Hours after US President Joe Biden unveiled his $2 trillion infrastructure proposal, national railway operator Amtrak announced its hopes for expansion and social media users revelled in the details.
Mr Biden on Wednesday announced the details of his infrastructure plan to strengthen the US economy after the fallout from the pandemic.
As part of the plan, $80 billion will be allocated for Amtrak and freight rail.
Amtrak is a commercial company that operates most passenger rail services in the US, but it relies on state and federal subsidies and funds.
Mr Biden is a fan of the railway and often rode the train from his home in Wilmington, Delaware, to Washington when he was a senator.
He has been nicknamed "Amtrak Joe".
"The American Jobs Plan will build new rail corridors and transit lines, easing congestion, cutting pollution, slashing commute times and opening up investment in communities that can be connected to the cities, and cities to the outskirts, where a lot of jobs are these days," he said in Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
Congress still needs to approve the plan and it is unclear how it will be received.
Amtrak chief executive Bill Flynn is aware of that pivotal step towards additional funding and support from the federal government.
“President Biden’s infrastructure plan is what this nation has been waiting for," Mr Flynn said.
"Amtrak must rebuild and improve the North-East Corridor and our national network and expand our service to more of America."
The North-East Corridor, which serves the metropolitan areas of Boston, New York and Washington DC, is easily the busiest part of the national rail system.
But it is in need of tunnel and rail upgrades, because some sections are more than a century old.
Amtrak is also looking to expand. It released the "Amtrak Connects US" plan that describes its vision for the future if it receives federal support.
The company says funding could help to add more than 30 routes, expand services to more than 20 lines and reach another 160 communities across the US.
Amtrak's vision for expansion by 2035 also discusses the expansion of routes and services in cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The plan suggests there should be greater service between Texas cities like Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin, many of which rank among the largest US cities.
The company also said supporting Amtrak would help the US to fend off climate change.
Social media users voiced their support.
But Amtrak's plan and Mr Biden's funding proposal did not go without some criticism.
Twitter users made comparisons with rail systems in Asia and the EU, where travellers had quicker, more reliable service.
The company has often expressed interest in expanding its system but faced federal funding cuts and a lack of Republican support.
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
More on Quran memorisation:
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.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Match info
Bournemouth 1 (King 45 1')
Arsenal 2 (Lerma 30' og, Aubameyang 67')
Man of the Match: Sead Kolasinac (Arsenal)
The specs
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Match info
Australia 580
Pakistan 240 and 335
Result: Australia win by an innings and five runs
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
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Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
