A look at what we’re reading this week.
Saladin by John Man. Saladin remains a revered figure as the uniter of Arabs who expelled the Crusaders from Jerusalem. From the biographer of Genghis Khan and Attila the Hun comes a work that examines Saladin's rise to power, his string of military victories and his relevance today. (Bantam Press, April 23)
Alfred Hitchcock by Peter Ackroyd. Following his biography of Charlie Chaplin (warmly received here), Ackroyd turns to the master director of North by Northwest, The Birds and many more. Hitchcock was obsessed with his image, so this is an attempt to "wrest the director's chair back from the master of control". (Chatto, April 2)
Born to Drum by Tony Barrell. Usually at the back of the stage, the long-suffering drummer has often been overlooked in the history of rock. This work seeks to set the record straight, and, from Keith Moon to John Bonham to Lars Ulrich, proves that to have a great band, you need a great drummer. (IT Books, April 23)
Preparation for the Next Life by Atticus Lish. Zou Lei is a Chinese illegal immigrant in the US with an Uighur mother and a Han soldier father who works 14-hour days. Brad Skinner is a three-tour Iraqi veteran who's struggling to cope with civilian life. This post-9/11 love story is set in the seedy underbelly of New York. (Oneworld, April 2)
Disclaimer by Renée Knight. Catherine starts to read an intriguing book that has mysteriously appeared on her bedside table. As she reads, Catherine, a happily married documentary maker, is sickened to discover it's about a dark incident in her past that she thought nobody knew about. This promises to be a gripping psychological thriller. (Doubleday, April 9)
After Birth by Elisa Albert. In New York, Ari is sleep-deprived, stressed and isolated. A year has passed since she gave birth but nothing makes sense anymore. When an older woman, who is pregnant, arrives in town, Ari sees a comrade in arms. This is a visceral and no-holds-barred account of first-time motherhood. (Chatto, April 2)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Generational responses to the pandemic
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
THE SPECS – Honda CR-V Touring AWD
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Power: 184hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 244Nm at 3,900rpm
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
0-100kmh in 9.4 seconds
Top speed: 202kmh
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
Price: From Dh122,900
