I write regarding your editorial in the opinion pages, No one should have to pay for lukewarm pizza with their life (December 14). I agree, so long as the delivery drivers drive within the law and uphold the rules of the road, which doesn't include chopping and changing between lanes and weaving past cars stuck in traffic.
Phil Jones, Dubai
Delivery bikes should stay out of the fast lane, overtake correctly, use signals and stop weaving in and out of heavy traffic. They should follow road rules. This could be one of the first steps towards decreasing incidents and improving road safety for everyone.
Sara Harris, Dubai
I wonder if the time is ripe for drone deliveries.
Moaz Bhutta, Punjab
They are the worst drivers on the road. They are always cutting people off and don't stay in lane.
Mazin Hawasli, Abu Dhabi
Desert rains are always welcome
In your online story UAE weather: Rain due to sweep in, Nick Webster writes about "the highest risk of showers" occurring in eastern areas. I don't think rain in this drought-stricken desert region ought to be viewed as a "risk". On the contrary, the word "welcome" is most befitting in this context in my opinion.
Wayne Boshier, Dubai
What now for hopes of peace for Palestinians?
I write regarding your story US risks burning Arab bridges (December 14). Will Donald Trump put a good plan in place to safeguard the interest of Palestinians? After all, Middle East peace depends on them.
Name withheld by request
Stress is something we all have to live with
Kevin Hackett's piece, Do men and women react to stress differently? (December 12), was an eye opener. The situation he described all too accurately is one that needs exposing further.
Fraser Martin, Dubai
Tackling the language barrier requires fresh thinking
In reference to New initiative will promote Arabic among UAE's youth (December 13). ADEK schools are government institutions and all instruction, except for Arabic and Islamic studies, is in English. This is how it has been since 2009. The authorities want the children to be bilingual but there has to be a middle ground.
Beverly Newell, Ras Al Khaimah
There's an upside to working over the holidays
I write regarding New Year's Day a holiday for UAE private sector (December 14). On the bright side, these dates mean it will be very quick to drive to work on December 30 and 31.
Djordje Grujic, Dubai
Do local election results offer a clue to the national mood
In reference to your story Indian PM Modi's party predicted to win key state despite economic discontent (December 16). The exit polls indicate victory for the ruling party BJP despite so much criticism coming from opposition parties, mainly from the Congress party's leader Rahul Gandhi towards Mr Modi's policies, such as the GST and demonetisation. These results offer some indication about what the 2019 elections might deliver.
K.Ragavan, India
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
HAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
