Traders observe a moment of silence for the late US Senator John McCain prior to the opening bell on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Drew Angerer / Getty Images / AFP
Traders observe a moment of silence for the late US Senator John McCain prior to the opening bell on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Drew Angerer / Getty Images / AFP

RIP John McCain, a leader and soldier who spoke his mind



Congratulations on your excellent editorial John McCain fought for the land of the free (August 27). You have rightly eulogised a leader and soldier, who richly deserves his many plaudits. Senator John McCain was a prisoner in Vietnam for five years.

When he was offered release after the first year, he refused it. He did not want to leave his colleagues in the prisoner of war camp.

So he waited for five years, when they were all released. During this period he was repeatedly tortured.

Throughout his political career, he had the courage to speak his mind, even if it displeased the powers in Washington.

It is a pity he could not become the nation’s president. I am sure he would have worked for a more inclusive country and world.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Should the People’s Vote be allowed to call for Brexit poll?

In reference to Gavin Esler's column Why I joined the UK's People's Vote campaign (August 26), out means out. We have already voted. If you don't believe in a democratic vote, why press for another? And if you lose again, will you want another vote and another until you're happy?

Steve Rider, Bradford, UK

It’s the “how” of Brexit that is the issue. It would be foolish to deliberately cause unnecessary job losses and border issues. People cite the EU but seem to forget that all of the issues which relate to maximum working times (to stop us being exploited) and employment rights all come from the EU. It will be interesting to see who gets blamed for the lack of jobs and increasing border issues when blaming immigration is no longer an option.

Paula Murphy, UAE

What we are seeing is the impact of a weak leader who is not committed to the outcome she is required to deliver. With a strong leader, none of the problems currently being experienced would have been insurmountable.

David Cafferty, Dubai

Everyone should be free to wear whatever they like

Regarding your story Hasn't Serena Williams earned the right to wear whatever she wants? (August 26), she should be free to wear what she likes. Everyone should be. Life is short and it's just tennis.

Hasan Sarfaraz, Lahore

Paltan

Producer: JP Films, Zee Studios
Director: JP Dutta
Cast: Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood, Arjun Rampal, Siddhanth Kapoor, Luv Sinha and Harshvardhan Rane
Rating: 2/5

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 

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5