A way towards peace
With regard to Adla Massoud's report UAE calls for Gaza ceasefire resolution after UN Secretary-General invokes Article 99 (December 7): It's been two months of this war. My heart goes out to all the Palestinian families suffering. The major players in this conflict should work together to create a solution to end this war. There must be a way towards peace.
Kani Theroux, Johannesburg, South Africa
Big wins for Modi in India's state elections
About Bibhudatta Pradhan's article How Modi's BJP won key state polls - and why general election victory should follow (December 5): This was a comprehensive and well-researched piece. Despite the criticism of opposition parties and the personal nature of comments from rival factions directed towards the BJP, the party of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi won three out of five states in the election and this victory has to be lauded.
Election trends have gradually changed in India as shown by these results. False promise and freebies are not going to yield rewards. The only thing that works with voters is the delivery of electoral promises and evident development. These results must have come as a shock to the opposition parties and the third front. We'll have to see if the general elections next year will bear a similar result. Whatever the verdict, the people's vote and their choice will need to be respected.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Who merits being chosen Person of the Year?
With reference to the report Taylor Swift named Time Magazine's Person of the Year 2023 (December 6): I'm sure she's great but that sounds like a somewhat arbitrary unnecessary selection. How about people who are actually making a difference to lives in a huge way. For instance, how about a person called Motaz Azaiza? The selection committee could do with taking a broader view of what is happening in the world and the causes that really affect people.
Donna Cooper, Abu Dhabi
A smart take on King Charles's tie
With regard to Gavin Esler's op-ed At Cop28, King Charles did something remarkable – twice (December 5): What a brilliant piece. The writer did a fine job of tying together his take on "royal experts", aspects of the royal family and a big international event. Very cleverly done.
Mita Srinivasan, Dubai
Arabic dishes that are a reminder of home
In reference to One Carlo Diaz's article What is harees, the Arabic dish added to Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage list? (December 6): I must confess, it is the one dish I missed the most when abroad studying; nothing could replace it.
Saif Omar Al Suwaidi, Abu Dhabi
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Bullet%20Train
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Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
Public Affairs
Dh67
More about Middle East geopolitics
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
Five personal finance podcasts from The National
To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes
·
Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth
·
What is a portfolio stress test?
·
What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested?
·
How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies
·
Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?
'Falling%20for%20Christmas'
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Ramy%3A%20Season%203%2C%20Episode%201
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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
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The figures behind the event
1) More than 300 in-house cleaning crew
2) 165 staff assigned to sanitise public areas throughout the show
3) 1,000 social distancing stickers
4) 809 hand sanitiser dispensers placed throughout the venue
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai