With regard to Taniya Dutta's report India's Chandrayaan-3 rover takes first steps on the Moon (August 24): Well done and many congratulations to our neighbours.
Ijaz Afridi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
There has been some cynicism regarding the cost of India's Moon mission given that poverty is still an issue in the country. It took Elon Musk to put it in perspective when he commented on a tweet that the Chandrayaan-3 mission cost less than Christopher Nolan's space film Interstellar – $75million versus $165million.
Kunal Rishiraj, Dubai, India
Congratulations to India on this successful mission. Landing a rover on the moon's south pole is a first even as three other nations have been to the moon. Wishing India much success in the space programme in years ahead. And many congratulations to the scientists at the Indian Space Research organisation for all their hard work.
Roy R, Kathmandu, Nepal
It's a momentous occasion for one of our members from Brics.
Wanda WT, Scarborough, Western Cape, South Africa
It was great to watch the landing live and see the scientists rejoice. I'm proud of my nation.
Hussain Udepurwala, Ajman
A remarkable achievement.
Sergey Shevchenko, Mykolayiv, Ukraine
That's one for the ages.
Aasif Jeelani, Bengaluru, India
Useful supplies from the UAE to Ukrainian pupils
With reference to the report UAE sends thousands of school bags and laptops to Ukrainian pupils (August 23): This is wonderful. Great to see the follow up to last year's pledge of $100 million in humanitarian aid that the UAE made to Ukraine. And it's lovely that useful personal supplies are being sent – blankets and lightning equipment will come in handy, like the medical and food supplies that have already been sent.
Gillian Bell, Dubai
India's cricket batting order looking good
With reference to the report KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer return to India squad for Asia Cup 2023 (August 21): This Asia Cup update was good news for the Indian side. Two prominent players who are under treatment are returning to the squad. This will bode well for the matches. Fans of both will be delighted to see them play. I too am an admirer of the two classic batsmen, even though of course other players make the squad powerful. Cricket is a game liked by the young and old, especially in South-Asian countries and a few western countries. Here's wishing the Indian squad all the best for the coming season and the all-important Cricket World Cup.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Scoreline
Syria 1-1 Australia
Syria Al Somah 85'
Australia Kruse 40'
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
Results:
5pm: Handicap (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600 metres
Winner: Dasan Da, Saeed Al Mazrooei (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF Saabah, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
Winner: Mukaram, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) | Dh80,000 | 2,200m
Winner: MH Tawag, Richard Mullen, Elise Jeanne
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) | Dh70,000 | 1,400m
Winner: RB Inferno, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh100,000 | 1,600m
Winner: Juthoor, Jim Crowley, Erwan Charpy
Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
