A reader says he enjoyed a glimpse of Gulf Arab culture at Abu Dhabi's International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, but another complains that guns got too much attention there. Ravindranath K / The National
A reader says he enjoyed a glimpse of Gulf Arab culture at Abu Dhabi's International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, but another complains that guns got too much attention there. Ravindranath K / TShow more

Hunting for culture



Adihex a glimpse into local culture

Thank you for the series of stories about exhibitors and events at the Adihex show, including Gun sales soar at exhibit (September 10).

My wife and I went to the show twice, and found it to be an informative glimpse into several aspects of Gulf Arab culture.

Many of the products and services being offered - falconry supplies, for example - were new to us and so quite interesting.

Wilmot P Rovis, Abu Dhabi

Gun crime seems to be rare in this country, but I still found it a little disquieting that so many guns were sold at the Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition.

I was glad to read in the report that there are strict licensing and relicensing laws for firearms.

GL Gharbi, Abu Dhabi

Personal honesty or dishonesty can be hard to detect

Your editorial about the big real estate fraud (Discouraging the confidence men, September 9) is quite right: without the will to be honest on both sides, no contract can really be airtight.

And yet we have to deal on the basis of trust every day, with different institutions and people.

I suppose that Haitham Al Kouatly - probably not his real name - had the same air of trustworthiness as the big US pyramid-scheme scammer Bernie Madoff, and many others through history.

Just because people seem honest doesn't mean they really are. And even the most honest people can be tempted by circumstances.

Bobbie Friedrichs, Dubai

The situation is very sad for the people who were conned by Haitham Al Kouatly (Fugitive Dubai property con man rented same home to 11 people, September 10, and other stories).

One may conclude that official safeguards should be tightened, that the criminal should be caught and punished without leniency, and that there should be strict bonding and licensing requirements for property agents.

Mohamed Kanoo, Abu Dhabi

I feel terribly sorry for the victims of the Al Kouatly scam, and there can be no justification for such a crime.

But I still cannot suppress a slight … not admiration, but respect for the patience and foresight this villain put into his scam.

He invested a year, and a lot of money, in building up trust.

Eduardo Santos, Abu Dhabi

Refugees face a horrifying choice

The facts outlined in the Comment-page piece Online trafficking of Syrian women shames all involved (September 10) are horrifying. The news of women being sent away from refugee camps by their families has not been reported anywhere else, and it is so horribly sad that anyone must make such a choice.

It is good that in modern times the plight of women in wartime is being recognised more than before. But it would be even better if everyone - women, children, men - could be spared this nightmare.

Mary Montgomery, Dubai

Male students need role models

I was interested in the article Rush of emotions for new male Emirati teacher in Abu Dhabi school (September 10).

Teaching well is one of the most valuable contributions an individual can make to society. A teacher can become a role model and a guide, and have a big effect on his or her students for decades.

Young boys desperately need teachers to whom they can relate. Emirati male teachers have the potential to be a tremendous asset to the UAE education system and to their country.

Congratulations to the education authorities for encouraging men to enter the educational field.

Rachel Lange, Abu Dhabi

Unmarked police cars would help

The fastest way to die (September 10) leads me to suggest that there should be unmarked police cars on the roads of all countries.

Tailgating in particular should be policed more. It is simply not acceptable to have people following you so closely that you cannot even make out their number plates.

Also it is not acceptable to see cars, lorries and even buses reversing on large highways just because they missed their exits.

I have a 2-year-old daughter. Authorities, please, protect your residents.

Stephane Niemczyk, Dubai

It's hard to make new connections

The Comment article 'Wish you were here' ... but what would we talk about? (September 9) encapsulates the challenge I have encountered since moving here.

I spent my first six months here struggling to connect with people - every relationship felt superficial and fake. I yearned for my friends and colleagues back in the UK.

Hibo Osman, Abu Dhabi

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The Sky Is Pink

Director: Shonali Bose

Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf

Three stars

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

You may remember …

Robbie Keane (Atletico de Kolkata) The Irish striker is, along with his former Spurs teammate Dimitar Berbatov, the headline figure in this season’s ISL, having joined defending champions ATK. His grand entrance after arrival from Major League Soccer in the US will be delayed by three games, though, due to a knee injury.

Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.

Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters) Revived his playing career last season to help out at Blackburn Rovers, where he was also a coach. Since then, the 23-cap England centre back, who is now 38, has been reunited with the former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen, after signing for Kerala.

Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.

Emiliano Alfaro (Pune City) The Uruguayan striker has played for Liverpool – the Montevideo one, rather than the better-known side in England – and Lazio in Italy. He was prolific for a season at Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League in 2012/13. He returned for one season with Fujairah, whom he left to join Pune.

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The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

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THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

Results

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m, Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m, Winner: Secret Protector, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Business Insights
  • As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses. 
  • SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income. 
  • Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
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From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

The story of Edge

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.

It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.

Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.

Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab

 

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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

Business Insights
  • Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
  • The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
  • US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs