We’re all humans
Of course people are working less when it’s hot (‘Dubai expats ‘work less when it’s hot’,’ Gulf News, August 21). That seems like a very obvious statement - they are humans after all. They have feelings and should always receive their salaries on time. We need to have a little respect for ourselves and treat workers humanely no matter who they are.
From Mr Zahrah Binth Rahma
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Facebook comment
Law not practical
This new marriage law in the Philippines should apply to all nationalities if it’s going to go through at all (‘Marrying a Filipina? It’s about to get tougher,’ Gulf News, August 21). Filipinos are not concerned about money; they are looking for other things that are way more important.
Not all men are capable of supporting a bride or family; it is easy to see this. I worry that with this new law, nobody will want to marry them. Let them be. Marriage is in God’s hands, it is not for the government to decide.
From Ms Favy Siasi
UAE
Facebook comment
Living expenses too high
I don’t think it should matter what nationality they are. As long as you love each other and both of you are capable of living your life together, there shouldn’t be a problem.
Nowadays, you must help each other because the cost of living is getting more expensive everywhere. There is no room to solely depend and lean on a man. I am very thankful that I am a career woman.
From Ms Noor Cheri
UAE
Facebook comment
Understandable
Now this is an interesting news article, especially after I read the whole law. I understand why it was written, but I still do not agree with it in full.
From Mr Cornell Wallace
UAE
Facebook comment
Stricter laws
I would like to know the measures that the UAE authorities are going to take after this to deal with these prohibited chemicals (‘I want justice for my daughter’, Gulf News, August 21). The authorities have done well regulating and prohibiting other substances like alcohol, drugs and many others. Now we need to see strict compliance when it comes to illegal and banned pesticides for our food. There should be zero tolerance to those who sell, buy and use these, as it endangers people’s lives - especially the young ones. Let’s continue to raise awareness!
From Ms Jane Peralta
UAE
Facebook comment
Evolving practices
Today’s children are entirely different and they follow their own ways to find answers to their queries (‘Focus: Modern parenting,’ Gulf News, August 22). The fact is that two-year-old children today play with iPads and tablets. Parents are obliged to procure such devices in their early days for various reasons.
Googling is a trend for finding everything around, though it has its own shortcomings. In the very early days of a child’s life, they realised that there are many things that they can manage without the involvement of their guardians.
Social media is not entirely destroying the concept of true parenting. It all depends on how best the resources are being utilised, and how children are educated to use them.
Though physical presence of the modern day parents are a reality, their attention is mostly grabbed by revolutionising the world of technology. They are entirely different from those who lived in the past.
Working parents do not keep idle at home, as many tend to be occupied with work related matters and mostly busy with phone calls and emails. Such an approach even takes the enjoyment of holidays. Their presence does not make any relevance since they are overburdened with several issues.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
Potentially hurtful
In this era of technology, social networking has a greater importance in our day to day life. It has wide reachability and flexibility. A message can be passed to many in little time without much effort.
Nowadays, this is considered as the best platform for discussion and disclosures. At the same time, minority of social media users are making this as a place for confrontation and hatred deliberately or accidentally. In most of the cases, it happens with ignorance or carelessness.
From Ms Linsad Rahma
UAE
Farewell Mahela
Sri Lankan cricket players bid a good farewell to their cricket hero, Mahela Jayawardene, beating the Pakistan cricket team in the Sinhalese Sports Club cricket grounds, and handing over the test series trophy to him (‘Mohammad Irfan to join Pakistan for Sri Lanka one-days,’ Gulf News, August 21).
Jayawardene is another Sachin Tendulkar to Sri Lankan cricket fans who created many sweet memories in cricket history and scored more than eleven thousand test runs in his career. He was always a gentleman in character, in the gentleman’s game. I wish the best of luck to Jayawardene.
From Mr Lakhidhu Nethsara
Dubai
End the siege
Israel does not seem to learn the lesson from recent losses (‘Any truce must take into account Palestinian demands,’ Gulf News, August 21). Despite UN Security Council concerns, resumption of aggression on Gaza is an alarming sign for the times to come. Five children were killed in separate air strikes. However, according to Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon, they targeted ‘terror sites’. In the Israeli dictionary, innocent women and children must be under ‘terror sites’.
Tel Aviv has already paid a big price. Author and Middle Eastern affairs’ expert Alan Hart in his recent article, ‘Israel lost on all fronts of the Gaza war’ writes: “Israel has paid a heavy price of 64 dead soldiers as well as three civilian fatalities. Its economy and image were dealt a heavy blow. The tourist industry was paralysed and the economy suffered for over a month. The summer break was ruined for the hundreds of thousands of students and their parents.”
The Israeli Prime Minister should pay attention to the dissident voices rising against Israel. Otherwise, more losses will chase Israel. Washington based columnist George S. Hishmeh pens in recent article, ‘Israeli occupation an obstacle to lasting regional peace’: “Even if a ceasefire is reached, the cycle of violence will continue so long as the Tel Aviv regime keeps appeasing hardliners and new colonies continue sprouting.”
The only way out is to meet the Palestinian demands and end the siege of Gaza.
From Mr Nasser Farooq
Karachi, Pakistan
The problem with change
A few years ago, Dubai used to have beautiful license plates that displayed the Burj Al Arab (‘Dubai cars to get new number plates,’ Gulf News, August 21). Just for the sake of change, we had to turn these lovely plates in to get a set of the current ones, which I think are boring, compared to the previous version.
Change for the sake of change is not always good. We should always be thinking of the environmental impact of manufacturing, transporting and recording new license plates because of constantly having to change existing metal license plates for a new set. The long-lasting paint applied also has a negative environmental impact.
From Mr Louie Tedesco
Dubai
Website comment
A top city
The Burj Khalifa image would be the best thing to show on the number plates of Dubai vehicles. Dubai is one of the fastest developing cities, and has always been among the best, so they city needs something different compared to other cities.
From Mr Rashid
Dubai
Website comment
Aesthetics
I hope it’s a more colourful and less boring plate. I think we should do them like the UK, or like the US, which are colourful. But I hope the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) does not raise the price or add charges.
From Mr Omar Khan
Dubai
Website comment
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