World ranking: 3
History: The Wallabies have won the once-every-four-years global showpiece, the World Cup, as many times - twice - as this annual, three-team tournament. They have been without a Tri Nations title since 2001.
Expectations: Another season without silverware will not necessarily be the end of the world for Robbie Deans, the coach.
However, the Wallabies - the only Tri Nations side to lose to northern opposition lately - need to show they have muscle to go with their flair.
Ahead of the World Cup: They need to locate some fit and able prop forwards. Led by Quade Cooper and Will Genia, Australia are likely to be the most attractive attacking side at next year's tournament. It will count for nothing if their pack remains this limp.
Hopefully: Cooper, the box-office fly-half, will be able to locate gaps in the two thriftiest defences in world rugby and unleash his exciting outside-backs.
World ranking: 1
History: The All Blacks would probably swap most of their nine Tri Nations titles for one more world crown.
They have won the Sanzar competition nearly twice as many times as their two rivals combined.
Expectations: New Zealand sides struggled in this season's Super 14s and the national team endured a rare fallow campaign in last year's Tri Nations. However, Dan Carter, the fly-half, has bounced back to life in fine fashion in recent Tests.
Ahead of the World Cup: They might as well put their feet up. All Blacks supporters know only too well strong form pre-World Cup counts for nothing when it starts.
They did, however, win their only World Cup on home soil.
Hopefully: The selectors might remember who Hosea Gear is. At the moment, the powerhouse winger cannot even make the squad. He should not be ignored for much longer, after his sublime hat-trick against England for the NZ Maori.
World ranking: 2
History: For all their global success, as well as the recent dominance of their top Super 14 franchise, the Bulls, South Africa have underachieved in the Tri Nations. They have three titles in 15 years.
Expectations: No reason to expect anything less than the title. South Africa's formidable credentials are based on the strength of their imposing pack of forwards. A back row of Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger and Francois Louw is fearsome.
Ahead of the World Cup: The Springboks will just be happy for a bit of attention again. Even John Smit and his teammates have been caught up in the buzz of football's World Cup, as they tooted vuvuzelas in support of their compatriots.
Hopefully: Gio Aplon will get the chance to show his wares. The Stormers winger first caught the eye on the international stage when his blistering pace won the 2008 Dubai Rugby Sevens for the Boks. Now he is showing he can cut it at the very top level.
* Paul Radley
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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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
The%20specs
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Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
Company%20profile%20
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Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books
RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"