With reference to The National's live coverage of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago (August 22): These were a couple of great evenings and great speeches. Michelle Obama delivered a great one on family values, respect for all people, diversity, compassion, the admiration of children for the achievements of their parents and grandparents. It is all what America should be about and the direction it should go in. We used to have all this. Many of us grew up in wonderful families that prided honesty and integrity. Unfortunately, we seem to be losing much of it. November's election has to be about a return to those values. No more hate, no more racist mockery and nasty rhetoric that brings nothing but division and violence. This night felt like Democrats and even many Republicans were united about the worth of these values. So many voters want these values back in American life.
Aisha Jibreel Anderson, Chicago, US
Barack Obama's speech was hypocrisy at its finest. He's talking about movie sequels when his own second term was pretty bad. For all the enthusiasm around Kamala Harris, she might just bring America to a new low in regard the billions of dollars going to Israel. Sadly, so would Donald Trump.
Ammar M Abi, New Jersey, US
What the US does not need is four more years of Democratic chaos. The only solution is for people to turn out to vote in large numbers to help Trump to win November's election.
Roxanne Kosberg, Florida
Bill Clinton's speech at the Democratic National Convention was getting a lot of praise but he shouldn't have anything to say after all the things he's done. Being named on the Jeffrey Epstein files would be enough for some people to go into hiding.
Octavio Veliz, Mexico City
America can do without a lot of these morally bankrupt people in charge. The focus should be on ending the war in Gaza.
Paloma B, Kuwait City
What did Blinken achieve on this trip?
With regard to Amr Mostafa's report No breakthrough on Gaza ceasefire deal as Blinken wraps up Middle East tour (August 21) Blinken's trip was futile considering Palestinian civilians are still getting killed.
Paul Silveira, Melbourne, Australia
The US and Israel need to give up the pretence of caring for the hostages at this point.
Chloe Mac Oisdealbhaigh, Lisbon, Portugal
Palestinian children are dealing with trauma
With reference to the video Palestinian child loses hair due to fear of Israeli air strikes (Aug 22): I really hope little Sama feels better and her hair grows back before she returns to school. It's hardly surprising that Palestinian children are having to deal with these added problems due to all the trauma they've been living with for so many months.
Debbie Wood, Dubai
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
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City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
COMPANY PROFILE
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
While you're here
Cheryl Thompson: Stop the practice of blackface that's as Canadian as hockey
Kareem Shaheen:Â Alghabra outshines the racists who malign him
Kareem Shaheen:Â In Canada, I have finally found a home
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.Â
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.Â
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
If you go
What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
- Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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On Women's Day
Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action
Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?
Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality
Justin Thomas:Â Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name:Â Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position:Â legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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More from our Neighbourhood series:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial:Â Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi:Â Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore:Â Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt:Â Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: AÂ CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
While you're here
Gavin Esler:Â The Good Friday Agreement teaches us some important lessons
Damien McElroy:Â Boris must listen to Churchill's comments on Irish divisions
Janine di Giovanni:Â Track 2 diplomacy key to lasting peace in 21st century
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
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