I refer to your article How environmentally friendly are you, really? (January 14): the best earth-friendly practices require the cooperation of everyone. So how do we get the next generation to reduce, reuse, recycle and embrace the other basics of environmental responsibility? The best way to teach them is to lead by example, with a number of important practices. Recycling begins at home and is easy and, in some communities, mandatory. Plastic that ends up as ocean debris contributes to habitat destruction and entangles and kills tens of thousands of marine animals each year. That's why we devote 10 per cent of our annual profits to Plastic Oceans UK Foundation.
To limit impact always choose reusable items and of course, recycle whenever possible. On that point, beaches are fragile environments and we must be attentive to how we treat them. The sand and surf are far more than a place to build sandcastles and take a dive. With this in mind, many communities sponsor green activities such as pitching in to help clean up a local beach.
Meanwhile, the fashion industry is second only to oil in the environmental destruction it creates – mainly because consumers buy clothes at such cheap prices. Alternatives do exist. The solution lies in buying less and choosing better quality items that are made as ethically as possible.
Alana Sorokin, founder of Joseph and Alexander, London
What’s the secret to such long life in Japan?
I write in reference to your article World's oldest man, Masazo Nonaka, dies in Japan at 113 (January 21). The recent death of the world's oldest man and Guinness World Record holder in Japan was sad.
Even though people are living longer across the world, with life expectancy consistently rising, even with the support of drugs and modern medicine, very few of us can even hope to near the age of Nonaka. In that sense, his long life should be celebrated by all of us. In spite of progress elsewhere, Japan stands tall on the world map for life expectancy. One wonders what its secret is.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
The UAE’s development and wealth is extraordinary to see
I write in reference to your article UAE on track to become the Monaco of the Middle East (January 21). With its extraordinary growth and booming cities, comparisons between the UAE and Monaco are apt. But with wealth and development, crime too often follows.
This needs to be under constant attention, as the UAE is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world for all and that must never change. Dubai is also the hub of travel and tourism in the Middle East with extraordinary infrastructure. Kudos to the UAE.
Name withheld by request
MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
WWE TLC results
Asuka won the SmackDown Women's title in a TLC triple threat with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
Dean Ambrose won the Intercontinental title against Seth Rollins
Daniel Bryan retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles
Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women's Championship against Nia Jax
Rey Mysterio beat Randy Orton in a chairs match
Finn Balor defeated Drew McIntyre
Natalya beat Ruby Riott in a tables match
Braun Strowman beat Baron Corbin in a TLC match
Sheamus and Cesaro retained the SmackDown Tag Titles against The Usos and New Day
R-Truth and Carmella won the Mixed Match Challenge by beating Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox
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.
