You see a lot of crazy things in the UAE, but seeing a tiger in a car can still be shocking.
That was a scene in front of my house recently - yes, a real tiger, a pet being taken out for a drive to be shown off by some boys who enjoyed the attention from others on the street.
Why? How exactly are they benefitting from this? How are they able to live with the fact that this tiger has been made to live against its natural instincts - possibly without its teeth and claws? How can someone raise such a dangerous, unpredictable animal in their backyard or, even worse, in a small box?
How is this affecting our global image and UN status and World Wildlife Fund positioning of the Emirates towards animal rights? Emiratis and the local community must understand that such an inhuman act toward these animals brings our country's profile down.
The UAE has been known for its eye-catching buildings, road infrastructures, biggest malls, tallest building, cleanest roads, beautiful desert and mountain and oasis sights. And I'm afraid that such a mindset has caught on with some people when it comes to owning a pet; they believe that owning such an animal is a reflection of their status in society.
The question is what can we do to change people's minds about these animals? Short answer: enforce the law.
I'm not against owning and taking care of an animal, because I know that some people might have the same passion I have for dogs but for tigers or other animals. But there is already a law against the importing, buying and selling of these large and dangerous animals, and it's there for a reason.
From an insider on such a hobby, a friend tells me that cheetahs have become a special birthday gift for some kids! And you know, baby cheetahs are very cute. And people can afford it so they pay and own it for that moment of a BlackBerry display picture. But they have no idea what it takes to care for such a wild animal, and The National has been filled with stories of the creatures that have been abused and abandoned.
The situation makes me really sad.No matter how much effort is made to raise awareness about not owning such animals, I believe the situation has gone way beyond that, which makes it so difficult to influence people. The only way to reduce such a practice is to simply implement the law which states that it is illegal to own these animals, and charge those who break the law. Did you know that the fine for such an offence could be Dh50,000 and you could be in jail for six months?
It's without a doubt that our Government has always been a role model when it comes to adopting the best regulations and laws to protect wildlife, and I already see positive changes in the wildlife trade system. So, hopefully, this will also continue to help reduce the illegal actions of owning such animals.
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
RACE CARD
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Turf) 2,200m
5.30pm: Khor Al Baghal – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Khor Faridah – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
7.30pm: Khor Laffam – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
I Care A Lot
Directed by: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
Gender equality in the workplace still 200 years away
It will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe, according to a December report from the World Economic Forum.
The WEF study said there had been some improvements in wage equality in 2018 compared to 2017, when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.
But it warned that these were offset by declining representation of women in politics, coupled with greater inequality in their access to health and education.
At current rates, the global gender gap across a range of areas will not close for another 108 years, while it is expected to take 202 years to close the workplace gap, WEF found.
The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.
After years of advances in education, health and political representation, women registered setbacks in all three areas this year, WEF said.
Only in the area of economic opportunity did the gender gap narrow somewhat, although there is not much to celebrate, with the global wage gap narrowing to nearly 51 per cent.
And the number of women in leadership roles has risen to 34 per cent globally, WEF said.
At the same time, the report showed there are now proportionately fewer women than men participating in the workforce, suggesting that automation is having a disproportionate impact on jobs traditionally performed by women.
And women are significantly under-represented in growing areas of employment that require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, WEF said.
* Agence France Presse