Readers express frustration over the lack of action against unruly jet-skiers. Jaime Puebla / The National
Readers express frustration over the lack of action against unruly jet-skiers. Jaime Puebla / The National
Readers express frustration over the lack of action against unruly jet-skiers. Jaime Puebla / The National
Readers express frustration over the lack of action against unruly jet-skiers. Jaime Puebla / The National

Is it impossible to tame the jet-skiers?


  • English
  • Arabic

It's sad that despite so many people complaining about unruly jet-skiers, no action has been taken so far. (Jet-skiers continue to harass Al Raha residents, June 6). It's not just about the noise levels, it's about the crazy people who are causing problems every day for people on the beach and scaring children. No one can swim or kayak because of them. Their actions must be tamed.

Joanne Bailey-Black, Abu Dhabi

When I see people taking their children for a ride in kayaks and then the turbulence that jet skis cause in the water, I am scared that an accident will happen any moment.

Abdool Latiff Shah Nawaz, Abu Dhabi

I moved away from Al Raha as I didn’t want to pay high rents and have to put up with the noise. It’s been my best move ever. Vote with your feet to get action.

Dan Baltrusaitis, Abu Dhabi

Be tough on jaywalkers, too

Pedestrians trying to dodge cars on busy roads when crossing at undesignated points are all too common a sight.

The risky practice of jaywalking has to stop. Not only can it prove fatal for pedestrians, it’s dangerous for motorists, too, because they could face conviction if they caused a death.

It is important that pedestrians take responsibility for their safety. They must ensure that the road is clear and it is safe for them to cross rather than relying on motorists to stop and give way.

In an ideal situation, motorists as well as pedestrians would be alert and drivers would slow down near crossings, subways, footbridges and residential areas so that even if they were surprised by a pedestrian, they could avoid a major accident. And pedestrians should make it a habit to cross only at designated points.

Many accidents involving pedestrians could have been prevented had they been more careful. There have been many occasions that I have had to stop for pedestrians crossing at will at undesignated points, ignoring the traffic and expecting motorists to stop. People tend to blame drivers for everything, which is wrong.

Unless we learn to be accountable for our own safety, the roads cannot become safer. The authorities must crack down on jaywalkers.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Don’t delay the midday break

With the temperature consistently remaining high, I would suggest the midday break be implemented with immediate effect. If you visit a construction site, you will notice how exhausted the workers are. It’s also necessary to ensure they get an adequate supply of water.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Insulate homes to save energy

Coming from a cold country, where double or triple glass windows and insulated walls are the norm, what strikes me is the lack of insulation in houses here. (Agree on degrees, June 3). As a result, loads of energy is wasted.

Andreas Bohlin, Abu Dhabi

Different views on c-section

I do not want a c-section unless my baby is in distress and it's the last option (A c-section cannot be a lifestyle choice, June 7). I gave birth to my son naturally (with gas and air and a local anaesthetic for forceps and episiotomy) and yes, it hurt afterwards, but the pain was manageable.

I could still drive, walk, pick up my son and do everything I needed to. This time, too, I want a natural birth and have made it clear to my doctor and the hospital, but if someone wants to be sliced open and have her baby that way, then so be it.

Laura Masson, Abu Dhabi

I think this is very much a private health care issue with people paying for what they want. But I feel that it’s like the breastfeeding debate – it’s all down to your situation and your physical ability. I was back training in the gym with my personal trainer six weeks after my second c-section. But then everyone is different. No two pregnancies are the same and therefore, no two birthing experiences. I will be having more children and they will be c-sections. It’s what I know.

Laura-Jayne Gilmore, Dubai

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

GULF MEN'S LEAGUE

Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2

Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers

 

Opening fixtures

Thursday, December 5

6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles

7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers

7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles

7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2

 

Recent winners

2018 Dubai Hurricanes

2017 Dubai Exiles

2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

While you're here
The biog

Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia

Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins

Favourite dish: Grilled fish

Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.

CHELSEA'S NEXT FIVE GAMES

Mar 10: Norwich(A)

Mar 13: Newcastle(H)

Mar 16: Lille(A)

Mar 19: Middlesbrough(A)

Apr 2: Brentford(H)

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."