As the name suggests, The Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate excellence in American daytime television. With a category for outstanding game show, regularly won by a quiz hosted by the same man for more than 25 years, they're also an unlikely barometer of taste. But this year's event - perhaps unwittingly - confirmed that American daytime viewing habits have changed for good. Despite The Bold and the Beautiful winning best drama series for the third year running, falling ratings and cancelled shows were the story of this year's awards.
So much so that the recognition on Sunday of two of the longest-running soaps in television history was just a little bittersweet. Michael Park won Lead Actor in a Drama Series for As The World Turns, and Brittany Allen took home a gong for her work in All My Children, but it would be their last hurrah. Both series have been axed.
In the case of As the World Turns, the decision to call time on a soap that was first broadcast in 1956 was seismic stuff - if, in the end, not exactly surprising. The show, which chronicled generations of doctors and lawyers in the fictitious Oakdale, Illinois, was haemorrhaging viewers - but more grievously, losing its gloss for advertisers greedy for the precious dollars of young American women. Unfortunately, those same American women were now at work during the day rather than eagerly tuning in to the latest instalment in the lives of the adulterous Janet Donovan or the enduring matriarch Kim Hughes.
The end of As the World Turns last September was notable for another reason. The term soap opera is derived from the original drama serials on early 20th-century American radio, sponsored by major soap manufacturers. As the World Turns was the last soap opera still owned by Procter & Gamble - even, surprising as it may sound, in 2010.
As for All My Children, it began "only" in 1970. During its 40 years, the series, set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, has been labelled the "thinking man's soap", an accolade handed out by Time magazine in the mid 1970s thanks to some judicious Vietnam storylines and an impressive commitment to social issues. It was estimated that 30 per cent of its audience were male - unthinkable for a soap at any point before or, indeed, since. It helped, too, that it was funny - particularly when the villainous Erica Cane, played by the doyenne of American soaps Susan Lucci, was up to her scheming tricks. Well, it was until storylines became more and more ridiculous, and viewers drifted away.
They didn't really come back, and on something of a Black Thursday for US soap fans last April, the television network ABC not only announced that All My Children was to end in September, but that One Life to Live was also for the chop. The latter is actually older than its stablemate, and had been regularly pulling in viewers, intrigued by the life of Viki Lord, since 1968. And who wouldn't be; this enduring character has been widowed three times, seen her children abducted and suffered a stroke, breast cancer, heart disease and a brain aneurysm. Oh, and she was shot.
Bizarrely, the domestic appliance manufacturer Hoover was so incensed at ABC's actions that it pulled all its advertising from the network. But it was to no avail. The show will go the way of the oldest soap opera of them all, Guiding Light, which CBS mercilessly axed after 72 years in 2009.
Interestingly, both All My Children and One Life to Live were created by Agnes Dixon, who was also a head writer on Guiding Light. She's now 83, and it's tempting to conclude that both viewers and networks have grown tired of her vision. It was noticeable that on the day CBS announced its soap opera cull, it also revealed its replacements - a cookery show and a weight loss programme. Neither will be burdening the networks with expensive stuff such as script-writing, costume or set design, or big contracts for the stars.
So what's left? ABC has General Hospital, which has taken over the mantle of longest-running US daytime drama and, as the title suggests, tracks the lives of the doctors, patients and nurses of Port Charles. But, perhaps worryingly for its fans, the days when General Hospital was popular and interesting have probably passed. A staggering 30 million people watched the wedding of the soap's "super couple" Luke and Laura in 1981; these days, General Hospital is lucky to get two million viewers. A few Daytime Emmy wins last week won't stop what many consider to be inevitable - the cancellation of the show within the year.
All of which leaves the family drama The Young and the Restless (38 years old) and its sister soap set in a fashion house The Bold and The Beautiful (24 years old) flying the flag for daytime drama in America. In between them is Days of Our Lives, which has been telling the stories of the Horton and the Brady families (yet more doctors) since 1965. Although not in a traditional way - to combat falling interest in the 1990s the producers tried some supernatural and science fiction storylines, and, astonishingly, found that people liked them. Oddly, it's actually bucked the trend for falling viewing figures and has been renewed up to 2013.
Does the success of Days of Our Lives give daytime soap hope? Sadly, all the evidence says no. The wide availability of digital recorders means the likes of Grey's Anatomy (essentially General Hospital with more edgy themes) can now be easily recorded and watched during the daytime. Reality television has also given us real-life soap opera (and is, happily for the television networks, much easier and cheaper to produce). More and more, we're moving towards season-based storytelling which can be packaged up in box-sets and has a focus and conclusion: Mad Men, Desperate Housewives, even The Sopranos, are all soaps, really. It's just that their more compact storylines make them more satisfying.
But perhaps the biggest factor is the internet. Where, in times past, those stuck at home may have switched on to a soap, now they are reeled in by all manner of online distractions and social media. So pity the poor Daytime Emmys. At this rate, they won't have any awards to bestow.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
liverpool youngsters
Ki-Jana Hoever
The only one of this squad to have scored for Liverpool, the versatile Dutchman impressed on his debut at Wolves in January. He can play right-back, centre-back or in midfield.
Herbie Kane
Not the most prominent H Kane in English football but a 21-year-old Bristolian who had a fine season on loan at Doncaster last year. He is an all-action midfielder.
Luis Longstaff
Signed from Newcastle but no relation to United’s brothers Sean and Matty, Luis is a winger. An England Under-16 international, he helped Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup last season.
Yasser Larouci
An 18-year-old Algerian-born winger who can also play as a left-back, Larouci did well on Liverpool’s pre-season tour until an awful tackle by a Sevilla player injured him.
Adam Lewis
Steven Gerrard is a fan of his fellow Scouser, who has been on Liverpool’s books since he was in the Under-6s, Lewis was a midfielder, but has been converted into a left-back.
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
BRAZIL SQUAD
Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
FIGHT CARD
Fights start from 6pm Friday, January 31
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) v Ahmed Saeb (IRQ)
Women’s bantamweight
Cornelia Holm (SWE) v Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (JOR) v Vitalii Stoian (UKR)
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) v Ali Dyusenov (UZB)
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) v Delfin Nawen (PHI)
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) v Mohamed El Mokadem (EGY)
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Ramadan Noaman (EGY)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Reydon Romero (PHI)
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Juho Valamaa (FIN)
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) v Austin Arnett (USA)
Super heavyweight
Roman Wehbe (LEB) v Maciej Sosnowski (POL)
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
Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.
"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0