A display of strong Emirati community spirit
With reference to the report by Shuchita Gautam and Shireena Al Nowais Hundreds attend funeral of elderly American woman who died in Abu Dhabi (November 21): This is a very touching story.
Ahmed Amir, Hyderabad, India
As a Muslim American I can’t tell you how much this warms my heart. May God bless all of those who attended and have mercy on her soul.
Daoud Shalouf, Dubai
A great win for Saudi Arabia
With reference to Mariam Nihal's article 'They came, they saw, they conquered': fans in Saudi Arabia celebrate national holiday (November 23): Saudi played really well. I’m so pleased for them.
Qast Malik, York, UK
Congratulations to my brothers and sisters from Saudi Arabia on this great match victory. They played really well and deserved to win. Love and best wishes from myself and fellow Pakistani football fans.
Yasser Ahmed, Dubai
Tightened belts at Thanksgiving
With reference to Willy Lowry's report High inflation eats into Americans' Thanksgiving dinner plans (November 23): It's very upsetting and affects families across the country. Americans are seeing hard times and I would say, largely due to the Democrats' failed economic/green new deal, energy policies.
Kadie Cochrane, Ohio, US
A horrific crime in India calls for stronger laws
With regard to Taniya Dutta's article Indian chef Aftab Ameen Poonawala confesses to murdering and dismembering his girl friend (November 22): this murder has shaken the county. For the past fortnight, it has been sensational news in the capital with the media analysing angles of what led to such a horrific crime. The accused used to beat her often. She feared for her life, as she wrote in an earlier police complaint before he took her life. And while there is the domestic violence angle, the cause for this murder is yet to be known, even though the accused has admitted guilt and mentioned it happening in the "heat of the moment".
What is also shocking is the number of gruesome crimes in recent months. Indian society needs to introspect and fix the problem before more such inhuman acts take place or become the norm. Poonawala should be punished severely. This case ought to serve as an eye opener for others even considering resorting to such barbarism. Human lives are precious and no one has got the right to kill. Criminals will be deterred if the country implements strong judicial measures.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT
Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km
Summer special
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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
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
