In reference to the article What to expect from Abu Dhabi property market in 2016 (January 8), I think rents will increase further.
Over the past years, Abu Dhabi residents have hardly seen any decline in rents. After the removal of the cap, tenants have been taken for a ride.
Abdul Bari, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi offers a great opportunity for short- and long-term buyers, and end users because it has limited supply of quality apartments, stable prices, investor-friendly laws such as no rent cap and a stable economy.
Even with oil prices falling, the government has enough financial cushion to continue driving the economy through diversification.
Hamza Hassan, Dubai
A pat on the back for Tyrese
I am glad that Tyrese Gibson has spoken out against Donald Trump, who is biased against Muslims (Anti-Muslim Donald Trump makes me furious, says Tyrese Gibson during UAE visit, January 6).
Sohan Dsouza, US
Tyrese feels this way because he has first-hand experience with the Muslim world.
Cherry DF, US
Tyrese’s gesture is nice, although I’m sceptical about how much political influence the singer can exert.
Mohamed Sarfraz, Dubai
We will vote, and be heard. We will not stand by Mr Trump while he brings our county to its knees. We will establish peace and live together in unity. The ignorance must stop.
Andre' Maddox, US
Expatriates are overburdened
The decision to increase water and electricity tariffs for expatriates in the capital is unwise (Utility bills to rise for Abu Dhabi expats who use more than quota, December 21).
Residents are already feeling the heat from rising rents and commodity prices.
This move will only increase their burden.
M A Mannan, Abu Dhabi
Can’t wait any longer for Netflix
To answer your question on Facebook whether anyone would sign up for Netflix (Netflix flicks the switch, January 8), I have already signed up. I would like to see Dexter.
Also Survivor (past seasons) and The Amazing Race. Otherwise the selection is OK, but reasonably limited.
Charles Arnestad, Abu Dhabi
What’s the point if they have removed all the good stuff? I will most probably cancel after the free trial.
Ahmad Sendos, Dubai
I have already signed up and getting ready to drastically downgrade my du television package. OSN is very expensive as well.
I am most likely to keep only the History and National Geographics channels. Or I might just downgrade it all the way down to just free TV.
Mohamad Turk, Dubai
Any competition in the highly overpriced market is fantastic news. I’ve already signed up with Netflix. If I can cancel du, which costs Dh666 a month to get what I want for Dh39 a month, even limited, then why not?
Marisa Engelbrecht, Abu Dhabi
Learn language and have fun
I refer to the article 'Expect the worst while learning a new language (December 28). The trick is to learn to laugh about the "funny" things one says as one is learning.
By learning to laugh at yourself you will unconsciously promote your learning as we all love to have fun. Maybe the author meant this, but by using “worst”, he sets up a dynamic that leads us away from attempting one of the more challenging but immensely satisfying learning experiences in life.
Andrew Weiler, Abu Dhabi
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Almouneer
Started: 2017
Founders: Dr Noha Khater and Rania Kadry
Based: Egypt
Number of staff: 120
Investment: Bootstrapped, with support from Insead and Egyptian government, seed round of
$3.6 million led by Global Ventures
Company Profile
Company name: Namara
Started: June 2022
Founder: Mohammed Alnamara
Based: Dubai
Sector: Microfinance
Current number of staff: 16
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Family offices
Bridgerton season three - part one
Directors: Various
Starring: Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Haltia.ai
Started: 2023
Co-founders: Arto Bendiken and Talal Thabet
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: AI
Number of employees: 41
Funding: About $1.7 million
Investors: Self, family and friends
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Supy
Started: 2021
Founders: Dani El-Zein, Yazeed bin Busayyis, Ibrahim Bou Ncoula
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food and beverage, tech, hospitality software, Saas
Funding size: Bootstrapped for six months; pre-seed round of $1.5 million; seed round of $8 million
Investors: Beco Capital, Cotu Ventures, Valia Ventures and Global Ventures
The five pillars of Islam
World Food Day
Celebrated on October 16, to coincide with the founding date of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Food Day aims to tackle issues such as hunger, food security, food waste and the environmental impact of food production.
The five pillars of Islam
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi’s Arabic Language Centre will mark International Women’s Day at the Bologna Children's Book Fair with the Abu Dhabi Translation Conference. Prolific Emirati author Noora Al Shammari, who has written eight books that feature in the Ministry of Education's curriculum, will appear in a session on Wednesday to discuss the challenges women face in getting their works translated.
