I write to you in reference to Gillian Duncan and Shireena Al Nowais's story Coronavirus: How does Abu Dhabi's new border system work? (June 30): the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border temporary shutdown was a necessary measure undertaken by the UAE government to help contain the spread of Covid-19. It was also a significant act, unseen in the last 50 years of Emirati history. Not since December 2, 1971 has the border between the two emirates been restricted in such a manner.
There was a time, in the pre-union days, when one had to present a passport to enter Dubai from Abu Dhabi and vice versa. Modern day citizens and residents can still get a sense of this the next time they drive up or down the E11 motorway. A remnant of the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border still exists. It is a small green building on the coastal side of the motorway that today serves as the Saih Sheib Police Station.
The successful demarcation of Abu Dhabi and Dubai territory was one of the leading achievements led by Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, and Sheikh Rashid.
Sheikh Zayed Road for example, Dubai’s most famous road, was named in honour of the then ruler of Abu Dhabi. This road actually begins at Abu Dhabi’s Corniche as Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (known more casually in Abu Dhabi as Airport Road).
The name changes from Sheikh Rashid Road to Sheikh Zayed Road the moment you cross the border from Abu Dhabi into Dubai. In naming their grandest streets after one another, the founders of the UAE enacted a symbolic gesture with a view to strengthen the union during its nascent days.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s current rulers have built on the foundations set by the UAE's Founding Fathers. The recently inaugurated E311 or Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed road now links the newer outer suburbs of Abu Dhabi with the new outer suburbs of Dubai and is a testament to the continued relevance and the enduring vision of the union. We will overcome the coronavirus crisis. But as we enter the 50th anniversary of the UAE, we need to maintain a historical perspective.
Ahmed Shubbar, Abu Dhabi
Plenty of trusted studies validated by doctors
With regard to the report WHO stops trials for drug Donald Trump promoted as a coronavirus remedy (July 4): the Lancet study was a scandal; even the journal admitted later that the study was based on fake data. However, there are a lot of trusted studies proving the efficacy of certain medicines when prescribed in the early stages – by doctors.
Lana L, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Percentage of coronavirus cases hasn't changed
With reference to Coronavirus: UAE records 716 new cases and three deaths as daily tests pass 70,000 (July 4): Look at the test numbers. Saturday's are based on 71,000 tests. The actual percentage of positive cases hasn't changed but the fact they are catching more at once now is a good thing. The more you catch those currently infected the faster we will get past this.
Suzanne Arruda, Dubai
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
ENGLAND TEAM
Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (captain), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
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
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
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
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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.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Williams at Wimbledon
Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)
Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)
