US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 14. Reuters
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 14. Reuters
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 14. Reuters
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 14. Reuters


Is Blinken playing the guitar in Kyiv morally wrong?


The National
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May 17, 2024

With reference to the report Blinken's rock performance in Kyiv strikes sour note with some Ukrainians (May 15): Putting Gaza under the rug seems to be the new strategy for Democrats for this upcoming presidential election.

Maurizio Granados, Alberta, Canada

It's amazing in a sad way what the country is becoming. America worked so hard through the centuries to reach where it is and some of the politicians are a true insult for what this country has always stood for.

Susan Hayward, Texas, US

Because of the US's policies, thousands of young people are being killed, on both sides, in a completely meaningless war. Music has its place, even in tragedy. But to play a guitar in the midst of so much destruction when you represent a country that is not blameless in the war, is not easily unjustifiable.

Teresa Monica Calado, New York, US

Emiratis studying in the UK

With regard to Nicky Harley's report Dramatic surge in UAE student applications to study in UK (May 14): It's nice to see that young people from the UAE are shining bright and making the country proud.

Nasrine S Abushakra, Dubai

Trauma of a man found alive in cellar

With regard to Mina Aldroubi's article Omar bin Omran: Algerian man found alive in cellar after more than 25 years (May 16): Every day he used to see his family but couldn't call for help. It must have been very hard for him. I wish him well in recovering from the horror.

Shammu MK, Abu Dhabi

This story is deeply upsetting: being kidnapped by your neighbour and your parents thinking you're dead, for more than two decades, but you can see them from the cellar you're kidnapped in. It's shocking. I hope he gets counselling for the losses and deep trauma he has endured.

Janita P, Kuwait

Mumbai ad hoarding tragedy

With reference to Taniya Dutta's piece At least 14 killed and 74 injured when advertising hoarding collapses in Mumbai storm (May 14): Advertising hoardings should be designed to be sturdy and to withstand wind and heavy rains. The victims families will be compensated but they won't get their loved ones back. Municipalities should better cater to such eventualities, however improbable.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

A rival soft drink brand doing great business

With regard to Neil Halligan's report Coca-Cola and Pepsi rival Palestine Drinks hits multimillion sales ahead of global push (May 12): I don't drink soft drinks because of the high sugar content in all of them but I'm ready to buy these. Can't wait to have them in the UAE.

Natasha Reys, Sharjah

Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi

Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi

Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain

Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni

Rating: 2.5/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Things Heard & Seen

Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton

2/5

Match info

Premier League

Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)

The Year Earth Changed

Directed by:Tom Beard

Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough

Stars: 4

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Company profile

Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018

Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: Health-tech

Size: 22 employees

Funding: Seed funding 

Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors

The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK 

Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
  • George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
  • Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
  • Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
  • Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills. 
Hunting park to luxury living
  • Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
  • The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
  • Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

 

What is the definition of an SME?

SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.

A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors. 

Updated: May 17, 2024, 3:00 AM