DUBAI // The stirring sight of a BMW Oracle Racing yacht ruling the waves off the shores of the UAE yesterday will pour more salt on the wounds of those who had planned to host the US-based team for the America's Cup in February.
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism officials are still smarting from the decision in a New York court to rule the emirate an invalid venue for the most prestigious competition in sailing, mainly on the grounds that the event cannot take place in the northern hemisphere in winter.
Holders Alinghi have appealed the court's decision and are waiting for that decision.
It was as near as we get to winter in Dubai yesterday as Oracle set off under cloudy skies to prove itself as the dominant boat on the last day of the Sea Dubai RC44 Gold Cup regatta.
Missing regular skipper Russell Coutts, the New Zealand master sailor who has three America's Cup wins to his credit, Oracle was steered by his fellow Kiwi Neville Crichton and guided by Noel Drennan to victory in the first two of yesterday's three concluding fleet races.
After leading home No Way Back and Sea Dubai in the opening race and then getting the better of Team Ceeref in the second, expectations were high of an Oracle clean sweep to end the five-day regatta.
However, hat-trick hopes were wrecked by a split-second timing error at the start of the last race which forced the crew to turn around and start again.
"That was a pity because we didn't think we had overshot the starting line," said Crichton. "But we didn't let it bother us. We have still had a splendid day."
Drennan, one of three potential America's Cup crew members in the team representing Oracle, admitted to feeling frustrated that the showdown with the holders Alinghi has been continually delayed.
"We are still preparing to race. There is nothing else we can do," he said.
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Normal People
Sally Rooney, Faber & Faber
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The Scale for Clinical Actionability of Molecular Targets
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
Biography
Favourite drink: Must have karak chai and Chinese tea every day
Favourite non-Chinese food: Arabic sweets and Indian puri, small round bread of wheat flour
Favourite Chinese dish: Spicy boiled fish or anything cooked by her mother because of its flavour
Best vacation: Returning home to China
Music interests: Enjoys playing the zheng, a string musical instrument
Enjoys reading: Chinese novels, romantic comedies, reading up on business trends, government policy changes
Favourite book: Chairman Mao Zedong’s poems
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
