I refer to your page-one story Mother's plea for son with cancer turns the spotlight on health care (September 16).
The dramatic story of misdiagnosis and a mother's frantic anxiety and a sheikh's intervention was stirring to read.
First we are shocked at the misfortune this young man suffered.
Then we are stirred by his mother's anxiety and determination to try anything.
Next we are relieved and impressed by the swift work of Sheikh Hamdan in acting personally to get the case the careful attention it deserves.
And finally we are left hoping that good medical care can help this young man suffering such a cruel disease.
The story also reminds us that we cannot expect the health system to be perfect.
Many people do expect that, it seems to me, while being more accepting of fallibility in other professions. In reality nothing human is perfect.
Another lesson, however, is that the people in charge of our medical system need to remember every day that ordinary people, with real feelings and real lives, depend on the system enormously.
Lilliane El-Gabri, Abu Dhabi
The story about the boy with cancer was an eye-opener. How in the world did the doctors misdiagnose this boy?
The action of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed gesture is commendable. He is always prompt with help.
But this case should also remind us that we need some reforms to the health care system.
Kanwar Hayat, Dubai
Despite the intervention of Sheikh Hamdan in this case, which is highly praiseworthy, we still have to note that the health services in the Northern Emirates leave a lot to be desired.
Name withheld by request
Congratulations to our leaders on yet another gesture that shows their generosity and concern.
In many other societies, this woman's woes and pleas would have fallen on deaf ears.
Now this young man gets the treatment he deserves and needs, and the medical system can be improved.
Ahmet Kianin, Dubai
Mao was no hero and killed millions
It was deeply dismaying to read the story Great leap forward for revival of Mao's image (September 16).
It's amazing how a man who killed so many people, and subjected his country to poverty and tyranny, can have the respect of anyone. Mao was a monster.
"Excesses" hardly begins to cover the damage this man did. Mao Zedong truly ranks right up with Hitler and Stalin as the worst mass murderers of the last century.
What are the modern rulers of China teaching their people, if the public is not aware of that?
Olivia Chong, Abu Dhabi
Do more for women's health
The UAE promotes women in the workforce, respects their input in all forms and encourages their participation and opinion.
But the healthcare sector leaves a lot to be desired in this regard.
Breast cancer awareness informs many of us that this form of illness is the number one killer of women, and cervical cancer is second.
And yet mammograms, pap smears, vitamin pills and even birth control pills are generally not covered by insurance companies.
National campaigns promote awareness in women's health issues, but we should also act to subsidise medical provision of preventive care.
Name withheld by request
No paradox, oil is just running out
I refer to Oil defies forecasts of declining demand (September 14).
There is no paradox in oil prices remaining high despite anticipated lower demand. The so-called paradox is really just the reality of oil depletion.
The problem is that oil supply is not keeping up with demand.
Chuck White, Dubai
Turkey ignores a problem at home
I refer to your report Turkey leads with investment in North Africa (September 16).
Turkey's growth in the past decade, all will agree, has indeed been remarkable and impressive.
This growth and stability, have also given Turkey the confidence to play a bigger diplomatic role. However Turkey's democracy and respect for human rights have lagged. Perhaps Turkey's leaders would heed a quotation from a great leader who said "the exertions which a nation is prepared to make to protect its citizens from outrage is one of the truest measures of its greatness as an organised state". That great leader was Winston Churchill. I am referring to the Kurds, who comprise a substantial portion of the population of Turkey.
Shamal Karim, Abu Dhabi
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20PRO%20(12.9%22%2C%202022)
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
Read more from Johann Chacko
The five pillars of Islam
The years Ramadan fell in May
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Squad
Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas)
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
