I write to you in reference to Ramola Talwar Badam's article Indian elections: UAE voters fly home to go the polls (April 17). This piece was truly a good read. I can only applaud the strong sense of civic duty that overseas Indians have shown as they head home to vote for the nation's next leader, impractical and costly though it may be. Ultimately, every Indian citizen should vote and I firmly believe that a high voter turnout is necessary to keep those in power accountable and ensure that governance is free of corruption.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Abu Dhabi stands by survivors of the Christchurch massacre
I write to you in reference to your article Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed meets imams of attacked Christchurch mosques (April 15). This is a great way for the Arab world to show solidarity with the survivors of the Christchurch terror attack.
The article includes a photograph of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, speaking with Imam Gamal Fouda of Al Noor mosque. I remember that the imam made a magnificent speech in his first public appearance after the fatal shooting. My father recalls meeting Imam Alabi Lateef Zirullah of Linwood mosque who is also a wonderful person. I am glad they got to meet in Abu Dhabi.
Cynthia Barbara Harnor, Tauranga
Khorfakkan should be on your sightseeing list for the UAE
I write to you in reference to Gillian Duncan's article Emirati town once invaded by the Portuguese opens up to tourism (April 11). The Khorfakkan beach is absolutely lovely, this is a nice town that I would recommend visiting.
Lisa Worth, Liverpool
The fire at Notre Dame in Paris is a global tragedy
I write to you in reference to The National's live updates of the Notre-Dame Cathedral fire (April 16). I truly hope this beautiful building will be saved and restored. I also pray that everyone in its vicinity is safe from the fire. This is such a sad day.
Mary Debruyn, Halifax
This is devastating news. I remember visiting the majestic cathedral when I was on vacation in Paris. Part of Notre Dame has already crumbled. I hope the it can be saved.
Ellen de Boer, Dubai
This is a dark day for my country. The destruction of Notre Dame, even if it is only partial, will leave a gaping hole in the heart of French culture and history. Notre Dame is not just a cathedral or a tourist attraction, it is a 900-year-old symbol of France and I am deeply saddened at the thought of losing this precious monument.
Sebastien Gaye, Dubai
From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Brighton 1
Gross (50' pen)
Tottenham 1
Kane (48)
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Men’s singles
Group A: Son Wan-ho (Kor), Lee Chong Wei (Mas), Ng Long Angus (HK), Chen Long (Chn)
Group B: Kidambi Srikanth (Ind), Shi Yugi (Chn), Chou Tien Chen (Tpe), Viktor Axelsen (Den)
Women’s Singles
Group A: Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn), Pusarla Sindhu (Ind), Sayaka Sato (Jpn), He Bingjiao (Chn)
Group B: Tai Tzu Ying (Tpe), Sung Hi-hyun (Kor), Ratchanok Intanon (Tha), Chen Yufei (Chn)
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