In reference to the article Dubai braces for UK shopping invasion (December 31), I have recently visited Dubai and can confirm that the prices are more expensive than in the UK. I wouldn't go there to shop. However, I would definitely go again to witness the most amazing, awe-inspiring country I have ever visited.
The sights, architecture, opulence, jaw-dropping beauty, cultural education and over-all five-star experience is definitely worth the flight.
Jo-Ann Stamp, UK
The other side of the maid coin
The article The listener who's firm but fair (December 31) profiled Ophelia Almenario, a welfare officer at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, and her work with Filipina maids. This represented only one side of the coin. Not all housemaids who run away are maltreated or whatever.
I had one myself, and despite good treatment, she still ran away because she befriended a taxi driver and chose to run away. She was not maltreated. In fact, I am the one who has a complaint against her. She was verbally abusive and careless about her chores, especially with the children. She took salary advances and never paid me back. I hope the next time an article appears about housemaids, please ask the concerned official what should be done with abusive housemaids.
Mariam al Yanyo, Abu Dhabi
Labour protection laws needed now
In reference to the news article Employers criticise new labour regulations (December 28), no human being should have control over another, and if companies treated their employees more as assets as opposed to property, staff wouldn't be looking to leave, would they? It's about time that the labour market became competitive and that companies lost the master and servant mentality they have enjoyed for far too long.
Eric Sandler, Abu Dhabi
I'm happy to see that companies in the UAE finally realise that they have to care for their workforce. If company executives in another country heard these employer arguments against the new regulations, they would laugh at them.
Maybe one day the companies here will also realise that loyal workers are much more valuable than threatened workers.
Tobias Speer, Abu Dhabi
Parents are the key to values
I refer to the front page news article 'Parents to blame' for unruly children (December 30). One doesn't lose values because of changes around us for change is a constant feature of life. One loses them or does not gain them at all when they are not instilled from the very beginning. Lifestyle and parents are certainly factors affecting a child's personal growth.
Don't blame social changes, the media or foreigners.
F Baasleim, Dubai
The de rigueur way to spell
While it is always pleasing for a person born in France to see French words in an English language newspaper, it is "de rigueur" to spell them correctly, unlike in the article on the front page of the travel section (Taking the plunge, January 1): "de rigeur".
Bonne Année!
Béatrice Wright, age 10, Abu Dhabi
Catalans in favour of independence
The sports article Catalunya: a team that won't make a World Cup (December 27) was a good piece. I would like to point out something important. The comment: "A minority of less than 10 per cent of Catalans desire the absolute independence from Spain" is very inaccurate.
A survey published by the prestigious Catalan Open University over the last two years showed that a majority (50.3 per cent) of Catalans are in favour of independence.
Miqui, Abu Dhabi
A hypocritical and ironic request
The news article Israel: Stop photos of Hamas suspects (December 31) reported that in the later stages of the investigation into the murder of the Hamas leader Mahmoud al Mabhouh, Israel, through an intermediary, requested that the Dubai police chief stop publishing photos of the Israeli spy operatives involved, for humanitarian reasons involving their families.
How very hypocritical and tragically ironic. Israel objects to publishing the picture of its assassins while others publish pictures of themselves with blindfolded, bound Palestinian civilians.
MK, Dubai
SUE GRAY'S FINDINGS
"Whatever the initial intent, what took place at many of these gatherings and the
way in which they developed was not in line with Covid guidance at the time.
"Many of these events should not have been allowed to happen. It is also the case that some of the
more junior civil servants believed that their involvement in some of these events was permitted given the attendance of senior leaders.
"The senior leadership at the centre, both political and official, must bear responsibility for this culture.
"I found that some staff had witnessed or been subjected to behaviours at work which they had felt concerned about but at times felt unable to raise properly.
"I was made aware of multiple examples of a lack of respect and poor treatment of security and cleaning staff. This was unacceptable."
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
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Men from Barca's class of 99
Crystal Palace - Frank de Boer
Everton - Ronald Koeman
Manchester City - Pep Guardiola
Manchester United - Jose Mourinho
Southampton - Mauricio Pellegrino
MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
The specs: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte
Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000
Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm
Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km
How to play the stock market recovery in 2021?
If you are looking to build your long-term wealth in 2021 and beyond, the stock market is still the best place to do it as equities powered on despite the pandemic.
Investing in individual stocks is not for everyone and most private investors should stick to mutual funds and ETFs, but there are some thrilling opportunities for those who understand the risks.
Peter Garnry, head of equity strategy at Saxo Bank, says the 20 best-performing US and European stocks have delivered an average return year-to-date of 148 per cent, measured in local currency terms.
Online marketplace Etsy was the best performer with a return of 330.6 per cent, followed by communications software company Sinch (315.4 per cent), online supermarket HelloFresh (232.8 per cent) and fuel cells specialist NEL (191.7 per cent).
Mr Garnry says digital companies benefited from the lockdown, while green energy firms flew as efforts to combat climate change were ramped up, helped in part by the European Union’s green deal.
Electric car company Tesla would be on the list if it had been part of the S&P 500 Index, but it only joined on December 21. “Tesla has become one of the most valuable companies in the world this year as demand for electric vehicles has grown dramatically,” Mr Garnry says.
By contrast, the 20 worst-performing European stocks fell 54 per cent on average, with European banks hit by the economic fallout from the pandemic, while cruise liners and airline stocks suffered due to travel restrictions.
As demand for energy fell, the oil and gas industry had a tough year, too.
Mr Garnry says the biggest story this year was the “absolute crunch” in so-called value stocks, companies that trade at low valuations compared to their earnings and growth potential.
He says they are “heavily tilted towards financials, miners, energy, utilities and industrials, which have all been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic”. “The last year saw these cheap stocks become cheaper and expensive stocks have become more expensive.”
This has triggered excited talk about the “great value rotation” but Mr Garnry remains sceptical. “We need to see a breakout of interest rates combined with higher inflation before we join the crowd.”
Always remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Last year’s winners often turn out to be this year’s losers, and vice-versa.
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Klipit
Started: 2022
Founders: Venkat Reddy, Mohammed Al Bulooki, Bilal Merchant, Asif Ahmed, Ovais Merchant
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Digital receipts, finance, blockchain
Funding: $4 million
Investors: Privately/self-funded
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Director: James Wan
Starring: Jason Mamoa, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Rating: 2/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
