The Masters begins on Thursday, only 144 days since the delayed 2020 event in November.
We look at some of the main talking points heading into the season’s first major, at Augusta National.
Can world No 1 Dustin Johnson hold onto the Green Jacket?
The defending champion’s quest to go back-to-back in the shortest Masters turnaround doesn’t necessarily bode well. History doesn’t particularly favour him. Only three golfers have retained the Green Jacket – Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods – proving just how difficult a feat it is to hold on to that coveted garment. Maybe it’s the pressure of hosting Tuesday’s Champions Dinner. What’s more, of the past 19 defending champions, only four have recorded a top-10 finish the following year.
Johnson's win in November came on a much softer Augusta National, which suited the big-hitting world No 1 perfectly - his 20-under par represented the tournament record - while he was in red-hot form at the time. However, after reigning supreme in Saudi Arabia in January and finishing tied-8th in Los Angeles, Johnson has struggled in his past three outings: Sunday's tied-28th in Texas is his best result. He's a two-time major winner seemingly set on adding to that haul. Only perhaps not this week.
Will resurgent Jordan Spieth go back-to-back on his trusty track?
Victory on Sunday at the Texas Open ended a remarkable drought for Spieth that stretched all the way back to his Open triumph in 2017. The winless streak, which began immediately following his third major title - by age 23 - clocked in at a remarkable 1,357 days. After a missed cut at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January, the former world No 1 was ranked a wayward 92nd. However, since then he has been superb: Spieth has racked up a win and four top-five finishes in his past seven starts.
And Masters pedigree? Well, he was tied-2nd in 2014, won it the next year, then came home tied-2nd in 2016. There was tied-11th the following year, and third in 2018, before his form blew up. One, sizeable, caveat, though: only two golfers have succeeded at Augusta National after winning the week before, the most recent being Phil Mickelson, in 2006. Still, it's worth remembering, Spieth prevailed the week before the 2017 Open.
Has Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam quest come too early amid reset?
Another trip down Magnolia Lane, another chance for McIlroy to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Nicklaus and Woods in completing the career grand slam. However, the four-time major champion comes into Augusta out of form and apparently out of synch. He hasn’t won since the HSBC-Champions 17 months ago, while he has three top-10s and two missed cuts in eight starts since his tied-5th at the Masters in November. He ranks now at world No 12.
Caused in part by a Bryson DeChambeau-induced pursuit of speed and even more distance, it prompted McIlroy to begin working last month with renowned instructor Pete Cowan. Is that partnership too nascent to reap rewards this week? McIlroy has three top-fives and three more top-10s in his past seven Masters – although he disappointed in the final group in 2016 and 2018. Also, a decade has passed since he surrendered a final-round, four-shot lead, eventually shooting 80. Almost seven years without a major is too long for someone of McIlroy’s unquestionable talent.
Will trailblazing Bryson DeChambeau walk the walk this time around?
Undoubtedly, DeChambeau was the story going into the last Masters in November. He had only recently muscled his way to an awe-inducing six-shot victory at the US Open, giving golf’s great game-changer a first major and ample vindication for his unique approach. He then rocked up at Augusta, made a mockery of yardages during practice and quickly declared the course a par 67 (it’s 72). Come game-time, though, DeChambeau faltered, finishing in a tied for 34th (his best round was 69, on Saturday).
However, he remains a fascinating character, and a pretty fantastic golfer, too: DeChambeau won the last month’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, then came home third at the Players Championship after going out in the final pairing. Make no mistake, he can still overpower Augusta, while his accomplished short game often gets overlooked. In form and in possession of more tools than most, it wouldn’t surprise to see the American “scientist” squeeze his hulking frame into the Green Jacket. Whatever happens, it'll be worth the watch.
How will returning Brooks Koepka fare after recent surgery?
Last month, Koepka posted a picture on his social media on crutches with his right knee wrapped in bandages. Understandably, the four-time major champion's Masters participation appeared in serious jeopardy. Then he showed up on course on Sunday. Few players possess Koepka's self-assuredness so, not only has the former world No 1 reportedly recovered sufficiently to compete, but he's eyeing another major crown. "If I knew I was going to finish second, I wouldn't have shown up," said the American, with typical hubris.
Injury aside, Koepka has performed well at Augusta of late: he was runner-up in 2019 and then tied-7th last November. And his two most recent tour starts? A win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February - his first in 19 months as injuries took their toll - and second at the WGC-Workday Championship. But then he slipped and fell, dislocating his kneecap and damaging ligaments. Given his mighty mental fortitude, maybe traipsing Augusta National's rolling hills will prove Koepka’s greatest challenge this week.
DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL CARD
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections
6.30pm: Gifts Of Gold
7.05pm Final Song
7.40pm Equilateral
8.15pm Dark Of Night
8.50pm Mythical Magic
9.25pm Franz Kafka
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
Race%20card
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Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m. Winner: Rio Angie, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Trenchard, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Mulfit, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 1,200m. Winner: Waady, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 2,000m. Winner: Tried And True, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm:Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m. Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
Women & Power: A Manifesto
Mary Beard
Profile Books and London Review of Books
PRESIDENTS CUP
Draw for Presidents Cup fourball matches on Thursday (Internationals first mention). All times UAE:
02.32am (Thursday): Marc Leishman/Joaquin Niemann v Tiger Woods/Justin Thomas
02.47am (Thursday): Adam Hadwin/Im Sung-jae v Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay
03.02am (Thursday): Adam Scott/An Byeong-hun v Bryson DeChambeau/Tony Finau
03.17am (Thursday): Hideki Matsuyama/CT Pan v Webb Simpson/Patrick Reed
03.32am (Thursday): Abraham Ancer/Louis Oosthuizen v Dustin Johnson/Gary Woodland
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Places to go for free coffee
- Cherish Cafe Dubai, Dubai Investment Park, are giving away free coffees all day.
- La Terrace, Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai, are serving their first 50 guests one coffee and four bite-sized cakes
- Wild & The Moon will be giving away a free espresso with every purchase on International Coffee Day
- Orange Wheels welcome parents are to sit, relax and enjoy goodies at ‘Café O’ along with a free coffee
Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time
Sector: Renewable energy
Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.
Virtual banks explained
What is a virtual bank?
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority defines it as a bank that delivers services through the internet or other electronic channels instead of physical branches. That means not only facilitating payments but accepting deposits and making loans, just like traditional ones. Other terms used interchangeably include digital or digital-only banks or neobanks. By contrast, so-called digital wallets or e-wallets such as Apple Pay, PayPal or Google Pay usually serve as intermediaries between a consumer’s traditional account or credit card and a merchant, usually via a smartphone or computer.
What’s the draw in Asia?
Hundreds of millions of people under-served by traditional institutions, for one thing. In China, India and elsewhere, digital wallets such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and Paytm have already become ubiquitous, offering millions of people an easy way to store and spend their money via mobile phone. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are also among the world’s biggest under-banked countries; together they have almost half a billion people.
Is Hong Kong short of banks?
No, but the city is among the most cash-reliant major economies, leaving room for newcomers to disrupt the entrenched industry. Ant Financial, an Alibaba Group Holding affiliate that runs Alipay and MYBank, and Tencent Holdings, the company behind WeBank and WeChat Pay, are among the owners of the eight ventures licensed to create virtual banks in Hong Kong, with operations expected to start as early as the end of the year.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Secret Nation: The Hidden Armenians of Turkey
Avedis Hadjian, (IB Tauris)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%C2%A0profile
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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.
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
