A reader conveys concern over the health of marine life. Courtesy Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi
A reader conveys concern over the health of marine life. Courtesy Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi

Marine life in the Gulf faces a grave threat



With regard to your story People need to get under the waves to understand the marine life they're losing, experts say (October 22), the ever-increasing salinity means that the Gulf, particularly in built-up areas or near desalination plants, is becoming less hospitable for marine life.

I’m afraid this environmental issue will only become worse as the population and need for fresh water increase.

Matthew Bocock, Abu Dhabi

What’s the fuss over looks?

I refer to the story A Pakistani chai wala's gaze creates a window into the nation's soul (October 21). It's a sheer case of sexism, objectification and stereotyping.

Harassing a tea seller for his looks is just as problematic as harassing a waitress.

Salman Khan, India

This isn’t the only such case. Many young Pakistanis are handsome. So what’s the fuss about a “chai wala” having good looks? Is there any reason to think that only rich people can be good looking?

Yaseen Yousafzai, Dubai

I hope this young man gets an opportunity to pursue his education and improve his life.

Sarah Broom, Dubai

Millennials face great pressure

Although research suggests that two in five under-35s live for today because thrift is throttling them (Millennials are misled by instant gratification, October 22), I don't think thrift is the problem. Rather, it's huge student debt and fewer opportunities.

University fees have increased well beyond inflation and wages have not. I know many millennials living very thrifty lives and achieving fantastic goals despite the odds.

People need to stop blaming millennials for where they are and look at the big picture. It’s a very different world.

Daniella How, Abu Dhabi

Learning soft skills is crucial

Teaching soft skills to children is a must in today's educational environment (Without a focus on teaching soft skills, we risk an unprepared generation, October 21).

This prepares them for life as adults. They will acquire foundational listening, critical thinking and communication skills, learn how to express themselves, and how to work and follow directions.

In addition, they will learn how to be an effective team member and how to lead others.

Connie Moore, US

Teaching needs to be brought into the 21st century across the board, from early years right up to degree level.

Tanya Milbourne, Abu Dhabi

Emirati women make us proud

I congratulate Fatima Al Qubaisi on her achievement (UAE Portrait of a Nation: First Emirati woman to join Harvard law school, October 21).

Young Emirati women are capable of doing so much when given the opportunity. The more the opportunities for women in professional fields the better. That will make the world a more peaceful place.

Gillian Brain, Abu Dhabi

Congratulations to Ms Al Qubaisi. This is an achievement for Emirati women.

Mensura Lejlic, US

Visa refusal to patient is cruel

I am appalled at the cruelty of the people who refused to issue a visa for Maria Ullah and her parents (Time running out for ailing Pakistan girl waiting for a US visa, October 22). If the authorities are really worried that the family will refuse to leave after the treatment, they can issue a visa to only one parent at a time. To save a child's life it is worth such a small risk.

Name withheld by request

COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Almouneer
Started: 2017
Founders: Dr Noha Khater and Rania Kadry
Based: Egypt
Number of staff: 120
Investment: Bootstrapped, with support from Insead and Egyptian government, seed round of
$3.6 million led by Global Ventures

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: SmartCrowd
Started: 2018
Founder: Siddiq Farid and Musfique Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech / PropTech
Initial investment: $650,000
Current number of staff: 35
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Various institutional investors and notable angel investors (500 MENA, Shurooq, Mada, Seedstar, Tricap)

Women’s Asia Cup

UAE fixtures
Sun Oct 2, v Sri Lanka
Tue Oct 4, v India
Wed Oct 5, v Malaysia
Fri Oct 7, v Thailand
Sun Oct 9, v Pakistan
Tue Oct 11, v Bangladesh

UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Esha Oza, Kavisha Kumari, Khushi Sharma, Theertha Satish, Lavanya Keny, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Natasha Cherriath, Indhuja Nandakumar, Rishitha Rajith, Vaishnave Mahesh, Siya Gokhale, Samaira Dharnidharka, Mahika Gaur

Women & Power: A Manifesto

Mary Beard

Profile Books and London Review of Books 

Dubai Rugby Sevens

November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures

Thursday, November 30:

10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders

Friday, December 1:

9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates

Monster Hunter: World

Capcom

PlayStation 4, Xbox One

If you go...

Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.

SPEC SHEET: SAMSUNG GALAXY S24 ULTRA

Display: 6.8" quad-HD+ dynamic Amoled 2X, 3120 x 1440, 505ppi, HDR10+, 120Hz

Processor: 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 64-bit octa-core

Memory: 12GB RAM

Storage: 256/512GB / 1TB

Platform: Android 14, One UI 6.1

Main camera: quad 200MP wide f/1.7 + 50MP periscope telephoto f/3.4 with 5x optical/10x optical quality zoom + 10MP telephoto 2.4 with 3x optical zoom + 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2; 100x Space Zoom; auto HDR, expert RAW

Video: 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, full-HD@30/60/240fps, full-HD super slo-mo@960fps

Front camera: 12MP f/2.2

Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare

Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC

I/O: USB-C; built-in Galaxy S Pen

Durability: IP68, up to 1.5m of freshwater up to 30 minutes; dust-resistant

SIM: Nano + nano / nano + eSIM / dual eSIM (varies in different markets)

Colours: Titanium black, titanium grey, titanium violet, titanium yellow

In the box: Galaxy S24 Ultra, USB-C-to-C cable

Price: Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,599 for 512GB, Dh6,599 for 1TB

Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador

Scores

Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Arsenal 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Burnley 1-0 Brighton
Manchester United 4-1 Fulham
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace

Saturday fixtures:
Chelsea v Manchester City, 9.30pm (UAE)
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur, 11.45pm (UAE)

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.