With reference to Razmig Bedirian's report 'The Simpsons' to stop using white actors to voice non-white characters (June 27): I have always wondered why they make actors do accents. Why not just use an actor who naturally has the required accent?
Elisabeth Kendall, Dubai
If the new actors are going to play the roles with an accent then it does not make a difference.
Nagi A, New York City, US
Global coronavirus cases pass 10 million
With reference to the report on your live blog Coronavirus live: Global cases on the cusp of passing 10 million (28 June): the pandemic is frightening in its proliferation even after sustained lockdowns. The US, Brazil and India are witnessing sharp spikes in daily numbers. Yet, economies have had to open for people to make a living.
Even when lockdowns are lifted, countries like India and Brazil should consider a curfew over the weekends to control the disease. Governments in countries like India and Brazil should continue expanding the medical facilities in terms of beds and intensive care units. All countries should agree with the World Health Organisation on the protocol of medicines to treat Covid-19. And all citizens should realise that it is up to us now, to use masks and practise social distancing, to avoid the disease till a vaccine is found. Finally, testing should be intensified in all countries, particularly in crowded cities.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
People in two minds about whether to go to the gym
Regarding the report Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi allows gyms to reopen (June 27): this is welcome news. But it is not going to be easy to train in masks and gloves.
Viktoria Sych, Abu Dhabi
In gyms in Dubai you don’t need to wear a mask for cardiovascular exercises.
Matt Edwards, Dubai
The gym is probably one of the more difficult places to keep adequately sanitised. I think I will wait a while longer.
Name withheld on request
UAE has sent more aid to Iran to help contain the virus
With reference to Anam Rizvi's article Coronavirus: UAE sends 16 metric tonnes of aid to medics in Iran (June 27): this is the sort of news I love to read.
Nsubuga Richard, Kampala, Uganda
This is an amazing gesture and it shows the maturity of the UAE.
Louay Al Samarrai, Dubai
Poacher
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
