I write in reference to your article Chaos in Khartoum as Sudanese forces break up protest against Omar Al Bashir (December 31). It can be much easier to get power than to wield it and maintain it. The weight of the throne is often far heavier than most people imagine, including those who end up sitting on it.
Name withheld by request
What lies next for the Khan trio of Bollywood?
I write in reference to your article 4 reasons 2018 was a bad year for the Khans of Bollywood (January 1). Kumar Shyam's nice analysis of the failures of the famous Khan trio in 2018 was a good read. My observation is that stereotypical characters should be avoided at all costs in the industry. Stories with substance and morals are what we need now. Aamir Khan is following this trend with his recent films. Saif Ali Khan has also acted extremely well in some recent films, but he needs to breathe fresh life into his career.
Will the new year cause these popular Bollywood actors to change their strategies and return to their old fame? Time will tell.
K Ragavan, Bangalore
All of them are now in their late forties or early fifties and are still trying to play heroes. Meanwhile, the heroines in their films are the age of their children. It is time for these actors to start playing father or grandfather roles.
Shaheen Hamadani, Dubai
Asia is the place to be for friendly multiculturalism
I write in reference to Shelina Janmohamed's opinion piece Muslim women in the West face a double-edged sword when it comes to belonging (December 28). I would advise Muslim women to move to the east. Asia will be the best place to live in five years time and is already really great. It is full of multicultural societies, friendly people. The western world is over-hyped.
Falah Khalid, Saudi Arabia
As a western woman living in the Middle East for 23 years, I feel the same. What is happening in the West is so very sad. Why can’t we all get just along and live peacefully together, as we do currently in the UAE?
Tanya Milbourne, Dubai
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
Have you been targeted?
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.
2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.
3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.
4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.
5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
