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Finland to decide on Nato membership in weeks amid Russia threats

Leaders of Finland and Sweden seek cross-party consensus on possible application

Tim Stickings
Tim Stickings

April 13, 2022

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Finland will decide in weeks whether to join Nato, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Wednesday, as the Nordic country and its neighbour Sweden rethink their security posture after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

It came as a landmark review of Finland’s defence policy said joining Nato would help it deter an attack from its large eastern neighbour and that the window could close if Russia builds pressure against an expansion.

But it also warned that joining Nato would double the alliance’s 1,200-kilometre border with Russia, bring its forces closer to St Petersburg and thereby risk provoking the Kremlin.

Russia has threatened consequences for Finland and Sweden if they abandon their Cold War-era neutrality in favour of joining Nato, with both countries on guard for potential meddling as they weigh up the pros and cons.

The leaders of the two nations are seeking cross-party consensus before lodging any application, after Russia’s onslaught on Ukraine shifted public opinion towards Nato.

“We have to wonder: what is the best way to secure that this wouldn’t ever happen in Finland?,” Ms Marin said at a press conference in Stockholm with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.

Finland’s parliament will next week begin considering the report published on Wednesday, but “I think it will happen quite fast … within weeks, not within months”, said Ms Marin, who said there were pros and cons to Nato membership.

Ms Andersson said a Swedish defence review was due by late May and that the debate should not drag on into an election campaign in the autumn.

Nato will update its first strategic blueprint for the first time in 12 years at a June summit, making that meeting in Madrid a possible decision point for any application by Sweden and Finland.

All 30 current members would have to approve their membership, but they already have close ties with Nato and the US says it would not expect any major resistance to them joining.

Allies have increased co-operation with Sweden and Finland since Russia invaded Ukraine and invited them to several diplomatic summits. They recently took part in 30,000-troop Nato drills in Norway, known as Cold Response.

Ukraine, Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina also have Nato aspirations, although Kyiv has signalled it would be willing to drop that in a potential peace agreement with Russia.

President Vladimir Putin has long viewed Nato’s expansion towards Russia’s borders as a threat to his country and accused western leaders of breaking promises made after the break-up of the Soviet Union.

Nato rejects this narrative and says Russia only has itself to blame for motivating neighbours such as Poland and the Baltic states to shore up their troop numbers.

Finland and Sweden recently took part in 30,000-troop Nato drills in Norway known as Cold Response. Reuters
Finland and Sweden recently took part in 30,000-troop Nato drills in Norway known as Cold Response. Reuters

But the 53-page Finnish review said Russia was likely to keep pressing its demands to stop Nato expansion and that failing to react to its aggressive posture could lead to a “narrowing of Finland’s room for manoeuvre”.

It said Nato membership would change a relationship with Russia which Finland has long tried to stabilise, in view of their 1,340km border and troubled history, but that it would “aim to continue functioning relations with Moscow.

Ms Andersson had said as recently as December that Sweden “will not apply for membership of Nato”, while Ms Marin said in January that a Finnish application was “very unlikely” during her term, but both described the security environment as having changed since Russia's invasion.

Nato’s Article 5 guarantee that allies will come to each other’s defence would provide a “considerably stronger” deterrent to any Russian aggression and thereby improve the stability of the Baltic, the Finnish report said.

Ms Andersson said the security offered by Article 5 could not be replaced by other arrangements, although it would commit Sweden to defending 29 other countries if they were attacked.

Any enlargement would bring the countries under the umbrella of Nato’s nuclear-weapons sharing agreement, although it would not require British, French or American nuclear weapons to be stationed in Finland.

However, Finland’s accession would also “significantly expand the area of the alliance, double its land border with Russia, and move the alliance closer to strategically important areas in Russia” such as St Petersburg and the Arctic Kola Peninsula, the report said.

Officials say attempts to meddle in the Finnish debate could include cyberattacks, increased tensions on the border with Russia, or other risks that are difficult to anticipate.

“We do have a big next-door neighbour which acts like this,” said Ms Marin, who added that it would be preferable if Sweden and Finland made similar decisions, but did not come down on one side or another herself.

“There are both short-term and long-term risks,” she said of the possibility of Finland joining Nato. “These risks are there both if we apply and if we do not apply.”

Ukraine latest - in pictures

A boy rides a bicycle past a house that was damaged by shelling in Andriivka village, not far from Kyiv. EPA
A boy rides a bicycle past a house that was damaged by shelling in Andriivka village, not far from Kyiv. EPA
A destroyed residential building in Mariupol, south-eastern Ukraine. Reuters
A destroyed residential building in Mariupol, south-eastern Ukraine. Reuters
Firefighters at work on the outskirts of Kharkiv, north-east Ukraine. EPA
Firefighters at work on the outskirts of Kharkiv, north-east Ukraine. EPA
A torn Ukrainian flag in front of a ruined Mariupol apartment building. Reuters
A torn Ukrainian flag in front of a ruined Mariupol apartment building. Reuters
Residents who cleared debris after Russian shelling eat lunch outside a damaged building in Makariv, near Kyiv. EPA
Residents who cleared debris after Russian shelling eat lunch outside a damaged building in Makariv, near Kyiv. EPA
Children play with a therapeutic dog at a shelter organised by volunteers in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine. Reuters
Children play with a therapeutic dog at a shelter organised by volunteers in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine. Reuters
A girl stands by the door of a bunker in Severodonetsk, in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, as Russian troops intensify a campaign to take the strategic port city of Mariupol. AFP
A girl stands by the door of a bunker in Severodonetsk, in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, as Russian troops intensify a campaign to take the strategic port city of Mariupol. AFP
A firefighter at work following a missile attack near Kharkiv International Airport. Reuters
A firefighter at work following a missile attack near Kharkiv International Airport. Reuters
A Ukrainian fighter walks in front of a destroyed house in Bohdanivka village, north-east of Kyiv. AFP
A Ukrainian fighter walks in front of a destroyed house in Bohdanivka village, north-east of Kyiv. AFP
Two women hug outside a heavily damaged apartment block following an artillery attack in Kharkiv. Reuters
Two women hug outside a heavily damaged apartment block following an artillery attack in Kharkiv. Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers guard the village of Barvinkove, as Russia's invasion on Ukraine continues. Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers guard the village of Barvinkove, as Russia's invasion on Ukraine continues. Reuters
Leonid Serdiuchenko, a Ukrainian commander, stands next to destroyed vehicles outside Barvinkove. Reuters
Leonid Serdiuchenko, a Ukrainian commander, stands next to destroyed vehicles outside Barvinkove. Reuters
A woman carries the portrait of Dmytro Stefienko, 32, a civilian killed during the war, during his funeral in Bucha, Ukraine. AP
A woman carries the portrait of Dmytro Stefienko, 32, a civilian killed during the war, during his funeral in Bucha, Ukraine. AP
A Russian soldier collects weapons from inside the Mariupol drama theatre in Ukraine. AFP
A Russian soldier collects weapons from inside the Mariupol drama theatre in Ukraine. AFP
Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Andriy Matviychuk, 37, who served as a territorial defence soldier, who was captured and killed by the Russian army in Bucha, Ukraine. AP
Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Andriy Matviychuk, 37, who served as a territorial defence soldier, who was captured and killed by the Russian army in Bucha, Ukraine. AP
Anatoliy Morykin, 45, left, mourns the death of his mother, Valentyna Morykina, 82, who died in a retirement home in Bucha during the Russian invasion. AP
Anatoliy Morykin, 45, left, mourns the death of his mother, Valentyna Morykina, 82, who died in a retirement home in Bucha during the Russian invasion. AP
Nadiya, 65, shows a hole in a wall of a building after shelling in Zalissya, Ukraine. EPA
Nadiya, 65, shows a hole in a wall of a building after shelling in Zalissya, Ukraine. EPA
A booby trap found by locals near their home in Zalissya. EPA
A booby trap found by locals near their home in Zalissya. EPA
Debris of a school bus near a damaged school that was a base for Russian troops in Bohdanivka, Ukraine. EPA
Debris of a school bus near a damaged school that was a base for Russian troops in Bohdanivka, Ukraine. EPA
A man examines the debris of a destroyed Russian tank in Bohdanivka. EPA
A man examines the debris of a destroyed Russian tank in Bohdanivka. EPA
President Joe Biden speaks to the media before boarding Air Force One at Des Moines International Airport, en route to Washington. AP
President Joe Biden speaks to the media before boarding Air Force One at Des Moines International Airport, en route to Washington. AP
Valentina Saroyan sits in the basement of a school in Yahidne, near Chernihiv, Ukraine. AP
Valentina Saroyan sits in the basement of a school in Yahidne, near Chernihiv, Ukraine. AP
Vasyl Cherepenko stands next to a mass grave at a cemetery in Yahidne, near Dnipro, Ukraine. AP
Vasyl Cherepenko stands next to a mass grave at a cemetery in Yahidne, near Dnipro, Ukraine. AP
Oksana, second from left, and Yevhen, right, talk with police officers next to their apartment building damaged by shelling in Irpin, Ukraine. AP
Oksana, second from left, and Yevhen, right, talk with police officers next to their apartment building damaged by shelling in Irpin, Ukraine. AP
Women bid farewell to relatives as they leave the Slovyansk central station in the Donbas region. AFP
Women bid farewell to relatives as they leave the Slovyansk central station in the Donbas region. AFP
The partially destroyed Mariupol drama theatre in Ukraine, hit on March 16 by an air strike. AFP
The partially destroyed Mariupol drama theatre in Ukraine, hit on March 16 by an air strike. AFP
A man embraces his wife as she prepares to board a train at Slovyansk central station in the Donbas region. AFP
A man embraces his wife as she prepares to board a train at Slovyansk central station in the Donbas region. AFP
A woman walks through a damaged apartment building after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
A woman walks through a damaged apartment building after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
A missile pierces the road in front of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building amid Russia's attack on Ukraine. Reuters
A missile pierces the road in front of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building amid Russia's attack on Ukraine. Reuters
A boy walks by unexploded Russian shells in the village of Andriyivka close to Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
A boy walks by unexploded Russian shells in the village of Andriyivka close to Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
Ukrainian tanks move down a street in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
Ukrainian tanks move down a street in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
A man walks past a storage place for burned armed vehicles and cars, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
A man walks past a storage place for burned armed vehicles and cars, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
Local residents stand on top of a Russian tank on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
Local residents stand on top of a Russian tank on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
Ukrainian families, who have fled Kherson amid the Russian invasion, watch a dolphin show at a hotel in Odesa, Ukraine. Reuters
Ukrainian families, who have fled Kherson amid the Russian invasion, watch a dolphin show at a hotel in Odesa, Ukraine. Reuters
Residents stand outside their apartments as shops burn after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
Residents stand outside their apartments as shops burn after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
Irina Szymanska holds her baby in a temporary shelter at the central train station for displaced people heading to Poland in Lviv, Ukraine. Getty Images
Irina Szymanska holds her baby in a temporary shelter at the central train station for displaced people heading to Poland in Lviv, Ukraine. Getty Images
A man walks in his yard, damaged by shelling, in the village of Andriivka, Ukraine. EPA
A man walks in his yard, damaged by shelling, in the village of Andriivka, Ukraine. EPA
Sixty-two-year-old Luba hugs a Ukrainian servicewoman in Andriivka. EPA
Sixty-two-year-old Luba hugs a Ukrainian servicewoman in Andriivka. EPA
A woman washes clothes in the yard of a ruined house in Andriivka. EPA
A woman washes clothes in the yard of a ruined house in Andriivka. EPA
Russian soldiers patrol a street in Volnovakha, in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. The picture was taken during a trip organised by the Russian military. AFP
Russian soldiers patrol a street in Volnovakha, in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. The picture was taken during a trip organised by the Russian military. AFP
Russian mine clearers search for explosive objects in a building the Russian authorities say was damaged by Ukrainian shelling. AFP
Russian mine clearers search for explosive objects in a building the Russian authorities say was damaged by Ukrainian shelling. AFP
A woman reads a book as residents find shelter from shelling in a metro station in Kharkiv. Reuters
A woman reads a book as residents find shelter from shelling in a metro station in Kharkiv. Reuters
Firefighters try to contain a fire at a plant in Kharkiv following Russian shelling. Reuters
Firefighters try to contain a fire at a plant in Kharkiv following Russian shelling. Reuters
Farm owner Zlobina Lubov tends to her animals in the village of Malaya Rohan, Ukraine. Reuters
Farm owner Zlobina Lubov tends to her animals in the village of Malaya Rohan, Ukraine. Reuters
A bathtub is seen inside a building that was heavily damaged by shelling in Kharkiv. Reuters
A bathtub is seen inside a building that was heavily damaged by shelling in Kharkiv. Reuters
A man looks out of his window, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Borodianka. Reuters
A man looks out of his window, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Borodianka. Reuters
Soldiers 'came to my house and said go to the basement' Zinaida Makishaiva, 82, said, before they started to shoot around her. 'God saved my life,' she said. Reuters
Soldiers 'came to my house and said go to the basement' Zinaida Makishaiva, 82, said, before they started to shoot around her. 'God saved my life,' she said. Reuters
A mother waits for police officers to exhume the body of her son from a well at a fuel station in Buzova, Kyiv region. According to the head of the village, he was killed by Russian soldiers. Reuters
A mother waits for police officers to exhume the body of her son from a well at a fuel station in Buzova, Kyiv region. According to the head of the village, he was killed by Russian soldiers. Reuters

War

Director: Siddharth Anand

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor

Rating: Two out of five stars 

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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.

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

On Women's Day
Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

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Profile

Company: Libra Project

Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware

Launch year: 2017

Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time

Sector: Renewable energy

Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.

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  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
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SPECS
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About Krews

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 specs: Fenyr SuperSport

Price, base: Dh5.1 million

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm

Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km

'Outclassed in Kuwait'
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Soldier F

“I was in complete disgust at the fact that only one person was to be charged for Bloody Sunday.

“Somebody later said to me, 'you just watch - they'll drop the charge against him'. And sure enough, the charges against Soldier F would go on to be dropped.

“It's pretty hard to think that 50 years on, the State is still covering up for what happened on Bloody Sunday.”

Jimmy Duddy, nephew of John Johnson

The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:

Ajax 2-3 Tottenham

Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate

Final: June 1, Madrid

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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Match info

Manchester United 4
(Pogba 5', 33', Rashford 45', Lukaku 72')

Bournemouth 1
(Ake 45 2')

Red card: Eric Bailly (Manchester United)

What is blockchain?

Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.

The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.

Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.

However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.

Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.

Full list of Emmy 2020 nominations

LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Don Cheadle, Black Monday
Ted Danson, The Good Place
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
Ramy Youssef, Ramy

LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Christina Applegate, Dead to Me
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me
Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek
Issa Rae, Insecure
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish

OUTSTANDING VARIETY/TALK SERIES

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Jason Bateman, Ozark
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Steve Carell, The Morning Show
Brian Cox, Succession
Billy Porter, Pose
Jeremy Strong, Succession

LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Olivia Colman, The Crown
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
Laura Linney, Ozark
Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
Zendaya, Euphoria

OUTSTANDING REALITY/COMPETITION PROGRAM

The Masked Singer
Nailed It!
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Top Chef
The Voice

LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Jeremy Irons, Watchmen
Hugh Jackman, Bad Education
Paul Mescal, Normal People
Jeremy Pope, Hollywood
Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True

LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
Shira Haas, Unorthodox
Regina King, Watchmen
Octavia Spencer, Self Made
Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere

OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES

Little Fires Everywhere
Mrs. America
Unbelievable
Unorthodox
Watchmen

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

Curb Your Enthusiasm
Dead to Me
The Good Place
Insecure
The Kominsky Method
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Schitt’s Creek
What We Do In The Shadows

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

Better Call Saul
The Crown
The Handmaid’s Tale
Killing Eve
The Mandalorian
Ozark
Stranger Things
Succession

 

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Winners

Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)

Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)

Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)

Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)

Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)

Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)

Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)

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Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

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.

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 

Fifa Club World Cup:

When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid

MATCH INFO

Chelsea 1 (Hudson-Odoi 90 1')

Manchester City 3 (Gundogan 18', Foden 21', De Bruyne 34')

Man of the match: Ilkay Gundogan (Man City)

Results

2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar

3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar

4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash

4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash

5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy

A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

MATCH INFO

Azerbaijan 0

Wales 2 (Moore 10', Wilson 34')

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:

1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition

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Updated: April 13, 2022, 3:42 PM`
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