I write in reference to your editorial What Rayan's story means for Morocco, the region and beyond (February 6): the world followed the tragedy of a young child stuck in a small opening of a Moroccan well surrounded by soft soil. Five anxious days would expire to yield a sad outcome. To the rescuers, donors, public, media and crowds, thanks for your prayers and condolences to the family. Whatever be our background, we are one – the human race – and we need each other. There are challenges ahead and it is events such as these, sad to say, that unites rather than divides us. It is shameful politics that is triggering a split world, and we were doing things wrong back then, as we are now.
Kerwin Maude, Pitt Meadows, Canada
India needs more Adani-like stories
I write in reference to Deepthi Nair's article Billionaire Gautam Adani overtakes Mukesh Ambani to become Asia’s richest person (February 8): there are those who admire him and there are those who don't, but one cannot deny that Gautam Adani is a self-made man who rose over the past three decades to head what is one of the most powerful groups of companies not just in India but, increasingly, around the world as well. For Mr Adani to become Asia’s richest man is a sign that success, irrespective of one's social and economic status, is possible in India – if one dreams big and works both hard and smart. Governments at all levels also have a role to play, by creating the incentives necessary for people to move up in life and, one day, write their own success stories.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Lata Mangeshkar's music transcended generations
I write in reference to Katy Gillett's article Lata Mangeshkar death: 'Nightingale of India' laid to rest with funeral procession (February 6): in the sad passing of playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, India has lost one of its most talented daughters. Mangeshkar sang more than 30,000 songs in about 1,000 films and in 36 languages. She became the voice of India. Her melodious voice made lyrics memorable. People of all ages hummed her songs for the past 60 years. Her voice never aged, never faltered. She will always live in our hearts and memories through her songs. She was not only India's national treasure but also a gift to the world of music. A truly global figure.
Rajendra Aneja, Mumbai, India
AstraZeneca deserves a reassessment
I write in reference to Laura O'Callaghan's article AstraZeneca vaccine's reputation damage 'killed hundreds of thousands', says top scientist (February 7): in that case, a fresh assessment of the vaccine should be carried out and results made public to kill disinformation. There is no reason to say that the AstraZeneca vaccine is problematic unless proven with data analysis based on research carried out in several countries. And whatever be the conclusion, it should be formally acknowledged by people in positions of authority.
Nazim Hasan Khan, Dubai
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
More on animal trafficking
The%20specs
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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.
Honeymoonish
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SHAITTAN
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- Margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars
- Energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- Infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes
- Many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
INDIA SQUADS
India squad for third Test against Sri Lanka
Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Vijay Shankar
India squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul
The%20specs
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Killing of Qassem Suleimani