The Dubai Metro should be extended as much as possible (A milestone for public transport, September 11).
However, I don’t think it has really saved so many car journeys, because anyone who has the money to get a licence and a car does so as soon as possible. Most people who use the metro don’t have cars.
My car was in a workshop for a week and, as a test, I tried to find out if I could get to work on the metro and bus. The answer was no, it’s not possible. So, like millions of others in the UAE, I have to have a car.
Tanya Milbourne, Abu Dhabi
The overarching success story is that the metro has been brought to life in spite of the many, many naysayers at the time. Well done.
Khristo Ayad, Dubai
I would rather see a railway connecting all of the emirates.
Hans Borst, Dubai
Excited about Dubai Opera
Thank you for composer Mohammed Fairouz's excellent article, Programming diversity is the key to a great opera house (September 10).
We are going to the Dubai Opera on October 8 to see Jose Carreras, and we cannot wait.
Janet Humphrey, Abu Dhabi
Being banned is not so bad
In reference to US airlines becoming a no-fly zone for Muslims (September 9), being banned from flying in America is probably the best thing that could happen to anyone.
Airline travel in America these days is like flying in a Greyhound bus.
A Bradford, Oman
This is not a big deal. Considering what horrible planes and staff the American airlines have, everyone should avoid them.
Gianmaria Vidale, Dubai
iPhone7 is less affordable here
No shades of grey in UAE over iPhone 7 (September 9) quotes Mike Priest, editor of Stuff magazine Middle East.
Priest says: “It means consumers will get the phone virtually at the same time as the US and at pretty much the same price. I think the days of huge markups on imported iPhones is probably a thing of the past.”
However, I have noticed a price difference of Dh275 for the iPhone7Plus between the United States and the UAE.
Sohail Anjum Mohammad, Dubai
Celebrating the meaning of Eid
The excitement at this time of year is wonderful (Families flock to Eid Al Adha fair, September 10).
That is what Eid is all about: sharing joy and being with both your loved ones and new friends.
However, I was a little surprised how many people think it is all about expensive clothes, luxury dinners or the biggest gifts.
Please take a moment this Eid to think about its meaning.
Christina Toebast, Dubai
The malls, cinemas, hotels, parks and beaches are going to be packed over Eid.
All the shops will have sales, but I am not one for crowded places. While I may do some quality shopping, I won’t be skipping my daily routine of a workout followed by serene yoga.
I hope that everybody remains blessed, watches their health and gets back to work feeling rejuvenated.
Mathew Litty, Dubai
Call for safety awareness
I refer to your story No issue with photographing others if child safety is at risk, says CDA head (September 6).
It is important to emphasise road safety, especially considering the high number of road accidents we see.
It seems to me that many motorists are off in their own world, driving the way they want to with no respect for anyone else.
However, I thought it was illegal to take pictures of others without their consent. Even if it is not illegal in this instance, it is not safe to take photos while driving.
So, we could be policing one dangerous practice by introducing another.
We need better ways to promote road-safety awareness.
Name withheld by request
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How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Leganes v Getafe (12am)
Levante v Alaves (4pm)
Real Madrid v Sevilla (7pm)
Osasuna v Valladolid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Eibar v Atletico Madrid (12am)
Mallorca v Valencia (3pm)
Real Betis v Real Sociedad (5pm)
Villarreal v Espanyol (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Barcelona v Granada (12am)
