Britain will have a bright new future now that the trade agreement has been signed, those who voted to leave the European Union have promised. From freedom to strike deals across the globe, to set its own rules on immigration and to be free to make rules on issues from farming to environment laws … that at least will be the hopes of those who voted for Brexit after the deal just concluded between Britain and the EU. If the deal is ratified by all 27 EU states then it will mark an end to four years of rancour and could even lead to greater unity between Britain and EU.
Britain has, even the most diplomatic continental will admit, been quite a painful partner in the European project, vetoing much of the more federalist policies and remaining generally aloof.
The two regions will now go their separate ways. Europe, which became more unified during the Brexit period, will seek ever greater federalisation without Britain holding it back. Curiously, with a deal in place the relationship could actually become warmer as a result of the amicable divorce. By contrast, the fallout from the rancour of a no-deal would potentially have lasted decades and affected the wealth and well-being of both sides.
Reaching a deal means that the British government has avoided having to enforce the controversial Northern Irish clauses of the Internal Market Bill, which would have led to Britain breaking international law. Europe would then have argued, with justification, how could it negotiate with a country that reneged on its promises?
If after all 500 pages of the agreement are forensically examined and it is seen by both sides as a reasonable deal, this could be a good long-term strategy for the EU if at some future point Britain’s dreams of a going it alone went awry. Less acrimony means an easier path back to Europe in any future referendum.
The final Brexit deal will have an impact on many areas of life. From fishing, farming and finance to Scotland, immigration and legislation. In Brexiteers' minds it signals a bright new future, allowing Britain to forge its own place on the global stage. The question remains as to whether the country will fade into obscurity as a major international player or create a new Britain of stature and wealth.
The major selling point of Brexit was that it would give back sovereignty to the British rule-makers in Parliament, allowing more control of laws and regulations, without European policies forcefully imposed.
Arch-Brexiteer Suella Braverman MP, writing earlier this year before she was promoted to Attorney General, made this point: “Leaving the EU marks the beginning of a renaissance for our nation, enabling us to rethink our trade and immigration policy and restoring democratic accountability. With our break from the EU, British voters will once again know exactly who is responsible for what. British voters will be empowered.”
Pitfalls
The deal will have to be formally agreed on by all 27 EU states who will meet next month to sign it off. It could take only one country’s objections for the agreement to unravel.
Being the leading Brexiteer in Whitehall, Boris Johnson should not have a problem getting the deal past his cabinet and he is understood to have consent of the hardline Brexiteers.
Singapore-on-Thames
In brightest of Brexiteer imaginations, this is nirvana to which Britain will arrive in a few years, achieving the high GDP growth and low-tax entrepreneurship of Singapore. The financial hub of London’s Square Mile could help stimulate free enterprise of the efficient city state that combines cultural diversity with low unemployment and low crime. Brexiteers would like to see Britain cast aside Europe’s “snail’s pace” of growth and wealth creation.
Trade
Britain will be able to use its newfound freedom from the EU customs union to link its exporters to global centres of dynamic growth, such as the Gulf region and east Asia. There is already demand for British services and goods in these new markets, which will account for nine-tenths of world growth over the next decade. This could encourage lower prices.
Britain will hope to establish numerous bilateral trade deals – setting its own tariffs with countries such as Japan, Canada and in South America, although the big prize of the US might be more of struggle with pro-European Joe Biden becoming president.
Fishing
Despite fishing being worth a mere 0.12 per cent to British GDP, it was a totemic battleground on which the deal almost foundered. French President Emmanuel Marcon was keen to satisfy the strong French fishing lobby, as were the Belgians and Danes who were loath to see their fleets diminished.
The deal required Europe to recognise the UK’s ability to control fishing in its own waters but also allow the major EU fishing nations access to Britain’s rich fishing grounds. The EU has conceded to reduce by 25 per cent the amount it catches in British waters.
Scotland
The United Kingdom will face the greatest challenge to its 300-year union in the immediate years. Scotland voted 62 per cent in favour of remaining in the EU in the 2016 referendum and therefore feels it is being taken out of the partnership by force. This has built up resentment and agitation for another referendum on its independence by which it could then re-join the EU. The strength of the Scottish National Party is growing and Boris Johnson is deeply unpopular north of the border, with a second independence vote seeming possible. But with a deal done, calls for a referendum might diminish. In 2014, Scots voted by 55 per cent to 45 per cent to remain part of the UK.
America
President Biden is expected to strengthen ties with Germany and France possibly at the expense of Britain, forcing it to collaborate more closely with the EU. Democrats do not particularly see Britain as the centre of gravity in the Transatlantic relationship.
While paying attention to its long alliance with Britain, Mr Biden will seek to repair the damage done to Europe by Donald Trump’s presidency.
Trump was a keen supporter of a no-deal Brexit and perhaps Mr Johnson’s agreement was in part driven by Mr Biden’s pro-EU stance and refusal to accept a hard border in Northern Ireland. Some close to Mr Biden question how a Britain outside the EU can make itself relevant in the 'Great Powers' struggle of China, Russia and America, alongside India.
CAP
The Agriculture Act that became law last month allows Britain to phase out the EU’s Common Agricultural Payment to farmers over the next seven years. With Britain no longer having to contribute £4 billion to the CAP it hopes to spend more on environmental projects although a well-considered plan is still lacking. Currently farmers receive a subsidy of £233 per hectare and the CAP can account for 55 per cent of their income.
Immigration
Britain will now have near total autonomy on how it manages low-skilled immigration with labourers from the EU no longer having an automatic right to work in Britain. It will introduce an immigration law based on skills and talent that Britain will be able to manage.
However, the pandemic demonstrated how reliant Britain is on low-skilled foreign labour, particularly in the NHS.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Scoreline
Arsenal 3
Aubameyang (28'), Welbeck (38', 81')
Red cards: El Neny (90' 3)
Southampton 2
Long (17'), Austin (73')
Red cards: Stephens (90' 2)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Read more about the coronavirus
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Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
CHELSEA'S NEXT FIVE GAMES
Mar 10: Norwich(A)
Mar 13: Newcastle(H)
Mar 16: Lille(A)
Mar 19: Middlesbrough(A)
Apr 2: Brentford(H)
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Jawan
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