Mass protests over social security reforms have left Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega weakened, with accusations he has become the sort of dictator he overthrew decades ago. Alfredo Zuniga / AP
Mass protests over social security reforms have left Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega weakened, with accusations he has become the sort of dictator he overthrew decades ago. Alfredo Zuniga / AP
Mass protests over social security reforms have left Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega weakened, with accusations he has become the sort of dictator he overthrew decades ago. Alfredo Zuniga / AP
Mass protests over social security reforms have left Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega weakened, with accusations he has become the sort of dictator he overthrew decades ago. Alfredo Zuniga / AP

Absolute power corrupts, as history has shown


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In reference to your op-ed The dark side of long rule is starkly demonstrated by one-time revolutionary Ortega (May 1), Sholto Byrnes is absolutely right. The lust for power is often too intoxicating for novice politicians, who manage to climb the political ladder. They carry out dictatorial manoeuvres in an attempt to retain power, trampling over important democratic norms without realising, until they are inevitably, like Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, booted out of power.

Name withheld by request

Tyrants beware: the truth is out there

I refer to your excellent editorial Journalists' protection is vital in getting to the truth (May 2): it is indeed true that writers and journalists are being victimised in various countries led by intolerant leaders. Writers and journalists have always been hounded by the powers that be, who fear being exposed. However, in the ultimate analysis, their words will prevail over brute force. As long as there is ink in the pen of a writer, he or she cannot be silenced. As Mahatma Gandhi once said: "Remember that all through history, there have been tyrants and murderers and for a time, they seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall. Always."

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Some pay packets are more equal than others

In reference to your article UAE's 'good old expat packages' fade away as companies target younger professionals (May 4), these things are somewhat biased. Some companies will still pay certain employees all the perks and more salary.

Fatima Atta, Dubai

Abu Dhabi hospital has us in safe hands

I refer to your article Abu Dhabi's Corniche Hospital opens to expats four years after running out of room (May 4): I had an excellent experience there as the Corniche Hospital is the best place for complicated and high-risk pregnancies. My usual hospital could not treat me. This is very good news.

Gill Dow, Abu Dhabi

Our daughter was born there in 1983. We received excellent care.

Josie Gonzalez Nabti, Florida, US

Palestinian flag will rightly be flying high at Cannes

I write in reference to your article Cannes Film Festival: Palestinians get first pavilion in boost to film industry (May 5): this was a very interesting read. The fact that Palestine will be represented in the international village in Cannes is an extremely positive development for the Palestinian people. Surrounded by representatives from 70 other countries, the Palestinian pavilion will be a source of great pride. I personally am looking forward to seeing their flag flying high at this prestigious event. After decades of struggling against occupation, this provides some sign of hope. It could also awaken the Palestinian film industry. I hope the festival runs smoothly.

K Ragavan, Denver

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe


Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
About Takalam

Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

Most wanted allegations
  • Benjamin Macann, 32: involvement in cocaine smuggling gang.
  • Jack Mayle, 30: sold drugs from a phone line called the Flavour Quest.
  • Callum Halpin, 27: over the 2018 murder of a rival drug dealer. 
  • Asim Naveed, 29: accused of being the leader of a gang that imported cocaine.
  • Calvin Parris, 32: accused of buying cocaine from Naveed and selling it on.
  • John James Jones, 31: allegedly stabbed two people causing serious injuries.
  • Callum Michael Allan, 23: alleged drug dealing and assaulting an emergency worker.
  • Dean Garforth, 29: part of a crime gang that sold drugs and guns.
  • Joshua Dillon Hendry, 30: accused of trafficking heroin and crack cocain. 
  • Mark Francis Roberts, 28: grievous bodily harm after a bungled attempt to steal a £60,000 watch.
  • James ‘Jamie’ Stevenson, 56: for arson and over the seizure of a tonne of cocaine.
  • Nana Oppong, 41: shot a man eight times in a suspected gangland reprisal attack. 
Profile of Tarabut Gateway

Founder: Abdulla Almoayed

Based: UAE

Founded: 2017

Number of employees: 35

Sector: FinTech

Raised: $13 million

Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.

THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EBattery%3A%2060kW%20lithium-ion%20phosphate%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20Up%20to%20201bhp%3Cbr%3E0%20to%20100kph%3A%207.3%20seconds%3Cbr%3ERange%3A%20418km%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh149%2C900%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now