Deserted blocks at the Government Science College, where gunmen kidnapped 42 pupils, staff and their families, in Kagara, Niger State, Nigeria, on 17 February. AFP
Deserted blocks at the Government Science College, where gunmen kidnapped 42 pupils, staff and their families, in Kagara, Niger State, Nigeria, on 17 February. AFP
A view of the Government Science College, Kagara, where gunmen kidnapped 42 people. One pupil was killed in the raid on the school. EPA
A view of the Government Science College, Kagara, where gunmen kidnapped 42 people. One pupil was killed in the raid on the school. EPA
A view of a Government Science College building, in Kagara. Officials said the 42 people abducted were 27 pupils, three teachers and relatives of school staff. EPA
A view of a Government Science College building, in Kagara. Officials said the 42 people abducted were 27 pupils, three teachers and relatives of school staff. EPA
A view of Government Science College, in Kagara. Kidnappers firing weapons stormed the school dormitories where hundreds of pupils were sleeping at around 2am. EPA
A view of Government Science College, in Kagara. Kidnappers firing weapons stormed the school dormitories where hundreds of pupils were sleeping at around 2am. EPA
An empty classroom at the Government Science College, in Kagara. The hundreds of pupils staying at dormitories attempted to flee when the kidnappers arrived. EPA
An empty classroom at the Government Science College, in Kagara. The hundreds of pupils staying at dormitories attempted to flee when the kidnappers arrived. EPA
Graffiti inside the Government Science College, in Kagara. The kidnappers were said to have been wearing military uniforms and claiming to be soldiers. AFP
Graffiti inside the Government Science College, in Kagara. The kidnappers were said to have been wearing military uniforms and claiming to be soldiers. AFP
Graffiti inside a dormitory at the Government Science College, in Kagara, where gunmen kidnapped 42 people. Many pupils managed to escape in the confusion when the kidnappers arrived. AFP
Graffiti inside a dormitory at the Government Science College, in Kagara, where gunmen kidnapped 42 people. Many pupils managed to escape in the confusion when the kidnappers arrived. AFP
An empty dormitory inside the Government Science College, in Kagara, where gunmen kidnapped 42 people. The kidnappers fled to nearby forest with their captives. AFP
An empty dormitory inside the Government Science College, in Kagara, where gunmen kidnapped 42 people. The kidnappers fled to nearby forest with their captives. AFP
A discarded pair of sandals in Government Science College dormitory, in Kagara. Hundreds of pupils rushed to flee their dormitories when the armed gang descended. AFP
A discarded pair of sandals in Government Science College dormitory, in Kagara. Hundreds of pupils rushed to flee their dormitories when the armed gang descended. AFP
An empty classroom of the Government Science College in Kagara, where gunmen kidnapped 42 people. Criminal gangs, known locally as "bandits", have stepped up attacks on communities recently. AFP
An empty classroom of the Government Science College in Kagara, where gunmen kidnapped 42 people. Criminal gangs, known locally as "bandits", have stepped up attacks on communities recently. AFP
Writing on the wall of a Government Science College dormitory, in Kagara. The mass abduction there came two months after 300 pupils were kidnapped from a school in Kankara, in nearby Katsina state. AFP
Writing on the wall of a Government Science College dormitory, in Kagara. The mass abduction there came two months after 300 pupils were kidnapped from a school in Kankara, in nearby Katsina state. AFP
Abandoned possessions in a dormitory at Government Science College, in Kagara, after 42 people were kidnapped. Local residents had been on high alert after hearing a warning about a planned bandit attack in the area. AFP
Abandoned possessions in a dormitory at Government Science College, in Kagara, after 42 people were kidnapped. Local residents had been on high alert after hearing a warning about a planned bandit attack in the area. AFP
Deserted block of classrooms inside Government Science College. A former Nigerian lawmaker said the school had no perimeter fence, making it vulnerable to attack. AFP
Deserted block of classrooms inside Government Science College. A former Nigerian lawmaker said the school had no perimeter fence, making it vulnerable to attack. AFP
The Government Science College where gunmen kidnapped 42 people, in Kagara. Security forces attempted to track down the kidnappers in the aftermath. EPA
The Government Science College where gunmen kidnapped 42 people, in Kagara. Security forces attempted to track down the kidnappers in the aftermath. EPA
People walk past a sign for the Government Science College, in Kagara, where gunmen kidnapped 42 people on February 17. On February 23, the abducted pupils, staff and family members were still missing. AFP
People walk past a sign for the Government Science College, in Kagara, where gunmen kidnapped 42 people on February 17. On February 23, the abducted pupils, staff and family members were still missing. AFP

Africa

Nigerians live in fear as government stumbles on banditry attacks

Kidnappings are on the rise as state governments struggle to contain criminal groups

Valentine Iwenwanne

February 23, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

On the afternoon of Valentine’s Day, gunmen believed to be bandits abducted about 50 bus passengers travelling home from a wedding in Nigeria’s Niger State.

The kidnapping – less than 60 kilometres from Minna, the state capital – should have made international news.

But 72 hours later another group of bandits broke into a school in Kagara, less than a kilometre from the site of the first attack, abducting hundreds of schoolboys and their teachers.

Such incidents are becoming almost routine in northern Nigeria, where bandits and extremists hound the friends and relatives of their captives for ransom money.

A day after the bus attack, the bandits released a one-minute video showing what appeared to be scores of men, women and children sitting under armed guard in a forest. Their captors wield rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47 assault rifles, addressing the camera in the local Hausa language.

The message: Give us 500 million naira ($1.2m) and we’ll return your loved ones.

A week later, the wedding guests were released, but the schoolboys and their teachers are still being held hostage.

This attack and others in recent months have contributed to an atmosphere of dread in the region. Groups of men brandishing guns and other weapons are sweeping large groups away, or attacking important community figureheads to make a fast buck.

Ummulsa’ada Aliyu, whose town, Kusherki, was raided in the same week as the bus and school attacks, said her great-uncle was the target of a recent raid.

“They broke into the house and ransacked everywhere but couldn’t find anyone inside. So they went in search of the village head, who happens to be our father’s uncle,” she said.

"They found him and shot him in his mouth, and the bullet ripped through his head because he showed resistance. They then took my dad's younger brother, who is still in their custody." Ms Aliyu told The National. Her great-uncle died of his injuries.

Since the abduction, the bandits have demanded a ransom of 20 million naira.

The attack has heightened fears of future raids.

“Whether you are directly affected or not, the most important thing you would hold dear is your safety,” Ms Aliyu said.

“We are just living in fear, but that fear disappeared when soldiers were deployed to Kagara Local Government Secretariat. However, the attack at Kagara Government Science College raised our fears of a likely repeat in Kusherki. Nobody trusts anyone,” she said.

Solving an entrenched problem

Northern Nigeria has been plagued by insecurity and organised crime for decades.

Kidnappings show no signs of falling, and government-led initiatives like a short-term gun amnesty in 2016 have done little to stop the free-for-all.

As state and national governments grapple with the challenge, residents of Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Niger states suffer.

Acaps, a consortium comprising the Norwegian Refugee Council, Save the Children and Mercy Corps, estimates 21 million people living in these states have been affected by bandit attacks. International Crisis Group says more than 200,000 people have been displaced by the frequent attacks.

Idris Mohammed, who researchers and lectures on violent conflict at Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto, said banditry has become a profitable business in the north of Nigeria because the government continually negotiates the payment of ransoms.

“I think the government is intentionally not looking into this crisis, if you look at it critically, [you will see that] there are so many factors that contribute to this crisis that the government is turning its eyes away from.”

“The government is always interested in granting the bandits amnesty, sometimes using soft approaches.”

Dr Kabiru Adamu, an analyst of West African defence and security, and who founded security and intelligence firm Beacon Consulting Nigeria, says the country’s centralised security apparatus is to blame for the explosion of criminal groups in the region.

He said only the federal government has the power to mobilise security officers to troubled regions, states and communities. It distributes “security votes” – monthly cash allowances tailored to each state to pay for security costs.

“The states have had a realisation that it’s only the federal government can take care of the problem … that’s why you see the [state] governors coming to Abuja to meet the President to discuss security matters. That’s why you see them make use of monies made available to them as security votes.”

“No matter how effective the security vote is, if the security agencies don’t support it, it is not likely to work. That is why the problem has continued for so long.”

He said regional security forces are woefully outgunned by the groups they are fighting.

“Sometimes state governors enter into an arrangement with the federal government to obtain pump-action rifles. These are rifles that can shoot one or two rounds before you reload them, but the enemies they are dealing with have combat weapons like AK47s and other sophisticated military weapons,” he said.

In the meantime, state governors try other methods. The governor of Zamfara recently relaunched the gun amnesty, promising cows to those who handed in machineguns.

Last Thursday, immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, said it would take Nigeria 20 years to address her security challenges.

Dr Adamu said the military alone would not be enough to conduct the counterterrorism operation.

"What most of us are not happy about is the fact that while he was in office as the Chief of Army Staff, he kept on saying that the Boko Haram terrorist group has been defeated," he told The National.

“Now that he is no longer in office, he’s saying it would take 20 years to tackle insecurity, which shows the level of dishonesty in the fight.”

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Transgender report
While you're here
UAE rugby season

FIXTURES

West Asia Premiership

Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Knights Eagles

Dubai Tigers v Bahrain

Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Division 1

Dubai Sharks v Dubai Hurricanes II

Al Ain Amblers v Dubai Knights Eagles II

Dubai Tigers II v Abu Dhabi Saracens

Jebel Ali Dragons II v Abu Dhabi Harlequins II

Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Exiles II

 

LAST SEASON

West Asia Premiership

Winners – Bahrain

Runners-up – Dubai Exiles

UAE Premiership

Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners – Dubai Hurricanes

Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Conference

Winners – Dubai Tigers

Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers

Neighbourhood Watch
UAE currency
While you're here
Our commentary on Brexit
While you're here
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Saudi National Day
Palestine and Israel
Pakistan v New Zealand Test series

Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza

New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner

Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Transgender report
The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

Tomorrow 2021
While you're here
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E660hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C100Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488km-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh850%2C000%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOctober%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The Freedom Artist

By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)

Directed by Sam Mendes

Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays

4.5/5

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Our commentary on Brexit
While you're here
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
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16, second leg (first-leg scores in brackets):

PSG (2) v Manchester United (0)

Midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
On Women's Day
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

On Women's Day
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Tomorrow 2021
BRIEF SCORES

England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)  
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)

Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1

E-cigarette report
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Towering concerns
SPEC%20SHEET
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M2%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206%2C%20Bluetooth%205.0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%2C%20midnight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%20or%2035W%20dual-port%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C999%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
You might also like
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Plastic tipping point
Picture of Joumblatt and Hariri breaking bread sets Twitter alight

Mr Joumblatt’s pessimism regarding the Lebanese political situation didn’t stop him from enjoying a cheerful dinner on Tuesday with several politicians including Mr Hariri.

Caretaker Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury tweeted a picture of the group sitting around a table at a discrete fish restaurant in Beirut’s upscale Sodeco area.

Mr Joumblatt told The National that the fish served at Kelly’s Fish lounge had been very good.

“They really enjoyed their time”, remembers the restaurant owner. “Mr Hariri was taking selfies with everybody”.

Mr Hariri and Mr Joumblatt often have dinner together to discuss recent political developments.

Mr Joumblatt was a close ally of Mr Hariri’s assassinated father, former prime minister Rafik Hariri. The pair were leading figures in the political grouping against the 15-year Syrian occupation of Lebanon that ended after mass protests in 2005 in the wake of Rafik Hariri’s murder. After the younger Hariri took over his father’s mantle in 2004, the relationship with Mr Joumblatt endured.

However, the pair have not always been so close. In the run-up to the election last year, Messrs Hariri and Joumblatt went months without speaking over an argument regarding the new proportional electoral law to be used for the first time. Mr Joumblatt worried that a proportional system, which Mr Hariri backed, would see the influence of his small sect diminished.

With so much of Lebanese politics agreed in late-night meetings behind closed doors, the media and pundits put significant weight on how regularly, where and with who senior politicians meet.

In the picture, alongside Messrs Khoury and Hariri were Mr Joumbatt and his wife Nora, PSP politician Wael Abou Faour and Egyptian ambassador to Lebanon Nazih el Nagari.

The picture of the dinner led to a flurry of excitement on Twitter that it signified an imminent government formation. “God willing, white smoke will rise soon and Walid Beik [a nickname for Walid Joumblatt] will accept to give up the minister of industry”, one user replied to the tweet. “Blessings to you…We would like you to form a cabinet”, wrote another.  

The next few days will be crucial in determining whether these wishes come true.

On Women's Day
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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 one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
On Women's Day
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
THE%20SWIMMERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
World Mental Health Day
Getting there

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.

The stay

Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.

Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com

Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier

Results

UAE beat Saudi Arabia by 12 runs

Kuwait beat Iran by eight wickets

Oman beat Maldives by 10 wickets

Bahrain beat Qatar by six wickets

Semi-finals

UAE v Qatar

Bahrain v Kuwait

 

While you're here
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tomorrow 2021
While you're here
The%20Woman%20King%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Gina%20Prince-Bythewood%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Viola%20Davis%2C%20Thuso%20Mbedu%2C%20Sheila%20Atim%2C%20Lashana%20Lynch%2C%20John%20Boyega%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Transgender report
Points Classification

1. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 63

2. Arnaud Demare (France / FDJ) 38

3. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) 25

4. Sonny Colbrelli (Italy / Bahrain) 24

5. Mark Cavendish (Britain / Dimension Data) 22

6. Taylor Phinney (U.S. / Cannondale) 21

7. Geraint Thomas (Britain / Team Sky) 20

8. Thomas Boudat (France / Direct Energie) 20

9. Stefan Kueng (Switzerland / BMC Racing) 17

10. Michael Matthews (Australia / Sunweb) 17

On Women's Day
Results

2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly

3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson

3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi

4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar

4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

While you're here
The schedule

December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club

December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq

December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm

December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition

December 13: Falcon beauty competition

December 14 and 20: Saluki races

December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm

December 16 - 19: Falconry competition

December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am

December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am

December 22: The best herd of 30 camels

Plastic tipping points
The Matrix Resurrections

Director: Lana Wachowski

Stars:  Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick 

Rating:****

Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Rating: 2/5
The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo

Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Price: from Dh498,542

On sale: now

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
more from Janine di Giovanni
More from this story
While you're here
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Recommended
The%20stats%20and%20facts
%3Cp%3E1.9%20million%20women%20are%20at%20risk%20of%20developing%20cervical%20cancer%20in%20the%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E80%25%20of%20people%2C%20females%20and%20males%2C%20will%20get%20human%20papillomavirus%20(HPV)%20once%20in%20their%20lifetime%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EOut%20of%20more%20than%20100%20types%20of%20HPV%2C%2014%20strains%20are%20cancer-causing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E99.9%25%20of%20cervical%20cancers%20are%20caused%20by%20the%20virus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EA%20five-year%20survival%20rate%20of%20close%20to%2096%25%20can%20be%20achieved%20with%20regular%20screenings%20for%20cervical%20cancer%20detection%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EWomen%20aged%2025%20to%2029%20should%20get%20a%20Pap%20smear%20every%20three%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EWomen%20aged%2030%20to%2065%20should%20do%20a%20Pap%20smear%20and%20HPV%20test%20every%20five%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EChildren%20aged%2013%20and%20above%20should%20get%20the%20HPV%20vaccine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tomorrow 2021
More on Quran memorisation:
Company profile

Company: Rent Your Wardrobe 

Date started: May 2021 

Founder: Mamta Arora 

Based: Dubai 

Sector: Clothes rental subscription 

Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded 

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 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

NigeriaAfrica