A look back at 2021 (Part 1): Covid-19 and the space race



The lockdowns of 2020 may have given way to the Covid-19 vaccine drives of 2021 but a year on, the spread of Omicron has pushed millions back into some form of social restriction.

2021 has been a year of change, a year of firsts and of lasts, and for many, a year of ups and downs.

From the fall of Afghanistan to the end of Israel’s longest-serving prime minister. From the billionaires' space race to renewed global action on climate change.

In the final two episodes of 2021, we wanted to reflect on the year that was and on the biggest events that we at 'The National' believe will come to shape how we remember this year.

They may well define some of 2022’s biggest moments.

Business Insights
  • Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
  • The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
  • US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

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Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

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

Updated: December 26, 2021, 4:53 PM

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