With reference to the report Abu Dhabi to restrict access to many public places for unvaccinated people (June 28): that is the way to go. It should be like that here too in Australia. We are asking to be vaccinated but it's a long wait. Several countries across the world can learn from the UAE and Israel, how they have so efficiently managed to vaccinate so many of their citizens and residents.
Yousef Bitar, Queensland, Australia
Bike hazards on main roads
About the report Dubai Police confiscate 454 bicycles since the start of the year in safety drive (June 19): others to consider are the battery powered/motorised scooters. They are possibly an even bigger hazard on the road. The other day I spotted one on Sheikh Zayed Road – in the yellow lane.
Monika Arora Agarwal, Dubai
For cat lovers – and those less keen
With reference to Razmig Bedirian's article How a street cat named Salem inspired an Emirati author's book: 'My heart went out to him' (June 28): I saw her book in Magrudys bookshop Abu Dhabi. Another small step to change the minds of people who don't like cats.
Glenis Stevenson, Abu Dhabi
Love this. It's a great way to show people how majestic the Arabian Mau really is.
Maya Chacko, Dubai
India's impending third wave
With regard to Taniya Dutta's report India just weeks from third wave after relaxing Covid-19 rules, experts say (June 21): in anticipating the third wave, India's vaccine shortage and the pace of vaccinations is a major hurdle. For such a vast country, these challenges are not easy to meet. India will manage and procure from outside and in due course bring up the rates of vaccinations. Until that time, even if it takes several more months, large gatherings must be avoided. It's a tough task but the government should be able to overcome this.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Bricks and stone are no substitute for trees
I have noticed trees are being cut and plants and grasses are being uprooted in MBZ Khalifa City, Sheikh Shakhbout and Musaffah areas. Greenery is being replaced by bricks and stones. While development is important, for the sake of the environment and ecology, we must preserve trees. They are irreplaceable in that they give us oxygen, shade and keep the temperatures down. If we keep cutting trees and uprooting plants, where will we get oxygen and fresh air from?
M A Mannan, Abu Dhabi
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If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
'Moonshot'
Director: Chris Winterbauer
Stars: Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse
Rating: 3/5
Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
