UAE | General
Hopes & Fears
As we begin a new year hoping it will bring peace and prosperity for everyone, we also reflect on 2007.
- A fisherman packs his net into his boat at sunset after the last catch of 2007 at Buteen fishing harbour in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
- Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News
As we begin a new year hoping it will bring peace and prosperity for everyone, we also reflect on 2007.
The past year witnessed major events that will undoubtedly influence 2008 and beyond.
Many of these issues have made their impact on the lives of Gulf News readers. Locally, people could not stop worrying about the rising rents and spiralling cost of living.
Surprisingly, traffic worries were pushed back, and the talk of the town centred on salaries and the dirham's peg to the dollar.
On the Middle East, our readers carried on with their hopes of stability. In the past few months the security situation in Iraq improved, but readers believe it will be a long time before the war-torn nation can recover fully.
For the other regional hotspot, Palestine, even though the year started with infighting, it is the hope of many that 2008 will bring lasting peace.
Beyond the region, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto highlighted the ongoing clash between conservatives and liberals.
The tragic death of this popular leader will obviously influence Pakistan's politics in 2008.
Few world figures left the arena in 2007 and they were replaced by leaders who will influence global events in 2008.
As President George W. Bush winds down his final year in office, the seemingly fierce US election campaign is going to dominate the news.
But 2007 will be remembered by many as the year when the world gathered in Bali to find ways to curb global warming.
While the majority of Gulf News readers expressed pessimism
in their overall outlook for 2008, they do see a glimmer of hope and would like to see an end to conflicts in the world
Gulf News wishes its readers a happier and more prosperous New Year.
Share this article
Popular in UAE

-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- Gang who robbed Dh1m from businessman nabbed
- Chinese duo held for assault, blackmail
- Khalifa's decree on border affairs council
- Favourable weather for Eid weekend
- Teacher jailed for indecent behaviour
- Forum seeks more reforms to human trafficking law
- Crackdown urged on drink driving
- Disability is no handicap for this Emirati
- Shaikh Khalifa revamps security council
- Exhibition to showcase UAE art in New York
- Police officer injured during raid on brothels
- Waiters tamper with orders, cheat customers
- Queen praises UAE's role
- Noise pollution must be regulated
- UAE maintains economic status on global stage
Community Reports
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
-
Protect our children's health
Dust and dirt from a nearby road are causing problems to those frequenting Al Nasseriya park, Sharjah.
-
Keeping out curious cats in Abu Dhabi
Felines trapped in electrical substations create a nuisance
-
Construction site turned into dump
Sharjah residents using abandoned spot to dispose of waste


