The damage done to Beirut port's grain silos and the area around it, after a mega-blast tore through the harbour in the heart of the Lebanese capital, killing more than 100 people and injuring over 4,000, August 5. AFP
The damage done to Beirut port's grain silos and the area around it, after a mega-blast tore through the harbour in the heart of the Lebanese capital, killing more than 100 people and injuring over 4,Show more

The world stands in solidarity with Beirut



With reference to Beirut live: At least 100 dead and 4,000 injured in Lebanon blast (August 4): that explosion was massive. It almost looked like a nuke. Peace to you all in Lebanon. We send prayers from Canada.

Pete Leclair, Toronto, Canada

I feel sorry for this country and its people that have gone through so much suffering.

Ali Kaaliie, Cape Town, South Africa

This is my beloved city.

Chantal Chaftary Abi Assal, Abu Dhabi 

Pray for us and please look to help our devastated country and people.

Nada Awad Rizkallah, Beirut, Lebanon

The videos of that mushroom cloud are horrific. Lebanon and the people of Lebanon desperately need a break from this agony.

Grace Boutros Janho, Dubai

Sending prayers and good wishes from Pakistan. We stand in solidarity with the people of Lebanon.
Hafiz Muhammad Ali, Islamabad, Pakistan

The whole world is fighting to contain the spread of coronavirus and this explosion has added to the sufferings of the country.

Ramachandran Nair, Muscat, Oman

I have never seen anything like that explosion in my life and I hope never to see it again. My heart breaks for Lebanon.

Trina Mole, Florida, US

Schools are right to give parents the option 

With reference to Gillian Duncan's report Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi to keep distance learning as an option after calls from parents (August 4): this option is a good thing. If parents would like to go for blended learning, they have that option too. I am happy to have the choice because my daughter has a weak immune system and I don't like the idea of having the children wear masks for too long.

Nisha Subramanian, Abu Dhabi

Have parents who want to continue to teach their children from home had them out of class since March? And will they keep them at home until all restrictions are lifted?

I agree those with medical conditions should continue with distance learning and teach from home, but others should go back. 

Fatma Shabanova, Abu Dhabi

The new Barakah power plant is a milestone

I write to you in reference to Barakah signals a new era of nuclear power in the Middle East (August 3): The National editorial rightly pointed out that this project not only heralds a new era but will also provide employment across sectors. The UAE has created a revolution over the decades and this project is one more milestone in its journey.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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
The specs: 2018 Peugeot 5008

Price, base / as tested: Dh99,900 / Dh134,900

Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 165hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km

The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
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

The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT

Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km

What it means to be a conservationist

Who is Enric Sala?

Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.

What is biodiversity?

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.

Match info:

Leicester City 1
Ghezzal (63')

Liverpool 2
Mane (10'), Firmino (45')

The biog

Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Favourite holiday destination: Spain

Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody

Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa

Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19

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.
How to register as a donor

1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention

2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants

3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register. 

4) The campaign uses the hashtag  #donate_hope

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5