Donald Trump's executive order on immigration is neither disgraceful nor a "Muslim ban" (UAE airlines forced to turn passengers away following travel ban, January 30). There are more than 50 Muslim-majority countries and Mr Trump barred citizens of only seven of those countries.
He did not prohibit Muslims from the other countries or from the rest of the world where Muslims are in a minority. You may not like what Mr Trump did, but it is not a “Muslim ban”.
Name withheld by request
As a US citizen, I must note that Donald Trump’s action is unconstitutional and against the terms of the Geneva Conventions. He did not win the popular vote. Most Americans are resisting him.
Michelle Arthington, Dubai
I guess people were warned about such a move. Passengers who ignored this warning are having to pay the price.
Bhavin Surti, Dubai
Tap water is not reliable
In reference to your story Water week: why we buy it bottled when it drops from the sky for free (January 29), people make uneducated choices when buying water and never read labels. There are big differences between various brands, let alone between tap and bottled water. You can't talk about bottled water as if they were all Al Ain, Arwa or Aquafina. There are tens of kinds of mountain and spring waters naturally low in sodium and total dissolved solids. And the composition modifies the taste significantly.
I drink rivers of water if it’s one of the brands I like, but give me another brand of water and I will struggle to finish a single bottle in a day.
Gianmaria Vidale, Dubai
The reason I rely on bottled water is because I can’t trust the tap water and there is no way to test it easily. If I had trusted the tap water, I would have been the first to use it for drinking.
Frederic Beaugrand, Dubai
Why we buy bottled water is because the apartments, town houses and villas we rent have substandard piping and water tanks.
We prefer not to leave this beautiful country with terminal illness and poisoning.
Michael Grantham, Al Ain
Tap water may not be the cause of hair loss and dry skin (The many myths of the UAE's tap water, January 30), but the treatment and storage methods may not be perfect, which is why consumption of tap water can cause some long-term effects.
Alexander Salt, Uganda
Jailing ‘fraud victim’ is unwise
Jailing an elderly woman for naivety or foolishness makes little sense (Woman, 60, jailed in UAE 'is the real fraud victim', January 29).
While I can understand that the Syrian businessman wants justice and his money, he will get neither from this situation.
We have seen time and again that the magnanimity and wisdom of the leaders of this country prevails and pardons are issued. God willing, this will be the case for this poor woman.
Name withheld by request
This is a tragic incident. However, I hardly feel sorry for the woman who gave out her bank account details to a “friend”. This is foolishness.
Name withheld by request
Always make an informed choice
The article Savings plan hard sell leaves UAE couple regretting they took the bait (January 21) is the kind of negative story that makes life difficult for the legitimate companies that actually educate and help people save.
Again, nothing replaces due diligence. Never agree to anything that a sales representative is pushing hard.
I am very sorry for the victim. I wish I could say I never made a mistake, but I have learnt the hard way. Good luck.
David W Blandford, Al Ain
How about naming the investment company so others are informed?
James Justice, Abu Dhabi
All We Imagine as Light
Director: Payal Kapadia
Starring: Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Terra
Started: 2021
Based: Dubai
Founder: Hussam Zammar
Sector: Mobility
Investment stage: Pre-seed funding of $1 million
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Kill Bill Volume 1
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Stars: Uma Thurman, David Carradine and Michael Madsen
Rating: 4.5/5
INDIA'S TOP INFLUENCERS
Bhuvan Bam
Instagram followers: 16.1 million
Bhuvan Bam is a 29-year-old comedian and actor from Delhi, who started out with YouTube channel, “BB Ki Vines” in 2015, which propelled the social media star into the limelight and made him sought-after among brands.
Kusha Kapila
Instagram followers: 3.1 million
Kusha Kapila is a fashion editor and actress, who has collaborated with brands including Google. She focuses on sharing light-hearted content and insights into her life as a rising celebrity.
Diipa Khosla
Instagram followers: 1.8 million
Diipa Khosla started out as a social media manager before branching out to become one of India's biggest fashion influencers, with collaborations including MAC Cosmetics.
Komal Pandey
Instagram followers: 1.8 million
Komal Pandey is a fashion influencer who has partnered with more than 100 brands, including Olay and smartphone brand Vivo India.
Nikhil Sharma
Instagram followers: 1.4 million
Nikhil Sharma from Mumbai began his online career through vlogs about his motorcycle trips. He has become a lifestyle influencer and has created his own clothing line.
Source: Hireinfluence, various
ON TRACK
The Dubai Metaverse Assembly will host three main tracks:
Educate: Consists of more than 10 in-depth sessions on the metaverse
Inspire: Will showcase use cases of the metaverse in tourism, logistics, retail, education and health care
Contribute: Workshops for metaverse foresight and use-case reviews
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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
Dubai World Cup Carnival Card:
6.30pm: Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.40pm: Zabeel Turf Listed $175,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Cape Verdi Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap $175,000 (T) 1,600m
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
A Round of Applause
Director: Berkun Oya
Starring: Aslihan Gürbüz, Fatih Artman, Cihat Suvarioglu
Rating: 4/5
