Show me a man who plays a good game of golf and I'll show you a man who is neglecting something - John F Kennedy.
Keen golfer that he is (a left-hander with an athletic swing and an ugly follow-through according to reports), I doubt President Barack Obama will be neglecting the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza and the global financial crash to slip out of the White House and on to the first tee at the nearby East Potomac Country Club during these early days in the Oval Office.
But as soon as his duties permit, you can expect to see him playing the game that has long been the favoured sport of US presidents, 14 of his 17 predecessors being avid golfers with varying degrees of expertise.
By common consent, an despite that dismissive remark, the most accomplished player was JFK, who went to enormous lengths to hide his passion for the sport from the American public who regarded golf as the pastime of the upper classes.
But Kennedy had a "perfect, almost effortless swing", suggesting that he took his sport seriously.
A few days before the 1960 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles, Kennedy launched a perfectly struck five-iron from the 15th tee of the par three 15th at Cypress Point and watched in abject horror as his ball rolled straight towards the hole before coming to rest less than six inches short.
"If that ball had gone into that hole," Kennedy told his playing partners, "the word would be out to the nation in under an hour that another golfer was trying to get into the White House."
Richard Nixon, cursed with a swing that suggested he was trying to remove an angry wasp from the back of his shirt, could be - surprise, surprise - a tad economical with the truth.
Playing with Sam Snead in a pro-celebrity event on one occasion, Nixon hooked a drive deep into the trees.
As Slammin' Sam waited for Tricky Dicky to announce a lost ball and take a penalty, he was surprised to see the little white sphere sailing over the branches and on to the middle of the fairway "followed by the president looking real pleased with himself", Snead told an interviewer. "I knew he threw it out, but I didn't say anything..."
Lyndon B Johnson was another who utilised the presidential prerogative for bending the rules, blithely ignoring each and every bad shot - and he routinely took more 300 swipes - by simply digging into his bag for another ball and another whack, while Bill Clinton would unashamedly expect any putt within 50 yards to be considered a "gimme".
But the all-time worst White House hacker remains Gerald Ford, around whose hapless efforts with any club Bob Hope built an entire stand-up routine...:
Gerry Ford, the man who has made golf a contact sport and with whom the word "Fore!" is synonymous!....He'd give up golf if he didn't have so many nice sweaters...the last time I played a round with Gerald Ford he hit one birdie, an eagle, a jack-rabbit, an elk and three pensioners...when Russian premier Andrei Gromyko gets down to disarmament talks, the first item on his agenda will be taking away Mr Ford's clubs...he's the most dangerous driver since Ben Hur... it's not hard to find the President on the course - you just follow the walking wounded ...there are 42 golf courses in Palm Springs so Gerry waits until he has driven off before announcing which one he is playing...
And finally, to foot-in-mouth former Vice-President Dan Quayle whose wife Marilyn revealed: "Anyone who knows Dan knows he would rather play golf than have sex any day."
Aye, Dan, as JFK said: "Show me a man who plays a good game of golf and I'll show you a man who is neglecting something..."
rphilip@thenational.ae
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
The years Ramadan fell in May
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
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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
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
RoboCop%3A%20Rogue%20City
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Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5