'Continue to help each other' - Karim Benzema's Ramadan message for UAE


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Real Madrid and France star Karim Benzema has urged UAE residents to continue supporting each other during the difficult times brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a message posted in support of Dubai Sports Council’s ‘Be Fit, Be Safe’ campaign, Benzema urged supporters in the UAE and across the globe to take all necessary precautions to stay safe.

The Frenchman, who has 81 caps with the national team and has made more than 330 appearances for Real Madrid since moving to the Spanish giants from Lyon in 2009, wished for God's blessings during the Holy month of Ramadan.

“Salaam Alaykum, it’s Karim Benzema,” the 32-year-old said in a video message. “I have a message to all my friends in the UAE and to all the Muslims around the world during this month of Ramadan.

“This period has been difficult for everyone due to the Coronavirus. So we need to continue to help each other during this crisis. Stay safe and take care of you and your loved ones. May God bless everyone. Love.”

The ‘Be Fit, Be Safe’ campaign, which was launched by Dubai Sports Council in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, has received widespread support with top football stars like Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic, Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, former Spain international Michel Salgado, and Portuguese star Joao Felix backing the campaign alongside greats like Luis Figo of Portugal, Brazil’s Roberto Carlos, Carles Puyol of Spain, Italy’s Gennaro Gattuso, and Frenchman Nicolas Anelka.

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The specs

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Transmission: 6-speed auto

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On sale: now

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
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Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
While you're here
Key facilities
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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Karwaan

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

Director: Akarsh Khurana

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances