty
Timothy Castagne 5 – Looked to get forward when he could, but had his hands full with Ziyech. Getty
Timothy Castagne 5 – Looked to get forward when he could, but had his hands full with Ziyech. Getty
Andre Onana 5 – Had a half chance from a Belgium corner. He beat Munir to the ball but could only head over. Soon after, he picked up a senseless yellow card that will see him miss the game against Croatia. Overall, he didn’t do enough. EPA
Andre Onana 5 – Had a half chance from a Belgium corner. He beat Munir to the ball but could only head over. Soon after, he picked up a senseless yellow card that will see him miss the game against Croatia. Overall, he didn’t do enough. EPA
Axel Witsel 5 – Ineffective going forward from the middle, and was guilty of slowing the play down. Did his defensive duties well. Getty
Axel Witsel 5 – Ineffective going forward from the middle, and was guilty of slowing the play down. Did his defensive duties well. Getty
Thorgan Hazard 6 – His creativity led to the first chance of the game, his angled through ball releasing Batshuayi, who tested Munir. Lively throughout, though unable to really penetrate the opposition. EPA
Thorgan Hazard 6 – His creativity led to the first chance of the game, his angled through ball releasing Batshuayi, who tested Munir. Lively throughout, though unable to really penetrate the opposition. EPA
Kevin De Bruyne 5 – Yet to hit his stride at this World Cup, he cut a frustrated figure throughout. He came closest with a free-kick in the first half from a tight angle, but his effort landed on the roof of the net. AFP
Kevin De Bruyne 5 – Yet to hit his stride at this World Cup, he cut a frustrated figure throughout. He came closest with a free-kick in the first half from a tight angle, but his effort landed on the roof of the net. AFP
Eden Hazard 4 – Dropped deeper and deeper to receive the ball and so didn’t operate in dangerous positions. When he did manage to fashion a shooting opportunity, in the second half, he forced Munir into a save to his left. Ultimately, he was ineffective, and was substituted. PA
Eden Hazard 4 – Dropped deeper and deeper to receive the ball and so didn’t operate in dangerous positions. When he did manage to fashion a shooting opportunity, in the second half, he forced Munir into a save to his left. Ultimately, he was ineffective, and was substituted. PA
Michy Batshuayi 4 – Had a good early chance and, after timing his run to perfection, forced Munir into a save following good work from Thorgan Hazard. For a target man, though, he didn’t keep the ball enough, and strayed offside too many times. AFP
Michy Batshuayi 4 – Had a good early chance and, after timing his run to perfection, forced Munir into a save following good work from Thorgan Hazard. For a target man, though, he didn’t keep the ball enough, and strayed offside too many times. AFP
SUBS: Youri Tielemans (Onana, 60) 5 – Made a crunching tackle with his first touch to win the ball back in a dangerous area, then anonymous thereafter. AFP
SUBS: Youri Tielemans (Onana, 60) 5 – Made a crunching tackle with his first touch to win the ball back in a dangerous area, then anonymous thereafter. AFP
Dries Merterns (E Hazard, 60) 6 – Created a bit of magic within minutes of coming on; he created a shooting chance from the edge of the area and forced Munir into a save. AP
Dries Merterns (E Hazard, 60) 6 – Created a bit of magic within minutes of coming on; he created a shooting chance from the edge of the area and forced Munir into a save. AP
Leandro Trossard (T Hazard, 75) N/A – Will no doubt have watched with frustration as both Hazard brothers flattered to deceive. Getty
Leandro Trossard (T Hazard, 75) N/A – Will no doubt have watched with frustration as both Hazard brothers flattered to deceive. Getty
Charles de Ketelaere (Batshuayi, 75) N/A – Had little joy, like the player he replaced. AP
Charles de Ketelaere (Batshuayi, 75) N/A – Had little joy, like the player he replaced. AP
Romelu Lukaku (Meunier, 81) N/A – It says much about Belgium’s performance that Roberto Martinez turned to Lukaku ahead of schedule. He won a corner with his first contribution. Getty
Romelu Lukaku (Meunier, 81) N/A – It says much about Belgium’s performance that Roberto Martinez turned to Lukaku ahead of schedule. He won a corner with his first contribution. Getty
MOROCCO RATINGS: Munir 7 – A late addition at kick-off, was called into action early on to block smartly from Batshuayi. He looked confident when defending corners, often clearing with a solid punch. Saved well to his right to deny Hazard in the second half. Getty
MOROCCO RATINGS: Munir 7 – A late addition at kick-off, was called into action early on to block smartly from Batshuayi. He looked confident when defending corners, often clearing with a solid punch. Saved well to his right to deny Hazard in the second half. Getty
Achraf Hakimi 6 – Made a good and dangerous run into the area just after the half hour mark. He looked across and, with few options, he blazed over with a wild effort. Was carrying a knock and looked a little bit off his usual pace. AP
Achraf Hakimi 6 – Made a good and dangerous run into the area just after the half hour mark. He looked across and, with few options, he blazed over with a wild effort. Was carrying a knock and looked a little bit off his usual pace. AP
Nayef Aguerd 7 – Impressive throughout. He was aggressive in his tackling, but also accurate with both his long and short passing. Getty
Nayef Aguerd 7 – Impressive throughout. He was aggressive in his tackling, but also accurate with both his long and short passing. Getty
Romain Saiss 7 – Strayed offside during Ziyech’s goal-bound free-kick, which obscured Courtois’s view, and led to VAR ruling out the goal. He then did exactly the same when breaking the deadlock, but stayed onside. Kept Batshuayi quiet throughout. Getty
Romain Saiss 7 – Strayed offside during Ziyech’s goal-bound free-kick, which obscured Courtois’s view, and led to VAR ruling out the goal. He then did exactly the same when breaking the deadlock, but stayed onside. Kept Batshuayi quiet throughout. Getty
Noussair Mazraoui 7 – Solid performance from Mazraoui who moved to right-back following Hakimi’s substitution. AFP
Noussair Mazraoui 7 – Solid performance from Mazraoui who moved to right-back following Hakimi’s substitution. AFP
Azzedine Ounahi 7 – A raw performance from the youngster, who worked tirelessly throughout and gave everything to the cause while looking stylish with the ball at his feet. AFP
Azzedine Ounahi 7 – A raw performance from the youngster, who worked tirelessly throughout and gave everything to the cause while looking stylish with the ball at his feet. AFP
Nordin Amrabat 8 – Worked tirelessly at both ends, winning the ball back and then attempting to drive his team forward. Was central to Morocco’s play throughout. EPA
Nordin Amrabat 8 – Worked tirelessly at both ends, winning the ball back and then attempting to drive his team forward. Was central to Morocco’s play throughout. EPA
Selim Amallah 7 – One of four Moroccan players born and raised in Belgium, Amallah worked hard. He had a shooting opportunity in the first half, albeit a difficult one, and hit it high and wide. Was more involved in this match than he was against Croatia, getting a number of successful passes in. EPA
Selim Amallah 7 – One of four Moroccan players born and raised in Belgium, Amallah worked hard. He had a shooting opportunity in the first half, albeit a difficult one, and hit it high and wide. Was more involved in this match than he was against Croatia, getting a number of successful passes in. EPA
Hakim Ziyech, 9 – Always looked one of the more dangerous players, and he thought he’d given his side the lead when he converted from a free-kick. However, after a VAR check, Saiss was adjudged to have been offside. Came close again from distance following a progressive move from Morocco, but his effort drifted over the bar. Cut the ball back for Aboukhal to put the game beyond doubt. EPA
Hakim Ziyech, 9 – Always looked one of the more dangerous players, and he thought he’d given his side the lead when he converted from a free-kick. However, after a VAR check, Saiss was adjudged to have been offside. Came close again from distance following a progressive move from Morocco, but his effort drifted over the bar. Cut the ball back for Aboukhal to put the game beyond doubt. EPA
Youssef En-Nesyri 6 – Arguably the weak link in Morocco’s attack, and who didn’t offer as much as a threat as those playing behind him. AFP
Youssef En-Nesyri 6 – Arguably the weak link in Morocco’s attack, and who didn’t offer as much as a threat as those playing behind him. AFP
Sofiane Boufal 7 – While a lot of Morocco’s play came from the other side of the pitch, Boufal had one of the best chances of the game when, after dropping his shoulder, he lost Meunier and sent a low effort just wide of Courtois’s post. Always a threat. EPA
Sofiane Boufal 7 – While a lot of Morocco’s play came from the other side of the pitch, Boufal had one of the best chances of the game when, after dropping his shoulder, he lost Meunier and sent a low effort just wide of Courtois’s post. Always a threat. EPA
SUBS: Yahya Attiat-Allah (Amallah, 68) 7 – Made an instant impact, winning the free-kick that led to the opening goal. Getty
SUBS: Yahya Attiat-Allah (Amallah, 68) 7 – Made an instant impact, winning the free-kick that led to the opening goal. Getty
Abdelhamid Sabiri (Hakimi, 68) 8 – A stunning free-kick, a wicked delivery that caught out Courtois at his near post, put Morocco ahead. Reuters
Abdelhamid Sabiri (Hakimi, 68) 8 – A stunning free-kick, a wicked delivery that caught out Courtois at his near post, put Morocco ahead. Reuters
Zakaria Aboukhlal (Boufal, 73) N/A – Scored the decisive second following a neat cut back from Ziyech, an unstoppable finish into the top corner. Getty
Zakaria Aboukhlal (Boufal, 73) N/A – Scored the decisive second following a neat cut back from Ziyech, an unstoppable finish into the top corner. Getty
Abderazak Hamdallah (En-Nesyri, 73) N/A – Made a dangerous break in the closing stages and held the ball up well before forcing a corner. Getty
Abderazak Hamdallah (En-Nesyri, 73) N/A – Made a dangerous break in the closing stages and held the ball up well before forcing a corner. Getty
Jawad El Yamiq (Ounahi, 78) N/A – Made his World Cup debut and did little wrong in his 15-minute cameo. AP
Jawad El Yamiq (Ounahi, 78) N/A – Made his World Cup debut and did little wrong in his 15-minute cameo. AP

"We can still be better," said Regragui, who only took over as coach from the sacked Vahid Halilhodzic in August. "I'm not happy with four points, I want more than that. I want to qualify.

"Of course it will be tougher if we get to the knockout stage but that's the level I want to get to. We've matched two of the best teams in the world."

The game started in bizarre fashion for Morocco, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou asking to be withdrawn from the team after the national anthems.

Regragui said the Sevilla stopper had suffered an injury towards the end of Croatia game and felt something in the warm-up.

Munir El Kajoui took his place and made some crucial saves to keep a clean sheet.

"Munir did a great job. I have great players. They listen to the instructions and they fight with all of their heart," added Regragui. "Keep focused, keep positive and we will get great results."

Morocco's Romain Saiss, right, reacts after scoring to make it 1-0 against Belgium. AP Photo
Morocco's Romain Saiss, right, reacts after scoring to make it 1-0 against Belgium. AP Photo

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez was at a loss to explain why his side have been so poor in their opening two matches of the World Cup, but put Sunday’s surprise loss to Morocco down to a fear of losing and not enough quality in their attack.

Belgium stumbled past Canada 1-0 in their Group F opener and were below par again as they slipped to defeat against a spirited Moroccan side roared on by the majority of the 43,000 fans.

The setback leaves Belgium needing to beat group leaders Croatia in their final match to guarantee a place in the last-16

"We haven't been the best Belgium at this World Cup yet," he admitted. "Today I thought we played with the fear of losing. Without the ball we still work for each other but when we have the ball, we don't stand out, we are not ourselves. We have to work on that.

"We have to stay together now and become stronger. I know this group, we will be ready for Croatia."

The first goal scored by Saiss slipped in at goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’s near post, a collective error in defending a set-piece, but Martinez said that did not point to a lack of organisation.

"We didn't take advantage of our good moments in the first half and that first goal from Morocco determined the rest of the game," he said.

"We have been defending those standard situations in the same way for six years [since he has been in charge]. If the ball is kicked well, those are very difficult balls for a keeper.

"After the goal, the game changed radically and we were not careful enough with the ball to hurt Morocco."

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

U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES

UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)

  • Saturday 15 January: UAE beat Canada by 49 runs 
  • Thursday 20 January: v England 
  • Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh 

UAE squad:

Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles
Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly,
Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya
Shetty, Kai Smith  

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Under 19 World Cup

Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka

Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies

Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe

Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE

 

UAE fixtures

Saturday, January 18, v Canada

Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan

Saturday, January 25, v South Africa

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Plan to boost public schools

A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.

It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.

Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.

Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
Read more about the coronavirus
UAE currency
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

On Women's Day
While you're here
While you're here
While you're here
While you're here
RESULTS
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The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Cameron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Worthington%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

Pope Francis in UAE
Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 0

Wolves 2 (Traore 80', 90 4')

While you're here

Like a Fading Shadow

Antonio Muñoz Molina

Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez

Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)

The biog

DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year

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Closing the loophole on sugary drinks

As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.

The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
 

Not taxed:

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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”.

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.

World Mental Health Day
The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk


Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)

Three tips from La Perle's performers

1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

Updated: November 28, 2022, 7:11 AM
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