In reference to Camel clump display aims to curb use of plastic bags (December 10), I totally support both the artist Ann Savageau's and Dr Ulrich Wernery's message of spurning plastic bags in favour of reusable ones. It is a shame that with all the awareness about the pollution of plastics, people still throw the bags out as waste.
One hand never claps and we ought to cooperate to save our environment and the creatures living in it.
As a UAE citizen, I'd like to extend my thanks for their efforts.
Nujood AA, Abu Dhabi
China defies the Nobel Peace Prize
While 2010 is coming to an end in just a few weeks time, one of the most disappointing notes to carry forward into history would be China's refusal to release Liu Xiaobo, who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo (In absentia, symbolic act for Nobel winner, December 11).
In spite of the world calling on China to release Mr Liu and his wife, Liu Xia, who is under house arrest, the authorities' approach came as an embarrassment to humanity.
It shows the categorical denial of the very basics of individual freedom by an advanced country. The government felt the need to show how seriously it deals with "subversive attitudes".
The case resembles that of Carl Von Ossietzky of Germany, an imprisoned pacifist and Nazi opponent, who had been earlier denied the right to have a representative collect the Nobel Peace Prize on his behalf in 1935.
By ignoring the world's plea to release Mr Liu to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, China's response could be termed as globally offensive and goes against the fundamentals of human rights.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
Uncertainty about gold reserves
In reference to the article GCC urged to boost gold reserves (December 9), it's one thing to build one's gold reserves; it's quite another thing to find out how those reserves will determine one's currency value.
The euro's gold reserves are free-floating gold reserves which are openly marked to market.
Contrast this to the Federal Reserve, the US central bank, which marks its gold reserves to the model of $42 per ounce (originally $35).
But there is no rule about this. It has not yet been discovered how free-floating gold reserves can determine the value of a currency.
Ivo Cerckil, Abu Dhabi
Faults in concert organisation
In contrast to the impression created by the article Creamfields fans arrive early and dance through the night (December 11), I thought Creamfields was a shambles.
Having seen the lineup, I went to watch Gareth Emery and stayed in the area to watch Above and Beyond. Then I went outside to find that the whole stage lineup had been changed and I had missed Above and Beyond. The whole venue lineup was taped over and a new one written in.
I have never seen so many underage kids at a concert, too. I even spoke to a teacher who had seen some of his 14-year-old pupils there.
As for David Guetta, did he ever show at 3.30am from the time change of 1.30am?
This was really disappointing organisation.
Judith Welling, Abu Dhabi
The EU ignores tourism potential
In the midst of this economic crisis, you would think that one way for European countries to generate revenue would be through tourism. Europe has an abundance of beautiful cities, architecture and natural attractions.
However, try applying for a Schengen visa, and even if you have reasonable income and have visited Europe several times before, you're unlikely to get anything more than a six-month multiple entry visa.
The UK and US are much more generous and give up to five and 10-year tourist visas respectively. Why are the Schengen states so stingy with their visas?
Mestin A, Dubai
Reasons behind a West Ham hero
The sports article Prodigal son or poisoned chalice? (December 11) reported that West Ham fans were disappointed that their former hero Carlos Tevez could not play against them yesterday for Manchester City.
This may have something to do with the fact that while his predecessor on the field, Frank Lampard, has done nothing but deride the club and supporters that gave him his break in professional football, Tevez has never shown anything other than love and respect to West Ham and its fans. Some things cannot be measured in money.
Alan Gagg, Abu Dhabi
The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape
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Captain Marvel
Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn
4/5 stars
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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UAE SQUAD
Ahmed Raza (Captain), Rohan Mustafa, Jonathan Figy, CP Rizwan, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Usman, Basil Hameed, Zawar Farid, Vriitya Aravind (WK), Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Zahoor Khan, Darius D'Silva, Chirag Suri
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
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Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
Company%20Profile
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
PAKISTAN SQUAD
Pakistan - Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Aamer Yamin, Rumman Raees.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score)
Porto (0) v Liverpool (2), Wednesday, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
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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.
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017