In reference to the story How the western diet is the worst colonial export (May 8), it’s not about western or Arab diets. It’s about moderation, education and choice. All types of cuisine have unhealthy options. It’s up to us to regulate our consumption of those things. It’s wrong to blame the fast-food industry.
Ahmed Alanzi, Abu Dhabi
Calling predominantly American fast food a “western diet” is quite an insult to many western cuisines. And just for the record: spaghetti alfredo is not Italian.
Wiltrud Matthes, Dubai
Western food is not fast food, even though many popular fast-food businesses originated there. Western food is diverse. In America you will find many different cuisines from different parts of the world.
There are healthy and unhealthy foods. When I was young growing up in America’s Deep South, I rarely ate fast food. Everything was homemade, and fatty foods were eaten in moderation.
In addition, we were very active. Today’s society is just the opposite – people prefer fast food and a sedentary lifestyle. It’s awful.
Casey N Corley, Qatar
Western diet means more choices. That translates into more unhealthy choices, too. It’s important to educate the public. Perhaps a columnist, who is an expert on nutrition, can explain.
Patricia Estep, US
This is an economic problem as much as it is anything else. Healthy food is more expensive. Go to the grocery store and compare the price of normal pasta with whole wheat, or price-check quinoa. Or salmon with beef , or fresh-pressed juice with concentrated juice. People on lower incomes are forced to choose the unhealthy options.
Marie, Abu Dhabi
This is not about geography, but content. All cultures have junk foods and these are much easier to prepare, because of far greater availability and affordability of refined sugars, refined flours, starch, meat, salt and oil. This will adversely affect people – including western people – even if they stick to “traditional” cuisine.
Eating greasy mandi, noodles or biryani all the time and washing it down with sweetened traditional beverages is not a healthy diet either. Moreover, it is very much possible to have a healthy “western” diet.
Sohan Dsouza, Dubai
We need to save marine life
Regarding the story Third oil spill in Fujairah in two months leaves hoteliers fuming (May 7), what about the marine life and the safety of the people who enter the water before realising it’s full of oil? Where are the coast guards?
It’s obvious that these tankers are cleaning out their tanks not too far from the coast. And they know they can get away with it, so they keep coming back. More action is needed to protect this beautiful coastline.
Lisa Justice, Dubai
I was at Sambraid beach near Dibba on Saturday. Thankfully I didn’t see the spill. Something needs to be done quickly. The spill will have a huge impact on the marine life and ecology of the area.
Name withheld by request
We were at Al Aqah earlier this year and everyone who came in contact with the sea was covered in oil.
Osama Rashid, Dubai
It’s not just about high rents
I don’t think it’s just high rents (Mall rent hikes may force retailers to go online, May 9). It’s a combination of excessive mark-ups for luxury and high-street brands, poor customer service and old stock that have driven consumers online or to shop abroad.
Hessa Al R, UK
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Mountain%20Boy
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Western Clubs Champions League:
- Friday, Sep 8 - Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Bahrain
- Friday, Sep 15 – Kandy v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
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The biog
Favourite Quote: “Real victories are those that protect human life, not those that result from its destruction emerge from its ashes,” by The late king Hussain of Jordan.
Favourite Hobby: Writing and cooking
Favourite Book: The Prophet by Gibran Khalil Gibran
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
