I am writing about the sad passing of boxing great Muhammad Ali (Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies at 74, June 4). The demise of Ali is a great loss to the entire world.
He was known for his records and incredible achievements in the boxing arena. But it was his positions on difficult political and social issues that the world will miss most.
Tributes from all corners of the world, including from politicians, have poured in for this legend. He was one of the greatest Americans of his generation.
Like many people around the world, I pray for his departed soul and his grieving family members.
K Ragavan, India
When parents need to do better
Regarding your editorial about parental discipline in Japan (Parental discipline, June 4), the child's parents have stepped over the line in this case. They put their child in danger and ran the risk of losing him in the woods.
This event will certainly affect the child emotionally in the short term. I bet there will be long-term damage as well. These parents have psychologically damaged their child.
Chrissy Smith, UK
Let's put things in simple terms. The child's parents lost him. The chances of something tragic happening to the child or even the child dying were very high. This is not parenting, it is something else.
Rebecca Mermod Trostel, Dubai
I think that these parents are not fit to the task of parenting. It is disgraceful and the state should intervene.
Mikael Schonberg, Austria
Students need housing
Your editorial about the lack of student housing addresses a critical and sometimes overlooked issue (University students in the UAE need housing options, June 4). The lack of affordable housing affects more than students. Workers of all stripes rent out bed-space because they are not able to afford their own room or flat.
If we start with reforms to student housing, hopefully there will be ways to remedy the larger housing market challenges so that everyone has a place to live.
Jeffrey Martin, Abu Dhabi
Is peace and quiet possible?
Having just returned from a brief trip to London, I was pleased to see that a campaign to get rid of loud music in public spaces is gaining a lot of support.
Abu Dhabi should follow suit. It is almost impossible to go into a restaurant, a hotel lobby, a lift or a shopping mall and not be assaulted – I use the world advisedly – by the completely unnecessary, unwanted and raucous blaring of mindless music. Thankfully, things willbe quieter during Ramadan.
A visit to a beautiful seaside restaurant for an evening meal this week was completely spoiled by the relentless thump, thump thump of this ghastly modern phenomenon.
I wonder if we will ever get to a stage when we can just enjoy a bit of peace and quiet.
Damian West, Abu Dhabi
Enforcing child safety laws
I am writing with praise for a new child safety law (UAE law is just first step in ensuring child safety, June 4). This law is a good step in the right direction towards better child safety protection. We must, however, remain aware that no law can ensure child safety.
Laws can only help punish when bad things have happened. They also serve as deterrents when they are properly enforced.
Society needs to be vigilant, and willing to involve authorities when there is the slightest suspicion of wrongdoing. When it comes to our children, this is paramount.
Wiltrud Matthes, Sharjah
Don't forget about the sugar
Healthy living has long been a concern for many people living here. While there are many ways to live healthier, diet is the best but I am not sure that cutting out salt is the only way forward.
Regarding your report on the matter (A salty debate in need of hard facts, June 4), we need to focus more on sugar-laden diets than salt in this country. Yes, excess salt is directly connected to heart disease, but sugar-heavy diets pose the greatest risks for our young people.
Cara Lee Tabron-Rashed, Dubai
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
SPECS: Polestar 3
Engine: Long-range dual motor with 400V battery
Power: 360kW / 483bhp
Torque: 840Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 628km
0-100km/h: 4.7sec
Top speed: 210kph
Price: From Dh360,000
On sale: September
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.
"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs
UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv
Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Company Profile
Company name: Hoopla
Date started: March 2023
Founder: Jacqueline Perrottet
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Investment required: $500,000
COMPANY PROFILE
Company: Eco Way
Started: December 2023
Founder: Ivan Kroshnyi
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Electric vehicles
Investors: Bootstrapped with undisclosed funding. Looking to raise funds from outside
Pros and cons of BNPL
Pros
- Easy to use and require less rigorous credit checks than traditional credit options
- Offers the ability to spread the cost of purchases over time, often interest-free
- Convenient and can be integrated directly into the checkout process, useful for online shopping
- Helps facilitate cash flow planning when used wisely
Cons
- The ease of making purchases can lead to overspending and accumulation of debt
- Missing payments can result in hefty fees and, in some cases, high interest rates after an initial interest-free period
- Failure to make payments can impact credit score negatively
- Refunds can be complicated and delayed
Courtesy: Carol Glynn
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
