One of the many benefits of living in the UAE is that the country enjoys a low crime rate compared with the rest of the region, and the world in general. While no country is entirely without crime, people here should feel free to go about their lives without the fear of being assaulted or robbed.
It comes as a surprise, then, that a survey conducted by YouGov for The National, published in today’s news pages, found that almost a third of the respondents believe crime is a problem across the UAE, and that 45 per cent said they were either very or fairly worried about becoming a victim of crime. Twelve per cent of the 1,008 people surveyed said they felt that crime was a “very big problem” in the UAE, with a further 18 per cent citing it as “quite a big problem”. The rest thought, correctly, that crime was not a major problem.
Indeed, official statistics show that the UAE is very safe. According to a 2011 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report, the murder rate is 0.8 per 100,000 people in the UAE, compared to a rate of 1.0 in Saudi Arabia, 4.2 in Yemen, 5.0 in the United States, 3.4 in India and 7.3 in Pakistan. A 2013 US Department of State report on cities worldwide placed Abu Dhabi at the “low end of the spectrum” in terms of overall crime rate, noting that violent crimes and crimes against property are infrequent and, when they do occur, weapons are rarely used.
The YouGov survey reveals some valid concerns about perceived societal problems. Many respondents were worried about crime caused by drugs, alcohol, unemployment and family breakdown. They also perceived risks emanating from the divide between rich and poor, and a lack of discipline among young people.
Of course, we should all be vigilant about the possibility of crime. That includes taking sensible measures to protect our property from theft – for example, by locking the house when we go away and not leaving valuables in parked vehicles – and making sure that vulnerable family members and friends feel safe and secure.
Concern about our shared community is a positive and laudable thing but, as the majority of people surveyed have acknowledged, we certainly have no reason to live in fear, or to stress about something that probably will never happen. As one survery respondent said: “This is an absolutely safe country. Being a victim of crime is the last thing on my mind.”
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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French Touch
Carla Bruni
(Verve)
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Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
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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.
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
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
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- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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5.30pm: Falaj Hazza – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
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Winner: Sea Skimmer, Gabriele Malune, Kareem Ramadan