In the article titled US rapper Snoop Dogg gets down in the desert (May 7), the reporters praise the artist for "staying true to form" and claims that despite his bad language, the artist did not disappoint the thousands of fans who bought tickets for the Yas Arena event.
I wonder whether the reporters ever heard or understood the "poetic" lyrics of some of the so-called best-known tracks by the rapper. Snoop Dogg's presence in Abu Dhabi was a disgrace to Arab and Islamic values.
Ever heard of Zain Bhikha? Or Ahmed Bukhatir (who is an Emirati, by the way)?
They are among the "most wanted" men in the world. Don't get me wrong, I mean that the likes of them are much needed in today's society.
In a world where most songs you hear whine about you or your love, your loneliness or your unhappiness, feeding the mind and soul with little, these songs refresh the heart and bring about contentment of soul through satisfaction with what you have - a quality our world sadly lacks.
If our youth were to choose such songs in their iPods instead of rap, we can all hope for a beautiful tomorrow.
Wardah MK, Abu Dhabi
Pakistan has many security problems
In reference to James Zogby's comment article A bungled PR job keeps the bin Laden controversy alive (May 8), Mr Zogby has very rightly pointed out all the scenarios and situations that Pakistan and the US face.
The difference between the two countries is vital to this debate. The US on the one hand has to justify the wars it fought for 10 years, along with a shattered economy, to find the man they had been searching for over the past decade.
On the other hand, Pakistan has so many other issues to deal with. The fact that bin Laden was living in close proximity to the Pakistani military academy shows the lack of priority for bin Laden on the Pakistan army front.
The army has been dealing with a whole lot of other issuesm, such as the internal insurgency, growing extremism, political unrest and suicide bombings. Pakistan has too many problems to tackle. Hence bin Laden's whereabouts was the least of its concerns.
Zahra Khan, Dubai
Market needs parking space
In reference to the letter to the editor Mawaqif system is doing more harm than good (May 5), Mawaqif has totally destroyed the area around the New Central Market (E-1). Who in their right mind would want to come to an area that is as difficult to navigate as Mussafah?
The market's developer needs to offer residents a cost-effective parking solution if they want the market to function.
Simon S, Abu Dhabi
Misidentified complainers
I refer to the letter to the editor All that is required is respect (May 9), which rebuked non-Muslim expatriates for complaining about the volume of a mosque's call to prayer.
It clearly states in the article Fresh check on volume of mosque's prayer call (May 8) that all but one of the complaints to the imam came from Muslims.
Peter Jenkins, Dubai
Jet skiers play a dangerous game
I refer to the letter to the editor Jet skis are a public menace (May 10). I live in Dubai Marina and go to the beach every weekend. I have observed many times irresponsible jet skiers playing a dangerous game. The rule: go as fast as possible to approach swimmers and then turn violently. The goal is to splash and frighten the swimmers. Funny, isn't it?
They try to do the same on the Marina lake near the shopping mall, to splash the pedestrians on the walkway.
I can't understand why those fast and dangerous jet craft are not simply forbidden in this part of Dubai.
Do we have to wait for another accident to do something?
Eddie Lohse, Dubai
The authorities should immediately put in place a system that issues those who want to drive a jet ski with a licence to drive.
Also, jet skis should be registered and carry a licence plate just like cars.
Basel Shouly, Abu Dhabi
Workers put at a disadvantage
Companies open bank accounts to transfer salaries to their employees. The bank wants the employee to maintain a minimum balance of Dh 5,000 or so. Imagine an employee whose salary is less than Dh5,000. He is expected to leave that for the bank, or otherwise pay a charge per month for not maintaining a minimum balance. What a Catch-22.
Kanwar Hayat, Dubai
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Hani%20Abu%20Ghazaleh%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20with%20an%20office%20in%20Montreal%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%202018%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Virtual%20Reality%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%241.2%20million%2C%20and%20nearing%20close%20of%20%245%20million%20new%20funding%20round%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
General%20Classification
%3Cp%3E1.%20Elisa%20Longo%20Borghini%20(ITA)%20Trek-Segafredo%3Cbr%3E2.%20Gaia%20Realini%20(ITA)%20Trek-Segafredo%207%20secs%3Cbr%3E3.%20Silvia%20Persico%20(ITA)%20UAE%20Team%20ADQ%201%20min%2018%20secs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Final scores
18 under: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)
- 14: Jason Scrivener (AUS)
-13: Rory McIlroy (NIR)
-12: Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)
-11: David Lipsky (USA), Marc Warren (SCO)
-10: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Chris Paisley (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 395bhp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: from Dh321,200
On sale: now
AT%20A%20GLANCE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWindfall%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAn%20%E2%80%9Cenergy%20profits%20levy%E2%80%9D%20to%20raise%20about%20%C2%A35%20billion%20in%20a%20year.%20The%20temporary%20one-off%20tax%20will%20hit%20oil%20and%20gas%20firms%20by%2025%20per%20cent%20on%20extraordinary%20profits.%20An%2080%20per%20cent%20investment%20allowance%20should%20calm%20Conservative%20nerves%20that%20the%20move%20will%20dent%20North%20Sea%20firms%E2%80%99%20investment%20to%20save%20them%2091p%20for%20every%20%C2%A31%20they%20spend.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EA%20universal%20grant%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EEnergy%20bills%20discount%2C%20which%20was%20effectively%20a%20%C2%A3200%20loan%2C%20has%20doubled%20to%20a%20%C2%A3400%20discount%20on%20bills%20for%20all%20households%20from%20October%20that%20will%20not%20need%20to%20be%20paid%20back.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETargeted%20measures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMore%20than%20eight%20million%20of%20the%20lowest%20income%20households%20will%20receive%20a%20%C2%A3650%20one-off%20payment.%20It%20will%20apply%20to%20households%20on%20Universal%20Credit%2C%20Tax%20Credits%2C%20Pension%20Credit%20and%20legacy%20benefits.%3Cbr%3ESeparate%20one-off%20payments%20of%20%C2%A3300%20will%20go%20to%20pensioners%20and%20%C2%A3150%20for%20those%20receiving%20disability%20benefits.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
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Tomb%20Raider%20I%E2%80%93III%20Remastered
%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20series%20X%2FS%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A