The Ministry of Labour's training project deserves appreciation (Workers trained at home, November 24). This is a win-win move that will benefit the UAE through increased productivity and efficiency of workers, as well as labourers who will end up with a qualification/ certification that would be recognised internationally. My only concern is this: how to prevent malicious employers from charging the training cost to those workers.
A solid control process should be implemented to protect the rights of workers. That said, I can only congratulate the authorities for working hard to make the UAE a better place to work for all classes, nationalities, gender and ages.
Nabil N, Abu Dhabi
An honest report on Transnistria
John Henzell's report on Transnistria is excellent, and the most honest I have read in years (Journey to Transnistria, a country that doesn't officially exist, November 24).
As a westerner, I have crossed the borders into Transnistria about 60 times and I have never once been asked for money. They actually fire the border guards that do it, hence it never happens anymore, and it’s the only border crossing in eastern Europe I can vouch for.
Also the standard of English spoken in Transnistria is higher than in neighbouring countries, despite the obvious disadvantage of being native Russian speakers. Tiraspol has an English-language secondary school. There is a joke that US journalists visit Tiraspol to practise their English.
It has always struck me how calm and pragmatic the Transnistrians have been in dealing with it.
Finally, one thing western reports rarely mention, let alone focus on, is the will of the people. I estimate 97 per cent of the people in Transnistria seek independence. That’s enough of a vote for me.
Des Grant, Ireland
Saving Arabic will need effort
I agree that Arabic should be the language of instruction in schools (Arabic must be the main language in UAE education, FNC hears, November 24). However, when I saw the condition of Arabic-language teachers and schools that use Arabic as a medium of instruction, I realised that they were not suitable for my children. I was aware that by allowing them to attend an Arabic school, I would compromise their education.
If we want Arabic to survive, we will have to address the core issues.
First, it’s important to ensure that Arab teachers are competent.
Second, teachers must be paid well. One reason why Finland’s education sector is so successful is because teachers are paid as much as doctors. They are also highly respected there.
Third, there’s no genuine concern for standards in curriculum across the subjects taught in Arabic. This must be looked at.
Finally, it’s crucial to ensure that schools are run as education institutions, and not as businesses.
Tina Saad, Abu Dhabi
No place for those on budget
With reference to the editorial Dubai cannot thrive if most can't afford it (November 25), I wonder where people who cannot afford expensive accommodation are expected to live. After all, most people come to this wonderful country to improve their lives. Don't they deserve to live comfortably?
Irshad Valli, Dubai
Dubai has positioned itself as a high-end destination. The whole brand revolves around luxury and expensive items. There is no room for budget accommodation for low-income earners.
That’s not part of the image that Dubai has created.
John Paravalos, Dubai
The condition in Abu Dhabi is the same, but in the capital there is no rent cap or any organisation like the Real Estate Regulatory Agency.
Name withheld by request
The biog
Birthday: February 22, 1956
Born: Madahha near Chittagong, Bangladesh
Arrived in UAE: 1978
Exercise: At least one hour a day on the Corniche, from 5.30-6am and 7pm to 8pm.
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi? “Everywhere. Wherever you go, you can relax.”
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Company%20Profile
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Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
'Lost in Space'
Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen
Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins
Rating: 4/5
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
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