With reference to Ruba Haza's article Emirati family launches appeal for 5,000 organ donors (October 6): 13 members of the Darwish family have pledged to donate their organs. A gesture like theirs is the highest pledge towards humanity.
As a person born and brought up in India, having spent some years in the US and now in UAE for just over a year, I wanted to share a story.
In 2002, my father donated his organs to a medical college in Kolkata, India. The rules for donation were established by then. But consent, post death, was still a big issue in India. Digital tracking was not yet an option. And the 'Organ Pledge Card' was a document in silo. It could not be located at the time of my father’s death.
Organ harvesting has to be completed within a specified time post death. I was unable to sign the consent form as it took 48 hours to reach Kolkata from Cincinnati, Ohio. So it was really difficult for my mother to ensure that my father’s wish was honoured.
This incident has been etched in my brain. I went back to the US after the rituals. During the renewal of my driving licence, I ticked the option of organ donation. My new driving license, the primary identity card in the US, clearly stated that I wished for organ donation in case of my death. This was therefore not a document in silo and could be retrieved by any authority.
In the UAE, similarly, it could be the Emirates ID, instead of the driving licence. When applying or renewing it, there could be an option to select the wish for organ donation. The community of overseas citizens can also be incentivised to donate. If the message is advertised well, the target of 5000 from your report can be achieved easily. It will be a win-win for both the organ donating and recipient families.
Sumanta Roy, Dubai
Not difficult to keep the mask on during a flight
With reference to Brodie Owen's story How one flight from the Middle East to Ireland led to 59 Covid cases (October 26): I'm not surprised. On my recent flight to the US, almost all the passengers slipped their masks under their noses after the flight took off.
Eileen Darts, Abu Dhabi
Remaining vigilant about Covid-19 can't be a choice
Regarding the report Germany plans light lockdown as France admits it has 'lost control' of Covid pandemic (October 26): the WHO has cautioned that leaders and nations should not give in to "pandemic fatigue" and lower their guards. This is sound advice.
Granted that people across the world are weary of restrictions like social distancing, not being able to meet friends and families freely, etc. The pandemic and lockdowns have frustrated people.
There were disturbing photographs of people in India shopping for festivals in the crowded streets without masks and without any social distancing.
There is a need to keep in mind always that by disregarding Covid-19 protocols, a person risks not just his or her life, but also the lives of family, friends and other citizens. Nobody has the right to get tired of being careful. None of us can declare a private peace with the pandemic.
Till the vaccines are finalised, restrictions on distancing should continue. We cannot risk more lives. It is alarming to note the street protests against Covid-19 restrictions in parts of Europe.
At a time when Spain has declared a six-month emergency and night-time curfews to halt a second wave of Covid-19. Italy too has decided to shut swimming pools, theatres, cinemas and gymnasiums. The US has also had a spurt in Covid-19 infections, with the number of hospitalised around 40,000 for five days at a stretch. Covid-19 cannot and should not be taken casually. We have to fight, relentlessly.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
MATCH INFO
New Zealand 176-8 (20 ovs)
England 155 (19.5 ovs)
New Zealand win by 21 runs
Top goalscorers in Europe
34 goals - Robert Lewandowski (68 points)
34 - Ciro Immobile (68)
31 - Cristiano Ronaldo (62)
28 - Timo Werner (56)
25 - Lionel Messi (50)
*29 - Erling Haaland (50)
23 - Romelu Lukaku (46)
23 - Jamie Vardy (46)
*NOTE: Haaland's goals for Salzburg count for 1.5 points per goal. Goals for Dortmund count for two points per goal.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 4 (Mount 18',Werner 44', Hudson-Odoi 49', Havertz 85')
Morecambe 0
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
