Australia fly-half James O'Connor in a Test match against the British and Irish Lions this summer. William West / AFP
Australia fly-half James O'Connor in a Test match against the British and Irish Lions this summer. William West / AFP

Australia rugby union to host France in June



The Australian Rugby Union announced Tuesday that France will tour the country in June to play a three-match Test series.

It will be Les Bleus’ first visit to the country in five years and the first time they face each other since Australia were humbled 33-6 in Paris in November 2012.

“Australian Rugby Union today announced the Qantas Wallabies will take on France in a three Test series in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney next year as part of The Castrol EDGE France Tour,” said an Australian Rugby statement.

“It will be the first tour to Australia by a French international Test side since 2009 when they lost 22 to 6 to the Wallabies in Sydney.”

The first match will be at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on June 7 with further clashes at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne a week later and in Sydney at the Allianz Stadium on June 21.

While Australia will be looking for revenge for last year’s heavy defeat in Paris, the ARU have not forgotten past success.

“It will be the first tour to Australia by a French international Test side since 2009 when they lost 22 to 6 to the Wallabies in Sydney,” it said.

“The last time Australia faced France they suffered a heavy 33 to 6 defeat during the Wallabies opening 2012 Spring Tour match in Paris against a French side described as ‘powerful and flamboyant’.

“There’s no doubt in 2014 the Men in Gold will be looking for vengeance.

“It was a different story in 2010 when Australia had a strong 59-16 win over France (in Paris).

“The 43 point margin was a record for Australia in both their home and away matches against the French,” gloated the ARU.

The two sides have met each other 42 times with Australia winning 23 and France coming out on top 17 times, with two draws.

The most famous encounter between the teams was the 1999 World Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff when the Wallabies triumphed 35-12 for their second world crown, and France’s second defeat in a final.

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Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
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Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

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

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 four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.

Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.

The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Why your domicile status is important

Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.


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