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.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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
The specs
Engine: 2.2-litre, turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Power: 160hp
Torque: 385Nm
Price: Dh116,900
On sale: now
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
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BELGIUM%20SQUAD
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What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
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The National selections
Al Ain
5pm: Bolereau
5.30pm: Rich And Famous
6pm: Duc De Faust
6.30pm: Al Thoura
7pm: AF Arrab
7.30pm: Al Jazi
8pm: Futoon
Jebel Ali
1.45pm: AF Kal Noor
2.15pm: Galaxy Road
2.45pm: Dark Thunder
3.15pm: Inverleigh
3.45pm: Bawaasil
4.15pm: Initial
4.45pm: Tafaakhor
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
