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Pro for pending , you need to be active in ts3 journalists room

Dubai: Guidelines for entering Abu Dhabi have been updated, Abu Dhabi media tweeted late on Sunday. "Addressing the community’s needs, guidelines for entry to #AbuDhabi have been updated to enable those leaving to take a test in the emirate before departing and present this result on return, provided this result is within 48 hours of receipt," Abu Dhabi Media tweeted. The move is part of the efforts to tackle the spread of COVID-19.

The Q3 SUV has remained both a successful and lucrative product for Audi in Australia. It claims that the first-generation Q3 was the most successful small premium SUV in our market, with more finding homes than the alternatives from both BMW and Mercedes-Benz. That gives the newly debuting second-generation car a big void to fill. It was initially launched in Australia with just a rather un-Audi-like front-wheel-drive variant, powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, called the 35 TFSI. This was never going to be forever. It has just launched another powertrain into the mix – a 2.0-litre, quattro all-wheel-drive-equipped version called the 2020 Audi Q3 40 TFSI. This new version comes in two formats – a regular version that we have on test today, or the more expensive range-topping S line. The run-of-the-mill 40 TFSI is the pick of the two new cars, and the wider pick of the now three-car range, too. It kicks off from $53,990 before on-roads and sits squarely in the middle of the range. Beneath it is the 35 TFSI front driver at $46,400, or $7590 more affordable, and above it the 40 TFSI S line at $59,400, or $5410 more expensive. You’ll instantly notice a heightened sense of quality upon first inspecting the 40 TFSI. There’s no black plastic cladding anywhere to be seen, as it's all been treated to body colour-coding as standard. There’s also a pretty set of 19-inch alloy silver wheels, too, up from 18 inches. If you want this treatment for your 35 TFSI, you have to pay for it accordingly, as you must opt for the $1900 style package to receive both colour-coding and upgraded wheels. Consider this for a second: it costs $7500 to upgrade from the 35 TFSI for the 40 TFSI. Taking into account the style pack, which costs $1900 on an entry-model car, but comes for free on the middle-of-the-range model, means that Audi is valuing the larger engine, more performance, upgraded seven-speed gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive at just $5600. For an extra 12 per cent cash outlay, you get miles more value with just the driveline alone. This is before we begin to analyse the spec differences, too, as the 40 TFSI comes with more equipment than the 35 TFSI. The headline with the new 40 TFSI model is that 2.0-litre engine alongside Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive. It makes 22kW more than the entry, bringing its total power output to 132kW. The devil remains in the details, however. The entry model makes do with 250Nm, whereas the proverbial ‘big block’ 2.0-litre version cops 320Nm, which has wider breadth of availability, too. This solid up-tick in power is instantly noticeable when compared to the 35 TFSI model. There’s added tractability from the increased displacement, as well as a more usable torque band. On test it returned 8.5 litres of fuel use per 100km, which is close to Audi's stated combined figure of 8.0L/100km. If you’ve driven the entry model and were put off, or didn’t even make it into the showroom based on specs alone, then it might be worth reconsidering your options. This 40 TFSI version will likely alleviate concerns you may have had, or presumed to have, in some cases. Interestingly, it does lack the sparkle and fizz that we’ve come to love and enjoy from the Volkswagen-Audi group EA8-series engine. Even in a more modest tune, as we have here with the 40 TFSI, this engine usually sports a bright, revvy nature that helps to instantly build rapport with the driver. However, it now comes across slightly too linear, or blunted, in the way it develops its power. It strikes this reviewer that the particular engine calibration used here has been more aligned to efficiency and smoothness rather than driver engagement. Being packaged up with quattro all-wheel drive does wonders to lift the overall feeling. When the situation does get trickily damp, or when you just want to put the power down irrespective of exterior conditions, it’ll work its magic to cover up your indiscretions. Despite the solid footwork, the Q3’s ride remains overly firm. This is not an S line version, so plushness and compliance were expected to be the order of the day. However, what was delivered in lieu was a still pleasant but sometimes fidgety and busy ride. By sometimes, I mean that on roads with small imperfections, at a high frequency and over a long duration, the ride becomes unsettled. I’m talking about the stuff you struggle to discern while driving, be it slightly peppered or wavy surfaces, and not large, singular or grouped potholes or level changes. Over bumps and divots that are clearly visible on the road, and usually found singly or in pairs, the car remains stable and fine. The car does clearly communicate with a sense of firmness that you have traversed something not flat, but it isn’t intrusive in a way that’s irritating. What can be slightly annoying is how jittery the car suddenly appears over a short stretch of poorly maintained road. This version has fixed dampers, too, so you’re unable to adjust this trait out. Given Audi is a brand that sells itself on dynamism and driver engagement, I can somewhat understand the targeted feel with regard to the ride. However, given that there is an S line version sitting above, which includes the option of adaptive dampers, I can’t help but feel that Audi has missed an opportunity to calm things down, possibly at the cost of some body control, with this regular version. This point does remain a small blip on the radar, however, as the rest of the car remains remarkably improved when compared to the outgoing car. Firstly, the Q3 has finally been blessed with decent dimensions, namely a 77mm increase to its wheelbase. This does wonders to elongate the frame enough for it to elegantly wear its metalwork, thus doing away with the stubby nature of the first-generation car. Topping that with a new, lowered roof line results in a much more dramatic-looking SUV. Furthermore, I personally think it looks stunning in this traditional colour combination of Cosmos blue, with alloy silver wheels and brushed aluminium trims. Every other Audi you see these days is finished in a bright hue, with a black pack, and rolls on two-tone dark wheels. This non-S-line car is refreshing, and quite elegant in its approach. It also signals that you don’t need to walk up to the bells-and-whistles sporty version to get a bit of kerb appeal. The regular 40 TFSI looks great as it is. Inside is no different, either. Everything has been milled and fitted with the utmost precision. Every gap seems millimetre perfect upon careful scrutiny, which has become the Audi hallmark. Its Virtual Cockpit comes standard, as does a 10.1-inch infotainment system. Resolution is excellent on the centre screen, as is the introduction of wireless Apple CarPlay. This means you can actually utilise the wireless charging pad while taking advantage of the smartphone connectivity on offer. I cannot wait for this technology to proliferate through to other brands, as it does away with the need for messy, often malfunctioning cables. Sadly, however, the infotainment system does not feature any of the clever acoustic haptics as featured in Audi’s higher-end models. Because of that very reason, too, there are no longer any physical buttons or hotkeys that operate the infotainment system. This leaves a rather basic touchscreen operation as the sole method of interacting with the screen, outside of voice recognition. Those upgrading from a previous-generation Q3, or a BMW for instance, may initially find this system slightly unintuitive. Thankfully, the voice-control system is great, which goes some way in alleviating the removal of physical buttons related to the touchscreen. The climate-control system remains as a set of tangible buttons, too, which makes it easy to operate while driving. Another strong point is the decent forward and sideward visibility from the driver’s seat. Deep-set front windows on either door meet up with neat, thin A-pillars, which results in a good line of sight down the front sides of the car. More often than not, this area remains a solid blind spot in new SUVs. The Q3 is proof that with some smarts, you can work around it to improve passive safety. Active safety systems include high-speed AEB with both pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, an advanced lane-departure warning system, as well as front and rear parking sensors. However, at this grade, items such as adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera remain optional, forming part of the $2250 premium package. The second row is unexpectedly very versatile, with a rear bench laid out in a 40/20/40 arrangement. That means you can individually fold each set to suit the job at hand, be it moving skinny flatpack furniture with a few mates on board or transporting something slightly wide while still retaining a child seat. The second row is also sliding, too, so you can even extend the already class-leading boot to create a space to rival SUVs from the class above. With the seats all in their most rearward position, enabling the greatest levels of comfort in the second row, the Q3’s boot comes in at 530L. This figure bests any other offering in the segment. Versatility has even extended as far as the boot floor, which is adjustable, too. So, the choice remains yours to pick between a set-up catered for maximum space, or one that maximises convenience via a flat loading floor. Overall boot dimensions are favourable to depth rather than width, however, meaning you’ll only fit a compact stroller at the most forward area of the boot, and not up against the rear seat backs, where you’d ideally like to store it. Consider this a fault of the segment, not the car, as the overall width of all cars in this segment causes it to be a universal issue. Underneath the cargo area is always a space-saving spare wheel, regardless of the size of wheel you chose to option on your example. This hugely versatile second row, and excellent-sized cargo area, will bowl over those who want a premium car in the garage, but just can’t justify the stretch toward something in the more-expensive medium-SUV segment. Add in the first-rate cabin presentation and visual appeal, and it will then take out those who are considering upgrading from their mainstream SUV, but didn’t previously see and feel the value when considering the older, first-generation Q3. Then there’s our test car, a regular 40 TFSI version. The $7500 increase versus the front-wheel-drive model is irrefutably worth it, considering the rational benefits of quattro all-wheel drive. That’s even before you begin to assess and weigh up the other nice-to-haves that come with price, such as more power and better hardware, as well as worthwhile stylistic improvements. Stepping up from here to an S line version would be a decision mainly centred around vanity, but the regular car doesn’t fall down in this respect. It continues to look fantastic without the S line kit, especially if you approach the colour-combination task with a discerning lens. This generation of Q3 has the makings required to continue to be a chart-topper for Audi, with the 40 TFSI becoming the smart choice of the range.

Dubai: Could cyber fraudster Hushpuppi be behind the many bogus websites flagged by Gulf News including the one reported by the newspaper last fortnight? Nigerian instagram stars Raymond Abbas aka Hushpuppi, Olalekan Jacob Ponle, po[CENSORED]rly known as Woodberry, and 10 others were arrested by Dubai Police recently in an operation tagged Fox Hunt 2. Hushpuppi’s principal scam was to create websites that looked identical to those of established companies. One such website reported by Gulf News on June 16 was that of the non-existent Hiba EP Group of companies with a purported Abu Dhabi address. Between March and June the bogus Hiba EP Group shot off scores of fake job offer-letters to aspirants worldwide, promising attractive salaries, free accommodation and a raft of monthly allowances. But there was a catch: In order to clinch these jobs, the candidates had to first contact Hiba Group’s UAE-based immigration attorney (sic) on WhatsApp and remit thousands of dirhams towards visa processing and other charges. Nigerian connection As it turns out, Hiba EP Group’s website was created just four months ago using stolen content from the website of Dubai-based RP Group. It served a single purpose -- to cheat people on the pretext of giving them jobs. Further investigations show that website’s domain name is registered in Hushpuppi’s home country Nigeria. Adeel Khan, who received an appointment letter from Hiba Group on June 14, said he was offered a salary of Dh17,300 -- besides Dh8,000 towards allowances -- for a chemistry teacher’s position at a school. “Luckily, I suspected a scam and didn’t respond,” he said. Sometime back, a fictitious health care facility called Maris Hospital was similarly used to target overseas medical professionals with content and pictures stolen from Dubai-based iCARE clinics. An Indian pharmacist in New Delhi said he almost fell for the scam when he got an email from Maris offering him Dh37,000 per month plus another Dh10,000 in allowances. An identical website, complete with pictures and testimony of patients was made for Thumbay Hospital too. Calls made to the purported recruitment managers of these hospitals were answered by an man who spoke with an African accent. Thumbay and iCARE Clinics later filed complaints with Dubai police as did many schools, hotels and reputed firms whose websites were also duplicated to pull off job scams. Hacking corporate emails Hushpuppi’s gang also hacked corporate emails and directed huge payments towards bank accounts they controlled, according to Dubai Police. Last year, Dubai firm Cheers Exhibition lost $53,000 (Dh194,700) after its email was hacked and a spoofed email was sent from its account to trick clients to wire the funds into an overseas bank. Once the fraudster had familiarised himself with their business operations, he impersonated the company by creating a spoofed email address that looked deceptively similar to the Cheers’ actual email. In this case, the letter ‘i’ in the email md@cheersexhibitions.com was replaced with the letter ‘l’ Using the mani[CENSORED]ted md@cheersexhlbitions.com email, the cyber criminal then contacted several of Cheers’ clients and instructed them to make payments to Nordea Bank headquartered in Finland. “The issue remains unresolved till date,” the firm’s CEO cum managing director Binu Manaf told Gulf News on Wednesday. Earlier this year, a fake airbnb website left at least two Dubai residents up to Dh16,000 out of pocket. The victims include a British pilot and Indian manager. They were searching for short term rentals online when they got a phishing email. Both were directed to a wesite that looked deceptively similar to that of airbnb and tricked into entering their card details. In March, UAE resident, Saleemuddin Ansari from India fell for an Instagram advertisement offering a Huawei Mate 20 Pro Android smartphone for Dh297 against its original price of Dh1,299. The phone turned out to be a counterfeit.

When it comes to family resemblances, they don’t come much closer than the new Toyota Corolla hatch and sedan. For a few years there, the two body styles differed dramatically in appearance, but now they’ve merged together again. Although the hatch had the headstart with a small launch lead, the entire Corolla family for Australia is up and running. Like the hatch, the Corolla sedan comes in three model grades: Ascent Sport, SX or top-shelf Corolla ZR – like the car you see here. There are a few differences, though. The sedan is longer overall, which is probably no surprise given its longer boot, but it also rides on a longer wheelbase with the front and rear axles further apart – freeing up more space for passengers inside. There’s also some minor specification differences. Hatch and sedan are sourced from different Japanese factories, which may explain some of the differences, but they’re also aimed at different buyers. The hatch is sporty and a little more youthful in its approach, while the sedan tends towards a more conservative buyer. There’s nothing too major to split the pair, though look closely and you’ll see the front bumper is ever so slightly changed, the front seats of the sedan aren’t the racey looking hip-huggers from the hatch, and the spec sheet is a little differently po[CENSORED]ted. The $33,635 (plus on-road costs) Corolla ZR sedan is $1500 more than an equivalent hatch – perhaps down to the extra length and metal required to fill it? And, unlike the hatch, the sedan doesn’t come with a petrol-electric hybrid option. Instead under the bonnet it runs Toyota’s new-generation 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine producing 125kW and 200Nm. It’s linked to the front wheels via a ‘direct shift’ CVT automatic which features a traditional first gear before switching to a shiftless continuously variable transmission. Spec highlights shared between hatch and sedan include 18-inch alloy wheels, proximity key entry with push-button start, driver’s head-up display, wireless phone charger, 7.0-inch instrument display, 8.0-inch infotainment with navigation, digital radio and smartphone mirroring for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Perhaps a little oddly, the sedan comes only with single-zone climate control (the hatch is dual zone), slightly odd looking striped faux-leather seat inserts instead of suede-look, and misses power folding mirrors and park sensors. There is a sunroof however, which the hatch lacks. Oh, and the spec sheet insists the ZR comes with rain sensing wipers, although try as I might in a variety of conditions during a fairly wet week, they never actually sensed any rain. There’s also a quirk with the tail lights. They’re LED lights, just like the hatch, but unlike the detailed light pipes of the hatch or previous sedan, Toyota has used a reflector housing with an LED ‘bulb’ in the middle instead of making the most of the tech. Number plate, reverse and Headlights are LEDs too, though you’ll still find incandescent bulbs used for the rear indicators. Interior design is a solid step up from the older generation. It’s more integrated, and more sporty to look at. Not over the top, mind you, but the play of lines from the centre, that rise to the outer edge of the dash, that pick up the silver spear and AC vent housing, that leads back the island of climate controls, that has the tablet-style screen protruding from it... it all looks good. The impression of quality is lifted thanks to stitched details, though the real thread in the dash top is a bit more convincing than the moulded marks on the lower facing panel. Ergonomically it works pretty well, is clear and well labelled, but the narrow console isn’t overflowing with storage options. There’s even hints of ambient interior lighting. A small touch, but one that works wonders to boost the impression of fanciness at night. Toyota’s infotainment system is still pretty basic. On the plus side, that makes it quite easy to use, but the down side is low-res graphics and a low-contrast screen that can be harder to read during the day. Smartphone pairing makes familiar functions easy to use and expands the AM/FM/DAB entertainment capabilities, though it would be nice if the USB plug wasn’t just slapped into the dash the way it is. Always a positive, the air con is super-cold. Not always required in winter, but for an Aussie summer there’s little that can match the Corolla for cool-down speed in the small car class. The front seats have a bit of shape to them and are supportive without being too grippy. They are sport seats with a touch more shade than lower grade models, just not as super-sport looking as those found in the ZR hatch. The rear seat is quite comfy. There’s genuine space there for adults – no, it isn’t limo like and passengers will have to remain upright and can’t stretch out without finding the front seats but for growing families or short-trip urbanites it’s very much up to the task. Improved as it may be in the rear there’s still no face-level ventilation, or things like rear USB points to keep devices topped up on the go so you may be forced to make conversation with your passengers. Boot space is an incredibly hand 470-litres, plus the seats can be folded (in a 60:40 split) to handle bigger items and a space-saver spare lives beneath the floor. For some boot size could be the deciding factor alongside the ZR hatch and its 217-litre boot, although the Corolla sedan still trails the 502L Kia Cerato and 519-litre Civic Sedan on outright capacity. Around town there’s plenty to like about the way the Corolla drives. The engine has enough urge to feel capable in city traffic and the way Toyota has set up its automatic gives a nice positive feel when starting from a stop, before blending into smooth seamless changes on the go. It’s not always perfect. From more spirited starts the physical first gear setup betrays plenty of vibration, which shudders through the whole car, accompanied by a very noticeable whine. The engine doesn’t give a whack of torque from down low, but that makes it nice and easy to drive smoothly and predictably. Your Corolla won’t furiously spin tyres in the wet or chirp angrily, but as engine speed climbs it finds a robust midrange that’s quite useful and provides a pert zippiness for rolling through traffic. Away from city streets, the Corolla ZR sedan is perhaps a little less at home. It needs a decent run-up and plenty of warning if you plan to overtake, and on rural roads you’ll notice plenty of tyre noise, plus the low-profile tyres on 18-inch wheels show up bumps and dips in the road surface more readily than the chunky-tyred 16-inch wheels on lower grade models. That's not to say it's rudely uncomfortable. Far from it, in fact, but the big wheel aesthetic does dial back ride comfort compared to other models in the range. Toyota’s safety suite reads like that of a premium model from just a few years ago, with a long list of driver-assist features including adaptive cruise control, auto high beam, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane trace assist, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, speed sign recognition and more. Lane trace works well to keep you within lane markings, but is highly dependent on the sensitivity setting. Set to the highest, the steering wheel twitches and pulls from your hands a little too much, but you can dial assistance down a touch for a much more natural feel. Adaptive cruise control is great at highways speeds, though if traffic gets held up, it feels less natural at low speeds and tends to brake late and feel erratic if traffic slows below about 70km/h. That said, the assist functions are better to have than not, where appropriate. The Corolla ZR also packs in seven airbags, a pair of rear ISOFIX child-seat mount points, and a reversing camera, though through the low-definition centre screen it only offers a hint of what’s behind and lacks active guide lines. City and suburbs, or commuting and school runs seem to fit the Corolla best. It’s a little more fun to drive than it’s been for quite some time, but it doesn’t quite strike the right note in every situation out of town. It isn’t trying to be a performance car, but the new underpinnings give it a keener driving feel with more responsive suspension and steering that feels connected and lively without being relentlessly nervous. Warranty coverage spans five years with no kilometre limit for private usage (or 160,000 for cars used for commercial purposes) but Toyota also applies an extra two years of engine and driveline coverage for cars that are serviced on time and according to the factory schedule. Your dealer can help you with the full terms and conditions. If you service with your Toyota dealer, you’ll find fixed-price servicing at 12 month or 15,000km intervals. Up to the first five visits, service pricing is a highly competitive $180 per service including all scheduled filters and fluids. Fuel watchers will note that Toyota provides an official 6.0 litres per 100km fuel figure, which grew to 7.8L/100km after a mostly urban week of zipping too and from the office and an out-of-towner to see the in-laws. The elephant in the room is the lack of a hybrid version, with the ZR sedan being the only Corolla trim level not to offer the option where all others do. Without being too daring – as with the Corolla hatch – Toyota has struck a neat balance between user friendliness, premium features, day-to-day practicality and welcoming familiarity. There may still be a slightly unpolished edge here or there, but for the most part the Corolla ZR sedan is a gem – albeit one that might fly under the radar alongside its more showy hatchback counterpart.

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has allowed some restaurants, cafeterias and coffee shops operating outside shopping malls in Abu Dhabi to reopen their doors to customers after verifying their compliance with precautionary measures and guidelines needed to ensure consumer safety, a statement from the authority has said. After obtaining COVID-free results, owners and workers of these facilities were permitted to open. The move, in coordination with Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), comes in line with ADAFSA’s efforts to ensure food services are resumed in a safe environment under the current pandemic situation. Dr Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi, Director of ADAFSA’s Legislation Division, said, “ADAFSA had previously set several preventive measures for owners and workers of these facilities. These include a requirement for the facility’s workers to get tested for COVID-19 to ensure they are virus-free, operating at a maximum 40 per cent of the facility’s capacity and maintaining at least 2.5 metre social distancing between tables and closing waiting areas.” Each table should only have four people and body temperature of all customers should be checked before they enter the facility. Buffet and hookah services are still prohibited. All workers and customers must wear face masks and gloves when they are inside the facility, he said. “If a worker is confirmed COVID-19 positive, the facility must stop its operations, and direct all workers to the nearest healthcare centre for necessary checks,” Al Hammadi said. The facilities should clean and sanitise all surfaces, equipment, chairs and tables after each use, as well as clean toilets throughout the day. Free testing for restaurant workers “In cooperation with Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, ADAFSA has designed a page in the food facilities’ accounts on its website, calling on them, through SMS, to enter their employees’ data into this page. This enables workers of food facilities willing to resume their activities to conduct COVID-19 testing for free,” he said. In addition, ADAFSA has carried out extensive inspection campaigns to ensure the compliance of food outlets with all precautionary measures, to promote food and consumer safety, Al Hammadi said.

The 2021 Mazda3 Astina SkyActiv-X M Hybrid and 2021 Mazda CX-30 Astina SkyActiv-X M Hybrid models have been announced for Australia, introducing the Japanese automaker's advanced Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) engine to the local market. Devised as a best-of-both-worlds technology, the SkyActive-X engine is able to combine the benefits of regular spark ignition as found in traditional petrol engines, with the leaner running cycle of a compression-ignition diesel engine. Fuel-saving capabilities are further extended by the use of a mild hybrid system. Buyers will be able to secure the Mazda3 SkyActiv-X M Hybrid from August 2020, while the small SUV CX-30 SkyActiv-X M hybrid will be available from September. The new technology, initially at least, will only be offered on top-spec Mazda3 and CX-30 Astina variants – the highest model trim available in each line-up. Prices for the Mazda3 X20 Astina will start at $40,590 plus on-road costs with a six-speed manual or $41,590 with a six-speed automatic. The CX-30 X20 Astina will be priced from $46,490 plus on-road costs and comes as an auto-only all-wheel-drive model. The premium for choosing an X20 model compared to a 2.5-litre G25 is $3000. Performance from the 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol hybrid powertrain is expected to be 132kW and 224Nm, based on overseas information – though Mazda's local arm hasn't confirmed Australian specifications. Within the Mazda hierarchy, that places the X20 models between the 114kW/200Nm G20 and 139kW/252Nm G25 variants. The new engine is paired with a 24-volt mild-hybrid system that harvests energy during deceleration and braking, transferring that power via a belt-driven integrated starer generator that is said to assist the petrol engine. The new powertrain, known as SkyActiv-X M Hybrid, ignites fuel under compression, much in the same way that a diesel motor operates. Mazda claims this method offers the fuel efficiency and torque of a diesel, but with the high-revving nature of a traditional petrol engine. As reported by CarAdvice in June 2019, the new Skyactiv-X M Hybrid powertrain also utilises a low-capacity supercharger to pump extra air into the cylinders to achieve the unique ignition cycle. Official fuel consumption figures for the new engine have not yet been supplied. CarAdvice has contacted Mazda Australia for more on the remaining details and will update this article with its response.

' Dubai: A worker was accused of attempted murder after he assaulted his supervisor with a metal bar when he was sleeping, the Dubai Court of First Instance heard on Thursday. The 22-year-old defendant took a medium-sized bar, sneaked through the window of the Indian supervisor’s bedroom and hit him on the head seven times in a bid to kill him. Court documents stated that the two men had previous work-related disputes that led to the incident in October 2019. The defendant claimed that his supervisor was treating him badly and had insulted his mother. The 31-year-old victim told the prosecution that he was sleeping when he was hit. “I woke up and saw the suspect standing in front of me holding a bar of metal. He knocked me down again and I fell unconscious. I woke up next at the hospital and learnt that he intended to kill me,” the Indian victim said in records. A security guard testified that he heard noises coming from the victim’s apartment at Al Barsha area, and later saw the defendant escaping from the window holding the bar of metal. Dubai Police responded to the emergency call and an ambulance rushed to the spot and transferred the victim to hospital for treatment. “We arrested the defendant after three hours in a near-by deserted area. He told me that the victim was abusing him all the time and held him from his ear,” a policeman said in the records. “The defendant claimed that he couldn’t stand still as the victim insulted his mother. He waited until the victim went to sleep and entered the room from an open window and hit him on the head.” The policeman said that the defendant sat in the room for five minutes before escaping from the window. “The assault on the victim’s head with several hits meant he intended to kill him,” he said. During interrogation, the defendant admitted to physically assaulting the victim with a bar of metal. Prosecution charged the defendant with attempted murder. The defendant is under police custody.

The new generation 2021 Citroen C4 has been launched globally, with an electric powertrain at the forefront of the car maker’s expansion plans – however its Australian plans are yet to be confirmed. The fully-electric version, called the Citroen e-C4, uses a 50kWh battery powering a 100kW/260Nm electric motor, and has a claimed range of 350 kilometres on the new real-world (WLTP) test cycle. According to Citroen, the e-C4 can be recharged to 80 per cent capacity within 30 minutes using a 100kW fast charger. Petrol options come from a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, offering outputs of 74kW, 96kW, and 114kW. Two diesel options are also available from a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder, producing 82kW and 96kW. All engines are Euro 6 compliant, and a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission will be available. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available via the 10-inch infotainment screen, but heating and air conditioning controls are still accessed using traditional knobs and buttons. A high-definition camera is built into the rear-view camera and can take photos onto a memory card. Passenger comfort – a feature of Citroen cars for decades – is provided with Advanced Comfort Seats and Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension. As reported in June, the all-new C4 has grown to become a small SUV, taking the place of the DS4 – but Citroen insists it's still a hatch. A spokesperson for Citroen Australia has told CarAdvice that the new C4 is under consideration for local release, but would not speculate on which models.

Pro , good activity

Abu Dhabi: Following the opening of Abu Dhabi’s borders earlier this week, authorities have now responded to the large influx of queries posed by concerned residents. On June 29, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee announced that entry to Abu Dhabi is permitted for all those who have received negative test results for coronavirus within the previous 48 hours. According to the committee, the test results should be shown via the Al Hosn App or a text message from any hospital or any screening centre in the UAE that is affiliated with the National Screening Programme. The movement of mail and all types of goods continue to be exempted. To address people’s concerns of movement into the emirate, Abu Dhabi Media Office replied to the most frequently asked questions received by authorities over the last two days, and have also issued further details regarding the entry of residents from other areas of the country. Why has this decision been taken? In light of continued positive outcomes in containing the spread of COVID-19 in the emirate, this decision has been made to enable the public to enter Abu Dhabi without the need to apply for a permit. Abu Dhabi has achieved a low number of patients requiring hospital treatment, with many hospitals across the emirate now free of COVID-19 cases, and a significant decrease in the percentage of cases found during testing. Why is Abu Dhabi different from other emirates? Abu Dhabi's decision is a preventative measure based on several factors and indicators, with the objective of reducing the possibility of infection between locations in general and supporting the completion of the National Screening Programme approved by the Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disaster Committee for the coronavirus pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of tests across all groups in Abu Dhabi society have been conducted and are still ongoing. What are the procedures for entering Abu Dhabi? Everyone, UAE citizens and residents, is allowed to enter the emirate of Abu Dhabi within 48 hours of receiving a negative COVID-19 test result, excluding: Those transporting mail and goods of all kinds. Entry of non-Abu-Dhabi-based blue-collar workers is still prohibited. Are there any exceptions? The following groups are exempt: Those with medical appointments for cancer or kidney-related treatment. Children under 12 years old. Representatives from ministries, local departments, diplomatic entities, companies, bureaus, and offices of Their Highnesses, and those on special missions, may apply for a one-day Mission Permit for a maximum of 14 hours (6am - 8pm) Are frontline workers excluded? Frontline workers are not excluded, but because of the nature of their work they already undergo regular tests. Does the entry ban on non-Abu Dhabi based workers include domestic staff? Domestic staff for families in Abu Dhabi may enter the emirate as long as they have a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of receiving the result. What about people leaving for the weekend to visit family? The decision allows those who wish to leave the emirate to do so and re-enter again. A test may be taken at SEHA Screening Centres across the UAE, which will operate during the weekends. People choosing to leave at the weekend are advised to continue to reduce or limit their movement during this time, in order to protect themselves and their families from the risk of infection. What about people who work in Abu Dhabi and commute daily? People who commute daily are advised to organise their time so they are able to take the test and obtain the result within the 48 hour time period to be able to enter. People that ordinarily commute daily to Abu Dhabi are advised to reduce or limit their movement during this time. How will people be able to cover the test cost, which is Dh370 per person, if they need to be tested every 48 hours? This decision is not designed to increase costs for the public but rather to ensure their health and safety is protected and therefore, that people consider whether movement is necessary. Under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, free tests are available to many groups in society, including: UAE nationals and domestic staff in their households. Pregnant women. People of determination. Those over the age of 50. Those suffering from symptoms associated with COVID-19 or that have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus. People not covered under these categories should cover the cost of a test. Will all cars be stopped to check test results? Yes, and to support this effort we strongly advise the public not to attempt entering the emirate without having a negative test result. Doing so will cause delays for others and add unnecessary pressure on checkpoints. How long will these regulations last? This decision will be in effect until further notice, and will depend on continued monitoring and further positive outcomes that have been seen in recent weeks, and the conclusion of the National Screening Programme. Does this not effectively prohibit travel, indirectly? Quite the opposite, actually — the decision enables the public to enter Abu Dhabi without a permit, and the test is a preventative measure that safeguards the health of each person, their family, and their community. Rather than prohibiting, the decision enables travel while protecting the health and safety of all those residing in and visiting Abu Dhabi.

Our long-term Holden Commodore has been through the CarAdvice reader wringer, decried for not being Holden enough, not Commodore enough, not rear-wheel drive enough, not Australian enough. We can’t argue the last couple of points - it is after all, a front-wheel drive, German-designed and built car now owned by a French company. But, having lived it with for three months, the overarching impression is of a well-built, comfortable and well specified family hauler. We’re probably guilty of not putting as many clicks on it as we could have. Our 2455km over three months equates to just over 800km a month (or a smidge under 10k a year) which is on the low side when compared to the national average of around 1100-1300km per month. But, as the custodian of the Commodore, my daily commute of around 16km was never going to trouble the odometer in a way the average Australian, statistically, would. That urban grind was reflected in our fuel consumption figures too, the ZB returning 10.9L/100km over the course of our long-term loan against a manufacturer claim of 7.6L. But three months and plenty of urban clicks married to some longer-haul drives still afforded us the opportunity to see how the Holden Commodore stacks up in an environment where large sedans are no longer the go-to for Aussie families. Let’s be clear from the outset. It’s hard to look at this Commodore in isolation, such is the storied history of the nameplate. Comparisons to Commodores of yesteryear are as inevitable as they are futile. And the perception of the Opel Insignia-based Commodore suffers for it unfairly. Our long-term Holden Commodore RS sits second in the nine-model liftback range. It’s by no means top-of-the-range but at $37,290 plus on-roads, it’s nicely specced, certainly on a par with the Omega-level VF Commodore it’s most closely related to. There’s a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty too and service intervals of 12 months or 12,000km, whichever comes first. Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol engine, the Commodore RS makes 191kW of power (at 5500rpm) and 350Nm of torque (between 3000-4000rpm). When mated to a nine-speed auto sending drive to the front wheels, the Commodore proved its mettle in the urban grind, offering a relaxing driving experience. Quick off the mark, the ZB settled into an easy rhythm and navigated the worst of Sydney’s roads with a suppleness, isolating occupants from Sydney’s pock-marked roads. It also felt surprisingly nimble, despite its large car dimensions. Longer highway runs also highlighted its credentials as a long distance cruiser. That healthy dollop of torque ensured overtaking was a breeze while the quiet and refined ride highlighted just how right Holden’s local suspension tune had indeed got it. The nine-speed auto transmission also proved a likeable unit, rarely if ever, finding itself out of whack with the needs of the ZB Commodore. Aggressive when it needed to be and refined when you wanted it, the auto ’box occasionally stumbled looking for the right ratio, But, as an overall experience, the ZB remained smooth and refined on the open road. The cabin isn’t the last word in premium, but there’s enough modernity to keep the Commodore relevant. The fit and finish is excellent, if overall presentation is a little bit dour, a sea of black and grey with a smattering of contrasting highlights. Infotainment comes courtesy of a 7.0-inch touchscreen and it feels a generation old. There’s no in-built sat-nav so you’ll have to rely on smartphone mirroring for your route guidance. That’s fine around town, but could prove problematic in rural areas where mobile reception isn’t the last word in connectivity. Smartphone mirroring too, proved glitchy at times. Spacious? It’s certainly not as roomy as Commodore of old, measurably smaller in nearly every dimension. While not an issue for front seat passengers (the front cabin remains spacious and comfortable), it’s keenly felt in the back row which, while accommodating enough for two adults, begins to feel claustrophobic when a third person is thrown into the mix. Boot space is good though, 490 litres with the back seats in play expanding to 1450L with the back row folded flat. As good as the ZB Commodore is, the reality is, buyers’ tastes have changed. Year-to-date just over 1400 new Commodores have shifted from the car yard to the road. That’s down around 46 per cent on the same period last year. And it’s not a patch on the nameplate’s heyday, when the Holden Commodore ruled Australia’s roads (in 1998 alone, nearly 95,000 lobbed in new driveways). The reality is any large sedan is going to struggle to gain traction in a market flooded with SUVs and utes. It’s a changing autoscape. And that’s a pity, because the Holden Commodore remains an excellent option for those looking for a comfortable tourer, equally as adept in city traffic as it is with a free rein out on the highway. Just don’t call it a Commodore. Apparently.

Abu Dhabi: The gradual opening of mosques and places of worship in UAE was announced on Monday in a press briefing, as restrictions in the country are eased further. According to Dr Seif Al Dhaheri, the official spokesman for the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, mosques are set to open starting Wednesday, July 1. With the exception of mosques in external roads, industrial areas, labour cities, shopping malls and parks, all UAE mosques are set to open. The mosques will open with 30 per cent limit on worshippers, while Friday prayers will stay suspended until further notice. UAE health authorities already conducted COVID-19 tests for Imams and workers serving at mosques, Al Dhaheri added. Entry barred Individuals who had contact with or live in close proximity with confirmed COVID-19 cases should not attend prayers or enter the mosques, Al Dhaheri said, stressing the importance of ensuring safety of the general public. He added that senior citizens and residents, children younger than 12 and people with chronic illnesses should not go to mosques.

A hotted-up 'R' version of Volkswagen’s upcoming all-electric ID.3 hatch could arrive as soon as 2024, according to a new international report. British magazine Autocar (which created the artist impression above) reports senior management at Volkswagen is close to signing off on the ID.3 R project, which would see extra electric grunt added to the standard ID.3 hatch. This could mean a power increase to 223kW from the standard ID.3’s 150kW, according to Autocar. By comparison, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf R produces 213kW thanks to a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The performance ID.3 R would also likely see the addition of an all-wheel drive system – versus rear-wheel drive in standard ID.3. “The ID.3 can accept four-wheel drive, although it’s unlikely to receive it during the first generation,” Volkswagen’s development chief Frank Welsch told Autocar. In a previous interview with the publication, Welsh also said an R variant ID.3 would need “a performance e-motor and four-wheel drive”. above and top of story: Autocar's rendering of what the ID.3 R may look like. Will the Volkswagen ID.3 R electric hot-hatch come to Australia? While Volkswagen Australia has plans for a local introduction of models from the ID family from 2022 onwards, it says it is too soon to comment on the ID.3 R – however is interested. “Our performance vehicles remain po[CENSORED]r models with Australian buyers,” a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson told CarAdvice. “We would certainly consider offering something like [the ID.3 R] if it was made available.”