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Topic: Reported essays

A conflict of visions: Contesting the legacy of old dreams of a modern Baghdad

Le Corbusier in his office in Paris, with his plan of Baghdad Town on the wall. Rene Burri / Magnum Photos

May 16, 2013

In the 1950s, Iraq's King Faisal II decided to remake Baghdad and brought in the cream of western architects to create a modern, progressive city. Some of the designs were even built. But Iraq's dark times were about to begin. Read Article A conflict of visions: Contesting the legacy of old dreams of a modern Baghdad

Charles Moore on Margaret Thatcher's 'loveable' side

US president Ronald Reagan and his pet dog Lucky, with British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in the White House Rose Garden in 1985. AP Photo / Barry Thumma

May 16, 2013

The Iron Lady's official biographer speaks exclusively to The National as his first volume of her life is published. Read Article Charles Moore on Margaret Thatcher's 'loveable' side

Together in electric dreams: competing visions of the robotic future

Patrick Stewart, left, and Brent Spiner as Captain Jean Luc-Picard and Data the android from Start Trek. Courtesy Paramount

May 16, 2013

Depending on your assumptions, the rise of the robots could be either liberating or unnerving. But how can we navigate our interactions with artificial helpers? Read Article Together in electric dreams: competing visions of the robotic future

George and his dragons: Galloway remains a thorn in the side of the Establishment

George Galloway announces his intention to stand in the by-election for Bradford West in 2012. AFP Photo / Lindsey Parnaby

May 09, 2013

The Respect MP speaks exclusively to The National a year after he returned to UK parliamentary politics. Read Article George and his dragons: Galloway remains a thorn in the side of the Establishment

 

New Iraqi TV channel based in Abu Dhabi strives for unity, not division

The master control room of Al Madar TV, a new Iraqi channel based in Abu Dhabi that bgean broadcasting April 1. Delores Johnson / The National

May 04, 2013

A new television channel in Abu Dhabi aimed at an Iraqi audience offers a daily news component as well as lighter programming focusing on youth culture, sport, music, comedy and history, writes Yasmine Al-Kuttab  Read Article New Iraqi TV channel based in Abu Dhabi strives for unity, not division

 

After the death of Chavez, Venezuela remains in flux

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, centre, greets supporters in El Valle, a low-income sector of Caracas. Leo Ramirez / AFP

May 04, 2013

How long can the nation's distinct brand of 21st-century socialism survive the death of its charismatic architect?  Read Article After the death of Chavez, Venezuela remains in flux

 

Destructive sandstorms in Middle East topic of UN task force

A Nasa satellite image shows a large sandstorm in 2004 over the Arabian Sea that encompassed parts of Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. AFP / Nasa

May 01, 2013

Sandstorms are a blot on the regional horizon, particularly as their intensity and frequency has grown in recent years. But what can be done to minimise or reduce their impact? On May 5, writes Mitya Underwood, experts gather in Abu Dhabi to discuss this complex issue  Read Article Destructive sandstorms in Middle East topic of UN task force

 

Information received by Boston police from public via social media was more noise than knowledge

Rosie Meyer reacts to the police activity in her neighbourhood after a manhunt for the men suspected of setting off bombs at the Boston Marathon centred near her home in Watertown, Massachusetts. Mario Tama / Getty Images / AFP

Apr 27, 2013

The first terrorist attack in the US since the advent of smartphones, Facebook and Twitter had the effect of turning millions of people into amateur cyber-sleuths. John Henzell reports on the benefits and limitations of crowdsourcing a manhunt Read Article Information received by Boston police from public via social media was more noise than knowledge

 

Viktor Mayer-Schönberger: 'More data is being collected and stored about each one of us than ever before'

Workers with the Con Edison utility company open a manhole to the underground steam tunnels under the streets of New York. Data analysis helped Con Edison discover why manhole covers were exploding. Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

Apr 27, 2013

The data experts Kenneth Cukier and Viktor Mayer-Schönberger say the use of complex algorithms – think Google, Amazon, etc – has forever changed the way we live, work and think, and mostly for the better.  Read Article Viktor Mayer-Schönberger: 'More data is being collected and stored about each one of us than ever before'

 

Israeli football, racism and politics: The ugly side of the beautiful game

SARSAK

Apr 25, 2013

Israel’s integration into European competitions, despite its refusal to revive peace talks with the Palestinians, respect human rights and halt illegal settlement, is, according to critics, contrary to sporting values. Read Article Israeli football, racism and politics: The ugly side of the beautiful game

 

Defence experts brainstorm in Abu Dhabi on IEDs, video games and Donald Rumsfeld

US marines use metal detectors to find improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan's Helmand province. Manpreet Romana / AFP

Apr 20, 2013

To better understand how wars are likely to be fought in the future, defence experts gathered in Abu Dhabi to exchange ideas, writes John Henzell  Read Article Defence experts brainstorm in Abu Dhabi on IEDs, video games and Donald Rumsfeld

 

Children of Mozambique are the innocent victims of Aids

Children in Gaza province, Mozambique, where more than 25 per cent of the adult population is living with HIV/Aids. Courtesy of Tracy Certo

Apr 18, 2013

Parents in bitterly impoverished Mozambique are dying and leaving thousands of children behind, but help is arriving in this proud African nation, writes Mark Angeles  Read Article Children of Mozambique are the innocent victims of Aids

 

Is there a disconnect between Islam and organ transplantation in Egypt?

Sherine Hamdy:

Apr 13, 2013

An anthropology professor talks to Mitya Underwood about the religious, medical, social, economic and legal issues surrounding organ transplantation in Egypt  Read Article Is there a disconnect between Islam and organ transplantation in Egypt?

 

More on this topic

Editor's Picks

Football eyes Flushing Meadows

NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: A general view of the Unisphere during day one of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2010 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Large stadium for the recently announced New York City Football Club is planned for iconic tennis site. Omar Rahman reports from New York  Football eyes Flushing Meadows

Dubai dart tournament promises to be exciting

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Raymond van Barneveld of The Netherlands arrives for his match against Gary Anderson of England during the quarter finals of the 2011 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on January 1, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Raymond van Barneveld

In truth, darts is one of few sports where the professionals are more often than not in no better physical shape than the rowdy crowds that cheer them on.  Dubai dart tournament promises to be exciting

Bribery laws go beyond borders

An Afghan street vendor touts prepaid Etisalat phone cards. The UAE company operates in the troubled nation, which has a reputation for corruption along with Ivory Coast and Pakistan. Mauricio Lima / AFP Photo

Companies in the UAE are finding themselves facing a legal minefield caused by the global reach of tough and sometimes conflicting US and UK anti-corruption laws. John Henzell reports.   Bribery laws go beyond borders

Mashallah: what it means, when to say it and why you should

evili_eye_protecter

With Muslim families, you must say "mashallah" with every compliment lest someone think you are jealous and have the evil eye.  Mashallah: what it means, when to say it and why you should

Andy Murray pulls out of French Open through injury

on22-alex-champions

Pain in lower back forces world No 2 to look beyond second grand slam tournament in the calendar year.  Andy Murray pulls out of French Open through injury

Fast & Furious 6 - start your engines

Vin Diesel in Fast And Furious 6. Courtesy Universal

Vin Diesel, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and Gina Carano on the Fast & Furious franchise.  Fast & Furious 6 - start your engines

The collaboration of Shamma Hamdan and Jay Sean in Dubai

Jay Sean and Shamma Hamdan for Saeed Saeed's story on Coke Studios. May 2013 CREDIT: Courtesy Coke Studios

Coke Studio, now in its second season, blends Khaleeji pop with RnB.  The collaboration of Shamma Hamdan and Jay Sean in Dubai

Sound & Vision

Video: Talking Shehhi – a dialect from RAK's mountain tribes

Video: Talking Shehhi – a dialect from RAK's mountain tribes(Video)

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Video: Tracing UAE families through genealogy

Video: tracing UAE families through genealogy(Video)

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In pictures: Swarovski studded tub

The Swarovski Crystal Saracen bath from Catchpole & Rye.(Photos)

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In pictures: Maldives a piece of heaven on earth

Maldives a piece of heaven on earth(Photos)

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In pictures: Sir Bu Nair Island

Sir Bu Nair Island in charge of Sharjah government. One of the UAE’s untouched, natural islands is to be partially developed under new plans by Sharjah to promote eco-tourism.(Photos)

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