Columnist William Pesek contradicts himself spectacularly and doesn't even seem to realise it (As Hong Kong's ultra free-market model falters, doubts arise for others, June 3).
He cites Hong Kong as an example of what the "free market crowd" considers ideal and suggests that its failures discredit "one brand of capitalism".
But the crony capitalism he denounces ("politically-connected tycoons have enriched themselves") is capitalism in name only, and not "free market" at all.
Crony capitalism does its malign work precisely because of government thumbs on the scale. In a true free market economy, there would be small government and an even playing field, not corrupt deals through which state power ruthlessly favours the few.
Ronald Reagan was right when he said: "Government is not the solution; government is the problem".
True market capitalism is magnificent in theory. Too bad it's never been tried.
Peter Burrell, Dubai
Where are Egypt's missing billions?
I was interested to read the story Judge puts Mubarak behind bars for life (June 3).
I was hoping to find proof of financial corruption, so Egypt can get back its missing billions and this money can be used to help develop the country.
Ahmed Imaduddeen, Abu Dhabi
Corruption not a clear-cut matter
I write regarding your editorial Battle against corruption starts at the top (June 1). We should be asking: what is bribery? Is it immoral or unethical, or is it just the way of the powerful over those less powerful; the way of those who have the money to control those who want the money?
There have been times in my life when I have taken advantage of situations and people because I was in a position to do so.
Over a 40-year sales career, I learnt that pure logic and economic rationale were not the basis of a sale.
I remember selling a photocopier to a prospect with whom I could not even get an appointment. So I showed up at his church fair, saw that he was working at a table and played a toss-it game with him. He told me to come by his office on Monday, when I made the sale.
Another time, I sent a get-well card to the vice-president of a major organisation, and that was the tipping point that made the sale go my way over a competitor.
Is either case bribery?
I can still sleep well in these instances, but I'm not so sure about the ethics of more "direct" enticements to buy.
Is a lunch or a dinner or tickets to a great new show, or maybe a weekend at a nice resort the start of a slippery slope? Where does one draw the line - or is there a line at all?
It's easy to say "clean it up". But what do we replace it with, and who monitors the monitors?
Tom Pattillo, Canada
Parking problem invites accidents
As pointed out in Why Naveen is driving in circles (June 3) parking is becoming worse in the Tourist Club area of the capital.
Sometimes I search more than an hour for a parking place, especially when I come home after 6pm.
There are just not enough spaces. You pay a lot of money for a service not provided. Just look around the post office, where cars are parking on the road, blocking one lane.
It is dangerous and I am just waiting for some horrible accident to happen.
Brigitte Peetz, Abu Dhabi
New way to fight fires worth a look
After reading Don't evacuate, said mall guard (June 2) I would like to draw attention to the latest technology in fire-fighting.
Aerosol fire suppression units are said to be capable of killing a fire within seconds. These should be investigated.
A Haked, Sharjah
Anti-mingling law could turn to farce
Would somebody please clarify the situation regarding mingling at entertainment venues in the UAE?
I think the writer of the letter Open-mic nights are just for fun (May 22) hit the nail on the head when he suggested the law was designed to prevent an activity that is already illegal in its own right.
But as The National notes, the law as it stands is preventing musicians from harmlessly interacting with their audience before and after a show or during their breaks.
Presumably this broad application of the law could also make it illegal for a quiz-master at a trivia night to ask questions and collect answers, or for a comedian to interact with a heckler.
It could also mean the prohibition of acts that rely on audience participation, such as improvisational theatre and "magic" shows.
Surely this was not the intention of the law.
J Johannson, Dubai
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey
Directed by: Pete Doctor
Rating: 4 stars
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Racecard
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
The National selections
6.30pm: Chaddad
7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.40pm: Mass Media
8.15pm: Rafal
8.50pm: Yulong Warrior
9.25pm: Chiefdom
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.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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.
Rafael Nadal's record at the MWTC
2009 Finalist
2010 Champion
Jan 2011 Champion
Dec 2011 Semi-finalist
Dec 2012 Did not play
Dec 2013 Semi-finalist
2015 Semi-finalist
Jan 2016 Champion
Dec 2016 Champion
2017 Did not play
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Al Jazira 3 (O Abdulrahman 43', Kenno 82', Mabkhout 90 4')
Al Ain 1 (Laba 39')
Red cards: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by:Tom Beard
Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough
Stars: 4
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The years Ramadan fell in May
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
New Zealand 57-0 South Africa
Tries: Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder (2), Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Ofa Tu'ungfasi, Lima Sopoaga, Codie Taylor. Conversions: Beauden Barrett (7). Penalty: Beauden Barrett
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Hidden killer
Sepsis arises when the body tries to fight an infection but damages its own tissue and organs in the process.
The World Health Organisation estimates it affects about 30 million people each year and that about six million die.
Of those about three million are newborns and 1.2 are young children.
Patients with septic shock must often have limbs amputated if clots in their limbs prevent blood flow, causing the limbs to die.
Campaigners say the condition is often diagnosed far too late by medical professionals and that many patients wait too long to seek treatment, confusing the symptoms with flu.
