:Some readers think Dubai’s decision to ban cyclists from major roads is sensible. Satish Kumar / The National
:Some readers think Dubai’s decision to ban cyclists from major roads is sensible. Satish Kumar / The National
:Some readers think Dubai’s decision to ban cyclists from major roads is sensible. Satish Kumar / The National
:Some readers think Dubai’s decision to ban cyclists from major roads is sensible. Satish Kumar / The National

Problems of Dubai Marina can be resolved


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The frustrations of the author of the article Dubai Marina needs urgent artery surgery (April 23) have been shared by every single Dubai Marina resident I have spoken to.

The solution to this problem is simple and requires no spending by RTA or any other body. Simply allow the left and u-turns again.

I understand that the concern is careless motorists who may drive into the tram. For that, I suggest having parking barrier gates at traffic lights, to be used when the tram is passing. Otherwise they will be lifted. I am sure that the service fees paid to developers in the area can go towards this small capital expenditure. Perhaps the community housing associations can work on this.

Hisham Jamal, Dubai

The article is spot on. The noisy cars speeding through the roads coupled with the absurdly noisy motorbikes rattling the neighbourhood make it almost impossible to sleep some nights. This is a residential area after all.

Sid Menon, Dubai

Why chase only ‘outsiders’?

Further to your article regarding Navinder Singh Sarao (Alleged 'Flash Crash' UK trader arrested on US fraud charges, April 23), it is interesting how the US financial regulators are chasing people and institutions outside their country and not those at home.

The people behind the biggest financial crisis since 1929 – bankers, brokers, mortgage brokers and investment companies – who are based in the United States do not appear to have been chased, found or prosecuted for the havoc they caused around the world. Fanny Mae, Goldman Sachs are some of the examples. They destroyed lives, businesses and countries with their greed.

Why does the US government not prosecute their own people before prosecuting someone who lives with his parents in a suburb of London and who doesn’t appear to have affected the lives of millions around the world? In fact, I would think his name wasn’t known to most of the people before it popped up in the newspapers recently.

Name withheld by request

Illegals are Europe’s burden

With unemployment high in so many places in Europe, the last thing it needs is more immigrants to flood the job market, welfare system and prisons (The rich world cannot live in an anti-migrant fortress, April 23).

Besides that, there is the problem of the sovereignty of the countries that, at one point, accepted them willy nilly. These migrants are threatening the security of the countries they arrive at.

Valeriu Crainic, Dubai

They could do much more in Europe. Among the EU, Germany and Sweden should be the quantitative benchmark for other member states. I am happy to see the reference to international conventions, which are legally and morally binding for all signatories in Europe and elsewhere.

Tobias Falk, Dubai

It’s a huge burden that no one country has resources enough to solve. It must be solved by the United Nations.

Patricia Estep, US

More than 10,000 illegal immigrants have landed in Greece and Italy since December of last year (Militarising the Mediterranean won't solve the migrant issue, April 28). So I think military presence in the Mediterranean will help.

Those countries don’t have the resources to support illegal immigrants.

John Paravalos, Dubai

Move on cyclists a sensible one

I think Dubai's move to ban cyclists from riding on major roads is wise (Bicycles banned from major roads, April 27). I see cyclists going in the opposite direction on highways. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Jen Bishop, Abu Dhabi

Drivers who think the roads are a Grand Prix racing track should be fined, while the authorities should build more bike lanes.

Sell more bikes and start a campaign to promote healthy living.

Anders Udo, Dubai

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

The Farewell

Director: Lulu Wang

Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma

Four stars

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