The inspirational moment I witnessed at the screening on Monday of Inside: Mission Kosovo will remain in my memory for a long time.
Although it was taken on video in the presence of several people, the hug received by Lt Col Dr Aysha Sultan Al Dhaheri from a 12-year-old girl whom she delivered in Kosovo while on the UAE’s historical White Hands humanitarian mission, drew a wave of emotions. Similarly, school masters were happy to receive Lt Col Sultan Mohamed Al Katebi and his team after 12 years.
Within these years, the little girl, Fatema, grew taller than the doctor who delivered her, and the makeshift schools in Kosovo had been transformed into full-fledged institutions with all facilities. Apart from that, the UAE also built hospitals and invested in infrastructure in that country.
The emotions projected in the documentary show a job well done. Any nation involved in such magnanimous missions can easily pledge monetary support. However, it is the unsung heroes like Lt Col Al Dhaheri and Lt Col Al Katebi that make it possible for those affected by conflict and turmoil to get their lives back.
The UAE indeed succeeded in giving a new lease of life to so many people in Kosovo by investing its time, money and effort to rebuild educational and health care infrastructure.
Congratulations to the heroes of the UAE Armed Forces who participated in this effort. I also congratulate The National for presenting a wonderful documentary.
I suggest a free copy of this documentary be distributed to all educational institutions and organisations, so as to create a larger awareness of the UAE’s silent efforts to alleviate human suffering.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
I was at the screening of Mission Kosovo on Monday – and read your report on it today.
It covered the event and perspectives well. Just want to tell you that I enjoyed reading your report.
Farrukh Naeem, Abu Dhabi
Peter O’Toole deserves praise
I read the article Actor Peter O'Toole dies (December 16), which included a reference to "his [Peter O'Toole's] headlong charges into debauchery", but I did not see any mention of his debauchery in it. I have seen Lawrence of Arabia, Goodbye Mr Chips, Beckett and Ratatouille and loved his performance in all.
I timidly also admit having seen Caligula and his debauchery; but that was a movie in which many great actors were exposed (Dame Helen Mirren and Sir John Gielgud come to mind), and accusations of “headlong charges into debauchery” are a trifle uncalled for. Let the man rest on his laurels and let’s just give him credit for giving a sense of respectability to a movie I would not admit seeing otherwise.
Laveena Gomes, Abu Dhabi
Indonesia needs ‘clean’ leaders
Party leaders detained (and respectively jailed) on bribery charges in Indonesia worries me a lot (Scandal hits Islamic parties in Indonesia, December 16).
When the chief of Indonesia’s Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Luthfi Ishaaq, resigned from his position in February after being named a suspect in a bribery case, I felt deeply sorry for such an Islamist party which espouses strong moral values and features an anti-corruption agenda.
Mr Ishaaq has obviously damaged the image of his party, has put his fellow teammates in the firing line and will pose an impediment for the PKS to get into the top three parties in the 2014 general elections.
His 16-year sentence for corruption and money laundering is not too harsh for sure and involvement of any party member has to be punished and this should serve as a lesson for other party members.
The consistency of the anti-corruption court’s judges is essential to ensure that the country gets new leaders that are not corrupt and are able to lead the country safely.
Politicians like Mr Ishaaq are a disgrace to all Indonesians and particularly for the PKS.
Ali Sedat Budak, Abu Dhabi
India needs to act to protect women
I refer to the article Old fears remain a year after Delhi rape (December 15).
This date is a reminder of a terrible event that is hard to forget. It’s also a grim reminder that despite massive nationwide protests to end similar incidents in the capital and elsewhere in the country, society has yet to embrace a change as expected.
Even after a year, it still sounds heavy to the ears for anyone who realises the pulse of mothers.
It’s a shame that despite India being a progressive society, the extent of cruelty towards women is growing. Even though the government has allocated a dedicated fund in the name of the victim, Nirbhaya, it is unfortunate that a decision is yet to be been taken on how the fund should be utilised.
Such a slow process in the implementation of policies and decisions points to the fact that effective follow-up actions are still missing in key social issues.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
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UAE squad v Australia
Rohan Mustafa (C), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Fahad Nawaz, Amjed Gul, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Muhammad Naveed, Amir Hayat, Ghulam Shabir (WK), Qadeer Ahmed, Tahir Latif, Zahoor Khan
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
Fourth-round clashes for British players
- Andy Murray (1) v Benoit Paire, Centre Court (not before 4pm)
- Johanna Konta (6) v Caroline Garcia (21), Court 1 (4pm)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Glossary of a stock market revolution
Reddit
A discussion website
Redditor
The users of Reddit
Robinhood
A smartphone app for buying and selling shares
Short seller
Selling a stock today in the belief its price will fall in the future
Short squeeze
Traders forced to buy a stock they are shorting
Naked short
An illegal practice
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Company%20profile
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Arrogate's winning run
1. Maiden Special Weight, Santa Anita Park, June 5, 2016
2. Allowance Optional Claiming, Santa Anita Park, June 24, 2016
3. Allowance Optional Claiming, Del Mar, August 4, 2016
4. Travers Stakes, Saratoga, August 27, 2016
5. Breeders' Cup Classic, Santa Anita Park, November 5, 2016
6. Pegasus World Cup, Gulfstream Park, January 28, 2017
7. Dubai World Cup, Meydan Racecourse, March 25, 2017
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Huddersfield Town permanent signings:
- Steve Mounie (striker): signed from Montpellier for £11 million
- Tom Ince (winger): signed from Derby County for £7.7m
- Aaron Mooy (midfielder): signed from Manchester City for £7.7m
- Laurent Depoitre (striker): signed from Porto for £3.4m
- Scott Malone (defender): signed from Fulham for £3.3m
- Zanka (defender): signed from Copenhagen for £2.3m
- Elias Kachunga (winger): signed for Ingolstadt for £1.1m
- Danny WIlliams (midfielder): signed from Reading on a free transfer