The efforts of Sarah Bartlett, who has given up her free time to improving the plight of Abu Dhabi's rescue animals make my animal-welfare efforts look insignificant (Abu Dhabi PR boss devoted to rescuing the city's animals in need, June 1). I have adopted four cats and feed a group of street cats.
Ms Bartlett devotes her time, love and money to help abandoned and injured animals in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
It is again that time of year when people with no conscience dump their pets. They do not bother to find a place for them when they must go on holiday.
Thanks to individuals like Ms Bartlett who try to help these poor animals. I always applaud the kindness of individuals and organisations that assist groups like Animal Action when their vet bills run high.
I thank The National for focusing on the plight of animals and the wonderful people who try to help them.
G Stevenson, Abu Dhabi
How about a 10-day holiday in Ramadan?
I refer to Maryam Ismail's opinion article Why we do need an extended break at the end of Ramadan (June 1). A break like this, if extended to Muslims working in malls and supermarkets, would paralyse the economy.
That can’t happen. Muslims in this region can perhaps learn from their brethren in the West who enjoy no such privileges, and use the evenings in Ramadan to reflect and feed the soul more than the stomach. That, by itself, might prove to be a break from the hectic life as intended.
Husain Alhusain, Dubai
The article is interesting. I agree with the writer when she says that a 10-day holiday would only provide workers a better chance to worship during the holy month of Ramadan, which is otherwise difficult given the nature of their work and hectic schedules. I do not think this would have any significant impact on the productivity of workers. Instead, this break would help improve output since workers would make a fresh start.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
Some details on church incorrect
As a Shincheonji (SCJ) Church member, I would like to point out some of the misinformation in the article Mystery surrounds visit to UAE of alleged religious cult (May 29).
First, according to Zackary Downey, who blogs about the church’s operations (even though he has had “no direct dealings with the church itself, or its chairman”): “Church leaders are saying they (SCJ members) can’t see their family, or even talk to them. They are cut off from any contact.”
This is completely wrong. The church leaders stress the importance of being a good and dutiful family member regardless of faith. No one has ever been cut off from any contact.
Second, I was appalled by the statement that “peace events in Korea are a regular occurrence, but they stage similar propaganda events all over the world, recently in the Philippines ... They are just PR stunts to be seen alongside world leaders, with no actual peace agreements signed.”
Only a “PR stunt”? SCJ chairman Man Hee Lee is actively involved in the peace process in Mindanao, Philippines.
The conflict there had resulted in more than 40,000 deaths and 3.5 million displaced people. Assisting in this peace process is not what I would call a “PR stunt”. It is saving lives.
Furthermore, I have personally viewed many peace agreements signed at events where world leaders come together and pledge to work together to end wars. This is the goal of the church.
Tammy Budinski, Shincheonji member, South Korea
Why divorce is on the rise
Justin Thomas's opinion article In the Gulf, marriage falters while divorce prospers (June 1) is interesting. With the passage of time, people all over the world are becoming more materialistic and selfish. These phenomena are taking a toll on marriages. Also women have many other opportunities for self improvement these days and that is a great thing. I'd be interested to know the statistics on who instigates marriage and divorce the most.
Giles Heaton, Dubai
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
RESULT
Wolves 1 (Traore 67')
Tottenham 2 (Moura 8', Vertonghen 90 1')
Man of the Match: Adama Traore (Wolves)
The Comeback: Elvis And The Story Of The 68 Special
Simon Goddard
Omnibus Press
Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
Guardians%20of%20the%20Galaxy%20Vol%203
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Gunn%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Pratt%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Dave%20Bautista%2C%20Vin%20Diesel%2C%20Bradley%20Cooper%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Company%20Profile
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Saturday's results
West Ham 2-3 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton
Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves
Brighton 0-2 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Everton 0-2 Norwich City
Watford 0-3 Burnley
Manchester City v Chelsea, 9.30pm
HER%20FIRST%20PALESTINIAN
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The%20specs
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
