Taxi: The book that predicted the Egyptian revolution

First published in 2008 and now reissued by Bloomsbury Qatar, Khaled AlKhamissi's Taxi is regarded by France 24 news as "the novel that predicted the uprising" in Egypt.

The author's narrative is made up of 58 fictional encounters with taxi drivers in Cairo, each one providing an episodic snapshot of a nation full of contradiction and ill at ease.

For those unwilling to look up the figures of history these pages rake up, Jonathan Wright's faithful translation has been embellished in this edition with footnotes providing details of the rich cast of characters that have populated Egypt's recent past, although some of these addenda seem superfluous.

But do these journeys foretell the Arab Spring? Yes and no. There is no overwhelming inevitably in these pages, except that Egypt appears in crisis. But then, it could be characterised as a nation in perpetual crisis. Equally, at each turn there are warnings of this year's tumultuous events - dissatisfied grumbles here, the seeds of discontent there, the lessons of the past willfully and deliberately unlearnt. For that alone it is worth the ride.

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

Interview

Lebanese author Elias Khoury: 'I feel that we are beyond despair'

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills