The reality of wedding expenditures
With reference to Shireena Al Nowais's opinion piece Why a lavish wedding ceremony does not guarantee a happy marriage (April 7): Yes, indeed, I agree with the thoughts expressed in this piece. For Emirati men, it takes at least 2-3 years of saving for marriage expenditures – right from the party, buying jewellery for the bride, paying the dowry, the garments, renting the party hall in big hotels, furnishing the house, etc. It costs a minimum of 200-300 thousands dirhams.
I think they should cut down all the major expenses and make it more simple and easier, in order to avoid delay in marriages and spend all the savings on a wedding ceremony instead of a couple saving for a life together.
Qassim Abdulla, Dubai
Condolences to the victims of the building fire
In reference to Ramola Talwar Badam's report Dubai fire: Indian couple called for help from balcony in fatal blaze (April 17): Terrible news, let's hope the building owner can provide some answers.
Anthony Edwards, Victoria, South Africa
Very tragic. May their souls rest in peace.
Elizabeth Mascarenhas, Dubai
Absolutely heartbreaking. So very sad for their family and friends.
Karen Breakspear, Dubai
Heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
Mohammed Maheen, Mumbai, India
May their souls rest in perfect peace, Amen.
Taiyegrace Adelowo, Edo, Nigeria
Heartbreaking news. Praying for the departed souls.
Natraj Srikanta Prasad, Dubai
Uphill task for a football team
With regards to the report Lampard insists Chelsea not 'broken' as Boehly addresses squad ahead of Real Madrid clash (April 17): Chelsea are already eliminated. They can't beat Real Madrid 3 goals to nil. They are not in such a form to execute such an uphill task.
Mark Maddison, Abu Dhabi
Political blame games must end
In reference to Taniya Dutta's article Rahul Gandhi accuses Modi of dividing India, in first rally since disqualification (April 11): Politicians exchanging accusations has been the norm, and not just in Indian politics. Whichever political party has been in power has historically been at loggerheads with the opposition, blaming others. But the truth of the matter is that the ultimate decision lies only with the voters. Will Rahul Gandhi, in time, be able to deliver? We will have to wait and see. Blame games should be stopped and the judicial system should be respected.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
The%20specs
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Tomb%20Raider%20I%E2%80%93III%20Remastered
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How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
A4 35 TFSI
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed S-tronic automatic
Power: 150bhp
Torque: 270Nm
Price: Dh150,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
A4 S4 TDI
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 350bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh165,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
