A reader welcomes the news that rents are likely to fall in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National
A reader welcomes the news that rents are likely to fall in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National

Possible rent fall good news for all



I am happy to know that Abu Dhabi rents are likely to fall (Supply of new units to slow rent rise, February 4). This will provide some relief to the residents.

There is a huge demand for affordable housing in the capital and one hopes that with the development of these new homes this issue will be resolved. Given the current housing scenario in the emirate, these units are most likely to sell off almost instantly.

With the growth in population in Abu Dhabi, homes that are reasonably priced will be highly welcomed.

Fatima Suhail, Abu Dhabi

Gulf’ countries have to deal with the ISIL menace

I am commenting on Rashmee Roshan Lall's opinion article Deprive ISIL's death cult of the oxygen of publicity (February 4). The Jordanian and Iraqi governments have made significant contributions to the struggle against ISIL, but the Kurds are bearing the brunt of the anti-ISIL fight on the ground – their heroism cannot be overstated – and the US is responsible for the vast majority of bombing runs and drone strikes. Gulf participation has been extremely modest.

ISIL is an Arab problem that calls for an Arab solution. The days of Team America World Police are over. It’s time for Gulf countries to assist their allies in keeping their backyard orderly.

Simon Kobster, US

ISIL doesn’t care about Jordan killing terrorists, because they kill their own people for saying a wrong word or lighting a cigarette.

Nadia Sarie, Dubai

If ISIL is a death cult, then what about the US? They are killing people in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq.

Kurmally Mohammad Zubeid, Mauritius

ISIL atrocities are well documented (Death or jail: the cost of leaving ISIL, February 4). So anyone who chooses to join the group obviously thinks that it is acceptable and that it deserves everything coming to it.

Name withheld by request

Assign time for heavy vehicles

I refer to the report Bus drivers: respect the law (February 4). During my commute, everyday at about 7am, I see plenty of empty buses on the road. I know that they return at that time after dropping workers off at work. But they create a lot of problems for other commuters. The solution is to stay at the work site until after rush hour and then get on the road.

Chuks Emmanuel, Abu Dhabi

I had the impression that there were specific times for heavy vehicles to use the main roads. But that does not seem to be the case. I see them at peak hours and I’m not talking only about buses but lorries with large containers. What I don’t notice is police patrols.

Anna McBride, Dubai

Great images of Palestinians

Anna Seaman's blogpost Occupied Pleasures: Stories from Palestine, a kick-starter project (February 2) is wonderful. The essay is as compelling as the pictures. I especially liked the image of women in headscarves doing yoga.

Dil Rasheed, Abu Dhabi

Disappointed over food event

I see that a programme has been produced for Gourmet Abu Dhabi only a few days before the event starts. I can only express my disappointment with the organisation and presentation of this event this year, compared with the previous six years.

Jeremy Weeks, Abu Dhabi

There are decent landlords too

It's unfortunate that the Dubai landlord demanded a 10 per cent penalty (Dubai landlord's 10 per cent penalty for bounced cheque seems unfair, February 5) charge for the bounced cheque, even though the tenant admitted his mistake immediately and gave him the same amount in cash the same week.

There are far too many landlords who do not have basic decency and common sense. But thankfully, there are also some very decent landlords in this country.

Dave Pryce, Dubai

The Little Things

Directed by: John Lee Hancock

Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto

Four stars

TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel

Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

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

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Disposing of non-recycleable masks
    Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home Do not put them in a recycling bin Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
  • No need to bag the mask
Four-day collections of TOH

Day             Indian Rs (Dh)        

Thursday    500.75 million (25.23m)

Friday         280.25m (14.12m)

Saturday     220.75m (11.21m)

Sunday       170.25m (8.58m)

Total            1.19bn (59.15m)

(Figures in millions, approximate)

Rooney's club record

At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17

At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253

RESULT

Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1 
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’

Dunki
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rajkumar%20Hirani%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Taapsee%20Pannu%2C%20Vikram%20Kochhar%20and%20Anil%20Grover%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
New process leads to panic among jobseekers

As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.  

“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.

Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE. 

“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.

“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”

The specs

Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 180hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 250Nm at 3,00rpm

Transmission: 5-speed sequential auto

Price: From Dh139,995

On sale: now

The%20Little%20Mermaid%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rob%20Marshall%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHalle%20Bailey%2C%20Jonah%20Hauer-King%2C%20Melissa%20McCarthy%2C%20Javier%20Bardem%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali

Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A