"Players who engage in malpractices such as ball tampering and fixing should be banned permanently." Getty Images
"Players who engage in malpractices such as ball tampering and fixing should be banned permanently." Getty Images

Cheating in sport is just not cricket



In reference to your article Ball tampering row: ICC must let umpires dish out yellow and red cards for all situations in cricket matches (March 27), the recent ban on the Australian cricket team's captain Steve Smith for his role in the ball tampering by his teammate Cameron Bancroft during the match against South Africa for one match and his subsequent removal as captain from the Indian Premier League's Rajasthan Royals team represents a dramatic development in the world of cricket.

After decades of occupying a niche space, cricket has gained a wider audience and most players are paid hefty fees nationally and internationally. Mr Smith's action was shameful and injured the image of cricket. He was rightly condemned in the Australian media and by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. His act is utterly unacceptable. Players who engage in malpractices such as ball tampering and fixing should be banned permanently. That will serve as a lesson for others who might be tempted to engage in cheating and also pave the way for honest cricketers. The rules of cricket should be respected and millions of spectators who love the game should not be deceived. A ban is only right to restore the game's image.

K Ragavan, Bangalore

Dubai parks have priced themselves out of the market

In response to your report DXB Entertainments strikes accord with creditors to restructure Dh4.2bn (March 26), perhaps some more creative marketing effort would help. Perhaps the company could consider creating a series of themed and branded buses that provide free transport from Deira and Bur Dubai and other places to bring Bollywood fans to the resort, for example. Remember, the domestic Indian market is massive but not all have cars and the resort is far away.

Howard Letch, Dubai

The pricing strategy is all wrong. The resort has priced itself out of the market and kept families from visiting the parks.

Arif Khan, UAE

Qatar's conduct is unacceptable

I refer to your article Qatari jets intercept two UAE civilian planes over Bahrain (March 26): these matters are very disturbing.

Sameer Sheikh, Dubai

Steven Spielberg is the most talented filmmaker of our time

In refererence to the article by Chris Newbould on Why Steven Spielberg is the world's most successful director (March 26), Mr Spielberg's 1993 feature film Schindler's List showed in stark horror the realities of the Nazi holocaust during the Second World War. He is a very fine storyteller and etches his characters in great detail. He is the most talented filmmaker and director of our times.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

House prices were bound to fall

I refer to your article UAE residential sales prices fall, but Emaar-Aldar tie-up will buoy market (March 27): I am not surprised. I have been a homeowner for nine years and I can say that lack of planning and greed on the part of owners and poor monetary oversight from the banks have brought us to this juncture. I knew this would happen.

Stewy Murphy, Australia

Match info

Athletic Bilbao 0

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

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What is a black hole?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species

Camelpox

Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.

Falconpox

Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.

Houbarapox

Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

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