Aspiring UAE police officers will be given the chance to pit their wits against elite crimefighters from around the globe at this year's UAE Swat Challenge in Dubai.
Three teams from Dubai Police Academy will be among 114 squads drawn from 48 countries competing for a total of Dh1 million in prizes at the sixth annual event, being staged at the Dubai Police training centre in Al Ruwayyah from February 1 to 5.
Six student teams will line up for the competition, marking the first time academies have taken part.
The UAE Swat Challenge offers seasoned task forces an opportunity to sharpen their skills, while promoting co-operation and the sharing of international expertise.
Entrants will be put through their paces in a series of challenges, including tactical exercises, assault and obstacle courses, officer rescues and tower climbs, designed to assess tactical acumen, mental focus and physical endurance.
First Lt Yaser Al Zarouni, leader of the Dubai Police teams said the force's student teams were ready to rise to the challenge next month.
“The students were trained by the same coaches who prepare Dubai’s specialised tactical units,” he said.
“Their passion and drive are impressive, and they are eager to prove their capabilities. If they win, they will receive the same prizes as the professional teams.”
Five all-women teams and eight debutant outfits will be hitting the ground running in Dubai.
The UAE will be represented by three teams from Abu Dhabi Police, three from Dubai Police, one from Ajman Police, one from Fujairah Police, one from Ras Al Khaimah Police, three teams from the Police College under the Ministry of Interior, two teams from the Ministry of Interior’s Special Security Forces, and one team from the National Guard.
Gearing up for success
A new voluntary test, the "Mountain Biking Challenge", is scheduled for January 31 and will serve as a curtain-raiser for the high-octane action.
Riders will navigate a winding, 1.35km track then dismount to compete in a shooting challenge before racing to the finish line.
“The challenge not only allows teams to show their tactical excellence but it also fosters international collaboration,” said Maj Gen Abdullah Al Ghaithi, assistant commander in chief for operations at Dubai Police.
“Organising this large-scale event involves significant logistical co-ordination, including the secure transport, storage, and return of weapons and equipment brought by participating teams.
“However the UAE is capable of managing such operations smoothly, further underscoring the country’s leadership in hosting global events.”
A panel of 33 referees will lay down the law during the five-day extravaganza, with 28 officials drawn from Duabi Police joined by five experts from the US.
“The referees have undergone workshops and rule review sessions to maintain high standards of judging,” said Maj Jamal Al Zaabi the head of the technical committee.
The UAE Swat Challenge, which was launched in 2019, is organised by Dubai Police and held under the patronage of Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Major Cinnamon, Fernando Jara, Mujeeb Rahman
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Al Mureib, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Remorse, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Meshakel, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Desert Peace, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Sharamm, Ryan Curatlo, Satish Seemar
Company%C2%A0profile
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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
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
THE%C2%A0SPECS
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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 BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
