In reference to Camel clump display aims to curb use of plastic bags (December 10), I totally support both the artist Ann Savageau's and Dr Ulrich Wernery's message of spurning plastic bags in favour of reusable ones. It is a shame that with all the awareness about the pollution of plastics, people still throw the bags out as waste.
One hand never claps and we ought to cooperate to save our environment and the creatures living in it.
As a UAE citizen, I'd like to extend my thanks for their efforts.
Nujood AA, Abu Dhabi
China defies the Nobel Peace Prize
While 2010 is coming to an end in just a few weeks time, one of the most disappointing notes to carry forward into history would be China's refusal to release Liu Xiaobo, who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo (In absentia, symbolic act for Nobel winner, December 11).
In spite of the world calling on China to release Mr Liu and his wife, Liu Xia, who is under house arrest, the authorities' approach came as an embarrassment to humanity.
It shows the categorical denial of the very basics of individual freedom by an advanced country. The government felt the need to show how seriously it deals with "subversive attitudes".
The case resembles that of Carl Von Ossietzky of Germany, an imprisoned pacifist and Nazi opponent, who had been earlier denied the right to have a representative collect the Nobel Peace Prize on his behalf in 1935.
By ignoring the world's plea to release Mr Liu to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, China's response could be termed as globally offensive and goes against the fundamentals of human rights.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
Uncertainty about gold reserves
In reference to the article GCC urged to boost gold reserves (December 9), it's one thing to build one's gold reserves; it's quite another thing to find out how those reserves will determine one's currency value.
The euro's gold reserves are free-floating gold reserves which are openly marked to market.
Contrast this to the Federal Reserve, the US central bank, which marks its gold reserves to the model of $42 per ounce (originally $35).
But there is no rule about this. It has not yet been discovered how free-floating gold reserves can determine the value of a currency.
Ivo Cerckil, Abu Dhabi
Faults in concert organisation
In contrast to the impression created by the article Creamfields fans arrive early and dance through the night (December 11), I thought Creamfields was a shambles.
Having seen the lineup, I went to watch Gareth Emery and stayed in the area to watch Above and Beyond. Then I went outside to find that the whole stage lineup had been changed and I had missed Above and Beyond. The whole venue lineup was taped over and a new one written in.
I have never seen so many underage kids at a concert, too. I even spoke to a teacher who had seen some of his 14-year-old pupils there.
As for David Guetta, did he ever show at 3.30am from the time change of 1.30am?
This was really disappointing organisation.
Judith Welling, Abu Dhabi
The EU ignores tourism potential
In the midst of this economic crisis, you would think that one way for European countries to generate revenue would be through tourism. Europe has an abundance of beautiful cities, architecture and natural attractions.
However, try applying for a Schengen visa, and even if you have reasonable income and have visited Europe several times before, you're unlikely to get anything more than a six-month multiple entry visa.
The UK and US are much more generous and give up to five and 10-year tourist visas respectively. Why are the Schengen states so stingy with their visas?
Mestin A, Dubai
Reasons behind a West Ham hero
The sports article Prodigal son or poisoned chalice? (December 11) reported that West Ham fans were disappointed that their former hero Carlos Tevez could not play against them yesterday for Manchester City.
This may have something to do with the fact that while his predecessor on the field, Frank Lampard, has done nothing but deride the club and supporters that gave him his break in professional football, Tevez has never shown anything other than love and respect to West Ham and its fans. Some things cannot be measured in money.
Alan Gagg, Abu Dhabi
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
