It gives me no pleasure in writing to you about my experience outside Abu Dhabi Mall recently.
I have lived in the emirate, very happily, for some time now. I turn a deaf ear to the perpetual "moaners" and I've encouraged a lot of my British and American friends to come and visit. Many of these people have come back repeatedly, spending money and spreading the word about what a good, friendly and welcoming place Abu Dhabi is.
Earlier this month, I had my first brush with unreasonable behaviour from the authorities. I was one of a large number of people given a traffic ticket for walking across a pedestrian crossing. The police were unforgiving in, and I quote, "teaching a lesson" to locals, expats and tourists alike.
We had failed to recognise that a small blue sign on the opposite side of the road indicated that the crossing was only to be used by handicapped people. All able-bodied people were required to walk across the bridge.
The illuminated green man indicating that it was safe and appropriate to use the crossing had not been disabled or covered.
I applaud the efforts of the authorities in making Abu Dhabi roads safer. But is fining pedestrians who observe international traffic signs and highway protocols the right approach?
I urge the authorities to think again and to cancel these tickets.
Stuart Smith, Abu Dhabi
Can anyone from the municipality explain why we are no longer allowed to use the street crosswalk to get to Abu Dhabi Mall?
We must now use the overhead structure. This is a major inconvenience, especially in the heat.
Cora Yanacek, Abu Dhabi
Praise for tackling sensitive issues
I appreciate Ayesha Al Mazroui's courage in bringing sensitive topics into the open for discussion and contemplation within Emirati society in her Comment column, Emirati marriage norms reflect cultural and ethnic diversity (May 24).
I may disagree with some of her views but I greatly appreciate the intellect evident in her articles.
F Baaslelm, Dubai
Oryx reserve is a sensible proposal
I approve of the idea of a border-spanning wildlife reserve for oryx (Expert seeks free zone for oryx in three nations, May 24).
In these days of development everywhere, surely at least part of the Empty Quarter can be reserved for wildlife. The idea of these beautiful creatures running free ought to appeal to everyone. It would be most excellent if this happens.
Hussain Gul, Abu Dhabi
Election a proud moment in history
Whatever has happened or will happen in Egypt, at least the presidential election (like the parliamentary voting) seems to have been honestly run (Egypt's historic vote 'free, fair and clean', May 24).
The Egyptian people have reason to be proud of what they have already accomplished.
I was particularly struck by the comment one man made in your report: "It's the first time in 7,000 years that we have had the choice to appoint a leader." There is a lot of history in that country.
Sami Antali, Dubai
Ivory poachers must be punished
The photo of all that ivory confiscated in Sri Lanka is heartbreaking (Elephant tusks seized on the way to Dubai, May 24).
So many of these majestic animals, killed to please collectors of ivory trinkets.
I don't understand why this cargo was going from Kenya to Dubai via Sri Lanka, but congratulations to the authorities who stopped the trade.
Now the culprits in Kenya need to be caught and punished.
Susan Curran, South Africa
Where there's a Will there's a smile
I am not a big fan of Men in Black star Will Smith, but I am impressed with his attitude to life (Perpetual charisma, May 24).
When asked why he always seemed to be happy, he replied: "What the hell do I have to be miserable about? I have so much fun in life, I'm a lucky guy."
We may not all be as fortunate as Smith, but his attitude inspires us to be grateful for what we have.
P Devereaux, Abu Dhabi
Web users are in on Jordan joke
Reading Is Katie Price suing Jordan? Think about it for a minute (May 23), my impression was that the commenters and other newspapers certainly did get the joke but were "playing along".
The Pan Arabia Enquirer does not hold the monopoly on satire and I believe the commenters were just entering into the spirit of the website.
Peter Jenkins, Dubai
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Captain Marvel
Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn
4/5 stars
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
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
US PGA Championship in numbers
1 Joost Luiten produced a memorable hole in one at the par-three fourth in the first round.
2 To date, the only two players to win the PGA Championship after winning the week before are Rory McIlroy (2014 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational) and Tiger Woods (2007, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational). Hideki Matsuyama or Chris Stroud could have made it three.
3 Number of seasons without a major for McIlroy, who finished in a tie for 22nd.
4 Louis Oosthuizen has now finished second in all four of the game's major championships.
5 In the fifth hole of the final round, McIlroy holed his longest putt of the week - from 16ft 8in - for birdie.
6 For the sixth successive year, play was disrupted by bad weather with a delay of one hour and 43 minutes on Friday.
7 Seven under par (64) was the best round of the week, shot by Matsuyama and Francesco Molinari on Day 2.
8 Number of shots taken by Jason Day on the 18th hole in round three after a risky recovery shot backfired.
9 Jon Rahm's age in months the last time Phil Mickelson missed the cut in the US PGA, in 1995.
10 Jimmy Walker's opening round as defending champion was a 10-over-par 81.
11 The par-four 11th coincidentally ranked as the 11th hardest hole overall with a scoring average of 4.192.
12 Paul Casey was a combined 12 under par for his first round in this year's majors.
13 The average world ranking of the last 13 PGA winners before this week was 25. Kevin Kisner began the week ranked 25th.
14 The world ranking of Justin Thomas before his victory.
15 Of the top 15 players after 54 holes, only Oosthuizen had previously won a major.
16 The par-four 16th marks the start of Quail Hollow's so-called "Green Mile" of finishing holes, some of the toughest in golf.
17 The first round scoring average of the last 17 major champions was 67.2. Kisner and Thorbjorn Olesen shot 67 on day one at Quail Hollow.
18 For the first time in 18 majors, the eventual winner was over par after round one (Thomas shot 73).
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Switch Foods
Started: 2022
Founder: Edward Hamod
Based: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Industry: Plant-based meat production
Number of employees: 34
Funding: $6.5 million
Funding round: Seed
Investors: Based in US and across Middle East
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65