The statistics in your news story, Accidents 'every 2 minutes' in Dubai as rain wreaks havoc across the UAE (March 26), are alarming and mainly due to the fact that motorists do not take precautions when driving in the rain.
Most people continue to tailgate and drive at high speeds even when the roads are wet and slippery.
While driving from Sharjah to Dubai yesterday, I was surprised to witness some motorists speeding in puddles of water, splashing it on other cars on the road.
It isn’t the rain that should be blamed for these accidents but the poor driving habits and inconsiderate attitude of drivers. It was very unfortunate that there were not enough police patrols on major roads during the rain.
Motorists engaged in numerous violations such as sudden lane changing without the use of indicators, queue-cutting, reckless overtaking and countless more violations that can all lead to accidents.
Similar situations will only be averted in the future if people learn to drive safely based on the conditions.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
I think that the RTA’s syllabus and driving tests should include wet-road driving and what precautions to take during and after rainfall.
This should also include what to do – and not to do – in the event of a car failure. We might see fewer incidents then.
Cajetan D'Souza, Sharjah
Parents have a role in child safety
I'm writing in reference to your story 40,000 homes in the UAE to have windows made safe (March 26).
I think this is a good idea but parents still need to watch their children and protect them from household hazards.
Jen Bishop, Abu Dhabi
This is a great step in the right direction and the only question is why this measure was not adopted long ago.
While these safety devices will prevent children falling from high-rise buildings, it is also the responsibility of parents to be vigilant with their young ones and not leave them unaccompanied.
Children should not be allowed on to balconies or near windows without adult supervision.
When these safety devices are installed in the near future, we hope it means no more innocent lives will be lost.
Name withheld by request
Rising prices must be controlled
I can relate to your news story Dubai property agents 'demanding double commission otherwise no apartment' (March 26).
There seems to be no control on these agents. Rents are now skyrocketing in all parts of Dubai and many people are suffering.
I hope the authorities take action against these brokers and landlords.
Shakir Ullah, Dubai
Turning down the music ‘not enough’
I welcome the decision to request hotels to turn off music during the call to prayer (Reduce volume of music during call to prayer, Abu Dhabi hotels told, March 23).
However, I feel that the practice of many hotels and social clubs in Abu Dhabi of serving alcohol to Muslims is an even more serious matter.
I request that the authorities restrict the sale or supply of alcohol to only those who may lawfully consume it – non-Muslims with a liquor licence.
Name withheld by request
Good Samaritans deserve credit
I want to thank the two gentlemen who came to my rescue when they saw me crouched in pain in the Tourist Club area on March 16.
They called my husband and stayed with me until I was fetched by the ambulance. You were true gentlemen and angels of God.
Lorna Burness, Abu Dhabi
India opposition’s role is critical
I refer to your story India stocks soar as momentum builds ahead of general elections (March 18).
Despite the sustained campaigns against political irregularities, the joining of film stars, bureaucrats and journalists in Indian politics is setting a new trend altogether.
The journalist and author M J Akbar is among the new faces for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party.
Power blinds politicians to the gravity of the issues faced by ordinary people, because the power they wield is used to serve their own interests and not as an instrument to bring about a perceptible better change in society’s lot.
Let us hope the focus will be on how issues such as inflation and corruption are replacing good governance.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
The specs
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 180hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3,00rpm
Transmission: 5-speed sequential auto
Price: From Dh139,995
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
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Retirement funds heavily invested in equities at a risky time
Pension funds in growing economies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East have a sharply higher percentage of assets parked in stocks, just at a time when trade tensions threaten to derail markets.
Retirement money managers in 14 geographies now allocate 40 per cent of their assets to equities, an 8 percentage-point climb over the past five years, according to a Mercer survey released last week that canvassed government, corporate and mandatory pension funds with almost $5 trillion in assets under management. That compares with about 25 per cent for pension funds in Europe.
The escalating trade spat between the US and China has heightened fears that stocks are ripe for a downturn. With tensions mounting and outcomes driven more by politics than economics, the S&P 500 Index will be on course for a “full-scale bear market” without Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, Citigroup’s global macro strategy team said earlier this week.
The increased allocation to equities by growth-market pension funds has come at the expense of fixed-income investments, which declined 11 percentage points over the five years, according to the survey.
Hong Kong funds have the highest exposure to equities at 66 per cent, although that’s been relatively stable over the period. Japan’s equity allocation jumped 13 percentage points while South Korea’s increased 8 percentage points.
The money managers are also directing a higher portion of their funds to assets outside of their home countries. On average, foreign stocks now account for 49 per cent of respondents’ equity investments, 4 percentage points higher than five years ago, while foreign fixed-income exposure climbed 7 percentage points to 23 per cent. Funds in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan are among those seeking greater diversification in stocks and fixed income.
• Bloomberg
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier
UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs
Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)
1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0
Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am
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Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
Remaining Fixtures
Wednesday: West Indies v Scotland
Thursday: UAE v Zimbabwe
Friday: Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday: Final
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
