As Bruneians prepare to line the streets on Sunday to catch a glimpse of Prince Abdul Mateen and his new bride Anisha Rosnah, the extravagant royal wedding has gripped the world's attention and showcased the tiny country's vast wealth and influence.
Celebrations for the 10-day event will reach a climax on Sunday with an elaborate procession through the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. From there, a glittering ceremony will be held at the 1,788-room palace.
The guest list is expected to include international royalty and political leaders, with Britain's Prince and Princess of Wales as well as Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa rumoured to be attending.
Where is Brunei?
A sliver of land on the northern edge of Borneo island in South-east Asia, Brunei was influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism before its rulers converted to Islam in the 14th century. It fell under British rule in the 19th century and gained independence in 1984.
Brunei is an absolute monarchy with a population of about 450,000. It is one of the world's richest countries, with its wealth almost entirely derived from its enormous oil reserves. Its annual GDP per capita is nearly $36,000, according to the International Monetary Fund.
The currency is the Brunei dollar; B$1 is equivalent to Dh2.76 and US$0.75.
Known for its safe streets and low crime rates, Brunei is a tourist haven thanks to its beaches (the coastline is more than 160km long) and undisturbed rainforests.
The country's current ruler Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is the world's longest-reigning monarch and resides in a riverside palace, which is one of the largest owned by any royal family.
Elaborate wedding ceremonies
Prince Mateen, 32, is the fourth son of the sultan. His bride-to-be Rosnah, 29, is the granddaughter of one of the sultan's advisers. The couple had been dating for several years before the sultan announced their engagement in October.
Wedding celebrations began on Sunday with a lavish ceremony where the groom's family officially declared their intention to marry the bride. The next day, there was a performance by royal court musicians to formally herald the start of the celebrations.
On Tuesday, the third day, an engagement ceremony included the groom's family bringing symbolic gifts to the bride's residence.
It was followed by a powdering ceremony on the fourth day. In this ceremony, members of the groom and bride's families apply powder to the couple's hands.
The marriage was officially solemnised at a male-only ceremony in Brunei on Thursday. The Islamic marriage ceremony was held inside the gold-domed Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan. It was attended by the sultan, as well as relatives.
Dressed in traditional white wedding attire decorated with diamond-shaped motifs and a matching headpiece, Prince Mateen affirmed the acceptance of the Akad Nikah or marriage solemnisation. Afterwards, he approached his father and kissed his hand. A 17-gun salute was then fired to mark the conclusion of the ceremony.
Prince Mateen was then driven out of the mosque in a luxury saloon and waved to onlookers who were waiting to catch a glimpse of the groom.
Agencies contributed to this report
MATCH INFO
New Zealand 176-8 (20 ovs)
England 155 (19.5 ovs)
New Zealand win by 21 runs
Intercontinental Cup
Namibia v UAE Saturday Sep 16-Tuesday Sep 19
Table 1 Ireland, 89 points; 2 Afghanistan, 81; 3 Netherlands, 52; 4 Papua New Guinea, 40; 5 Hong Kong, 39; 6 Scotland, 37; 7 UAE, 27; 8 Namibia, 27
India cancels school-leaving examinations
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
Game Of Thrones Season Seven: A Bluffers Guide
Want to sound on message about the biggest show on television without actually watching it? Best not to get locked into the labyrinthine tales of revenge and royalty: as Isaac Hempstead Wright put it, all you really need to know from now on is that there’s going to be a huge fight between humans and the armies of undead White Walkers.
The season ended with a dragon captured by the Night King blowing apart the huge wall of ice that separates the human world from its less appealing counterpart. Not that some of the humans in Westeros have been particularly appealing, either.
Anyway, the White Walkers are now free to cause any kind of havoc they wish, and as Liam Cunningham told us: “Westeros may be zombie land after the Night King has finished.” If the various human factions don’t put aside their differences in season 8, we could be looking at The Walking Dead: The Medieval Years.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
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Age: 42
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Favourite drink: drip coffee V60
Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia
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The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
