Rishi Sunak said anti-terror efforts should focus more on the threat from Islamist groups. AP
Rishi Sunak said anti-terror efforts should focus more on the threat from Islamist groups. AP
Rishi Sunak said anti-terror efforts should focus more on the threat from Islamist groups. AP
Rishi Sunak said anti-terror efforts should focus more on the threat from Islamist groups. AP

World

Europe

Rishi Sunak makes pledge to prioritise focus on Islamist extremism

Tory leadership candidate seeks shake-up of 'failing' UK Prevent programme

Tim Stickings
Tim Stickings

August 03, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Rishi Sunak promised on Wednesday to reform what he called a failing anti-terrorism programme by ordering a greater focus on Islamist extremism in his latest pitch to members in the Tory leadership race.

Mr Sunak's campaign said the much-criticised Prevent programme was focusing too much on far-right extremists and others with muddled ideologies, rather than the Islamist extremists it said were “far and away” the greatest threat.

If elected as Britain's next prime minister, Mr Sunak would reform Prevent so that “the profile of cases in the programme broadly reflects the terror threat posed to the UK,” his campaign said in a high profile announcement.

Mr Sunak, who is battling Foreign Secretary Liz Truss for the top job, said he would expand the definition of extremism to cover those who “vilify the United Kingdom”, raising eyebrows among critics who suggested he was encroaching on freedom of speech.

Allies of Mr Sunak insisted that only those with an “extreme hatred of our country”, and not those who object to the policies of the government of the day, would be given a red flag.

In a third proposal, Mr Sunak said he would tackle the spread of extremism in prisons by making it easier to separate terrorists from the general inmate population.

Encouraging terrorism in a prison cell would become a specific offence under anti-terror legislation, even if only two inmates were involved, Mr Sunak's campaign said.

“There is no more important duty for a prime minister than keeping our country and our people safe. Whether redoubling our efforts to tackle Islamist extremism or rooting out those who are vocal in their hatred of our country, I will do whatever it takes to fulfil that duty,” Mr Sunak said.

“Britain is a beacon of freedom, tolerance and diversity. We must never let those who seek to undermine and destroy our way of life succeed.”

Polls show Rishi Sunak is trailing his rival Liz Truss in the Conservative leadership race. Reuters
Polls show Rishi Sunak is trailing his rival Liz Truss in the Conservative leadership race. Reuters

The Prevent scheme involves suspected extremists being referred to police and potentially a deradicalisation programme. Some organisations, such as schools, have a duty to report any suspicions.

The programme has attracted criticism over concerns that it is discriminatory, alienates the Muslim community and encourages surveillance of innocent people.

Mr Sunak's objection is that in the most recent Home Office figures, only 22 per cent of referrals to Prevent involved suspected Islamist extremists — despite Islamists making up most of the convicted extremists in British prisons.

About 25 per cent of those referred to Prevent in the year to March 2021 were suspected right-wing extremists, and a few were linked to the extreme left or Northern Ireland.

But the majority were classed as people with a mixed, unstable or unclear ideology, such as those who might act out of an obsession with mass violence or a desire for belonging.

Conservatives on the campaign trail — in pictures

Candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss at the Conservative Party leadership election hustings at Wembley Arena, London. This was the final hustings attended by Tory Party members who will vote for the new leader and next prime minister. EPA
Candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss at the Conservative Party leadership election hustings at Wembley Arena, London. This was the final hustings attended by Tory Party members who will vote for the new leader and next prime minister. EPA
Liz Truss addresses Conservative Party members at Wembley Arena. AP
Liz Truss addresses Conservative Party members at Wembley Arena. AP
Mr Sunak puts forward his case to be leader while speaking at Wembley Arena. Bloomberg
Mr Sunak puts forward his case to be leader while speaking at Wembley Arena. Bloomberg
Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy in Southampton, while on the campaign trail. Reuters
Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy in Southampton, while on the campaign trail. Reuters
Ms Truss speaks to staff at Condimentum Ltd at the Food Enterprise Park in Norwich. Getty Images
Ms Truss speaks to staff at Condimentum Ltd at the Food Enterprise Park in Norwich. Getty Images
A Rishi Sunak supporter at a hustings event in Norfolk. PA
A Rishi Sunak supporter at a hustings event in Norfolk. PA
Mr Sunak greets people at a leadership hustings in Manchester. Bloomberg
Mr Sunak greets people at a leadership hustings in Manchester. Bloomberg
Ms Truss poses for a selfie with a supporter as she arrives for the event in Manchester. Getty
Ms Truss poses for a selfie with a supporter as she arrives for the event in Manchester. Getty
Rishi Sunak looks through the sights of an anti-tank missile launcher, supplied to Ukraine, during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast, Northern Ireland. AP
Rishi Sunak looks through the sights of an anti-tank missile launcher, supplied to Ukraine, during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast, Northern Ireland. AP
Liz Truss at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event in Belfast. Getty
Liz Truss at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event in Belfast. Getty
Liz Truss meets supporters before a hustings in Perth, Scotland. Getty
Liz Truss meets supporters before a hustings in Perth, Scotland. Getty
Rishi Sunak speaks during a campaign visit to Cluny Castle in Inverurie, Scotland. Getty
Rishi Sunak speaks during a campaign visit to Cluny Castle in Inverurie, Scotland. Getty
Police hold back protesters outside Perth Concert Hall, Scotland, where Conservative leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak were speaking. PA
Police hold back protesters outside Perth Concert Hall, Scotland, where Conservative leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak were speaking. PA
A mural showing the two leadership contestants appears on a wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. AP
A mural showing the two leadership contestants appears on a wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. AP
Rishi Sunak during a visit to St John's Wood Synagogue, north London. PA
Rishi Sunak during a visit to St John's Wood Synagogue, north London. PA
Liz Truss at the Conservative Party leadership election hustings in Cheltenham. EPA
Liz Truss at the Conservative Party leadership election hustings in Cheltenham. EPA
Rishi Sunak during a hustings event in Cheltenham. Reuters
Rishi Sunak during a hustings event in Cheltenham. Reuters
Liz Truss speaks to scientists during a campaign visit to a life sciences laboratory at Alderley Park in Manchester. PA
Liz Truss speaks to scientists during a campaign visit to a life sciences laboratory at Alderley Park in Manchester. PA
Rishi Sunak during a campaign hustings in Darlington, England. Bloomberg
Rishi Sunak during a campaign hustings in Darlington, England. Bloomberg
Liz Truss meets party members before she speaks at the Darlington campaign hustings. Getty
Liz Truss meets party members before she speaks at the Darlington campaign hustings. Getty
Rishi Sunak arrives for the Darlington hustings. Getty
Rishi Sunak arrives for the Darlington hustings. Getty
Liz Truss plays pool during a visit to the Onside Future Youth Zone in London. Reuters
Liz Truss plays pool during a visit to the Onside Future Youth Zone in London. Reuters
Rishi Sunak looks at a book with Teddy Openshaw, 4, as his father, Henry, looks on after a Conservative leadership campaign event in Ribble Valley, Lancashire, England. Getty
Rishi Sunak looks at a book with Teddy Openshaw, 4, as his father, Henry, looks on after a Conservative leadership campaign event in Ribble Valley, Lancashire, England. Getty
Liz Truss plays table tennis with former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith during a visit to the Onside Future Youth Zone in London. Reuters
Liz Truss plays table tennis with former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith during a visit to the Onside Future Youth Zone in London. Reuters
Liz Truss with supporters at a campaign event in Solihull, England. Reuters
Liz Truss with supporters at a campaign event in Solihull, England. Reuters
Rishi Sunak attends a campaign event held by his party in Bexhill, England. Reuters
Rishi Sunak attends a campaign event held by his party in Bexhill, England. Reuters
A protester is removed as Ms Truss speaks during the Conservative Party leadership hustings in Eastbourne. Bloomberg
A protester is removed as Ms Truss speaks during the Conservative Party leadership hustings in Eastbourne. Bloomberg
Mr Sunak speaks at an event in Edinburgh. PA
Mr Sunak speaks at an event in Edinburgh. PA
Ms Truss leaves the hall in Exeter, south-west England, after her speech to a Conservative Party membership hustings. Getty
Ms Truss leaves the hall in Exeter, south-west England, after her speech to a Conservative Party membership hustings. Getty
Mr Sunak speaks at the University of Exeter in south-west England. AP
Mr Sunak speaks at the University of Exeter in south-west England. AP
A supporter of Ms Truss at a Conservative Party hustings in Exeter, south-west England. Getty
A supporter of Ms Truss at a Conservative Party hustings in Exeter, south-west England. Getty
Ms Truss at a hustings event at the Pavilion conference centre at Elland Road in Leeds. PA
Ms Truss at a hustings event at the Pavilion conference centre at Elland Road in Leeds. PA
Mr Sunak in Salisbury watching a screening of the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 final between England and Germany at Wembley stadium. England won 2-1 in extra time. PA
Mr Sunak in Salisbury watching a screening of the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 final between England and Germany at Wembley stadium. England won 2-1 in extra time. PA
Ms Truss before the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 final at Wembley stadium in London. AFP
Ms Truss before the Uefa Women's Euro 2022 final at Wembley stadium in London. AFP
Mr Sunak meets Tory members at Fontwell Park Racecourse. Reuters
Mr Sunak meets Tory members at Fontwell Park Racecourse. Reuters
Ms Truss at an event in Dereham, Norfolk. AFP
Ms Truss at an event in Dereham, Norfolk. AFP
Mr Sunak in Ropley, near Winchester, Hampshire. PA
Mr Sunak in Ropley, near Winchester, Hampshire. PA
Ms Truss speaks as Conservative Member of Parliament Tom Tugendhat looks on at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event at Biggin Hill Airport. Getty
Ms Truss speaks as Conservative Member of Parliament Tom Tugendhat looks on at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event at Biggin Hill Airport. Getty
Ms Truss on the campaign trail in Woodford Green, on the outskirts of London. Reuters
Ms Truss on the campaign trail in Woodford Green, on the outskirts of London. Reuters
Mr Sunak at a Conservative Party hustings event in Leeds. AFP
Mr Sunak at a Conservative Party hustings event in Leeds. AFP
Ms Truss speaks at the hustings event in Leeds. AFP
Ms Truss speaks at the hustings event in Leeds. AFP
Sunak and Truss-themed souvenirs at a stand during the Leeds hustings event. Reuters
Sunak and Truss-themed souvenirs at a stand during the Leeds hustings event. Reuters
Ms Truss, and her mother, Patricia, arrive for the hustings event. Getty
Ms Truss, and her mother, Patricia, arrive for the hustings event. Getty
Ms Truss poses with supporters in Morley, England. Getty
Ms Truss poses with supporters in Morley, England. Getty
Mr Sunak delivers a speech during a campaign event in Newmarket. AFP
Mr Sunak delivers a speech during a campaign event in Newmarket. AFP
Ms Truss and Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, during a visit to a broadband interchange company in Leeds. PA
Ms Truss and Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, during a visit to a broadband interchange company in Leeds. PA
Mr Sunak answers questions as he takes part in the hustings in Leeds. AFP
Mr Sunak answers questions as he takes part in the hustings in Leeds. AFP
Ms Truss speaks at an event at a private house with members of the Conservative Party in Woodford Green. PA
Ms Truss speaks at an event at a private house with members of the Conservative Party in Woodford Green. PA
Ms Truss and Mr Sunak pose for a picture before a BBC leadership debate at Victoria Hall in Hanley. Getty
Ms Truss and Mr Sunak pose for a picture before a BBC leadership debate at Victoria Hall in Hanley. Getty
Ms Truss addresses Mr Sunak during the televised debate. Getty
Ms Truss addresses Mr Sunak during the televised debate. Getty
Mr Sunak, with daughters Krishna and Anushka, and wife Akshata Murthy, during a visit to Vaculug tyre specialists at Gonerby Hill Foot, Grantham. PA
Mr Sunak, with daughters Krishna and Anushka, and wife Akshata Murthy, during a visit to Vaculug tyre specialists at Gonerby Hill Foot, Grantham. PA
Ms Truss speaks to people while campaigning in Marden. Getty
Ms Truss speaks to people while campaigning in Marden. Getty
Ms Truss celebrates after being named, along with Mr Sunak, one of the final two candidates in the race to become the UK's next prime minister. PA
Ms Truss celebrates after being named, along with Mr Sunak, one of the final two candidates in the race to become the UK's next prime minister. PA
Mr Sunak outside his campaign office in central London. EPA
Mr Sunak outside his campaign office in central London. EPA
Ms Truss outside Downing Street in London. Reuters
Ms Truss outside Downing Street in London. Reuters
Rishi Sunak meets Conservative Party members and activists, in Teesport, Redcar. Reuters
Rishi Sunak meets Conservative Party members and activists, in Teesport, Redcar. Reuters
Conservative leadership candidates Mr Sunak, Ms Truss, Kemi Badenoch, presenter Julie Etchingham, Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt during 'Britain's Next Prime Minister: The ITV Debate' in London. EPA
Conservative leadership candidates Mr Sunak, Ms Truss, Kemi Badenoch, presenter Julie Etchingham, Tom Tugendhat and Penny Mordaunt during 'Britain's Next Prime Minister: The ITV Debate' in London. EPA
Ms Badenoch arrives at Here East studios in Stratford, east London, before a live television debate. PA
Ms Badenoch arrives at Here East studios in Stratford, east London, before a live television debate. PA
Mr Sunak arrives at a London event to launch his campaign to be the next Conservative Party leader and UK prime minister. Reuters
Mr Sunak arrives at a London event to launch his campaign to be the next Conservative Party leader and UK prime minister. Reuters
Mr Tugendhat appears on the BBC One current affairs programme, 'Sunday Morning'. PA
Mr Tugendhat appears on the BBC One current affairs programme, 'Sunday Morning'. PA
Ms Badenoch, Ms Mordaunt, Mr Sunak, Ms Truss and Mr Tugendhat before the live television debate. PA
Ms Badenoch, Ms Mordaunt, Mr Sunak, Ms Truss and Mr Tugendhat before the live television debate. PA
Ms Mordaunt arrives for the launch of her Conservative leadership campaign at the Cinnamon Club in Westminster. PA
Ms Mordaunt arrives for the launch of her Conservative leadership campaign at the Cinnamon Club in Westminster. PA
Ms Truss speaks at the launch event for her campaign to become the next leader of the Tory Party and Britain's prime minister, in London. EPA
Ms Truss speaks at the launch event for her campaign to become the next leader of the Tory Party and Britain's prime minister, in London. EPA
Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, one of the candidates who has been knocked out of the race, giving a speech at the Churchill War Rooms. PA
Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, one of the candidates who has been knocked out of the race, giving a speech at the Churchill War Rooms. PA
Former leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt appearing on the BBC One current affairs programme, 'Sunday Morning'. PA
Former leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt appearing on the BBC One current affairs programme, 'Sunday Morning'. PA
Sajid Javid attending the launch of his campaign to be Conservative Party leader and prime minister, at the Cinnamon Club in London. He has since been knocked out of the contest. PA
Sajid Javid attending the launch of his campaign to be Conservative Party leader and prime minister, at the Cinnamon Club in London. He has since been knocked out of the contest. PA
Rehman Chishti is interviewed after announcing his bid to become the next prime minister. Mr Chishti is no longer in the race. Getty
Rehman Chishti is interviewed after announcing his bid to become the next prime minister. Mr Chishti is no longer in the race. Getty
Mr Tugendhat speaking at the launch of his campaign. PA
Mr Tugendhat speaking at the launch of his campaign. PA
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith arrive for the Truss campaign launch event. Getty
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries and Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith arrive for the Truss campaign launch event. Getty
Former leadership candidate Attorney General Suella Braverman at the Churchill War Rooms in central London. PA
Former leadership candidate Attorney General Suella Braverman at the Churchill War Rooms in central London. PA
Supporters of Mr Sunak wait for his arrival ahead of the campaign launch. Bloomberg
Supporters of Mr Sunak wait for his arrival ahead of the campaign launch. Bloomberg
Mr Tugendhat makes a speech at the launch of his campaign. PA
Mr Tugendhat makes a speech at the launch of his campaign. PA
Mr Javid mops his brow while launching his campaign. Getty
Mr Javid mops his brow while launching his campaign. Getty
Ms Truss leaves for work after her announcement that she would be running for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Getty
Ms Truss leaves for work after her announcement that she would be running for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Getty

“Far and away, the single largest terror threat to the UK’s national security is Islamist extremism, but the organisation tasked with preventing terrorism in the UK is failing on this front,” Mr Sunak's campaign said.

The most recent high-profile Islamist attack in Britain was the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess last October by Ali Harbi Ali, an ISIS sympathiser seeking vengeance for the bombing of Syria.

The UK's terror threat level was raised from substantial to severe after Sir David's killing and an explosion in Liverpool the following month, but reverted to substantial in February, meaning that an attack is “likely” but not “highly likely”.

At the highest level, critical, an attack is deemed “highly likely in the near future”. This level was last reached in 2017 after a spate of terrorist attacks.

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The specs

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Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

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Evacuations to France hit by controversy
  • Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
  • Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
  • The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
  • Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
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  • Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
  • Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
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Company profile

Name: Infinite8

Based: Dubai

Launch year: 2017

Number of employees: 90

Sector: Online gaming industry

Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor

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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

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The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

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How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

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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
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6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Votes

Total votes: 1.8 million

Ashraf Ghani: 923,592 votes

Abdullah Abdullah: 720,841 votes 

Investing in the future
World Mental Health Day
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

War and the virus
Our commentary on Brexit
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
EU Russia

The EU imports 90 per cent  of the natural gas used to generate electricity, heat homes and supply industry, with Russia supplying almost 40 per cent of EU gas and a quarter of its oil. 

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PROFILE BOX:

Company/date started: 2015

Founder/CEO: Rami Salman, Rishav Jalan, Ayush Chordia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Technology, Sales, Voice, Artificial Intelligence

Size: (employees/revenue) 10/ 100,000 downloads

Stage: 1 ($800,000)

Investors: Eight first-round investors including, Beco Capital, 500 Startups, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Hala Fadel, Odin Financial Services, Dubai Angel Investors, Womena, Arzan VC

 

LIKELY TEAMS

South Africa
Faf du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi.

India (from)
Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wkt), Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

Padmaavat

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh

3.5/5

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Ammar 808:
Maghreb United
Sofyann Ben Youssef
Glitterbeat 

JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
%3Cp%3EGoogle%20wasn't%20new%20to%20busting%20out%20April%20Fool's%20jokes%3A%20before%20the%20Gmail%20%22prank%22%2C%20it%20tricked%20users%20with%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fmentalplex%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Emind-reading%20MentalPlex%20responses%3C%2Fa%3E%20and%20said%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fpigeonrank%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3E%20well-fed%20pigeons%20were%20running%20its%20search%20engine%20operations%3C%2Fa%3E%20.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIn%20subsequent%20years%2C%20they%20announced%20home%20internet%20services%20through%20your%20toilet%20with%20its%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Ftisp%2Finstall.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Epatented%20GFlush%20system%3C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%20made%20us%20believe%20the%20Moon's%20surface%20was%20made%20of%20cheese%20and%20unveiled%20a%20dating%20service%20in%20which%20they%20called%20founders%20Sergey%20Brin%20and%20Larry%20Page%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fromance%2Fpress.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3EStanford%20PhD%20wannabes%3C%2Fa%3E%20%22.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBut%20Gmail%20was%20all%20too%20real%2C%20purportedly%20inspired%20by%20one%20%E2%80%93%20a%20single%20%E2%80%93%20Google%20user%20complaining%20about%20the%20%22poor%20quality%20of%20existing%20email%20services%22%20and%20born%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fgooglepress.blogspot.com%2F2004%2F04%2Fgoogle-gets-message-launches-gmail.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Emillions%20of%20M%26amp%3BMs%20later%3C%2Fa%3E%22.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Match info

Costa Rica 0

Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile

Name: Dukkantek 

Started: January 2021 

Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani 

Based: UAE 

Number of employees: 140 

Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service) 

Investment: $5.2 million 

Funding stage: Seed round 

Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office  

Company Profile

Name: JustClean

Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries

Launch year: 2016

Number of employees: 130

Sector: online laundry service

Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding

Squads

India: Kohli (c), Rahul, Shaw, Agarwal, Pujara, Rahane, Vihari, Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Shami, Umesh, Siraj, Thakur

West Indies: Holder (c), Ambris, Bishoo, Brathwaite, Chase, Dowrich (wk), Gabriel, Hamilton, Hetmyer, Hope, Lewis, Paul, Powell, Roach, Warrican, Joseph

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Co%20Chocolat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Iman%20and%20Luchie%20Suguitan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Food%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241%20million-plus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fahad%20bin%20Juma%2C%20self-funding%2C%20family%20and%20friends%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile

Started: 2016

Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel 

Based: Ramallah, Palestine

Sector: Technology, Security

# of staff: 13

Investment: $745,000

Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Keep it fun and engaging

Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.

“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.

His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.

He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.

While you're here
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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

While you're here
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood

Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

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While you're here
Updated: August 03, 2022, 10:38 AM`
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