I was pleased to read Ayesha Almazroui's column, Military service is a good start towards a healthy lifestyle (March 30).
It’s a great initiative and I think it would work wonders in other parts of the world – especially in the UK.
Nicole Mundle, Ras Al Khaimah
I hope the UAE keeps the national service programme going. A lot of young fellows will love it. It’s really nice to see this; it makes me proud to live here.
Rodney Munro, Abu Dhabi
I have friends who went in for military training, and they returned very disciplined.
Rajeev Rajapalan, Dubai
Nine-week wait seems excessive
I am writing about Pupils in Abu Dhabi 'miss out on school trips' (March 30), which says that the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) is insisting that private schools give the authority nine weeks' notice of field trips and visits by guest speakers.
Adec is harming its reputation by limiting and blocking so many wonderful opportunities that UAE schools would otherwise be able to provide to their pupils.
Of course, as Adec says, it hasn’t actually cancelled any event, but its ruling is responsible for many cancellations. Hopefully, Adec will reconsider its position.
N Ebner, Abu Dhabi
Nine weeks is a bit too long to wait for approval for a field trip. Three weeks is ample time to arrange things to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.
And surely, it should be possible to arrange a visit by a VIP on 24 hours’ notice.
Name withheld by request
Call for jet ski ban campaign
The jet ski must be one of the worst inventions ever devised.
They are noisy and dangerous, and while they apparently give pleasure to one person, they bring misery to 100 others.
Please start a campaign to have them all driven into the middle of the deep blue sea and sunk.
D Willis, Dubai
Sheikh’s gift to charity praised
I was pleased to read Sheikh Hamdan donates winnings from Dubai World Cup to charity (March 30).
How very kind and generous. It will be put to such good use at the Dubai Autism Centre. I know that they need the money badly.
Fiona Johnson Margesson, Dubai
What a kind and giving soul Sheikh Hamdan has. He has donated money earned doing something he loves to an amazing cause. This is the ultimate pay-it-forward story.
Diana Phelps, Dubai
Is movie piracy linked to pay?
I am responding to Campaign puts the case for defeating TV pirates' Dh1.8bn scam (March 30).
In the story, a spokesman from the Department of Economic Development is quoted as saying the “focus is on promoting transparency”.
In that case, they should start with revealing the salaries of movie and television studio executives.
Perhaps we can trim costs by cutting their excessive compensation.
J Martin, US
Tower bungee sounds like fun
Dubai plays host to bungee beater (March 30) refers to a new form of base-jumping now available from the 97th floor of the Princess Tower in Dubai.
That certainly looks like one for my bucket list.
Name withheld by request
More detail on obesity, please
This is in response to UAE parents are 'blind to children's weight problems' (March 28).
The article raises the important issue of obesity, which is becoming common. It says that many parents deny the fact that their children are overweight.
I was expecting to read more about the experiences of parents who refuse to recognise their children as obese.
From reading the headline, I also expected that the article would include health advice from specialist doctors.
I am sure that many parents would be keen to read more about this issue.
Syeda Humna Naqvi, Sharjah
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
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The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
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.
THE SPECS
Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 367Nm
Price: Dh280,000
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Florida: The critical Sunshine State
Though mostly conservative, Florida is usually always “close” in presidential elections. In most elections, the candidate that wins the Sunshine State almost always wins the election, as evidenced in 2016 when Trump took Florida, a state which has not had a democratic governor since 1991.
Joe Biden’s campaign has spent $100 million there to turn things around, understandable given the state’s crucial 29 electoral votes.
In 2016, Mr Trump’s democratic rival Hillary Clinton paid frequent visits to Florida though analysts concluded that she failed to appeal towards middle-class voters, whom Barack Obama won over in the previous election.
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
Age 26
Born May 17, 1991
Height 1.80 metres
Birthplace Sydney, Australia
Residence Eastbourne, England
Plays Right-handed
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$5,761,870 (Dh21,162,343.75)
Wins / losses 312 / 181
