Readers say better policing of roads can curb erratic driving. Andrew Henderson / The National
Readers say better policing of roads can curb erratic driving. Andrew Henderson / The National
Readers say better policing of roads can curb erratic driving. Andrew Henderson / The National
Readers say better policing of roads can curb erratic driving. Andrew Henderson / The National

Driving is the biggest problem in this country


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Regarding your article UAE has best road quality but could do better on congestion (February 23), the biggest problem is that the roads are not policed properly.

Traffic police should be out there giving tickets for bad driving.

Until that happens, I’m afraid you’re going to be having this debate in another 10 years.

Kim Marsh, Dubai

More has to be done about speeding drivers who tailgate and flash headlights to force other motorist to get over even when the motorists in front of them has nowhere to go. This sort of super aggressive driving should not be tolerated. It is very dangerous and causes stress and anxiety for other motorists.

Paris Miller, Abu Dhabi

How are floating villas beneficial?

Floating villas are sustainable for humans (Fully sustainable floating villas coming to UAE soon, February 25), but what about the biodiversity in the ocean – the creatures that live in that place? Will we not disturb their habitats?

Aouse K Al Anee, Abu Dhabi

Scary figures on diabetes

The high number of diabetes cases among Asian women is terrifying (South Asian women who live in UAE more at risk for diabetes, study finds, February 24). I'm less active. It's so hard to just get out and walk. The roads aren't conducive, nor is the weather.

Sara Smith, Abu Dhabi

Have you considered the cost of eating healthy on a low income? Fruits and vegetables grow abundantly in the home countries of many people, whereas here high-carb and high-fat foods are much cheaper.

Debbie Schuck, Abu Dhabi

Builder ruined so many lives

The statement "a tender for the construction is under way and it expects to see the project active this year" is being repeated for the past six years like a broken record (Investors in stalled Abu Dhabi project refuse 'half of money back offer', February 24).

I am one of those 70 hapless investors. We need help from the authorities. It should not be acceptable to anyone for a company to behave this way.

Mohamed Sadek, Abu Dhabi

I have spent all my money on the Rufi Twin Towers – Dubai Sports City project and paid 100 per cent towards my unit, having full confidence in the country’s property sector. I am still suffering for the decision I made 10 years ago. It’s a similar story for other investors, who spent their life savings on this project. So many lives have been ruined.

I urge Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority and the Land Department to come to our rescue. I have faith in them as they have always protected the interests of investors. The construction ought to start now.

Ziad Tannous, Lebanon

Many Pakistanis are being misled

Ahmed Al Attar's opinion article The alt-right and its uncanny similarities with Salafism (February 23) is mirrored by tragic reports of extremist attacks throughout Pakistan.

Salafist madrassas have been heavily promoted in Pakistan, where their number is over 1,000. They promote the Salafist world view and agenda among youngsters, turning many of them into extremists.

The source of funding for these Salafist madrassas needs to be addressed immediately.

Andy Preston, Saudi Arabia

Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10

*November 15 to November 24

*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com

*TV: Ten Sports

*Streaming: Jio Live

*2017 winners: Kerala Kings

*2018 winners: Northern Warriors

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Greatest Royal Rumble results

John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match

Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus

Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal

Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos

Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe

AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out

The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match

Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last

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

ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

The Birkin bag is made by Hermès. 
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

Company profile

Name: Tratok Portal

Founded: 2017

Based: UAE

Sector: Travel & tourism

Size: 36 employees

Funding: Privately funded

Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

Indian origin executives leading top technology firms

Sundar Pichai

Chief executive, Google and Alphabet

Satya Nadella

Chief executive, Microsoft

Ajaypal Singh Banga

President and chief executive, Mastercard

Shantanu Narayen

Chief executive, chairman, and president, Adobe

Indra Nooyi  

Board of directors, Amazon and former chief executive, PepsiCo

 

 

Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face

The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.

The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran. 

Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf. 

"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said. 

Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer. 

The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy. 

 

The specs

Price: From Dh180,000 (estimate)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged in-line four-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 320hp @ 5,700rpm

Torque: 400Nm @ 2,200rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.7L / 100km

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5