The UAE’s Pakistani community gathered on Friday for colourful celebrations of the country’s independence day.
Residents from across the Emirates usually meet at the embassy and consulate in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to participate in festivities.
The event this year was limited to diplomats, office staff and invited guests due to restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials in both emirates raised the flag to mark August 14, the day that marked the end of British colonial rule in 1947 when Pakistan became a sovereign nation.
Speeches of Pakistan President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan were broadcast, followed by a cultural programme at the Pakistan consulate in Dubai that was decorated with green and white balloons.
In Abu Dhabi, students read out patriotic speeches to commemorate the occasion at the embassy.
Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE Ghulam Dastagir thanked the country for its constant support and paid tribute to the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed.
He highlighted the valuable contributions made by Pakistani residents in the Emirates toward the economic development of their home country and described them as an enduring link between the two nations.
Consul General Ahmed Amjad Ali thanked the UAE government for their assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Leaders in the Emirates too congratulated the country on its 74th Independence Day anniversary.
President Sheikh Khalifa sent a message to President Alvi on the occasion.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces also sent messages to President Alvi and Prime Minister Khan.
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
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Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
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Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
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Schalke 0
Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 32')
Man of the match Leonardo Bittencourt (Werder Bremen)
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