DHAKA // A place in the Cricket World Cup that other countries take for granted is something to be cherished in Bangladesh, which watched enviously while the other subcontinent nations hosted the tournament in 1987 and 1996.
Now, this nation of 160 million is determined to enjoy its moment in the global spotlight.
Only eight of the 49 matches to be played over the next six weeks will be in Bangladesh, and there is no talk of meaningless fixtures here.
Some fans queued for two nights to get a ticket for the tournament opener against India, and last night the streets around the Bangabandhu National Stadium were witness to chaotic scenes in the hours leading up to the opening ceremony.
Thousands of fans waited patiently in serpentine lines, many of them with little hope of getting inside a stadium that could seat only 20,000.
Others hung around hoping to catch a glimpse of the cricketers, watched closely by thousands of security personnel.
The green Bangladesh shirt was everywhere, hundreds of faces had been painted in the national team's colours, and hope abounded that an upset was possible against India, the tournament favourites, in the first match tomorrow.
With the Indian cricket board not having invited Bangladesh to tour even once since they were granted Test status in 2000, no other scalp means as much to the average Tigers fan.
The Bangabandhu (Friend of Bengal) Stadium, named after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation who was assassinated in a military coup in 1975, hosts only football matches these days.
However, it has the unique honour of having staged the first Tests played by both Pakistan (1954-55) and Bangladesh.
Inside, the stands were packed long before the opening ceremony commenced with the national anthem.
The 14 captains arrived in the cycle-rickshaws that are such an integral part of the Purano (Old) Dhaka experience, and the loudest cheer was reserved for Shakib al Hasan, whose all-round skills and calm temperament will be crucial to his team's chances of keeping pace with burgeoning expectations.
In between a mixture of traditional art forms and the now-ubiquitous Bollywood song-and-dance routines, there were speeches from various dignitaries, including Sharad Pawar, the president of the International Cricket Council.
Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister who is also Sheikh Mujibur's daughter, followed him.
As she finished her speech - "I congratulate the cricket-loving countrymen for their great enthusiasm and co-operation to make this event a grand success" - and declared the World Cup open, fireworks lit up the evening sky.
With strobe lights creating a Gotham City-like atmosphere, the stage was then given over to a display of Bangladeshi culture.
Runa Laila, the iconic singer, got the loudest cheers for her rendition of Dama Dam Mast Qalander, a Qawwali that she made hugely popular more than three decades ago.
After that, it was time for Bryan Adams and a low-key version of Summer of '69, his chart-topping hit from a time (June 1985) when Bangladesh were not even a blip on the cricket radar.
The theme song for the competition - performed by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy - followed, before the curtain came down.
Over the next six weeks, the 14 teams will criss-cross the subcontinent, playing 48 games at 13 venues before the summit clash in Mumbai on April 2.
The games will be watched on television in as many as 180 countries, with up to a billion people tuning in.
The excitement may be greatest here in Bangladesh, which played their first international just 25 years ago and played in their first World Cup in 1999.
Tomorrow, as many as 80 million Bangladeshis could watch the tournament opener.
All of Dhaka's congested roads will lead to the 30,000-seater Shere Bangla Stadium for what the locals hope will be the classic David-against-Goliath encounter.
The song, dance and fireworks are over. It is time for cricket and a joyous host nation to take centre stage.
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
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
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Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
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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.
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
