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
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The biog
From: Ras Al Khaimah
Age: 50
Profession: Electronic engineer, worked with Etisalat for the past 20 years
Hobbies: 'Anything that involves exploration, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, the sea, hiking, scuba diving, and adventure sports'
Favourite quote: 'Life is so simple, enjoy it'
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Racecard
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
How Voiss turns words to speech
The device has a screen reader or software that monitors what happens on the screen
The screen reader sends the text to the speech synthesiser
This converts to audio whatever it receives from screen reader, so the person can hear what is happening on the screen
A VOISS computer costs between $200 and $250 depending on memory card capacity that ranges from 32GB to 128GB
The speech synthesisers VOISS develops are free
Subsequent computer versions will include improvements such as wireless keyboards
Arabic voice in affordable talking computer to be added next year to English, Portuguese, and Spanish synthesiser
Partnerships planned during Expo 2020 Dubai to add more languages
At least 2.2 billion people globally have a vision impairment or blindness
More than 90 per cent live in developing countries
The Long-term aim of VOISS to reach the technology to people in poor countries with workshops that teach them to build their own device
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
