I refer to your article Seven children from one family die in Fujairah house (January 22). It is really heartbreaking to lose seven children from the same family in one tragic incident. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May God have mercy on the departed souls.
Musatapha Ahmad, Abu Dhabi
Fire drills can save lives
I refer to the article Dubai steps up building evacuation drills to prepare residents for potential fires (January 22). These are essential guidelines. There must now be a thorough evaluation of buildings. How many place are unsafe, with no security checks in place? Drastic action is required to ensure 100 per cent safety of residents. All buildings should be prepared to handle an emergency without the loss of life or property.
Ahmad Mumtaz, UAE
Modi's upcoming visit will strengthen UAE-India ties
In reference to your article Infrastructure investment tops Modi's agenda for UAE visit next month (January 20), the Indian prime minister's visit to the UAE next month will strengthen the relationship between the the two countries and create new opportunities in infrastructure investment projects. India and the UAE enjoy a longstanding bilateral relationship and Narendra Modi has developed a strong personal rapport with the UAE's leadership. The coming days will be beneficial for both countries.
K Ragavan, India
Tackling loneliness should be an urgent priority
I refer to your column Loneliness is a growing social problem. We must tackle this major public health concern (January 21): might the ban on Skype, or other means of communication, used to connect with family and friends be a contributory factor in the rise of loneliness?
David Blandford, US
Justin Thomas has written an excellent piece on the issue of loneliness. The UK government has shown great foresight in appointing a minister to deal with this emerging issue. Increasingly, young people across the world are chasing careers. They do not have time to build relationships. Advances in medical sciences have improved the longevity of human life. However, as age advances, everyone gets lonely in some measure. This could lead to depression, illnesses and even premature death so it is wise to start tackling the issue early and for society to develop support systems for the old and infirm. An aged acquaintance of mine in London gets weekly visits from social workers, who just come and chat to him to prevent him from becoming melancholic.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Turkish aggression is a threat to peace in the region
Regarding your story about the Turkish operation in Afrin targeting the YPG forces Mattis: Turkey alerted US before Syria operation (January 22), something must be done to stop Turkish aggression for the sake of peace in the region.
Womble Tomberg, Abu Dhabi
The%20specs
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Upcoming games
SUNDAY
Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton (5.30pm)
Leicester City v Everton (8pm)
MONDAY
Burnley v Newcastle United (midnight)
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
more from Janine di Giovanni
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
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
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Florence and the Machine – High as Hope
Three stars
Opening Rugby Championship fixtures: Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)
SCHEDULE FOR SHOW COURTS
Centre Court - from 4pm (UAE time)
Angelique Kerber (1) v Irina Falconi
Martin Klizan v Novak Djokovic (2)
Alexandr Dolgopolov v Roger Federer (3)
Court One - from 4pm
Milos Raonic (6) v Jan-Lennard Struff
Karolina Pliskova (3) v Evgeniya Rodina
Dominic Thiem (8) v Vasek Pospisil
Court Two - from 2.30pm
Juan Martin Del Potro (29) v Thanasi Kokkinakis
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Jelena Jankovic
Jeremy Chardy v Tomas Berdych (11)
Ons Jabeur v Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
