I hope Rob Crilly managed to stay safe during his reporting on the recent US natural disasters (Hurricane Irma spins off tornadoes as it starts to pummel south Florida, September 10). Keep up the good work.
Danny Taylor, Dubai
How do we know which products are toxic?
In reference to your article, Government issues health warning over 'toxic' online bodybuilding drugs (September 11), it would be great if The National could share links to those pages to show where these products are being sold and what exactly we should avoid buying.
Gaz Watson, Dubai
A nice gesture from the Dubai police
It was so nice of the Dubai police to allow a little boy to mimic what they do for a living (Boy, 7, stops traffic in rush-hour role as police officer, September 10).
Abdulsalam Khan, Pakistan
Thank you for shedding light on the overspending plague
I refer to your article, Lessons learnt from 'keeping up with the Joneses' in the UAE (September 6). A substantially well-written article. A lot of my fellow comrades live this way, spending more than what they earn.
Liz Dungog Aliganga, Abu Dhabi
This issue is not limited to this country, but a well-written article nonetheless.
Name withheld by request
Preserving heritage is key to national identity
I refer to your article, Oman's Bedouin heritage under threat from modernisation (September 9). Tradition and heritage are very important pillars among nations. In fact, I believe that the preservation of history, culture and tradition is tantamount to national duty. Countries must learn to reconcile between modernisation and their history and heritage.
Asyah Elisabeth Meel, Dubai
As far as I know, Omanis are descendants of one of the oldest Arab clans, the people of Aad and Thamud. They come from Yemen. These clans are spread all over the Arabian Peninsula. They have at least 5,000 years worth of history to their name.
Real Saif Saed, Dubai
Those who will teach moral education need to be trained
In reference to your article, Moral education taught in UAE schools for the first time (September 10), it was about time such a subject was introduced. Question is: who will be training the teachers before they begin teaching this subject?
Tanya Milbourne, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is filled with greenery and would be ideal for many
I refer to your article, UAE remains most favoured real estate investment destination (September 9). Abu Dhabi certainly has many green spaces, making it one of the more attractive areas to live for a lot of people, in my opinion.
Patricia Estep, Abu Dhabi
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Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
