Readers are concerned about new crossing arrangements outside Abu Dhabi Mall. Silvia Razgova / The National
Readers are concerned about new crossing arrangements outside Abu Dhabi Mall. Silvia Razgova / The National

Cross over traffic fine



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

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hoopla%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jacqueline%20Perrottet%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20required%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The biog

Favourite Emirati dish: Fish machboos

Favourite spice: Cumin

Family: mother, three sisters, three brothers and a two-year-old daughter

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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%3Cp%3ECreated%20by%3A%20Greg%20Coolidge%2C%20Shawn%20Simmons%2C%20Kirk%20Ward%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Mel%20Gibson%2C%20Colin%20Woodell%2C%20Mishel%20Prada%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Traces%20of%20Enayat
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Iman%20Mersal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20And%20Other%20Stories%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20240%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Long read

Mageed Yahia, director of WFP in UAE: Coronavirus knows no borders, and neither should the response

DUNGEONS%20%26%20DRAGONS%3A%20HONOR%20AMONG%20THIEVES
%3Cp%3EDirectors%3A%20John%20Francis%20Daley%20and%20Jonathan%20Goldstein%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Chris%20Pine%2C%20Michelle%20Rodriguez%2C%20Rege-Jean%20Page%2C%20Justice%20Smith%2C%20Sophia%20Lillis%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
QUARTER-FINAL

Wales 20-19 France

Wales: T: Wainwright, Moriarty. Cons: Biggar (2) Pens: Biggar 2

France: T: Vahaamahina, Ollivon, Vakatawa Cons: Ntamack (2)

Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain

West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership

UAE Premiership
}Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes

UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby

RESULTS

1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Lady Parma, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Tabernas, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m
Winner: Night Castle, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Mutawakked, Szczepan Mazur, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Tafaakhor, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Cranesbill, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.