The use of antibiotics has repercussions that the general public has no idea about (Antibiotic use has to be controlled, April 5). Eighty per cent of our immunity is in the digestive tract.
Trillions of bacteria live in the gut and are intimately involved with the brain on many levels. They produce neurochemicals such as dopamine and serotonin and manufacture important vitamins that keep the brain healthy. They also maintain the integrity of the gut lining. I am 56 years old and I have only had antibiotics once in my life. I also have three grown-up children.
Two of them have only had antibiotics once and one has never had them. They should be there as a life-saving measure, not for treating an infection that a healthy body can fight.
AK Wells, Dubai
Is privacy more important to us than security?
I don't see why governments shouldn't at least have the right to view messages that contain specific key words (WhatsApp debate, April 7). I have nothing to hide and, while I don't agree to my government having unfettered access, I do believe that it should be able to monitor for dangerous traffic. It's no different from any of our laws. Some people may believe they have the right to do something if it is within their own home, but most laws do not allow certain behaviour even in the privacy of our own homes, such as physical violence. We have already decided that it serves the greater good for the government to be able to define laws that govern our private lives. So why is this any different when the potential outcome is just as damaging, if not more so?
Ela Jayne, Australia
Privacy trumps. If the state wants to take away that privacy, it needs to have solid proof and get a warrant from an independent judiciary.
Chris Reid, Dubai
Technology is a means, not end
If I understand Dr Ali Al Nuami correctly, then it would seem that technology is the key to education, but I respectfully disagree with this view (Teachers must embrace change, April 7).
The key to education is instilling a love of learning, regardless of the medium, be it digital or analogue. The measure of a quality education system is students who can absorb abstract concepts, question ideas, and generate innovative ideas of their own. I’m sure Dr Al Nuami understands this, and his comments may have been focused more on public schools in Abu Dhabi (my experience is with private ones), but it is worth reinforcing that technology is a means, not an end.
This is the Year of Reading, so if technology gets students to read more, all the better. Hopefully, bookstores in the malls will one day sell more books and fewer toys. When that happens, we’ll know that the focus on technology in schools is having the intended effect.
Nathan Toronto, Abu Dhabi
A smart move by Farnek
I applaud Farnek for introducing smart technology that's going to revolutionise the workforce (Farnek to roll out system for tracking staff through smartphones and watches, April 6).
This move will eliminate the smartphone syndrome, where employees spend 50 per cent of company time scanning social-media sites and watching/ downloading movies.
If it’s not manipulated like all previous human resource systems, then there will be a significant decline in errors and negligence on part of employees that affect the people’s livelihoods.
Richard Joel Kamanyiro, Dubai
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS
Price: base / as tested: From Dh632,225
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 540hp @ 8,250rpm
Torque: 540Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L / 100km
HOW DO SIM CARD SCAMS WORK?
Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.
They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards, often by claiming their phone has been lost or stolen
They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.
The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Two products to make at home
Toilet cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup castile soap
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice)
Method:
1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.
2. Add the essential oil to the mix.
Air Freshener
100ml water
5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this)
Method:
1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.
2. Shake well before use.
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 285bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: TBA
On sale: Q2, 2020
