With regard to David Tusing's report Abu Dhabi's Peter Rosalita on his viral 'America's Got Talent' journey: 'I was watching others on YouTube, now I'm watching myself' (June 8): good luck on your journey, Peter. So very proud of you. You have the gift of a golden voice.
Elvie Iwakeim, Larnaca, Cyprus
Pakistan's fifth deadly train crash in three years
With regard to Ben Farmer's article Overnight death toll in Pakistan train accident rises to 63 as more bodies found (June 8): all the more tragic that this is not the first such train accident in Pakistan of late. My condolences to the bereaved families.
Elize van Wyk, Dubai
Coping with grief by helping others
With regard to Ramola Talwar Badam's report Covid-19: Indian expat who lost eight relatives in 22 days backs aid campaign (June 8): this story was a grim read. Covid-19 has created so many complications in people's lives. Besides the emotional toll of losing loved ones, the death of family members, especially earning members, affects practical matters like finances. There are many layers to grief. And while time does help, these are irreparable losses.
It's commendable that so many philanthropic organisations are helping ease the burden on those affected by Covid-19 – and that this lady, Juhi Khan, with such a heavy burden of grief is trying to help others.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Indian citizens in crises bail out one another
In reference to Taniya Dutta's report Indian government takes back vaccine distribution from states in new push against Covid-19 (June 7): in the midst of the immense human suffering due to the pandemic, there are instances of human and institutional initiatives and co-operation that need to be applauded.
Many private sector companies in India are arranging with local municipalities to vaccinate all their employees. Some are also vaccinating the families of the employees and associates like the distributors of the company. In Mumbai, a Citizen’s Forum has decided to procure 8,000 doses to vaccinate free of charge all residents, maids, drivers and slum dwellers in the vicinity. They are visiting families door-to-door to register the names and ages of potential recipients of the vaccines.
The Sikh community in Delhi rendered a fantastic yeoman service by opening oxygen clinics when there was a desperate shortage of oxygen in the city. Such instances of human beings helping one another in distress are heartening. At a time when governments and institutions are under severe pressure due to the pandemic, ordinary citizens should pick up the gauntlet.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
MO
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
BABYLON
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Damien%20Chazelle%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Brad%20Pitt%2C%20Margot%20Robbie%2C%20Jean%20Smart%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
