People light candles at the site of Monday's twin suicide bombings in Baghdad, Iraq. Karim Kadim / AP
People light candles at the site of Monday's twin suicide bombings in Baghdad, Iraq. Karim Kadim / AP

After twin bombings in Baghdad, when will Iraq's tragedy end?



I refer to your article Thirty-eight killed and more than 100 wounded in twin Baghdad bombings (January 15). It was a sad story to read. There had been a drop in suicide attacks in recent months in Baghdad. This attack, killing dozens of innocent people, is heinous. Ever since the US-led coalition's invasion in 2003, Iraq has been mired in conflict and Iraqis have still not recovered from fear and shock. Every day it is a nightmare for them. When will this end? Sadly, no one can tell.

K Ragavan, India 

Standing up for Dubai and the UAE

With reference to your article, A diplomatic solution for selling Dubai to the world (January 14), many people's perceptions of a country are formed on the basis of news channels all over the world. It is up to the people who live in this country to let other people see Dubai from our eyes. It is a safe and beautiful place. The biggest names in the world perform in Dubai. And the best thing about this place is its people.

Melanie Rose, Dubai

There will always be negative views from other countries, but the UAE is far more open and advanced than any other Arab country.

Name withheld by request

Qatar has gone too far this time

I was flabbergasted to read your report, Qatar fighter jets intercept two UAE passenger jets (January 16). The UAE is a peace-loving nation, devoted to trade, commerce and the progress of its people. Qatar's disagreement with the quartet of nations has to be resolved through discussion, not via the intimidation of civilians. It should refrain from putting pressure on civilian aircraft and innocent passengers.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

We need to conjure up more future energy solutions

In reference to your report Schools could win Dh1m worth of solar panels (January 16). This competition is a great example of what we need more of: highlighting the importance of sustainable energy and developing energy solutions for the future.

DT Debye, Dubai

Seasonal fog shouldn’t be something to stress us out

Fog comes and goes. It should be nothing to get emotional about (Fog causing travel and flight delays, January 16). It's an individual's choice whether they want to leave early or arrive late. As for me, I will rely on the metro.

Matthew Litty, Dubai

Afghanistan fixtures
  • v Australia, today
  • v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
  • v New Zealand, Saturday,
  • v South Africa, June 15
  • v England, June 18
  • v India, June 22
  • v Bangladesh, June 24
  • v Pakistan, June 29
  • v West Indies, July 4
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cary%20Joji%20Fukunaga%2C%20Dee%20Rees%2C%20Anna%20Boden%2C%20Ryan%20Fleck%2C%20Tim%20Van%20Patten%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Austin%20Butler%2C%20Callum%20Turner%2C%20Anthony%20Boyle%2C%20Barry%20Keoghan%2C%20Sawyer%20Spielberg%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
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if you go

The flights 

Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning. 

The trains

Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.

The hotels

Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.

Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Rating: 2/5