One of the rules that applies to any fair fight is not to hit someone when they're down, which is why it is so sad to see that an unofficial blockade seems to be doing just that to the beleaguered nation of Nepal.
Despite the devastation caused by the earthquakes in April and May this year, politics has somehow created barriers at the very time that Nepal needs all the help it can get. The worst aspect of this is that much of the world seems to have turned its attention away.
A letter from an acquaintance who has lived there for a few years paints a stark picture of a nation in rapid decline. The question this situation poses is this: how long before the simmering cauldron of disaffection boils over, creating an even greater human tragedy than the earthquakes?
The blockade began on September 23 and has created an economic and humanitarian crisis that has severely affected Nepal and its economy. India denies it is responsible, stating that supply shortages have been created by Madheshi protesters within Nepal. The blockade has choked imports of not only petroleum, but also medicines and earthquake relief material.
The Nepalese people do not deserve this. There must be ways in which the international community and peace-loving people of this region can prevail upon those responsible to recognise the basic rights of the ordinary people of Nepal.
Peter Vine, Dubai
Learning value – without bailiffs
With regard to your news article, UAE residents can avoid a debt spiral after job loss (December 19), there are only two causes of this situation.
The first is if the company doesn’t fulfil its obligations to the employee in terms of conditions and pay on which the person is relying.
In this case, the person was relying on commission that was never paid.
The other is from doing what many people do all over the world: spending more than they can afford due to the perception that having more makes you happier. The comfort of health, security and peace of mind are substituted for another expensive car or a new home and so on.
What we lack is the realisation – before the bailiffs show up – that happiness doesn’t necessarily come from material gain.
Ibrahim Abubakar, Saudi Arabia
One of those who wrote a letter to the editor on this issue suggested staying in one’s job until one is debt free.
Although I understand the comment, it is worrisome that some people might have to stay in a job which they dislike tremendously, with management that that might be making them work excessive hours.
I hope that most people would be wise enough not to get into serious debt because nothing is secure and nothing is forever – we truly never know what tomorrow will bring.
If they do that, they would have the ability to change jobs at will or leave work altogether.
Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi
I recommend avoiding these problems by having no loans.
It’s an amazing feeling to be debt-free by working hard but living simply. That’s real freedom.
Mariann Gellert, Dubai
Why are villas so enormous?
After reading about the cost of housing in the capital (Rising Abu Dhabi rents spur expatriate moves, November 24), I don't understand why so many huge villas are being built when people can't afford them.
I really like the villa I live in but I don’t know whether we can stay next year because we have no idea what the rent will be.
It’s a big villa – way bigger than we actually need, but in Khalifa city where we live, there are no small villas – so it comes with a big price tag.
My compound has six large villas, mostly containing expatriate families with two or three children, so there are lots of empty rooms. Why not build 10 smaller villas with three or four sensible-sized bedrooms, no extra living rooms upstairs and a small garden. At least people could afford to rent them.
Karen Leach, Abu Dhabi
Few laments for hoverboards
Until I read your article, It's a lot less bother to walk than it is to hover (December 20, I never even knew these were the "in" thing. And now they're out?
Amera Al Awadhi, Dubai
Come to my building and all the young boys are on them constantly. I think they’ve forgotten how to walk.
Andrea Kat, Abu Dhabi
Good. I’m always scared one of these contraptions is going to trip me up.
Bindu Dilip, Dubai
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 4 (Gundogan 8' (P), Bernardo Silva 19', Jesus 72', 75')
Fulham 0
Red cards: Tim Ream (Fulham)
Man of the Match: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
ROUTE TO TITLE
Round 1: Beat Leolia Jeanjean 6-1, 6-2
Round 2: Beat Naomi Osaka 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
Round 3: Beat Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2
Round 4: Beat Anastasia Potapova 6-0, 6-0
Quarter-final: Beat Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2
Semi-final: Beat Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-4
Final: Beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2
Tomb Raider I–III Remastered
Developer: Aspyr
Publisher: Aspyr
Console: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, PC and Xbox series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Islamic Architecture: A World History
Author: Eric Broug
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Pages: 336
Available: September
WWE Evolution results
- Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
- Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
- Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
- Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match
- Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
- Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
The specs
Engine: 6-cylinder, 4.8-litre
Transmission: 5-speed automatic and manual
Power: 280 brake horsepower
Torque: 451Nm
Price: from Dh153,00
On sale: now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
Liverpool v Norwich 11pm
August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
Leicester v Wolves 6pm
Watford v Brighton 6pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 8.30pm
August 11
Newcastle v Arsenal 5pm
Man United v Chelsea 7.30pm
Uefa Nations League: How it works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
Frida
Director: Carla Gutierrez
Starring: Frida Kahlo
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
Getting there and where to stay
Fly with Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi to New York’s JFK. There's 11 flights a week and economy fares start at around Dh5,000.
Stay at The Mark Hotel on the city’s Upper East Side. Overnight stays start from $1395 per night.
Visit NYC Go, the official destination resource for New York City for all the latest events, activites and openings.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Fixtures
Wednesday, April 3
Arsenal v Luton Town, 10.30pm (UAE)
Manchester City v Aston Villa, 11.15pm (UAE)
Thursday, April 4
Liverpool v Sheffield United, 10.30pm (UAE)
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack