Readers say they feel safe to travel to Egypt. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP
Readers say they feel safe to travel to Egypt. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP

Egypt is as safe as any other country



What has happened shouldn't affect visitors who fly to Egypt (Egypt faces tourism challenge, May 30).

Terrorist attacks also occurred in many European countries this year, but they didn’t stop people from flying to those countries. Life goes on. Egypt is a beautiful country. I am going there soon.

Cynthia Keldany Trepanier, Abu Dhabi

I have lived in Egypt before, during and after the revolution. I have lived during the phase when Egypt was without a president. Never once did I feel threatened or at risk, even when I was in Tahrir Square with my Egyptian friends. I am waiting to share those memories with my children one day.

Nevertheless, Egyptians need to change their approach to tourism and hospitality.

Gianmaria Vidale, Dubai

I would definitely go. Apart from Sinai, there is no threat faced by tourists in Egypt. It’s as safe as any other location. It offers a great combination of a rich history and natural beauty.

Thomas Mnt, Dubai

I feel safe travelling to Egypt. Unfortunate events can occur anywhere in the world.

Dina El, Dubai

I travelled to Egypt last year and had a great time. There have been attacks in the UK in the past, and more recently in Paris. Yet people keep travelling to those places. And I bet all those people saying no to Egypt would gladly travel to those destinations.

Sohail Anjum Mohammad, Dubai

Concern over petrol price rise

I hate to think of the fuel price when crude reaches $100 (Dh367) a barrel. Would it mean we walk to work (UAE motorists pay more at the pump in June, May 30)?

Chandan Aidur, Abu Dhabi

If the price of a barrel is going up, surely the price of petrol at the pump should be more stable.

Robert Bradley, Abu Dhabi

Why have a lavish wedding?

Regarding the story Plan the ultimate luxury wedding in the UAE (May 27), I have some reservations about spending lavishly on a wedding.

Many say that this is a one-time affair in their lives so it should be a memorable occasion. I do not disagree, but you can make a marriage memorable in many ways other than making it a lavish affair.

I come from a country where there is a wide gap between the rich and poor. In a society like that, lavish weddings are often intended to show off.

One of the biggest victims of lavish weddings are the middle-class people. They work hard to save money for this day without realising that there are more important things in life for which they might need that money. I have also seen a lot of food being wasted at these weddings.

In my country, a person who has this much money can feed many people throughout the year without any difficulty.

Moreover, this phenomenon does not exist in responsible societies. People who spend lavishly on their weddings only show their lack of conscience and concern.

Name withheld by request

I can tell you that in economic terms buying gold is more immoral than spending on a lavish wedding. The reason is that the yellow metal is a useless asset.

On the contrary, lavish weddings can be justified to some extent, as you are giving money to the owners of the venue, who have worked hard to decorate it. You are giving money to caterers, card-printers, florists, musicians and all the other people employed during a wedding. Relatives and friends who attend the wedding will spend money on transport and accommodation, helping those industries. Overall, weddings can stimulate the local economy.

Amit Chaudhry, India

It’s OK when you have plenty of money but it’s so stupid to drown your new family in debt when you want something you can’t afford.

Gianmaria Vidale, Dubai

Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

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

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

ICC Awards for 2021

MEN

Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)

WOMEN

Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)

How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries

• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.

• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.

• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.

• For more information visit the library network's website.

Best Foreign Language Film nominees

Capernaum (Lebanon)

Cold War (Poland)

Never Look Away (Germany)

Roma (Mexico)

Shoplifters (Japan)

If you go

The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road. 

The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
 

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Can NRIs vote in the election?

Indians residing overseas cannot cast their ballot abroad

Non-resident Indians or NRIs can vote only by going to a polling booth in their home constituency

There are about 3.1 million NRIs living overseas

Indians have urged political parties to extend the right to vote to citizens residing overseas

A committee of the Election Commission of India approved of proxy voting for non-resident Indians

Proxy voting means that a person can authorise someone residing in the same polling booth area to cast a vote on his behalf.

This option is currently available for the armed forces, police and government officials posted outside India

A bill was passed in the lower house of India’s parliament or the Lok Sabha to extend proxy voting to non-resident Indians

However, this did not come before the upper house or Rajya Sabha and has lapsed

The issue of NRI voting draws a huge amount of interest in India and overseas

Over the past few months, Indians have received messages on mobile phones and on social media claiming that NRIs can cast their votes online

The Election Commission of India then clarified that NRIs could not vote online

The Election Commission lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police asking it to clamp down on the people spreading misinformation

Last five meetings

2013: South Korea 0-2 Brazil

2002: South Korea 2-3 Brazil

1999: South Korea 1-0 Brazil

1997: South Korea 1-2 Brazil

1995: South Korea 0-1 Brazil

Note: All friendlies

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.

THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House