Insurance options at reasonable prices
The law that makes health insurance mandatory for spouses and the elderly is welcomed (‘Get insurance for dependants before June 30, DHA says’, Gulf News, January 28). However, the concerned authorities must also make public a list of insurance companies providing health insurance, along with the premiums they charge, to make it easier for people to make a choice according to their budget. On the one hand, the law in place will ensure that people who suffer from illnesses get timely treatment and care, thus reducing the chance of a spread of such diseases. However, on the other hand, it would be an additional strain on the finances of the sponsors, many of whom struggle to make ends meet.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Everyone needs insurance
Health insurance for sponsored residents is especially important for workers in food-related industries. My brother worked in Dubai and when I asked him about his insurance card, he said he didn’t have one. Can you imagine those people who serve us food having no insurance cards? What if they become sick and instead of going to the hospital for a check-up, they go to work? Many would not seek medical attention because they would have to pay for it with their small salaries.
From Mr Jon Zenitram
UAE
Facebook comment
Protecting everyone
It’s a very effective law and I am thankful that the authorities have implemented this strategy to protect everyone’s health.
From Ms Samdhi Saila
Kathmandu, Nepal
Facebook comment
Hoping she is elected
Fawzia Koofi’s confidence should be applauded in her reach for presidency in Afghanistan (‘Enemies of women’s freedom won’t succeed’, Gulf News, January 29). Today, women are dominating in all walks of life, including politics. Maybe, she will get that post!
From Mr Ragavan Krishnamachary
UAE
Facebook comment
Powers at play
Anybody coming into power in Afghanistan knows that it’s not easy without the US’ support.
From Mr Shakeel Ahmad
UAE
Facebook comment
Snow storm in Saudi
I would be so happy if we saw snowfall like this, occurring in the UAE (‘Snow falls in Saudi Arabia’, Gulf News, January 29)! That would be so much fun.
From Ms Diane Loren Canete
UAE
Facebook comment
More snow, please
It is a miracle! I want more snowfall in all the Gulf countries. Why? Because perhaps the snowfall would control the above 50 degree Celsius temperatures in this area come summer time! I hope so.
From Mr Samdhi Saila
UAE
Facebook comment
Doesn’t work like that
Usually, if the temperatures are extreme in the winter, they’re extreme in the summer. Snow storms don’t actually cool down the environment for the year, from what I know.
From Ms Amber Barns
UAE
Facebook comment
No, thank you
I prefer the 50 degree Celsius extreme heat to temperatures below zero that people usually get, up North. For me, that is unbearable!
From Mr Mubashir Shaikh
UAE
Facebook comment
Global warming
I live in Alberta, Canada, and it’s usually around -30 degree Celsius in January, but right now the snow has melted and the temperature is at seven degrees Celsius. It’s a very mild winter this year. Glaciers are melting due to global warming.
From Ms Nasira Mansoor Ali
UAE
Facebook comment
No snow here
Here in Switzerland at the moment, we have 12 degrees Celsius and nice, sunny weather. Usually in January, it’s snowing.
From Ms Maria Fleig
UAE
Facebook comment
Shocking weather
Really, it’s a miracle. Saudi Arabia is one of the hottest countries in the world. To have snowfall there, is shocking.
From Mr Muzzammil Hussain
UAE
Facebook comment
Never got over it
When I first arrived in Saudi Arabia, back in 1992, it was -7 degrees Celsius and snowing in Tabuk. I never got over the shock.
From Ms Monika Roesler
UAE
Facebook comment
Reaction is an alarming sign
The video of the child sobbing is not funny, but it’s also not sad, for the reason you think it is (‘Facebook video: This child’s reaction when his mum tells him, “You stole this cup from the restaurant”’, Gulf News, January 29). It’s actually extremely alarming to see how this child is so fearful of the police. The police should be associated with comfort, peace and confidence for most people. Who put so much fear in the mind of this little child?
In a democratic and civilised world, the police are supposed to be public servants working to serve and protect the people. But, when protectors become the sign of such extreme fear for innocent children, who are not even capable of committing a crime, know that something is fundamentally wrong with that society.
From Mr Salman S. K.
UAE
Facebook comment
Shouldn’t be so scared
I agree, Mr Salman S. K. I think it’s heartbreaking that he’s so fearful of the police.
From Mr Alex Lambert
UAE
Facebook comment
A normal reaction
I wouldn’t think too much into it. He’s a child and bound to over-react. Perhaps he isn’t afraid of the police, but just doesn’t want to go to jail. I don’t think I was afraid of the police as a child, but if you told me I was going to be arrested for stealing, I might have had a similar reaction.
On the other hand, maybe he has good reason to be afraid, considering the stories of police violence we’ve been hearing from the US over the past few years. In that case, it could be a sign of a greater problem in that society.
From Ms Jessica Woods
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Important lesson
The poor boy! But the mother should have returned to the restaurant to give them the cup back. It would have been an opportunity to educate her son. So, I don’t agree with what she did.
From Mr Faten Ahmad
New York, US
Facebook comment
Not funny at all
What kind of mother scares her own baby like that? It’s not funny at all. This little boy is smart.
From Mr Esin Demir
UAE
Facebook comment
Scaring, not solving
I don’t actually find the video funny, and in fact find it really inconsiderate for one’s own mother to make fun of something serious like stealing. The poor boy has a mother who, instead of solving the problem, scares him!
From Ms Nana Atiya Hinderdael
UAE
Facebook comment
Fear of jail is good
I wish more people would fear the police and jail as much as him. Perhaps people would behave better thereafter!
From Mr Jon Rossing
Seoul, South Korea
Facebook comment
Do something good for India
It is really unfortunate that a teenage girl in Gundala, India, committed suicide for want of a toilet in her residence. This, despite the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who said: “Sanitation is more important than political independence.”
However, no tangible action has been taken by successive governments since India’s independence. We do not know what the Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly are doing with millions in benevolent funds, year after year. Even if they had spent at least 15 or 20 per cent of these funds on sanitation, by this time, all villages in India should have received ample toilets. Now that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has come out with smart cities, I feel instead of spending millions on such projects, these funds should first be diverted to ensure toilets in all villages. It is high time Indian politicians wake up to these facts and do something good for the people of India.
From Ms Janaki Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Why believe conspiracies?
Thousands of scientists have spoken out about shadows on the moon, multiple light sources and the fact that the US only has a two-minute video on the moon (‘The logic of conspiracy theories’, Gulf News, January 26). The technology back then was the reason for the short footage. How do people still believe these conspiracies? Just because everyone says the Earth is flat, does not make the Earth flat.
From Mr Wasim Tahan
UAE
Facebook comment
Constructive discussions are paramount
It seems that the United Nations (UN) and negotiating countries have not realised the depth of the dilemma that the Syrian people have been going through in its years of unrest (‘Syria talks expected to be ‘catastrophe’ for opposition’, Gulf News, January 26). It shows that the UN itself has limitations when being actively involved in any initiative that helps settle conflicts.
A ceasefire is a priority, as Syria’s civil war has already claimed thousands of lives and several millions have become homeless, and have been labelled as ‘refugees’, now living at the mercy of others. As it is quite a pathetic situation, various responsible governments and groups are conveniently ignoring the plight of a large civilian community.
Peace discussions cannot take it further unless there is an agreed agenda in place and all three parties involved in the dialogues must ensure that they contribute equally and responsibly to end the years’ long crisis.
As the suffering of the Syrian community continues, the discussions must have some serious objectives, considering the humanitarian aspects of the whole issue. At the same time, it is quite embarrassing that despite the military involvement of the US, Russia and other world powers, the agony of the people continues to grow, and there seems to be no hope of a future with peace.
Let’s hope that peace discussions bring some hope.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
