Noura Al Ketbi, left, celebrates gold with bronze-medallist Thekra Al Kaabi at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Club for People of Determination
Noura Al Ketbi, left, celebrates gold with bronze-medallist Thekra Al Kaabi at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Club for People of Determination
Noura Al Ketbi, left, celebrates gold with bronze-medallist Thekra Al Kaabi at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Club for People of Determination
Noura Al Ketbi, left, celebrates gold with bronze-medallist Thekra Al Kaabi at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai. Photo: Dubai Club for People of Determination

UAE's Noura Al Ketbi strikes gold at World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai


Amith Passela
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Noura Al Ketbi, the Emirati silver medallist at 2016 Rio Paralympics, clinched the UAE’s first gold at the Dubai 2022 World Para Athletics Grand Prix - 13th Fazza International Para Athletics Championships - on Wednesday.

Al Ketbi overcame Algeria’s Mounia Gasmi in the women’s wheelchair F34 shot put with a throw of 6.07 metres to take first place.

Al Ketbi’s teammate Thekra Al Kaabi grabbed bronze as the host nation took their medal tally to eight at the Dubai Club for People of Determination on day two of the championships.

“I’m very happy I was able to win the first gold in the championships for the UAE,” Al Ketbi said.

“It obviously is a reward for the hard work and of course the fabulous support from our federation. Being a home championships, we have entered a big squad of 50 athletes, and hopefully add a few more medals in the coming days.”

UAE's Sara Al Jneibi, bronze medallist at 2016 Rio, took silver in the women’s wheelchair F33/34 shot put behind Algeria’s Asmahane Boudjadar (6.42m) while another Emirati Ansaf Al Nuaimi bagged bronze.

Maryam Al Zeyoudi added another medal for the hosts in the women’s discus F40/41/44. She clinched silver behind Tunisian Raoua Tlili (33.77m).

There was more success for the emirates with Abdulla Mesbahi clinched his second medal of the championships in the men’s wheelchair F54/55 discus behind Syrian Wasim Alrezk (31.26 m).

Naas Ahmed established a new world record (39.08m) en route to winning gold in the men’s javelin F40.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Hannah Cockroft won her second gold by taking the women’s T34/53 wheelchair 100m in 17.36 seconds and Marcel Hug of Switzerland struck gold in the men’s T54 wheelchair 1,500m race.

Thailand’s Paralympic star Pongsakorn Paeyo also claimed his second gold by taking the men’s 100m wheelchair T53 final in 14.43 seconds.

Company profile

Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019

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Nutritional yeast

This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.

Seeds

"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."

Umami flavours

"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".

Onions and garlic

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Your grain of choice

Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."

Mina Cup winners

Under 12 – Minerva Academy

Under 14 – Unam Pumas

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Young women have more “financial grit”, but fall behind on investing

In an October survey of young adults aged 16 to 25, Charles Schwab found young women are more driven to reach financial independence than young men (67 per cent versus. 58 per cent). They are more likely to take on extra work to make ends meet and see more value than men in creating a plan to achieve their financial goals. Yet, despite all these good ‘first’ measures, they are investing and saving less than young men – falling early into the financial gender gap.

While the women surveyed report spending 36 per cent less than men, they have far less savings than men ($1,267 versus $2,000) – a nearly 60 per cent difference.

In addition, twice as many young men as women say they would invest spare cash, and almost twice as many young men as women report having investment accounts (though most young adults do not invest at all). 

“Despite their good intentions, young women start to fall behind their male counterparts in savings and investing early on in life,” said Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, senior vice president, Charles Schwab. “They start off showing a strong financial planning mindset, but there is still room for further education when it comes to managing their day-to-day finances.”

Ms Schwab-Pomerantz says parents should be conveying the same messages to boys and girls about money, but should tailor those conversations based on the individual and gender.

"Our study shows that while boys are spending more than girls, they also are saving more. Have open and honest conversations with your daughters about the wage and savings gap," she said. "Teach kids about the importance of investing – especially girls, who as we see in this study, aren’t investing as much. Part of being financially prepared is learning to make the most of your money, and that means investing early and consistently."

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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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
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
Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):

British group

Coldplay

Foals

Bring me the Horizon

D-Block Europe

Bastille

British Female

Mabel

Freya Ridings

FKA Twigs

Charli xcx

Mahalia​

British male

Harry Styles

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Michael Kiwanuka

Stormzy​

Best new artist

Aitch

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Mabel

Sam Fender

Best song

Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care

Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up

Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant

Dave - Location

Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove

Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved

Tom Walker - Just You and I

Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger

Stormzy - Vossi Bop

International female

Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish

Camila Cabello

Lana Del Rey

Lizzo

International male

Bruce Springsteen

Burna Boy

Tyler, The Creator

Dermot Kennedy

Post Malone

Best album

Stormzy - Heavy is the Head

Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka

Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent

Dave - Psychodrama

Harry Styles - Fine Line

Rising star

Celeste

Joy Crookes

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Match info

What: Fifa Club World Cup play-off
Who: Al Ain v Team Wellington
Where: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: Wednesday, kick off 7.30pm

Updated: March 23, 2022, 4:08 PM`