UAE 'strongly condemns' Istanbul explosion that killed six


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The UAE has strongly condemned a bombing on a busy Istanbul shopping street that killed six people on Sunday.

Turkey's Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu accused the Kurdistan Workers' Party of responsibility for the attack and said police had detained 22 people, including the person suspected of planting the bomb.

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation offered condolences to the government, the people of Turkey and the families of the victims, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Turkey rejected condolences from the US embassy over the attack.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Washington of supplying weapons to Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, deemed as "terrorists" by Ankara.

"We do not accept the US embassy's message of condolences, we reject it," Mr Soylu said in televised comments.

The White House earlier said it strongly condemned the “act of violence” in Istanbul.

“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Nato ally [Turkey] in countering terrorism,” the White House said.

Mr Erdogan condemned the “vile attack”.

“The relevant units of our state are working to find the perpetrators … behind this vile attack,” he said at a televised press conference.

He also said initial signs pointed to a “terror” attack in the explosion in Istanbul which wounded 53 others.

“It might be wrong if we say for sure that this is terror but according to first signs … there is a smell of terror there,” Mr Erdogan said.

“The attempt to take over Turkey and the Turkish nation through terrorism will not reach its goal today or tomorrow.”

Condemnations of the attack and condolences for the victims also came from the EU, Egypt, Ukraine and Greece.

Turkish authorities linked support for the YPG, a Syrian Kurdish militia, by Washington and others to the blast.

The presidency's communications director, Fahrettin Altun, said such attacks “are direct and indirect results of the support some countries give to terrorist organisations”.

On Twitter, European Council President Charles Michel sent condolences to victims after the “horrific news”.

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What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

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By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

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By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

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Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi

Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag

Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC

Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC

Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan

Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes

Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
War and the virus
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

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  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
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  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Updated: November 14, 2022, 10:14 AM`