With regard to David Tusing's report Abu Dhabi's Peter Rosalita on his viral 'America's Got Talent' journey: 'I was watching others on YouTube, now I'm watching myself' (June 8): good luck on your journey, Peter. So very proud of you. You have the gift of a golden voice.
Elvie Iwakeim, Larnaca, Cyprus
Pakistan's fifth deadly train crash in three years
With regard to Ben Farmer's article Overnight death toll in Pakistan train accident rises to 63 as more bodies found (June 8): all the more tragic that this is not the first such train accident in Pakistan of late. My condolences to the bereaved families.
Elize van Wyk, Dubai
Coping with grief by helping others
With regard to Ramola Talwar Badam's report Covid-19: Indian expat who lost eight relatives in 22 days backs aid campaign (June 8): this story was a grim read. Covid-19 has created so many complications in people's lives. Besides the emotional toll of losing loved ones, the death of family members, especially earning members, affects practical matters like finances. There are many layers to grief. And while time does help, these are irreparable losses.
It's commendable that so many philanthropic organisations are helping ease the burden on those affected by Covid-19 – and that this lady, Juhi Khan, with such a heavy burden of grief is trying to help others.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Indian citizens in crises bail out one another
In reference to Taniya Dutta's report Indian government takes back vaccine distribution from states in new push against Covid-19 (June 7): in the midst of the immense human suffering due to the pandemic, there are instances of human and institutional initiatives and co-operation that need to be applauded.
Many private sector companies in India are arranging with local municipalities to vaccinate all their employees. Some are also vaccinating the families of the employees and associates like the distributors of the company. In Mumbai, a Citizen’s Forum has decided to procure 8,000 doses to vaccinate free of charge all residents, maids, drivers and slum dwellers in the vicinity. They are visiting families door-to-door to register the names and ages of potential recipients of the vaccines.
The Sikh community in Delhi rendered a fantastic yeoman service by opening oxygen clinics when there was a desperate shortage of oxygen in the city. Such instances of human beings helping one another in distress are heartening. At a time when governments and institutions are under severe pressure due to the pandemic, ordinary citizens should pick up the gauntlet.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE and Russia in numbers
UAE-Russia ties stretch back 48 years
Trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dh12.5 bn in 2018
More than 3,000 Russian companies are registered in the UAE
Around 40,000 Russians live in the UAE
The number of Russian tourists travelling to the UAE will increase to 12 percent to reach 1.6 million in 2023
High profile Al Shabab attacks
- 2010: A restaurant attack in Kampala Uganda kills 74 people watching a Fifa World Cup final football match.
- 2013: The Westgate shopping mall attack, 62 civilians, five Kenyan soldiers and four gunmen are killed.
- 2014: A series of bombings and shootings across Kenya sees scores of civilians killed.
- 2015: Four gunmen attack Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya and take over 700 students hostage, killing those who identified as Christian; 148 die and 79 more are injured.
- 2016: An attack on a Kenyan military base in El Adde Somalia kills 180 soldiers.
- 2017: A suicide truck bombing outside the Safari Hotel in Mogadishu kills 587 people and destroys several city blocks, making it the deadliest attack by the group and the worst in Somalia’s history.
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
