A report by the Swiss Bank UBS surveyed 77 cities across the world and concluded that the citizens of Mumbai worked the longest, at 3,315 hours per annum. Indians as a group work long hours compared to other countries. Life is hard because of low incomes, inflation and hardly any benefits from the government. Hence, Indians will work long hours to make something of their lives.
Salaries in India are far smaller than in the Middle East, Europe and the US. However, increasingly costs are getting aligned globally. Despite promises by successive governments, the prices of food and fuel keep rising. We have to work harder just to stay where we are economically. In most countries the government offers pensions and medical insurance. There are few such benefits in India, even though we pay about 30 per cent of our salaries in tax.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
A cultural boycott of Israel is not just a futile gesture
I refer to your article Does the cultural boycott of Israel work? (June 9): it is certainly better than doing nothing.
Sameer Ansari, Brussels
Bourdain shows no one is immune from depression
I write in response to Dr Justin Thomas's op-ed Anthony Bourdain's tragic death shows depression has many faces (9 June): it was saddening to read this profound piece on the tragic death of this renowned chef, CNN anchor and world famous travel documentary maker Anthony Bourdain.
People in all walks of life suffer from depression, although many do not express themselves particularly well. It often takes tragic endings such as Bourdain’s for us to confront the pain caused by depression.
K Ragavan, Denver
Austria’s mosque decision was both cruel and racist
I write in reference to the article Erdogan denounces Austria's decision to close mosques (June 10): the decision to close down mosques was a completely awful and cruel decision by the right-wing Austrian government.
Habib Rahim Hazim, Abu Dhabi
A picture that lays bare the deeply disheartening truth
With reference to your article Twitter goes wild for G7 power play picture (June 10): it is a pity that the world's most powerful leaders are behaving like children. The US especially is losing more and more of its credibility in international forums.
T Reichenberger, Nuremberg
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
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Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
