I write in response to your article US war hero and former senator John McCain dies at 81 (August 26): The National's article on John McCain's death made for very sad reading. For three decades McCain was a devoted Arizona senator. But he was also a war hero who was liked and respected by people across the US political spectrum.
He had been suffering for a while with a brain tumour and a couple of days ago, he put a stop to his treatment.
His death is a great loss to American politics, which are now more combative than ever. May his soul rest in peace.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
John McCain certainly made some mistakes when it came to the dreadful decision to invade Iraq. But we must remember he was not the only one.
Name withheld by request
Honest insight into Hajj is much appreciated
I write in reference to Saeed Saeed's opinion piece What I learnt on Hajj: it's no picnic, but then it was never meant to be (August 24): this article was so honest and heartfelt. Thank you Mr Saeed for your insights.
Name withheld by request
Everything in life is brighter if accompanied by a smile
In reference to your article On the move: How to approach immigration officials (August 25), one should approach immigration officials the same way on approaches anybody – with a smile and a friendly greeting. A smile is free, goes a million miles and puts people at ease.
Everything in life is brighter when accompanied by a smile. It is very sad that this article has to be written but understandable after the manner in which Ellie Holman, the Swedish dentist, behaved.
Tanya Milbourne, Dubai
Pakistan suffers from the terrible disease of corruption
I write in reference to your editorial Corruption is the single biggest hindrance to progress (August 9), which highlighted the fallout of corruption in Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan.
Seventy years after independence, Pakistan is a victim of the same disease. The last elected leader Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law, are all in jail for unexplained wealth and fraud, his two sons have been declared absconders.
The convicted prime minister’s brother, a former chief minister of Punjab, is under investigation for corruption. The economy is almost in tatters and domestic and international debt defy imagination.
Clearly the nation has been held hostage to corrupt leadership. Corruption will remain an existential threat unless the nations afflicted with it ensure root and branch transformation is carried out.
Mohammad Hamza, Dubai
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
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The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Brave CF 27 fight card
Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)
Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)
Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)
Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)
Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
if you go
The flights
Emirates fly direct from Dubai to Houston, Texas, where United have direct flights to Managua. Alternatively, from October, Iberia will offer connections from Madrid, which can be reached by both Etihad from Abu Dhabi and Emirates from Dubai.
The trip
Geodyssey’s (Geodyssey.co.uk) 15-night Nicaragua Odyssey visits the colonial cities of Leon and Granada, lively country villages, the lake island of Ometepe and a stunning array of landscapes, with wildlife, history, creative crafts and more. From Dh18,500 per person, based on two sharing, including transfers and tours but excluding international flights. For more information, visit visitnicaragua.us.
The biog
Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha
Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Holiday destination: Sri Lanka
First car: VW Golf
Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters
Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
