A reader objects to criticism of Arsenal striker Robin van Persie and his play against Newcastle United. Ian Kington / AFP
A reader objects to criticism of Arsenal striker Robin van Persie and his play against Newcastle United. Ian Kington / AFP
A reader objects to criticism of Arsenal striker Robin van Persie and his play against Newcastle United. Ian Kington / AFP
A reader objects to criticism of Arsenal striker Robin van Persie and his play against Newcastle United. Ian Kington / AFP

Obesity thrives on 'mall culture' and lack of activities


  • English
  • Arabic

There are too many fast food outlets and not enough outlets for teenage physical activities. (Children turn a blind eye to obesity danger, March 13).

Horse riding, sailing, swimming and archery ought to be promoted and facilities provided. Otherwise, the mall culture of sitting around and eating fast food will go unchallenged and the campaign will fall on deaf ears.

JB, UK

UAE is exemplary in unstable region

Reading today's news about the events happening in Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, Palestine, one really has to praise the significance of the UAE's philosophy and tolerant way of living with respect to religious beliefs as highlighted by Peter Hellyer's article Tradition of tolerance is a model during turbulent times (March 13).

As residents of this country, we are blessed to be living in an open society that respects all those who live here while adhering to its laws and guidelines.

Let peace and prosperity continue to flourish and harmony prevail forever as the UAE flag fly high in the region.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Arsenal star player is not waning

The story Arsenal should cash in or risk losing out on Robin van Persie (March 12) says: "Anyone else think Robin van Persie's commitment to Arsenal is waning?" What nonsense.

He has consistently scored crucial goals, assisted goals and led his team to comeback after comeback.

A player who lacks commitment for his club doesn't score 44 goals in his last 53 games.

A player who lacks commitment for his club doesn't get riled up like he did against Newcastle.

A player who lacks commitment for his club, lacks effort for his team. I'll be more simple. How can anyone who has watched Arsenal with Mr Van Persie this season think his commitment is waning?

Kevin O'Leary, Dubai

Tibetan issue won't go away

It was in the news this week that some Tibetan exiles were commemorating the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising (Tibet exiles blame China's hardliners for immolations, March 11).

The uprising that began in March 10, 1959 in the capital city of Tibet and immediately spread to other areas has been interpreted differently for so long.

It was also in the news that some Tibetan activists in the US have protested against China's "ruthless" and "repressive" policies in Tibet during Xi Jinping's recent five-day tour of Washington, Iowa and California.

Ali Sedat Buzak, Abu Dhabi

Extended family is needed again

I refer to the article Parents are lifeline for 'boomerang' generation (March 13). This phenomenon have been observed for over a quarter century, it is not new.

It's a necessary return to traditional extended family units due to the disappearing middle class.

Scott Moser, Dubai

Children are the victims of conflict

Your article Tit-for-tat strikes pose dilemma for Hamas (March 12) was sad to read.

A 12-year-old boy was a victim of those attacks. It is painful that children and innocent people are the victims of this unacceptable situation.

I pray for the 12-year-old innocent boy and the other victims.

K Ragavan, Abu Dhabi

Avoid harmful advice on culture

I read Ask Ali articles on a regular basis for advice on living in the UAE but was absolutely stunned by his recent answer a reader about whether it is legal to have his fiancée visit and stay with him in his villa.

Mr Ali points out it is illegal and it would be easier to tie the knot but he goes on to tell the man to "tell a little fib and address and introduce her as your wife and keep it low profile and you will not have any problems".

This sends out the wrong message about what the UAE strives for: high moral values. It is shocking that an ambassador for the UAE and your newspaper suggests it is reasonable to tell a fib.

This is not the first article I have seen from Ask Ali that has shocked me.

Another was about tattoos; he said they were illegal but if you went "underground you could find places that did them".

Either you want expatriates to adhere to Muslim rules or you don't. Ask Ali's articles seem to suggest people can go against them.

S Sabu, Dubai

TOURNAMENT INFO

2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier

Thursday results
UAE beat Kuwait by 86 runs
Qatar beat Bahrain by five wickets
Saudi Arabia beat Maldives by 35 runs

Friday fixtures
10am, third-place playoff – Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
3pm, final – UAE v Qatar

Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Babumoshai Bandookbaaz

Director: Kushan Nandy

Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami

Three stars

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Klipit%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Venkat%20Reddy%2C%20Mohammed%20Al%20Bulooki%2C%20Bilal%20Merchant%2C%20Asif%20Ahmed%2C%20Ovais%20Merchant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Digital%20receipts%2C%20finance%2C%20blockchain%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%244%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Privately%2Fself-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Profile of VoucherSkout

Date of launch: November 2016

Founder: David Tobias

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers

Sector: Technology

Size: 18 employees

Stage: Embarking on a Series A round to raise $5 million in the first quarter of 2019 with a 20 per cent stake

Investors: Seed round was self-funded with “millions of dollars” 

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand

UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final

SUE%20GRAY'S%20FINDINGS
%3Cp%3E%22Whatever%20the%20initial%20intent%2C%20what%20took%20place%20at%20many%20of%20these%20gatherings%20and%20the%3Cbr%3Eway%20in%20which%20they%20developed%20was%20not%20in%20line%20with%20Covid%20guidance%20at%20the%20time.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22Many%20of%20these%20events%20should%20not%20have%20been%20allowed%20to%20happen.%20It%20is%20also%20the%20case%20that%20some%20of%20the%3Cbr%3Emore%20junior%20civil%20servants%20believed%20that%20their%20involvement%20in%20some%20of%20these%20events%20was%20permitted%20given%20the%20attendance%20of%20senior%20leaders.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22The%20senior%20leadership%20at%20the%20centre%2C%20both%20political%20and%20official%2C%20must%20bear%20responsibility%20for%20this%20culture.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20found%20that%20some%20staff%20had%20witnessed%20or%20been%20subjected%20to%20behaviours%20at%20work%20which%20they%20had%20felt%20concerned%20about%20but%20at%20times%20felt%20unable%20to%20raise%20properly.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20was%20made%20aware%20of%20multiple%20examples%20of%20a%20lack%20of%20respect%20and%20poor%20treatment%20of%20security%20and%20cleaning%20staff.%20This%20was%20unacceptable.%22%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E456hp%20at%205%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E691Nm%20at%203%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E14.6L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh349%2C545%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key products and UAE prices

iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229

iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649

iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179

Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.

MATCH INFO

Newcastle United 1 (Carroll 82')

Leicester City 2 (Maddison 55', Tielemans 72')

Man of the match James Maddison (Leicester)

Upcoming games

SUNDAY 

Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton (5.30pm)
Leicester City v Everton (8pm)

 

MONDAY 
Burnley v Newcastle United (midnight)