I write to you in reference to your article Coronavirus latest: WHO urges countries to ease lockdowns slowly (May 2). This is a meaningful and thought-provoking piece. Lockdown measures have been in place all over the world for a good while now, and many nations are ready to open up their economies. At the same time, if they do it too hastily, and people stop following physical distancing and hygiene rules overnight, experts have warned that it is likely a second wave of infections will hit. Eased restrictions must be carried out in stages, and with great care. The world economy has already been shattered, and prolonging the lockdowns will take a toll on both our morale and the economy. India is taking this challenge head-on and easing restrictions carefully. I hope that in the coming days, a sense of normalcy will return to India.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Rishi Kapoor: your legendary memory lives on
Please refer to the news item Beloved Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor dies aged 67 by Farah Andrews (April 30) about the sad passing away of Rishi Kapoor, a popular and versatile Indian actor. Kapoor was a beloved actor and an outspoken artist. He starred in numerous films, commencing with Mera Naam Joker and then later the cult film Bobby. He was the romantic hero of the 1970s and 80s, and his talents went beyond acting. Dancing also came naturally to him, as it did to all the members of his family. His book Khullam Khulla is an enriching read, too. Kapoor was loved by his fans. He had rivals, but no enemies.
He further proved his histrionic skills and talents in some of the films in which played major roles in the past decade, such as D-Company and Mulk. I am sure his son Ranbir Kapoor will carry on the great tradition of brilliant acting, for which the Kapoor dynasty is renowned. My condolences to his wonderful family.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Abu Dhabi stem cell treatment gives us hope
I write to you in reference to a video posted on The National's Facebook page with the following caption: UAE researchers develop promising breakthrough Covid-19 treatment (May 2).
What an amazing achievement. We urgently need to find an effective treatment to combat the spread of this deadly virus.
Dr Rahmath Mohammad, Sri Lanka
I am confident this will be the best innovation in the fight against coronavirus, and is it all thanks to the UAE's rulers.
Mark Mich, Dubai
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.
The hotels
Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khaldoon%20Bushnaq%20and%20Tariq%20Seksek%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20100%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20to%20date%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2415%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile
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The Specs
Engine 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp (542bhp in GTS model)
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000 (Dh549,000 for GTS)
Company%20profile
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The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
