The entertainment screens in Abu Dhabi taxis have drawn mixed reactions from readers. Lee Hoagland / The National
The entertainment screens in Abu Dhabi taxis have drawn mixed reactions from readers. Lee Hoagland / The National

All taxi riders don’t want to watch TV



I am commenting on the news article Abu Dhabi taxis try out in-cab advertising screens (June 19).

As soon as the taxi meter is on, the television screen is switched on. This is disturbing. Customers should be able to decide whether they want to watch it or not.

Jacqueline Craig, Dubai

There is only one screen in the taxis I have been in, so you could sit behind the driver or in the front seat. I liked the idea though. It makes the journey less boring.

Brett Pearson, Abu Dhabi

Blair and Bush are to blame for crisis in the Middle East

Tony Blair and George W Bush are to blame for the current crisis in Iraq and the Middle East, and for the suffering of millions of people in the region (Blair cannot duck blame for troubles in Iraq, June 16). Yet Mr Blair has the nerve to justify his actions. They have sparked a war not only between the West and the East, Muslims and non-Muslims, but also among the Muslim community.

The whole world knows it. To fulfil their narrow goals, they have destroyed many generations. They have also largely tarnished the image of Muslims.

Sadly in this world, the victims of injustice are often punished instead of the perpetrators.

A Naqvi, RAK

How is Qatar better than UAE?

This refers to the article UAE ranks 40th in world in new global peace index (June 19).

The Institute for Economics and Peace “Global Peace Index” has rated the UAE 40th out of 162 countries. But the index does not provide solid explanation for this. There are only numbers and colours. According to the report, Qatar is the most peaceful country in the region. Really?

Vahan Nazaryan, Dubai

I think the ranking of the UAE is totally wrong. This country should be among the top 10, and I mean it.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Etihad should upgrade services

I agree with Stefanos Boulanikian's views (Etihad needs to focus on economy). I have been a frequent flyer for many years and Etihad's service, especially prior to departure, has deteriorated in the past few years.

The website is a mess; class upgrades with miles are practically impossible. Telephone and email support is not worth being called “support”.

On many occasions, mail requests are not answered. Online check-in often does not work. However, cabin crew and in-flight services are very good.

I think the airline should invest more in customer satisfaction.

Novak Stevanovic, Abu Dhabi

Illustration on Pakistan says it all

I am commenting on Shadi Ghanim’s illustration (June 10) of the tragic incident that occurred at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi that claimed the lives of innocent civilians.

It is sad that the Taliban took revenge for the death of their leader in such an inhumane and unjustifiable manner. This should serve as a wake-up call for the Pakistani government.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Al Ain needs more doctors

It's good news that a fleet of new ambulances has helped to save lives across the Northern Emirates every day since its launch (A new type of care: new fleet of Mercedes ambulances help to save lives every day in the Northern Emirates). But it's crucial for technicians to improve their skills.

It would also be good if more qualified paramedics and doctors are inducted.

Currently, only one doctor is responsible for the ambulance service in the entire Al Ain region.

Bilal Chauhdry, Al Ain

Damac’s vastu move is intelligent

The article Finding peace in Dubai homes using Vastu (June 17) was interesting. Vastu shastra is based on science. So it is useful to keep vastu principles in mind when building or buying homes.

That’s why Damac’s decision to hire a vastu consultant is important.

In India and some other South Asian countries, vastu is very popular. Many real-estate investors in the UAE look for vastu-compliant properties.

I know some people who will not buy or rent a home if it is not vastu-compliant. With this move, Damac can benefit in a big way.

Manish Sharma, Abu Dhabi

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,000mm, Winners: Mumayaza, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winners: Sharkh, Pat Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi

6pm: The President’s Cup Prep - Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Harrab, Ryan Curatolo, Jean de Roualle

7pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup - Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7.30pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

8pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nibras Passion, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ismail Mohammed

Company profile

Date started: January, 2014

Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe

Based: Dubai

Sector: Education technology

Size: Five employees

Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.

Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)

The drill

Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.

Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”

Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”

Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.” 

Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
HOW TO WATCH

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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5