Readers are divided over whether children should be allowed to play freely in every open space. Silvia Razgova / The National
Readers are divided over whether children should be allowed to play freely in every open space. Silvia Razgova / The National

Do children deserve such harsh response?



I am writing in response to the article Parents see red after play ban in green areas (August 2). There is a saying in my native Kerala that trees grow faster when children make noise around them. There is no wonder that Kerala is so green. I don't understand why some people can't tolerate children.

Mohd Nawas, Abu Dhabi

As a now child-free adult, I value my peace and quiet and if I had screaming children right by my garden, I would probably not be happy. Too many parents let their children go off and disrupt others. Unless parents are with their children, how do they know how they are behaving? People without children also have rights to have their homes and areas around them protected. However, there should be areas where older children can play, just not wherever and whenever they like.

Carol Goodey, Dubai

I was amazed to learn that someone called the police because children were playing with a ball on the grass.

Gavin McKessock, Abu Dhabi

Israeli actions are outrageous

Israel has flouted international law since its inception and continues to do so (The horrific death of a small boy, August 2). Any other nation would be experiencing heavy sanctions for these activities, but not Israel. When a nation believes that they are the "chosen ones", we have a serious problem.

Malcolm Fitzsimmons, US

Why not live without a car?

I have a suggestion on how to minimise petrol bills (Tips on how to minimise your petrol bill, August 2). Just don’t buy a 4.6-litre 4x4 if your work is only a few blocks away and you can walk or get a taxi for a short ride. It’s very common in Abu Dhabi, where owning a car is a complete waste of money. And then there is the parking problem.

Gavin McKessock, Abu Dhabi

Tragic death of bin Ladens

There are some people who are expressing relief at the accidental death of some members of the bin Laden family (Members of bin Laden family killed in UK plane crash, August 2). They may not know this but the bin Ladens are a large, reputable, upstanding family.

Osama was a wayward member of the family, acting independently. His activities were never accepted by the rest of the family. So he did not represent them in any way. It is unfair to paint them with one brush, and unfair still to gloat at their misfortune.

Sana Bagersh, US

I knew them personally and they were beautiful people with hearts of gold.

May they all rest in eternal peace.

Carrie Lavell, UK

Laws can stop animal abuse

It's painful to know that a dog had been deliberately covered in hot tar (Puppy was covered in hot tar to treat mange, August 2). Even though it was meant to be a treatment, it's cruel. Aren't there laws against animal cruelty? Only legal action can stop these incidents from happening.

Ali Cuuex, Abu Dhabi

Elderly deserve every support

I was heartened to read the news about the Golden Age club (Seniors looking for society support, August 2). When people get older, they should not lose their universal rights. After a lifetime of working, raising families and supporting their neighbours, they deserve strong support from their communities. The least we can do is show gratitude and respect by providing the types of services necessary to protect and improve their quality of life.

K Ragavan, India

Stats at a glance:

Cost: 1.05 billion pounds (Dh 4.8 billion)

Number in service: 6

Complement 191 (space for up to 285)

Top speed: over 32 knots

Range: Over 7,000 nautical miles

Length 152.4 m

Displacement: 8,700 tonnes

Beam:   21.2 m

Draught: 7.4 m

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

Company%20profile
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Company%20profile
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AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

About Proto21

Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group

Chinese Grand Prix schedule (in UAE time)

Friday: First practice - 6am; Second practice - 10am

Saturday: Final practice - 7am; Qualifying - 10am

Sunday: Chinese Grand Prix - 10.10am

COMPANY PROFILE

Company: Bidzi

● Started: 2024

● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid

● Based: Dubai, UAE

● Industry: M&A

● Funding size: Bootstrapped

● No of employees: Nine

Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5