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SAINT MALO, FRANCE - JUNE 12: English Author Alexander McCall Smith poses during "Etonnants Voyageurs" book festival on June 12, 2011 in Saint Malo, France. (Photo by Raphael GAILLARDE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Alexander McCall Smith's mysterious case of books
Previous Episodes
In this picture taken on November 8, 2018, Scottish novelist Irvine Welsh poses during an interview with AFP in Hong Kong. - Twenty-five years ago Irvine Welsh's debut novel "Trainspotting" burst out of the housing schemes and back alleys of post-industrial Scotland in a whirlwind of drugs, sex and violence that horrified and delighted critics alike. Scotland's most famous ex-heroin addict is still delivering the goods, and is as far as ever from settling for "carpet slippers and a cottage on the coast." (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

Irvine Welsh's literary highs

Books of my life
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Thomas/Shutterstock (10011336q) Opera Singer, Sir Bryn Terfel, arrives to perform on 'The Andrew Marr Show' at the BBC Studios. The Andrew Marr Television Show, London, UK - 02 Dec 2018

The story of Bryn Terfel

Books of my life
Mandatory Credit: Photo by DAVID HARTLEY/Shutterstock (10437477ad) Professor Mary Beard at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Cheltenham Literature Festival, UK - 06 Oct 2019

Mary Beard, the books that left her spellbound

Books of my life
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - [DATE]: Ian Rankin at Charlotte Square Gardens on August 16, 2016 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Robbie Jack - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Ian Rankin, the evil that inspired him

Books of my life
Author and entrepreneurArianna Huffington, who is a guest on the 'Books of My Life' podcast

Podcast: Arianna Huffington, the books that inspired the media powerhouse

Books of my life
From left: Mary Beard, Ian Rankin, Arianna Huffington and Alexander McCall Smith are among the guests who appear on The National's the 'Books of My Life' podcast series. 

Why I wanted to interview people about their favourite books

Books
EDITOR'S PICKS
Dubai is geared up to be a major winter attraction despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP    

Why Dubai is primed to be the safe choice for tourists during the pandemic

UAE
Members of Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades) carry their flag during the funeral of their leader, who was killed in a drone attack a day earlier near the Iraqi western border with Syria, 26 August 2019. EPA

US seizes website domains used by Iran-backed Iraqi militia

The Americas
PayPal has obtained a conditional cryptocurrency licence from the New York State Department of Financial Services and partnered with New York-based FinTech start-up Paxos to deliver cryptocurrencies to its users. AP

PayPal to offer cryptocurrency buying and selling

Technology
Although polls put Joe Biden comfortably in the lead of Donald Trump, the outcome of the election remains uncertain. AFP

Biden has key advantages in final stretch but don’t count Trump out

The Americas

What the battle for the US Supreme Court is really about

Rashmee Roshan Lall
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Rain clouds form over Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

New Dubai residency rules, 1,431 UAE cases, gold smuggler arrested — Daily Update

Podcasts
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. 11 DECEMBER 2019. SALT Abu Dhabi in partnership with Mubadala at the Emirates Palace. Incubating Innovation: How to Accelerate Technological Progress. Ibrahim Ajami, Mubadala Investment Company, Head of Venture Capital and Moderated by Rachel Pether, Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI), Senior Advisor.. (Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National) Journalist: Dan Anderson. Section: National.

Mubadala’s Ibrahim Ajami on a long-term approach to tech investments: Business Extra

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. 13 SEPTEMBER 2020. Sanitizing station at Mall of the Emirates. (Photo: Reem Mohammed/The National) Reporter: Section:

Covid-19 tests in malls, UAE Russian-vaccine trial — Daily Update

Podcasts
epa08741307 Handout framegrab released by Apple showing Apple’s vice president of iPhone Product Marketing Kaiann Drance unveiling the all-new iPhone 12 during a special event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, USA, 13 October 2020. Apple is expected to introduce several new products including a new iPhone. EPA/APPLE INC. / HO EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO SALES

iPhone 12 unveiled, UAE signs Nasa space treaty - Daily Update

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