Kohli should withdraw his resignation
I write in reference to Paul Radley’s article Virat Kohli: good at captaincy, useless at endings (January 16): Virat Kohli's resignation as India’s cricket Test captain comes as a shock. He is one of the world's best cricketers; a brilliant batter and strategist. Under his leadership, India have won many matches and competitions both at home and abroad.
Kohli is also a social media phenomenon. With 180 million followers on Instagram, he outdoes India’s popular prime minister, Narendra Modi, on the platform; Mr Modi has about 65 million followers.
The point is that Kohli must think practically. He is one of the highest-paid athletes globally. In addition to his match earnings, he makes millions from endorsing products on various channels, including Instagram. Will his brand not take a beating if he is no longer captain?
At 33, he has a lot of cricket left in him, and he remains a great asset for the country. So I hope the Indian cricket board persuades him to withdraw his resignation and continue leading the national team.
Rajendra Aneja, Mumbai, India
The world must act upon the Houthis’ attack
I write in reference to Rory Reynolds’ article UAE 'reserves right to retaliate' after drone attack on Abu Dhabi by Houthi militia (January 17): what the Houthis have done is nothing short of a terrorist act on a peace-loving country. I am deeply saddened by the loss of life. Those who died were civilians going about their jobs. While the attack is shocking, the international community needs to do more than just condemn it. The US must put the Houthis back on its terror list. The rest of us, meanwhile, should pray for the innocent victims.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Gambia has led the Rohingya cause
With reference to your report Fire at Rohingya camp in Bangladesh leaves thousands homeless (January 10): Gambia deserves our gratitude for pursuing the case against the Myanmar government for its role in perpetrating an ongoing genocide against the Rohingya. The case, being heard at the International Court of Justice, will pave the way for justice for the genocide survivors. But we need the bigger powers around the globe to exert political pressure on Myanmar so it ends its decades-long atrocities against the Rohingya. The rest of the world must support Gambia’s initiative.
Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani, Malaysia
Employment lawyer Meriel Schindler of Withers Worldwide shares her tips on achieving equal pay
Do your homework
Make sure that you are being offered a fair salary. There is lots of industry data available, and you can always talk to people who have come out of the organisation. Where I see people coming a cropper is where they haven’t done their homework.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
It’s quite standard to negotiate if you think an offer is on the low side. The job is unlikely to be withdrawn if you ask for money, and if that did happen I’d question whether you want to work for an employer who is so hypersensitive.
Know your worth
Women tend to be a bit more reticent to talk about their achievements. In my experience they need to have more confidence in their own abilities – men will big up what they’ve done to get a pay rise, and to compete women need to turn up the volume.
Work together
If you suspect men in your organisation are being paid more, look your boss in the eye and say, “I want you to assure me that I’m paid equivalent to my peers”. If you’re not getting a straight answer, talk to your peer group and consider taking direct action to fix inequality.
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
The%20specs
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MATCH INFO
RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')
Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)
Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin
On Instagram: @WithHopeUAE
Although social media can be harmful to our mental health, paradoxically, one of the antidotes comes with the many social-media accounts devoted to normalising mental-health struggles. With Hope UAE is one of them.
The group, which has about 3,600 followers, was started three years ago by five Emirati women to address the stigma surrounding the subject. Via Instagram, the group recently began featuring personal accounts by Emiratis. The posts are written under the hashtag #mymindmatters, along with a black-and-white photo of the subject holding the group’s signature red balloon.
“Depression is ugly,” says one of the users, Amani. “It paints everything around me and everything in me.”
Saaed, meanwhile, faces the daunting task of caring for four family members with psychological disorders. “I’ve had no support and no resources here to help me,” he says. “It has been, and still is, a one-man battle against the demons of fractured minds.”
In addition to With Hope UAE’s frank social-media presence, the group holds talks and workshops in Dubai. “Change takes time,” Reem Al Ali, vice chairman and a founding member of With Hope UAE, told The National earlier this year. “It won’t happen overnight, and it will take persistent and passionate people to bring about this change.”
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
Results
6.30pm Madjani Stakes Rated Conditions (PA) I Dh160,000 I 1,900m I Winner: Mawahib, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm Maiden Dh150,000 I 1,400m I Winner One Season, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Maiden Dh150,000 I 2,000m I Winner Street Of Dreams, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.15pm Dubai Creek Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,600m I Winner Heavy Metal, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm The Entisar Listed I Dh250,000 I 2,000m I Winner Etijaah, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
9.25pm The Garhoud Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,200m I Winner Muarrab, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
10pm Handicap I Dh160,000 I 1,600m I Winner Sea Skimmer, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
