It is good news, but just barely, that this country no longer holds a certain title (UAE drops down the ecology-footprint league, May 16).
But we haven't dropped down very far, and it is surely no coincidence that those who have surpassed us in per capita "footprint" in the latest World Wildlife Fund rankings, Qatar and Kuwait, are also in our region.
Yes, the need for a lot of air conditioning is one issue, but the low retail price of petrol and the weak development of recycling in the region are also to blame.
As a western expatriate who is fairly well-informed about the successes and problems of sustainability in the West, I give the UAE government high marks for good intentions.
But to get from intentions to reality - to establish the supply chain in recycling, for example, takes persistence, investment, public education and public buy-in.
There is a lot of work to do.
Peggy Montgomery, Dubai
That was a depressing story. I feel terrible every time I drop a cardboard box containing 12 empty water bottles down the rubbish chute in my building. There must be a better way.
Sue Curran, Abu Dhabi
Fast way to make a weighty point
All your proposals about the anti-obesity "Food Revolution Day" (Food fight, May 16) involve eating.
Wouldn't fasting for a day make better sense, for healthy people at least?
Mae Marini, Dubai
Paying ransom not the answer
I'm sure there was, among friends and relatives, quite a bit of Joy as $2.8m pirate ransom raised (May 16.) But there will also have been a lot of joy among the pirates, and quite a crowd of new volunteers at the pirate recruiting station.
The related story (EU gunship in beach strike) is better news, in a way. It's particularly nice to see the EU actually do something.
But until Somalia has a proper government to allow investors to create real jobs, and to suppress piracy from the land side, the problem will not go away.
Samir Tawil, Dubai
A truly world-class zoo is required
Your stories Concern over lion cub for sale on Twitter and Customs seizes chance to help animals (both May 16) got me thinking: perhaps there would be fewer problems with private menageries if the UAE had a really world-class public zoo.
With all respect to the quite pleasant Al Ain Zoo, I'm talking about a truly major attraction in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
I know there are ethical controversies about zoos but let's be pragmatic: a well-run, well-funded zoo would treat animals better than many beasts are apparently treated in private at present.
Malcolm Robertson, Abu Dhabi
Case of piscatorial misappropriation
Whales are mammals, not fish. So your headline Skeleton crew hopes giant will become big fish in education (May 16), while clever, is not quite spot on.
More seriously, it is excellent that Fujairah officials are finding a way to get extended educational value from the beast. The photo of the vast whale on the beach is really awe inspiring.
VJ Mehta, Dubai
Save us all from junk messages
Today, during a business meeting, I received a text message. As a relative is in shaky health, I pulled out my phone and checked the message.
It was somebody trying to sell me a Porsche, a car so far beyond my price range that I can't even afford a scale model as a toy.
Won't someone deliver us from this endless assault?
Michel Daoud, Dubai
Euro meeting all bark without bite
I write regarding your story, Merkel and Hollande in euro debt showdown (May 14). This is going to be interesting considering France is technically broke and their pampered workers are forever on strike for more pay. It's like a toothless dog barking.
Aziza Al Busaidy, Dubai
UN must make a move on Syria
I refer to Monitors see 20 shot dead at funeral in Syria (May 16).
What more do the monitors need to see?
It's time for them to withdraw and tell the truth about what they have seen.
Then the UN Security Council can get on with some more substantive action.
Ali Hassad, UK
World Cup warm-up fixtures
Friday, May 24:
- Pakistan v Afghanistan (Bristol)
- Sri Lanka v South Africa (Cardiff)
Saturday, May 25
- England v Australia (Southampton)
- India v New Zealand (The Oval, London)
Sunday, May 26
- South Africa v West Indies (Bristol)
- Pakistan v Bangladesh (Cardiff)
Monday, May 27
- Australia v Sri Lanka (Southampton)
- England v Afghanistan (The Oval, London)
Tuesday, May 28
- West Indies v New Zealand (Bristol)
- Bangladesh v India (Cardiff)
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
A meeting of young minds
The 3,494 entries for the 2019 Sharjah Children Biennial come from:
435 – UAE
2,000 – China
808 – United Kingdom
165 – Argentina
38 – Lebanon
16 – Saudi Arabia
16 – Bangladesh
6 – Ireland
3 – Egypt
3 – France
2 – Sudan
1 – Kuwait
1 – Australia
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The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 390bhp
Torque: 400Nm
Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
ROUTE%20TO%20TITLE
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Leading all-time NBA scorers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
Karl Malone 36,928
Kobe Bryant 33,643
Michael Jordan 32,292
LeBron James 31,425
Wilt Chamberlain 31,419
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO
Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday
Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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