A reader says that many pavements are too difficult to negotiate. Jaime Puebla / The National
A reader says that many pavements are too difficult to negotiate. Jaime Puebla / The National
A reader says that many pavements are too difficult to negotiate. Jaime Puebla / The National
A reader says that many pavements are too difficult to negotiate. Jaime Puebla / The National

Pavements often not suitable for disabled people


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I was pleased to read about efforts being made to cater for people with disabilities (Dubai aiming to be one of world's most disabled-friendly cities by 2020, April 14).

That would be a fantastic achievement, but there would be less to do to reach this goal if the pavements around new towers were built properly.

Many of them are at ridiculous angles and have slopes that are unwalkable even for some able-bodied people.

Fiona Cooke, Dubai

Given the high rents that many people pay here, all buildings should be disabled friendly. Name withheld by request

Doctor hinted at a C-section

I was not surprised to read about the high rate of Caesarean births (UAE doctors and health insurers clash over necessity of costly C-sections, April 14).

My doctor told me she had to go on holiday and she indirectly suggested that I go for a Caesarean or birth induction.

I said no. I prefer my child to come naturally and I can choose another doctor if mine has other plans.

M Fatimah, Al Ain

This is shocking, but apparently it is quite common.

Wiltrud Matthes, Germany

Store closure not a surprise

I refer to House of Fraser closes Abu Dhabi outlet (April 14).

The World Trade Centre store had hardly anything in it and the prices were so inflated that I never bought anything there.

Also, the choice of brands was nowhere near the same as at a UK House of Fraser outlet. In fact, I barely recognised anything on offer.

Emma Boyle, Abu Dhabi

The clothes were almost double the price they are in the UK. Why would any British expat buy in Abu Dhabi when they could buy for less at home?

Leanne Collins, Abu Dhabi

I think there are too many malls as it is. The overheads must be astronomical for all these stores.

Nicole Reischl Hugher, Abu Dhabi

Young people are inspired

Your story, UAE space programme 'linked to happiness' (April 13), caught my attention.

We haven’t yet seen any would-be UAE astronauts undergo space training. However, we’ve seen a lot of visiting experts come to the UAE to inspire the young generation.

The UAE’s young people are already inspired, instinctively. All they need is the opportunity to fly to outer space.

Name withheld by request

Audiences must learn to behave

I share the concerns of your letter writer about possible audience conduct at Dubai's new opera house (Awful conduct of the audience, April14).

Let’s hope they will have a definite start time and no admission until after interval for people who arrive at the theatre too late.

Sylvia Moore, Dubai

I hope there are no loud telephone conversations during performances.

Deidre McCarthy, Dubai

Fees are starting to hurt expats

Regarding Abu Dhabi introduces 3% municipal fee on expat home rentals (April 13), rents are already growing at a minimum of 5 per cent every year.

Now it will be a minimum of 8 per cent. That’s kind of painful.

K Mikhaylova, Abu Dhabi

If they keep introducing fees and cutting down job allowances, it’s not going to work.

Emma Ewing, Abu Dhabi

Holiday should not be changed

As a Muslim, it greatly upsets me to see holidays for important Islamic occasions being shifted in order to provide people an extended break (Long weekend for UAE public sector for Al Israa wal Miraj holiday).

While the idea behind long weekends isn’t wrong in itself, to move the holiday invalidates the entire purpose of a religious holiday.

Muslims should pray on this occasion instead of being concerned about having three consecutive days off. Fatima Suhail, Sarjah

APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)

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Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Storage: 128/256/512GB

Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4

Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps

Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID

Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight

In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

Price: From Dh2,099

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Federer's 11 Wimbledon finals

2003 Beat Mark Philippoussis

2004 Beat Andy Roddick

2005 Beat Andy Roddick

2006 Beat Rafael Nadal

2007 Beat Rafael Nadal

2008 Lost to Rafael Nadal

2009 Beat Andy Roddick

2012 Beat Andy Murray

2014 Lost to Novak Djokovic

2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic

2017 Beat Marin Cilic

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Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.6-litre turbo

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Power: 165hp

Torque: 240Nm

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The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

On sale: Now

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Company%20profile
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi

Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi

Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain

Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni

Rating: 2.5/5

Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.

Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.

The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.

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Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Primera Liga fixtures (all times UAE: 4 GMT)

Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Barcelona (8.15pm)
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid (12.15am)
Sunday
Espanyol v Leganes (8.15pm)
Eibar v Athletic Bilbao (8.15pm)
Getafe v Sevilla (10.15pm)
Real Madrid v Valencia (10.15pm)

Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

The%20specs
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BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases

A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.

One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait,  Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.

In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.

The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.

And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.

 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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360Vuz PROFILE

Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah 
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology 
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million 
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin

65
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