Less than a generation ago, few parents anywhere in the world would have thought twice about taking their children to the big top when the circus came to town. Families once thrilled at the sight of lions, tigers and elephants performing extraordinary feats and bending to the will of a human tamer. Today, however, the thought of wild animals being exploited for our entertainment is, for many people, abhorrent. In an era in which human beings are increasingly conscious of their individual impact upon, and responsibilities towards, the planet and their fellow creatures, the outpouring of disquiet over the use of lions in a circus performing in Dubai is both welcome and inevitable.
The circus has vigorously defended its use of lions, suggesting that protesters should "mind their own business". At best, this is a naive response from an organisation on the wrong side of history, defending an increasingly indefensible position. In the modern world, animal welfare is very much everyone's business. Empty seats and people voting with their feet by staying away will make their own incontestable case. In the US last year, falling ticket sales and protests from animal rights groups forced Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus out of business after 146 years.
Although the use of animals in circuses is still legally permitted in the majority of countries around the world, the determination of the UAE government to crack down on the illegal ownership of exotic pets shows that animal welfare is very much on the radar in the UAE. But with or without legislation, there is now widespread recognition globally that wild animals belong in only one place – the wild. One of the UAE's largest ticket-selling platforms is to be lauded for taking a moral stance in the debate over the Latino Circus's use of white African lions in its show. It has condemned the use of animals as unethical and is considering cutting ties with the circus.
Circuses have shown they can thrive without animals, relying instead on astonishing displays of skill by human dancers, acrobats and jugglers. Cirque du Soleil is today the largest theatrical company in the world but does not feature animals. Times and attitudes change. The objections in the UAE acknowledge that forcing wild animals to perform for our amusement is a cruel anachronism that demeans them and diminishes our humanity.
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2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Sub Regional Qualifier
Event info: The tournament in Kuwait is the first phase of the qualifying process for sides from Asia for the 2020 World T20 in Australia. The UAE must finish within the top three teams out of the six at the competition to advance to the Asia regional finals. Success at regional finals would mean progression to the World T20 Qualifier.
Teams: UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Maldives, Qatar
Friday fixtures: 9.30am (UAE time) - Kuwait v Maldives, Qatar v UAE; 3pm - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
SPECS
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
Honeymoonish
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
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List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party