Regarding your reader's query Am I entitled to paternity leave from my employer? (November 18), the human touch sometimes seems to be missing in today's era. Companies could do with being more compassionate. It makes me wonder what century are we all living in. Every father who has a child in the UAE is entitled to paternity leave, not just the mother. Companies should respect the letter of the law and be reported with immediate effect if they break it. It is unfair to play with the emotions of employees.
Mathew Litty, Dubai
A tragic story of nature’s fury in the state of Tamil Nadu
I write with reference to your article Cyclone Gaja kills 33 in India's Tamil Nadu state (November 19). This piece outlined the situation in south India very well.
In addition to the many lives lost, heavy damages will also have to be assessed by the authorities. The state government deployed hundreds of workers to evacuate people to rescue camps and compensation of $14,000 to the families of victims has been announced.
No one can stop nature’s fury, but it it is good that the local government is here to help the people affected by this disaster. I applaud the actions of Edappadi Palaniswamy, who has overseen these efforts.
I will also pray for the victims and for the speedy recovery of those who have been injured.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Israel’s prime minister is the same person he ever was
I write with reference to your article Make no mistake, Netanyahu is not a man of peace (November 18): the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has always been a violent man, leading a violent regime.
Name withheld by request
Many traffic problems are just the same, the world over
In reference to your video Abu Dhabi Police release footage of multi-car accident to highlight deadly dangers of reckless driving (November 18), this looks like traffic coming to a sudden halt and drivers being unable to respond in time. You see this kind of thing all over the world.
Name and address withheld by request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The biog
Name: Marie Byrne
Nationality: Irish
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston
Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
