With regard to Fareed Rahman's report War has brought ‘complete collapse’ of Gaza’s economy (22 November): It is upsetting to see pictures of people stroll through the debris of their damaged homes, possibly wondering how such losses can be covered and who should bear the responsibility for the whole thing. The destruction brought about by the Israel-Gaza war is a grave tragedy. In other parts of the world, humanity has advanced greatly and reached the Moon. Palestinians stand a similar chance of progress if there was a permanent solution to this conflict, not just a temporary truce.
Palestinians will face enormous challenges in restoring collapsed businesses and residential structures, resulting in massive debt. Major financial support will be needed. The UN and other developed nations who care about the Palestinian people must provide financial assistance for recovery and rebuilding. As future generations will sadly discover, it could take many years, even decades to alter this situation.
Ramachandran Nair, Muscat, Oman
A Palestinian gathering around a traditional dish
With reference to the video by Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza "Maqluba is our resilience," (November 29) about sharing the traditional Palestinian dish with his family and friends: This was heartwarming to see. They deserve to celebrate the ceasefire. May God bless and protect them all.
Jenny Husain, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
What a strong sense of nationhood. I have respect and deep admiration for the resilience and endurance they have shown, not just in the past seven weeks but the past many decades. May the truce stretch further and there be peace.
San Qaiser, Dubai
The challenge of the Indian tunnel rescue
In reference to The National's report Uttarakhand tunnel: Rescuers save all 41 trapped Indian workers (November 28): This was a massive effort from the state government to rescue the trapped men. After the repeated attempts made since November 12 to get them out alive, this was heartening news.
Kudos to the administrations of both state and centre and the various teams involved in the rescue operations, as also the medical team and doctors for their excellent service. It was a delicate and complicated operation. Water and food was sent to the men through a small shaft, keeping the men alive and staving off death and dehydration. It was good to see the photographs of people rejoicing and with such relief on their faces.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Company%C2%A0profile
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now