We are excited about Hyperloop. It will connect our communities and economies more tightly (Study into feasibility of building Hyperloop between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain begins, December 13). However, I wonder how easy it would be to get such a facility.
For example the quickest way to travel is by plane, but the time to travel to an airport, go through the immigration formalities, wait at the airport, board the plane and then wait for it to take off is quite exhausting.
I hope the Hyperloop is as easy and convenient as a metro. Otherwise it might not be as useful as many are imagining.
Ahmed Alanzi, Abu Dhabi
Wouldn’t a high-speed train be a better option? More people could use it because of cheaper tickets.
I doubt hyperloop would actually provide a durable solution to commuters.
Thomas Mnt, Dubai
If they can get this right, Dubai and Abu Dhabi will effectively become a large metropolis, a single economic unit.
Going from one to the other would take just 12 minutes.
Haroon Rashid, Dubai
How about a rent subsidy?
Rent cap or not, many expatriates can't still afford a one-bedroom flat (Abu Dhabi reinstates 5% rent cap, December 14). Subsidies for those whose salaries are below Dh5,000 will be much appreciated. This is just a suggestion.
Lukas SB, Abu Dhabi
Banks can’t harass clients
To answer the question put before the debt panel (The Debt Panel: Pilot left UAE with Dh400,000 owed, debt collectors now chasing wife on Facebook, December 14), your contract is with the bank, not the debt collector.
The bank most probably sold the debt to the debt collector. You are only liable to the bank and not the debt collector. You can file a claim against them for harassment as this is not allowed under Central Bank regulations.
Elham Al Marzooqi McMillan, Dubai
Responsibility lies with both. Banks should not offer loan facilities without sufficient proof of long-term repayment ability and borrowers should certainly not think they can accumulate debt and not have to repay it.
But the question is what do people do when they have already accumulated too much debt to handle?
Rasheda Khatun Khan, Dubai
Banks have high employee turnover and low loyalty among staff. Why spend time negotiating with someone who’s only going to resign after you exchanged emails and calls?
Satvinder Sandhu, Abu Dhabi
Time’s selection is bewildering
It's with astounding generosity that Time magazine has named Donald Trump its Person of the Year (Time names Trump its 2016 'Person of the Year', December 8). The decision has left me thunderstruck.
The choice has been made based on his stunning election victory. The world is familiar with the two divisions of the voting community that participate in the election: popular and electoral college.
In the popular vote, the whole nation participates, while in the electoral college there are only a few voters.
In the first encounter, Hillary Clinton smashed Mr Trump, while in the second, where the number of voters was tiny, he defeated her.
During debates in the single contest between Mr Trump and Mrs Clinton, he was left to scrape the bottom of the barrel.
The magazine should have chosen him as Person of the Year on account of the stubbornness he expressed. For instance, he said he would not accept the results of the election if he was defeated, he used nasty language against women and those who appeared on TV alleging his sexual assault on them.
Mushtaq Dean, US
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Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
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
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The five pillars of Islam
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
Prophets of Rage
(Fantasy Records)
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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.
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
UAE squad
Men's draw: Victor Scvortov and Khalifa Al Hosani, (both 73 kilograms), Sergiu Toma and Mihail Marchitan (90kg), Ivan Remarenco (100kg), Ahmed Al Naqbi (60kg), Musabah Al Shamsi and Ahmed Al Hosani (66kg)
Women’s draw: Maitha Al Neyadi (57kg)
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.