Rishi Sunak took over a country that was just pulling out of the pandemic and having to cope with the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. PA
Rishi Sunak took over a country that was just pulling out of the pandemic and having to cope with the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. PA
Rishi Sunak took over a country that was just pulling out of the pandemic and having to cope with the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. PA
Rishi Sunak took over a country that was just pulling out of the pandemic and having to cope with the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. PA

Comment

Opinion

Steady Sunak fails to inspire after a year in Downing Street

  • English
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Chris Blackhurst is a former editor of The Independent, based in London

October 25, 2023

Today sees the first anniversary of Rishi Sunak becoming Prime Minister. It’s hard to imagine that anyone in Downing Street will be in the mood for celebration.

There is cause for some satisfaction in that Sunak has lasted longer than his predecessor, Liz Truss, although that was not difficult. Otherwise, there are few grains of comfort.

He’s steadied the ship, he made a good conference speech, his first as Tory leader. Er, that’s about it.

The first is not to be dismissed, however. Sunak came in on the back of a period of total chaos, when Britain risked becoming an international laughing stock, its reputation for financial stability trashed by the excesses of Truss and her chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng.

Sunak instilled calm, no mean feat when the markets are out to mark you down and the UK must operate in an intensely scrutinising, globally competitive environment.

To that extent, the nation’s stature has been restored. Sunak was true to his word, promising in his first speech as prime minister, “integrity, professionalism and accountability”. That, again, is no mean feat. Compared to Truss and, before her, Boris Johnson, sticking to the task and delivering are rare standout achievements.

In other areas, Sunak has struggled. To be fair, the hand he was dealt was mightily tough. He took over a country that was just pulling out of the pandemic, that was having to cope with the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and found its lack of energy security dangerously exposed.

The implementation, too, of Brexit was still a novelty and causing all manner of issues among the business community. Money was tight and meanwhile, President Joe Biden launched a giant incentive package to galvanise the US economy and encourage it to turn green. The comparison with Sunak, stuck with little room for manoeuvre, was stark.

None of this was Sunak’s fault. He could not be blamed for the failures of previous governments to plan and invest long-term. But he is charged with inspiring and motivating, and in this he has failed.

Rishi Sunak has been British Prime Minister for one year. Here The National looks back at his time in No 10 Downing Street. Getty Images
Rishi Sunak has been British Prime Minister for one year. Here The National looks back at his time in No 10 Downing Street. Getty Images
Mr Sunak after being announced as winner of the Conservative Party leadership contest on October 24. Getty Images
Mr Sunak after being announced as winner of the Conservative Party leadership contest on October 24. Getty Images
King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak to Buckingham Palace where he invited him to become Prime Minister. Getty Images
King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak to Buckingham Palace where he invited him to become Prime Minister. Getty Images
The new Prime Minister makes a speech outside No 10. Getty Images
The new Prime Minister makes a speech outside No 10. Getty Images
Mr Sunak arrives at No 10 for the first time as Prime Minister. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak arrives at No 10 for the first time as Prime Minister. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak holds his first cabinet meeting. Getty Images
Mr Sunak holds his first cabinet meeting. Getty Images
Mr Sunak hosts a reception to celebrate Diwali at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak hosts a reception to celebrate Diwali at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
A visit to Croydon University Hospital, south London. Getty Images
A visit to Croydon University Hospital, south London. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty with Nova, their pet Labrador. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty with Nova, their pet Labrador. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
The Prime Minister with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Cabinet Room at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
The Prime Minister with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Cabinet Room at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
King Charles, Mr Sunak, fashion designer Stella McCartney and US climate envoy John Kerry at Buckingham Palace before Cop27. Getty Images
King Charles, Mr Sunak, fashion designer Stella McCartney and US climate envoy John Kerry at Buckingham Palace before Cop27. Getty Images
French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Sunak at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Getty Images
French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Sunak at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Getty Images
Mr Sunak during a call to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his office. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak during a call to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his office. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
On Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
On Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak with journalists on a flight to Bali for the G20 summit. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak with journalists on a flight to Bali for the G20 summit. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
With Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting at the G20 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. Getty Images
With Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting at the G20 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. Getty Images
Mr Sunak with US President Joe Biden at the G20 summit. Getty Images
Mr Sunak with US President Joe Biden at the G20 summit. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Getty Images
Mr Sunak meets rescue teams during his visit to Ukraine. Photo: No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak meets rescue teams during his visit to Ukraine. Photo: No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak and his wife outside No 10 as the Christmas lights are turned on. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and his wife outside No 10 as the Christmas lights are turned on. Getty Images
With youth footballers from Wales and England to watch the World Cup match between the two nations. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
With youth footballers from Wales and England to watch the World Cup match between the two nations. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
Reading congratulations cards from members of the public after being appointed. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
Reading congratulations cards from members of the public after being appointed. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
At RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire after the announcement that Britain will develop next-generation fighter jets with Italy and Japan. Getty Images
At RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire after the announcement that Britain will develop next-generation fighter jets with Italy and Japan. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on a plane to Tallinn. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on a plane to Tallinn. Getty Images
The Prime Minister with troops at the Tapa military base, Estonia. Getty Images
The Prime Minister with troops at the Tapa military base, Estonia. Getty Images
The photo on Mr Sunak's official Christmas card. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
The photo on Mr Sunak's official Christmas card. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
Serving breakfast on a visit to The Passage homeless shelter in London just before Christmas. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
Serving breakfast on a visit to The Passage homeless shelter in London just before Christmas. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
Making his first major domestic speech of the year. Getty Images
Making his first major domestic speech of the year. Getty Images
Toasting marshmallows on a visit to the Sea Scouts community group in Muirtown near Inverness. Getty Images
Toasting marshmallows on a visit to the Sea Scouts community group in Muirtown near Inverness. Getty Images
A Q&A session at The Platform in Morecambe, Lancashire, after a community visit to the Eden Project North. Getty Images
A Q&A session at The Platform in Morecambe, Lancashire, after a community visit to the Eden Project North. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Mr Hunt at Accrington Market Hall with local MP Sara Britcliffe to announce projects under the levelling-up fund. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Mr Hunt at Accrington Market Hall with local MP Sara Britcliffe to announce projects under the levelling-up fund. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Mr Zelenskyy meet Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Mr Zelenskyy meet Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset. Getty Images
With EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference at Windsor Guildhall. Getty Images
With EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference at Windsor Guildhall. Getty Images
Speaking at a press conference following the launch of new legislation on migrant channel crossings at Downing Street. Getty Images
Speaking at a press conference following the launch of new legislation on migrant channel crossings at Downing Street. Getty Images
Mr Biden meets Mr Sunak during the 25th anniversary commemorations of the "Good Friday Agreement" in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Getty Images
Mr Biden meets Mr Sunak during the 25th anniversary commemorations of the "Good Friday Agreement" in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Getty Images
Mr Sunak holds a plate of sandwiches for US First Lady Jill Biden at Downing Street to celebrate King Charles' coronation. Getty Images
Mr Sunak holds a plate of sandwiches for US First Lady Jill Biden at Downing Street to celebrate King Charles' coronation. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and his wife Mrs Murty ahead of the G7 Summit, in Hiroshima, Japan. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and his wife Mrs Murty ahead of the G7 Summit, in Hiroshima, Japan. Getty Images
Mr Sunak with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their bilateral meeting in Hiroshima ahead of the G7 Summit. Getty Images
Mr Sunak with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their bilateral meeting in Hiroshima ahead of the G7 Summit. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Mr Zelenskyy look out towards trees planted by Winston Churchill as they walk in the garden at Chequers. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Mr Zelenskyy look out towards trees planted by Winston Churchill as they walk in the garden at Chequers. Getty Images
Mr Sunak onboard Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover. Getty Images
Mr Sunak onboard Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover. Getty Images
Mr Sunak cheers during the Ashes Test match between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground. Getty Images
Mr Sunak cheers during the Ashes Test match between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground. Getty Images
Mr Sunak welcomes Mr Biden at 10 Downing Street. Getty Images
Mr Sunak welcomes Mr Biden at 10 Downing Street. Getty Images
In a Special Branch police vehicle used to transport former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, in Bexley. Getty Images
In a Special Branch police vehicle used to transport former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, in Bexley. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and his wife Mrs Murty offer prayers as they visit the Akshardham Hindu Temple in New Delhi, India. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and his wife Mrs Murty offer prayers as they visit the Akshardham Hindu Temple in New Delhi, India. Getty Images
Mr Sunak meets the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu. No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak meets the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu. No 10 Downing Street

Truss talked about “growth” constantly. Sunak would like to do the same, if only he could. One of his early acts was to instruct ministers to suggest ideas for growing the economy. The trouble was they were not allowed to use any of the measures that Truss had suggested. She was advocating cutting taxes; and that’s what her Mini-Budget decreed.

That was her undoing. The City took fright due to the naive enthusiasm of Truss and Kwarteng in laying an entire banquet of reductions before international investors and not offering solid evidence of how it was all going to be paid for. If they’d trimmed their cloth and offered one or two morsels, with the prospect of more ahead, the reaction could well have been favourable.

As it was, Sunak found himself short of wriggle-room. He had to resort to bigging up steps that on analysis did not amount to much and to cutting back to allow him to spend – the HS2 line north of Birmingham being the most spectacular example.

In the City, and from business leaders, the common refrain is that Sunak is a “good COO” but not a CEO. They appreciate his qualities as a manager, as a technocrat who likes to get into the granular detail of everything that crosses his desk. Again, certainly versus Johnson that is welcome.

There are though, aspects of Johnson where he falls short. Sunak is not a born leader; he doesn’t do the big and bold. Johnson did them too much, but with Sunak they’ve been absent.

Sunak’s pragmatism, while a strength, has also served to make him seem weak. His reversal on fossil fuels, made with good intent, to counter the vulnerability of Britain’s energy supply and the likelihood of falling behind with the roll-out of renewables and electric vehicle charging points, while arguably necessary was not something Johnson would have countenanced.

There has been no shortage of photo opportunities, with Sunak seeming energetic and earnest, smiling broadly, pressing the flesh, appealing to people’s understanding and goodness. None of it has achieved the desired uplift.

That’s evident in the polls, where Sunak has not made any headway. Even his widely applauded conference address failed to make an inroad into Labour’s substantial lead in the polls.

Try as he might, presenting himself as embodying “change”, he’s appeared as representing a party that has grown tired and complacent after 13 years of rule.

Sunak bristles with vitality but those around him at the Cabinet table do not. Worse, when he picked his ministerial line-up he fell back on stalwarts Gavin Williamson, Dominic Raab and Nadhim Zahawi. He ignored warnings about their conduct and stood by them.

Subsequently, all three left the government, only further undermining the person who appointed them in the first place.

In the City, and from business leaders, the common refrain about him is that Sunak is a ‘good COO’ but not a CEO.

Similarly, he remains loyal to his controversial Home Secretary, Suella Braverman. She, like one or two others, appears intent on laying out her credentials to be the next leader – not reassuring if you’re attempting to make a fist of being the current one.

There’s a feeling of powerlessness and of power slipping away; powerless to forge the Britain and society he talks about; power disappearing to a revitalised Labour (now given an added boost from a declining SNP and increased chances of picking up seats in Scotland).

Sunak, by consensus, has many virtues. He’s not widely disliked, but neither is he admired, not to the extent that people are likely to vote for him in the numbers required for victory at the looming general election. Starmer is no great shakes either when he’s assessed on personal popularity and charisma.

Starmer, however, has the merit of leading an alternative party, one that is not Conservative. The City can sense that, too. It likes to back winners, not losers – hence the donors and business chieftains wanting to meet Starmer and the Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves.

It’s not by any means over for Sunak. Much can happen between now and when he calls the election. He’s got his five pledges – to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut NHS waiting lists, stop the small boats of immigrants.

At one stage, it looked as if he might be on track with the inflation target, which had the highest priority. Then, Hamas attacked and it’s slipped.

That was an ending to his first 12 months in charge he could do without. It’s been that sort of year, of lots of noise but ultimately not providing lift-off. Perhaps he will have a small cake with a single candle on top: nobody can say he’s not earned it.

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

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

How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

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)
Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
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Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

All the Money in the World

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Charlie Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer

Four stars

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Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

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Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5

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Saudi National Day
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
  • 2018: Formal work begins
  • November 2021: First 17 volumes launched 
  • November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
  • October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
  • November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
25%20Days%20to%20Aden
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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl

Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: Dh99,000

On sale: now

 

 

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

If you go

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.

The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

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 

While you're here
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

How to register as a donor

1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention

2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants

3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register. 

4) The campaign uses the hashtag  #donate_hope

While you're here
UFC%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi
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Company%20Profile
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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.

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Up in the air
While you're here
What is blockchain?

Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.

The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.

Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.

However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.

Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.

A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE

Looking for a new family pet? Here are the links to visit when it comes to adopting... 

Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi

Rescue of Abu Dhabi

Feline Friends Abu Dhabi

Adopt-a-Cat UAE

Naema's Kittys 

Jackie's Cats UAE

Animal Action UAE

Animal Welfare Al Ain

Yanni Animal Welfare

Animals and Us Fujairah

Arabian Saluki Center of Dubai (Ascod)

38 Smiles

Emirates Animal Welfare Society

Red Paw Foundation 

KittySnip

Saluki International Rescue

K9 Friends Dubai 

Amanda's Animal Rescue UAE

Ahmed's Animal Rescue

Al Mayya K9 Adoptions 

New Life Rescue

Rescue Animals in Need United Arab Emirates

Stray Dogs Center UAQ

Sniff - Strays Needing Interim of Furever Friends

PARA UAE - Protection of Animal Rights Association

Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre

Shepherd Rescue Arabia

Friends of Rakawc 

UAQAC Umm Al Quwain Animal Care

Read more about the coronavirus
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)

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Updated: October 25, 2023, 6:57 AM`
Rishi Sunak