I am writing in response to Dubai private schools reap Dh3.5bn in tuition fees (June 27).
I believe it is time for the government to regulate private schools, as this directly affects the local economy.
In Mexico, where private schools are the preferred option for parents who can afford them, the government places limits on schools' profit margins and forces them to offer a minimum number of scholarships to students who need them.
Depending on your income and situation, you can apply for your child to receive a partial or full scholarship.
There needs to be more disclosure about the profits made by private schools, and how much of the money is invested back into the school to justify their rates.
Mariana Cavelier, Dubai
Hard sentence for selling 'soft' drug
A death sentence for selling "soft" drugs is very harsh (Legal experts give drug pair hope, June 27).
Sure, the sale (and consumption) of drugs in the UAE is illegal but a sentence should depend on the severity of the crime or, in this case, the severity of the drug.
Marijuana is "soft" compared to some pharmaceutical off-the-shelf medicines. It's not cocaine or opium/heroin.
I really think the punishment should depend on what type of drug is involved and not only the fact that it is a drug.
Abdul Ismail, Abu Dhabi
Will Egypt retain its role in region?
Apropos your story Tahrir hails new president Morsi (June 25), the victory of Mohammed Morsi in the historic Egyptian election has ended many months of political ambiguity.
The popular uprising to remove Hosni Mubarak from power, which turned violent on many occasions, is now leading to a path of democracy. However, the military still has strong influence.
One should not overlook the position of Egypt and its active involvement in Middle East affairs in the recent past.
Egypt has taken a vibrant approach by engaging with everyone at the negotiating table, and it has had some success.
For Egypt to maintain its crucial role as the mediator of the region, the achievements of the Mubarak era cannot be ignored by any administration coming to power.
As the newly elected president, Mr Morsi will have many hefty challenges ahead of him, primarily to make everyone comfortable under his leadership.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
Fashion feature a possible faux pas
Regarding your "modest fashion" article and picture, Fun, stylish and safe under the sun (June 25), I thought tank tops were a no-no in the UAE. Erin Brannen, Abu Dhabi
Beach Boys still hit the right note
Out of the many reviews of the new Beach Boys album, your review (Boys are back, June 5) captures the essence of its quality with exceptional brevity.
I agree with the four out of five stars James McNair awarded to That's Why God Made the Radio.
I also agree with him that From There to Back Again is the standout track on the album.
I rank the song right up there with established Brian Wilson classics. With Al Jardine's improbably youthful voice, it is simply stunning. This album deserves a Grammy nomination.
Mitch Cooley, US
No winners in murder case
In reference to your review of the book about the murder of Meredith Kercher (Heartbreaking story of a forgotten victim, June 23), I think Kercher is remembered more because of this case, not less.
Also, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, who were acquitted of Kercher's murder, did not want attention; that was the media's fault, not theirs.
Michelle Moore, US
Young author's story inspires
Your story about Pritvik Sinhdac (Young author with a monster future, June 27) is so inspirational.
I can't believe he is only seven. I told my son about it and now he wants to write a book.
Ali Tosh, UK
It's so nice to see a young child take such incredible initiative. His parents must be so proud of his achievement.
This makes me feel like I need to be doing more with myself.
Aziz Alsari, Abu Dhabi
This shows the diversity of talent in the UAE. Brilliant!
Leopold Dobrovolskis, Dubai
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
