Afghan women, holding placards, gather to demand the protection of women's rights in front of the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Afghan women, holding placards, gather to demand the protection of women's rights in front of the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan.
A person holds the flag of Afghanistan during a protest against support for the Taliban, in Berlin, Germany.
A person holds the flag of Afghanistan during a protest against support for the Taliban, in Berlin, Germany.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks at his first news conference in Kabul.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks at his first news conference in Kabul.
Taliban fighters stand guard outside the Green Zone where most of the embassies are situated.
Taliban fighters stand guard outside the Green Zone where most of the embassies are situated.
Afghan security forces patrol on humvee vehicle along a road in Bazarak town of Panjshir province.
Afghan security forces patrol on humvee vehicle along a road in Bazarak town of Panjshir province.
Schoolgirls sit in a schoolyard in Herat.
Schoolgirls sit in a schoolyard in Herat.
Afghans wait outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country.
Afghans wait outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country.
A Taliban fighter raises their flag on a vehicle as they patrol in Kandahar.
A Taliban fighter raises their flag on a vehicle as they patrol in Kandahar.
French citizens and their Afghan colleagues wait to board a French military transport plane at the airport in Kabul after the Taliban's stunning military takeover of the Afghanistan.
French citizens and their Afghan colleagues wait to board a French military transport plane at the airport in Kabul after the Taliban's stunning military takeover of the Afghanistan.
French soldiers at the airport in Kabul as they arrive to help French citizens and their Afghan colleagues to flee after the Taliban takeover.
French soldiers at the airport in Kabul as they arrive to help French citizens and their Afghan colleagues to flee after the Taliban takeover.
A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft filled with about 640 Afghans fleeing to Qatar from Kabul, Afghanistan.
A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft filled with about 640 Afghans fleeing to Qatar from Kabul, Afghanistan.
Crowds on the tarmac of Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. Several people were reportedly killed at the airport on August 16 as Afghans tried to hang on to a moving US military plane leaving the airport.
Crowds on the tarmac of Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan. Several people were reportedly killed at the airport on August 16 as Afghans tried to hang on to a moving US military plane leaving the airport.
A satellite photo shows swarms of people on the tarmac at Kabul International Airport, also known as Hamid Karzai International Airport. Afghans rushed on to the tarmac of the capital's airport on Monday as thousands tried to flee the country after the Taliban seized power with stunning speed.
A satellite photo shows swarms of people on the tarmac at Kabul International Airport, also known as Hamid Karzai International Airport. Afghans rushed on to the tarmac of the capital's airport on Monday as thousands tried to flee the country after the Taliban seized power with stunning speed.
A traffic jam outside Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan after Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar declared victory and an end to the decades-long war in the country. President Ashraf Ghani fled and conceded that the insurgents had won the 20-year war.
A traffic jam outside Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan after Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar declared victory and an end to the decades-long war in the country. President Ashraf Ghani fled and conceded that the insurgents had won the 20-year war.
Qari Muhammad Hanif, centre, director of the Taliban's cultural and Information department, talks to journalists in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
Qari Muhammad Hanif, centre, director of the Taliban's cultural and Information department, talks to journalists in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
Humvee vehicles from the Afghan Security Forces in Panjshir province, Afghanistan.
Humvee vehicles from the Afghan Security Forces in Panjshir province, Afghanistan.
Thousands of Afghans rushed to Hamid Karzai International Airport in an attempt to flee the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Thousands of Afghans rushed to Hamid Karzai International Airport in an attempt to flee the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Afghans on the tarmac at Kabul airport in Kabul after a swift end to the 20-year war in the country. Thousands of people mobbed the city's airport trying to flee the group's rule.
Afghans on the tarmac at Kabul airport in Kabul after a swift end to the 20-year war in the country. Thousands of people mobbed the city's airport trying to flee the group's rule.
A US soldier keeps close watch on Afghan passengers at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul. Thousands of people packed the airport trying to flee Taliban rule.
A US soldier keeps close watch on Afghan passengers at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul. Thousands of people packed the airport trying to flee Taliban rule.
Passengers sit inside a plane as they wait to leave the runway of Kabul after the stunningly swift end of Afghanistan’s 20-year war.
Passengers sit inside a plane as they wait to leave the runway of Kabul after the stunningly swift end of Afghanistan’s 20-year war.
People climb on top of a plane in Kabul.
People climb on top of a plane in Kabul.
People try to enter Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
People try to enter Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
People cross the boundary wall of Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country after rumours that foreign countries were removing people even without visas.
People cross the boundary wall of Hamid Karzai International Airport to flee the country after rumours that foreign countries were removing people even without visas.
Taliban fighters stand guard along a roadside near Zanbaq Square in Kabul.
Taliban fighters stand guard along a roadside near Zanbaq Square in Kabul.
A Taliban fighter sits on his motorcycle by a road in Shahr-e Naw, Kabul.
A Taliban fighter sits on his motorcycle by a road in Shahr-e Naw, Kabul.
Talibs patrol the streets of Kabul as the militants take control of Afghanistan. after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Talibs patrol the streets of Kabul as the militants take control of Afghanistan. after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Afghans gather on the asphalt at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul.
Afghans gather on the asphalt at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul.
Afghans gather by the runway in Kabul as US soldiers stand guard.
Afghans gather by the runway in Kabul as US soldiers stand guard.
Taliban fighters on a police vehicle outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Taliban fighters on a police vehicle outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Baradar Akhund, a senior official of the Taliban, with a group of men, makes a video statement.
Baradar Akhund, a senior official of the Taliban, with a group of men, makes a video statement.
Taliban fighters take control of the presidential palace in Kabul, after Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Taliban fighters take control of the presidential palace in Kabul, after Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Passengers from Kabul arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India.
Passengers from Kabul arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India.
Families on a motorway trying to flee Kabul.
Families on a motorway trying to flee Kabul.
Afghan security forces on patrol in Kabul.
Afghan security forces on patrol in Kabul.
People line up outside Azizi Bank to withdraw cash during a run on deposits.
People line up outside Azizi Bank to withdraw cash during a run on deposits.
Taliban fighters use a captured Afghan security forces vehicle at a checkpoint in Herat.
Taliban fighters use a captured Afghan security forces vehicle at a checkpoint in Herat.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, centre left, the Taliban's director for information and culture, addresses journalists.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, centre left, the Taliban's director for information and culture, addresses journalists.
Police officers conduct their duties after the Taliban took control of Kandahar.
Police officers conduct their duties after the Taliban took control of Kandahar.
People prepare to cross into Afghanistan, at Pakistan's Chaman border. Pakistani authorities reopened the border with Afghanistan on August 13 after it had been closed for several days.
People prepare to cross into Afghanistan, at Pakistan's Chaman border. Pakistani authorities reopened the border with Afghanistan on August 13 after it had been closed for several days.
Afghans wait in long lines for hours to get visas at the Iranian embassy, in Kabul.
Afghans wait in long lines for hours to get visas at the Iranian embassy, in Kabul.
Taliban fighters patrol after taking control of Jalalabad.
Taliban fighters patrol after taking control of Jalalabad.
Smoke rises near the US embassy in Kabul. Taliban fighters reached the outskirts of the Afghan capital on Sunday.
Smoke rises near the US embassy in Kabul. Taliban fighters reached the outskirts of the Afghan capital on Sunday.
Anti-missile decoy flares are used by US Black Hawk military helicopters, while a surveillance blimp flies over Kabul.
Anti-missile decoy flares are used by US Black Hawk military helicopters, while a surveillance blimp flies over Kabul.
An Afghan soldier keeps watch on a street in Kabul.
An Afghan soldier keeps watch on a street in Kabul.
Taliban fighters and local people gather in Jalalabad province, east of Kabul.
Taliban fighters and local people gather in Jalalabad province, east of Kabul.
Taliban fighters sit on an Afghan Army Humvee in Jalalabad province.
Taliban fighters sit on an Afghan Army Humvee in Jalalabad province.
Taliban fighters travel along a street in Jalalabad province.
Taliban fighters travel along a street in Jalalabad province.
A US Chinook military helicopter flies over the US embassy in Kabul.
A US Chinook military helicopter flies over the US embassy in Kabul.
Heavily armed Taliban fighters gather in eastern Laghman province.
Heavily armed Taliban fighters gather in eastern Laghman province.
Militants wave a Taliban flag from the back of a pickup truck in Jalalabad.
Militants wave a Taliban flag from the back of a pickup truck in Jalalabad.
Taliban fighters drive through the streets of Laghman province.
Taliban fighters drive through the streets of Laghman province.
People head to the departures area of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul as the Taliban approach the city.
People head to the departures area of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul as the Taliban approach the city.
A man sells Taliban flags in western province Herat.
A man sells Taliban flags in western province Herat.
Taliban fighters travel in an Afghan Army vehicle in Herat.
Taliban fighters travel in an Afghan Army vehicle in Herat.
Taliban forces patrol a street in Herat.
Taliban forces patrol a street in Herat.
Taliban militants raise their flag as they gather a day after taking control of key southern city Kandahar.
Taliban militants raise their flag as they gather a day after taking control of key southern city Kandahar.
Members of the Afghan security forces stand guard along the roadside in Panjshir province.
Members of the Afghan security forces stand guard along the roadside in Panjshir province.
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani and acting defence minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi visit a military site in Kabul.
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani and acting defence minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi visit a military site in Kabul.
Internally displaced families from northern provinces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Internally displaced families from northern provinces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Families that fled their homes because of fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security forces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Families that fled their homes because of fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security forces take shelter in a public park in Kabul.
Many of those seeking safety in Kabul have been sleeping on the streets.
Many of those seeking safety in Kabul have been sleeping on the streets.
Thousands of those internally displaced have been arriving in Kabul.
Thousands of those internally displaced have been arriving in Kabul.
Afghans have been waiting for hours in long queues outside the passport office in Kabul, with many people desperate to leave the country.
Afghans have been waiting for hours in long queues outside the passport office in Kabul, with many people desperate to leave the country.

World

Asia

Fear, betrayal, confusion: Afghans grapple with new reality as Taliban take over

Kabul’s residents face uncertain future as insurgents sweep to power

Stefanie Glinski

August 16, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Follow the latest updates on Afghanistan here

Kabul was engulfed by panic and an eerie confusion on Monday as residents began to grapple with a new reality after the Taliban swept into the Afghan capital.

With armed militants roaming the streets and entering the presidential palace, hoisting white flags and sending the republic’s president and his allies into exile, many feared for their lives and were either hiding in their homes or raced for the airport in hope of escape.

Yet other parts of daily life continued as usual. Some shops and bakeries remained open and people, though far fewer in number than normal, ventured out into the streets to shop and make sense of the Taliban takeover.

“Their faces are scary,” said a journalist who had ventured out briefly, referring to the fighters patrolling the city. He asked to not be identified.

Read more

Afghans awake to a new era as Taliban leaders prepare for power

On Sunday night, carrying weapons and rocket launchers, Taliban fighters entered homes and office buildings – including those in the previously fortified Green Zone – registering residents, confiscating cars and taking the keys to armoured vehicles.

Fears quickly mounted that government employees and Afghans affiliated with international organisations could become targets.

“We are afraid of being killed by the Taliban, of them taking revenge. We have seen their brutality in the past and we can’t be fooled,” a government employee who asked to remain anonymous told The National. “I’m exhausting all my options to obtain a visa.”

She said the destination didn’t matter.

“Away. I just want to be away from it all, away from the horror and panic. The Taliban might have entered with little fighting, but they will show us their real face again – a face we have seen in the past. They will rob our freedom, our happiness.”

Few Afghans have the chance to leave. Fewer have visas to third countries and many fear the return of the brutal regime that ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and the US-led invasion in 2001.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tried to assure residents that “the situation in Kabul is under control”. He said no one would be allowed to enter the homes of former officials, threaten them or demand their cars.

But many Afghans say the discrepancy between official Taliban announcements and ground reality is vast.

At a UN compound on the eastern outskirts of the city, Taliban militants have set up a guard post and on Monday began demanding food and weapons.

While US transport planes landed and took off at Hamid Karzai International Airport – mainly to fly foreigners to safety – evacuations were stopped later in the day as hundreds of people stormed the airport and ran on to the runway, desperate to escape a future that they had always feared.

Usually traffic-jammed and packed with vendors, pedestrians and armoured vehicles owned by the government or aid groups, Kabul’s roads have been much quieter – though not empty. Residents report feeling “relatively safe for now” among the chaos, but admit to a deep-seated panic over what lies ahead.

In some parts of the city, advertisements showing unveiled women have been painted over.

“I am scared and don’t think I am safe. We feel abandoned by our president,” said Massoud Niaz, 37, a driver and father of three.

“I’m angry at our leaders and the international community. They have all deserted us and we are left here to die.”

Mr Niaz previously worked as a mechanic for US forces, but his application for a special immigrant visa was rejected. Since yesterday’s takeover, he has been hiding in a relative’s home.

“My children are still young – only in elementary school – but they understand full well what’s unfolding. They are crying and begging me not to go outside,” he said. He explained he had switched his jeans and T-shirt for traditional Afghan clothes – a long tunic and loose cotton trousers – a style he had rarely worn previously.

“Everyone else has done the same. You won’t see men and women wearing modern clothes any more. It’s like we’ve gone back two decades.”

The city’s parks remain full of displaced families, many of whom have fled previous Taliban offences on the northern cities of Kunduz and Mazar-i-Sharif. Others now say they would rather be at home, but hope to eventually leave the country.

Nasser Ahmadi, 31, a vendor in Kabul’s Shar-e-Naw district, said he had decided to go to his shop today as usual.

“That’s where I met them,” he said of the Taliban. “They came to my shop and told me everything will be under control – under their control. They said it won’t be dangerous any more.”

Ahmadi had wanted to flee Afghanistan for a while, hoping to set up a small business in neighbouring Pakistan. But he struggled to save enough money for the move.

“Now it’s too late,” he said. “We’ve been abandoned and the Taliban is our future. Today, the city is tense. What will tomorrow bring?”

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
In numbers

- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100

- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100

- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India

- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100

- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
On Women's Day
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Avatar%20(2009)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Cameron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Worthington%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

On Women's Day
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.8%22%20edge%20quad-HD%2B%20dynamic%20Amoled%202X%2C%20Infinity-O%2C%203088%20x%201440%2C%20500ppi%2C%20HDR10%2B%2C%20120Hz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204nm%20Qualcomm%20Snapdragon%208%20Gen%202%2C%2064-bit%20octa-core%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F12GB%20RAM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20128%2F256%2F512GB%2F1TB%20(only%20128GB%20has%20an%208GB%20RAM%20option)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2013%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20quad%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20f%2F2.2%20%2B%20200MP%20wide%20f%2F1.7%20%2B%2010MP%20telephoto%20f%2F4.9%20%2B%2010MP%20telephoto%202.4%3B%203x%2F10x%20optical%20zoom%2C%20Space%20Zoom%20up%20to%20100x%3B%20auto%20HDR%2C%20expert%20RAW%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208K%4024%2F30fps%2C%204K%4060fps%2C%20full-HD%4060fps%2C%20HD%4030fps%2C%20full-HD%20super%20slo-mo%40960fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20f%2F2.2%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205000mAh%2C%20fast%20wireless%20charging%202.0%2C%20Wireless%20PowerShare%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205G%2C%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.2%2C%20NFC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3B%20built-in%20Galaxy%20S%20Pen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESIM%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20single%20nano%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20eSIM%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20nano%20%2B%20eSIM%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20nano%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20cream%2C%20green%2C%20lavender%2C%20phantom%20black%3B%20online%20exclusives%3A%20graphite%2C%20lime%2C%20red%2C%20sky%20blue%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh4%2C949%20for%20256GB%2C%20Dh5%2C449%20for%20512GB%2C%20Dh6%2C449%20for%201TB%3B%20128GB%20unavailable%20in%20the%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars

On Women's Day
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGold%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMagomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20%2B100kg%0D%3Cbr%3EKhaled%20Al%20Shehi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-62kg%0D%3Cbr%3EFaisal%20Al%20Ketbi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-85kg%0D%3Cbr%3EAsma%20Al%20Hosani%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-52kg%0D%3Cbr%3EShamma%20Al%20Kalbani%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-63kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESilver%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EOmar%20Al%20Marzooqi%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Individual%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3EBishrelt%20Khorloodoi%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-52kg%0D%3Cbr%3EKhalid%20Al%20Blooshi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-62kg%0D%3Cbr%3EMohamed%20Al%20Suwaidi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-69kg%0D%3Cbr%3EBalqees%20Abdulla%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-48kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBronze%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EHawraa%20Alajmi%20%E2%80%93%20Karate%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20kumite%20-50kg%0D%3Cbr%3EAhmed%20Al%20Mansoori%20%E2%80%93%20Cycling%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20omnium%0D%3Cbr%3EAbdullah%20Al%20Marri%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Individual%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3ETeam%20UAE%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Team%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3EDzhafar%20Kostoev%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-100kg%0D%3Cbr%3ENarmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-66kg%0D%3Cbr%3EGrigorian%20Aram%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-90kg%0D%3Cbr%3EMahdi%20Al%20Awlaqi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-77kg%0D%3Cbr%3ESaeed%20Al%20Kubaisi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-85kg%0D%3Cbr%3EShamsa%20Al%20Ameri%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-57kg%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks

As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.

The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
 

Not taxed:

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

RESULT

Norway 1 Spain 1
Norway: King (90 4')
Spain: Niguez (47')

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EXPATS
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

While you're here

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.6-litre turbo

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Power: 165hp

Torque: 240Nm

Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)

On sale: Now

The%20Roundup%20%3A%20No%20Way%20Out
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Updated: August 17, 2021, 5:23 AM`
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