I refer to your story Scores of Dubai food joints told to shut after complaints (May 19).
To ensure that food is clean and safe for consumption, all licensed food outlets in Singapore are issued grades. Whether it’s hawker fare or haute cuisine, you can rest assured that the outlet you are eating in has been inspected for cleanliness, hygiene, handling of food, method of meat storage and housekeeping standards.
These food outlets are advised to display the certificate indicating their grade, so as to enable the public to make a more informed choice when patronising outlets.
A similar system could be implemented in this country.
Khursheed Alam Khan, India
The quickest way to improve things would be to publish ratings – say a five-star rating.
That will enable the public to soon decide which outlets to visit and which ones need to improve or be closed.
Simon Buckerfield, Ras Al Khaimah
Little hope for better roads
In reference to the story UAE social media message for lane discipline (May 22), there might be a solution – randomly stopping undisciplined drivers and recording their statements on video and then referring them to the prosecution. Recently I narrowly escaped an accident when a driver decided that he should be in front of me as his car was bigger and more powerful.
He suddenly cut in front of me, prompting me to slam the emergency brake.
My five-year-old child was in the back seat. Such behaviour is disgusting.
I have given up hope for any improvement in driving conditions on our roads.
It seems one can be safe only if one drives a tank.
Moaz Bhutta, Dubai
Study the law on rent increase
This is regarding the article Dubai tenant wants lower rent on apartment facing construction, but landlord wants to raise it.
If you are going into your second year, the landlord cannot increase the rent. This is according to law. The landlord and tenant must specify rent value in the tenancy contract and should not increase such rent value or amend any of the tenancy contract conditions until the elapse of two years from the date of inception of the original tenancy relationship.
Name withheld by request
Teacher pay is a tough issue
In reference to your editorial Can boarding schools in the UAE thrive? (May 9), if you have to import your teachers and pay them a large incentive to stay, it's pretty hard to make any money.
Lisa Kereliuk, Dubai
Why discuss the headscarf?
This whole debate on "head cover" is ridiculous and it's the media that's making it a big deal (What Melania wore: why the first lady's Saudi style is a big deal, May 21). I worked in Saudi Arabia for many years and can assure you we are not expected to cover our heads. Melania Trump was dressed very modestly and respectfully and that's the end of the story.
Kerry Mills, Dubai
Surprisingly, the Queen of England gladly wore a headscarf on many occasions. For example, she wore it when she visited this country. I believe it’s a matter of choice. Wearing or not wearing a headscarf does not have any bearing on diplomacy.
Ahmed Eva, Abu Dhabi
It doesn’t matter what Mrs Trump wore or whether she wore a headscarf or not.
It’s sad that so many people are bothered about such things.
Name withheld by request
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The Abu Dhabi Awards explained:
What are the awards? They honour anyone who has made a contribution to life in Abu Dhabi.
Are they open to only Emiratis? The awards are open to anyone, regardless of age or nationality, living anywhere in the world.
When do nominations close? The process concludes on December 31.
How do I nominate someone? Through the website.
When is the ceremony? The awards event will take place early next year.
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
Public Affairs
Dh67
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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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.
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
