Thousands of fans will flock to the Dubai World Cup on Saturday. EPA  
Thousands of fans will flock to the Dubai World Cup on Saturday. EPA  

Will Sisi fulfil the aspirations of all Egyptian people?



I write in reference to your article Sisi re-elected Egyptian president with overwhelming majority (March 30): in the recent Egyptian election, voters bestowed a second term upon upon Abdul Fateh El Sisi.

In my view, this is a good development for Egyptian politics. Mr El Sisi is a reformer, capable of overhauling the economy, bringing jobs to regular people and dealing with terrorism and communal violence. This is likely to have a positive impact on Egypt’s global popularity. Tourism and international visitors will return. But we will have to wait and see if the president’s re-election fulfills the aspirations of all Egyptian people.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

There is no excuse for the slaughter of innocents

I refer to your story Two British ISIL members say hostage beheadings were a "mistake" (March 31): it is indeed very sad that there have been so many beheadings and murders, including the mass killing of 39 Indian workers, whose remains were discovered recently in Badush near the former ISIL stronghold of Mosul.

I cannot understand how the slaughter of innocents and fellow human beings, who are not engaged in any ideological battle, can serve the purpose of the militants in Syria.

Every human life is precious and leaves a vacuum that can never be filled.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

I’m scratching my head trying to figure this one out

I was fascinated by the double page spread on the US trade balance in yesterday’s The National (US trade war threat turns heat up on top importer China, April 1).

However, I would like to encourage and challenge you to come up with a similar up-to-date chart just like it, only for the UAE as this might be far more relevant for this region.  The icing on the cake for me would be to visualise this by each emirate.

Mohamed Kanoo, Abu Dhabi

The Dubai World Cup is the year’s glamorous highlight

I refer to your story Hats and outfits steal the show at Dubai World Cup (April 1): I am so glad that the elegance, taste and opulent fashion at this auspicious event are forever raising the standard as an inspiration to those who have not had the pure joy and wonder of experiencing the seven or eight hours of luxury showcasing the Middle East's love for horses.

Philip Wright, UK

Postponing good conduct certificates was right thing

In reference to your story UAE suspends good conduct certificates (April 1), the intention behind the rule was good but it could have been open to abuse. It is better it has been stopped.

Name withheld by request

I just lost weeks trying to get this document, spent money and now I find out it is not needed. Will they return the payment?

Armen Kostanyan, Dubai

The specs

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

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press

Trolls World Tour

Directed by: Walt Dohrn, David Smith

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake

Rating: 4 stars

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Team Angel Wolf Beach Blast takes place every Wednesday between 4:30pm and 5:30pm

Coal Black Mornings

Brett Anderson

Little Brown Book Group 

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Essentials

The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.