I write to you in reference to your editorial The will of Istanbul's voters should be respected (May 8). This editorial did a good job at explaining what protesters in Istanbul are demonstrating against, and underlined the AKP's worrying shift to authoritarianism.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dominated Turkish politics for more than two-and-a-half decades, but his rise to the top is now being challenged, partly due to the deteriorating Turkish economy, and Mr Erdogan’s foreign policy.
The people of Istanbul have cast their ballots in favour of Ekrem Imamoglu, and their votes should be respected.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
A crucial first step to protect taxi drivers
I write to you in reference to Haneen Dajani article Abu Dhabi taxi driver shifts capped at 12 hours under new directive (May 10).
This is a welcome initiative, but it saddens me that it was only taken recently. I hope a similar cap is in place in Dubai. The same directive should apply to Uber and Careem drivers.
Driving for hours on end is unsafe both for the driver’s health and for the passengers riding with them, as their lives could be imperilled.
Nina Wedel Joergensen, Dubai
Racist jokes are not funny, especially when against kids
I write to you in reference to your article BBC sacks presenter after making chimp royal baby 'joke' (May 9). Meghan Markle has been the target of countless racist and unpleasant comments ever since she started dating her now husband Prince Harry.
The world can be really cruel and unfair sometimes.
Shame on Radio 5 Live’s host Danny Baker for comparing that innocent little baby to an animal.
This is totally unacceptable and appallingly racist. I am glad he was sacked.
Najet Attia Radwaan, Abu Dhabi
Company Profile
Company name: Hoopla
Date started: March 2023
Founder: Jacqueline Perrottet
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Investment required: $500,000
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Company profile
Company name: Fasset
Started: 2019
Founders: Mohammad Raafi Hossain, Daniel Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $2.45 million
Current number of staff: 86
Investment stage: Pre-series B
Investors: Investcorp, Liberty City Ventures, Fatima Gobi Ventures, Primal Capital, Wealthwell Ventures, FHS Capital, VN2 Capital, local family offices
SPEC SHEET: APPLE M3 MACBOOK AIR (13")
Processor: Apple M3, 8-core CPU, up to 10-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560 x 1664, 224ppi, 500 nits, True Tone, wide colour
Memory: 8/16/24GB
Storage: 256/512GB / 1/2TB
I/O: Thunderbolt 3/USB-4 (2), 3.5mm audio, Touch ID
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Battery: 52.6Wh lithium-polymer, up to 18 hours, MagSafe charging
Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD
Video: Support for Apple ProRes, HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10
Audio: 4-speaker system, wide stereo, support for Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking (with AirPods)
Colours: Midnight, silver, space grey, starlight
In the box: MacBook Air, 30W/35W dual-port/70w power adapter, USB-C-to-MagSafe cable, 2 Apple stickers
Price: From Dh4,599
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers