The UAE has started to gradually open up its economy. REUTERS
The UAE has started to gradually open up its economy. REUTERS

For some people, staycations are an excuse for reckless behaviour



I write to you in reference to Ashleigh Stewart's article 'We sold out in 12 hours': hotels adapt to new reality as residents snap up staycation offers (May 14).

It was shocking to read these statements, which are a clear indication that the hotel industry sees restrictions as an inconvenience rather than an imperative protocol.

We must all stay responsible. We cannot afford to suddenly let our guard down in the false belief that we are safe.

While there is a large segment of society that is indeed acting responsibly, some still behave in a reckless manner. These are the same people now frequenting resorts to “party” or for a “staycation” while ignoring social distancing measures.

It is saddening to see that residents need to be reminded that this pandemic took the lives of overworked health workers and loved ones. It is disrespectful towards the UAE government and health workers for individuals to brush off the pandemic and expose themselves, and others, to infection.

And while we all yearn to return to normalcy, we must ensure that those who break the rules are held accountable for their actions.

There is no shame in needing a breather. Mental health is extremely important. Recklessness, however, must not be allowed.

Mariam Sallam, UAE

Anti-malarial drug proven effective against ... malaria, not Covid-19

I write to you in reference to Coronavirus: two new studies find 'no benefit' from anti-malaria drug (May 15). What a disappointment. This article revealed that the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, on which so many politicians and some scientists had pinned their hopes for a coronavirus cure, was proven to be completely ineffective against the disease. Hydroxychloroquine is very effective against malaria, the disease it was designed to combat, but has absolutely no effect whatsoever on patients suffering from the novel coronavirus.  

Now that one potential solution ended up being little more than false hope, it is time to focus the world’s efforts on other promising cures for the coronavirus, such as stem cell treatments.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Pandemic should teach us compassion, not hate and bigotry

I write to you in reference to Paul Peachey's article German far-right exploit Covid-19 to rally anti-Muslim fervour (May 15).

It is sad to see that in some countries, fringe groups are using this pandemic as an excuse to fuel hatred. We must remember our shared humanity, not hate each other in this time of strife.

Nyanzi Allan, Kampala

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

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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 

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Results

United States beat UAE by three wickets

United States beat Scotland by 35 runs

UAE v Scotland – no result

United States beat UAE by 98 runs

Scotland beat United States by four wickets

Fixtures

Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland

Admission is free

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

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
Election pledges on migration

CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections" 

SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

McLaren GT specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 620bhp

Torque: 630Nm

Price: Dh875,000

On sale: now

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

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