With reference to Gillian Duncan's article Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain saved after appeal to help clear its bills (January 5): great news. I hope the public supports the rescue groups with cats and dogs too.
Lorraine Ludman, Dubai
It’s wonderful that the community came together to save the shelter.
Clare Tasker, Dubai
God bless those people who care and help.
Brianito Vergara, Dubai
Great news. However let’s not forget this shelter survives on donations only. They can be in the same situation again. That is why it is really important to support them regularly.
Petra Gremlin, Bali
Iran has supported extremism for some time now: what’s next?
With regard to Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Ben Farmer's article Who is Esmail Qaani, the new Iranian elite force commander? (January 3): Iran has been disturbing the world by fighting, playing hide and seek and supporting extremism. We will see Iran's capability now in how the react to recent losses. Are they only good for creating chaos, intimidation and terror?
Rod Liboon, Dubai
Needed: a healthy diet, daily exercise and a lot of motivation
With reference to Nick Webster's report UAE school teacher pleads for help for obesity surgery (January 5): She won't be able to control her hunger till she uses her body's insulin wisely. And for that she needs to exercise regularly and eat healthy.
Aia Baloshi, Dubai
A dietician and personal trainer would serve her well. Also maybe a therapist to change her mindset about food.
Kristin Fucik, Dubai
I do feel for her. Once your body is used to a certain weight it’s easy to not be mindful.
A hormonal issue is even worse. But asking for a handout for something that you have the power to do yourself is not right.
Maybe if she was asking for a loan or a payment plan that would be acceptable, or even just for help from someone who could teach her how to cook healthy, prep meals in advance or plan a day to include a workout – even at work, at your desk.
A motivated person would be able to save for the surgery. Instead of buying fast food after work, keep that amount for the surgery. That would be maybe Dh40 a day. In a year the amount could be enough for the surgery. And if she sticks to a plan, maybe she wouldn’t need it.
Nadia Akwal, Kuala Lumpur
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
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
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
