A reader says robot window cleaners could spare humans from life-threatening work. Mike Young / The National
A reader says robot window cleaners could spare humans from life-threatening work. Mike Young / The National

Window of opportunity



Overseas study pays off when students return

I was interested to read Universities open world to youth (November 14), about the higher education open day held at Al Nahda National School for Girls on Monday.

It is obvious that universities in the UK, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, the US and Europe see this part of the world as a great source of fee-paying students, and no doubt they all made convincing arguments as to why studying abroad is better than going to a university here in the UAE.

While I encourage every young person to get the best education they possibly can, it is important for this country that, no matter how far afield they travel to study, they eventually come home to put their skills into practice.

Kevin Jones, Dubai

Robot cleaners may save lives

I am writing regarding These are not the droids you're looking for, say window cleaners (November 14).

I can understand the lack of enthusiasm for a mechanised window cleaner on the part of those companies that do the job by hand.

However, surely machines such as the Robo Clean are the way of the future.

As a recent tragedy in which two men died demonstrated, washing windows on high-rise buildings is one of the most dangerous and least desirable jobs around.

I don't want to see people put out of work, but I don't want to see more deaths either.

J Rogers, Dubai

Water park would attract bird life

I am not an ecologist but I must disagree with the ecologist Brigitte Howarth, who says in The lake that came and went (November 14) that "a habitat takes thousands of years to recover".

Flora and fauna habitats adapt according to the environment. That is the power of nature.

High salinity in water doesn't stop it attracting birds. A good example of this is the Australian salt pan that is filled with high-salinity water once every five to six years, when it attracts thousands of migrant birds.

I would suggest that the Al Ain authorities consider creating a park such as Dubai Pond Park, which was created with drainage water and a reed bed.

J Lee, Dubai

Minimum wage call stirs debate

I agree with the Philippines ambassador, Grace Princesa, as she is quoted in Employer ignoring wage law for Filipinos (November 13).

Keep to the $400 (Dh 1,470) minimum wage; if employers can't afford that, then they should employ fewer staff.

L Zaal, Dubai

There's just so much to say about this that I don't know where to begin.

However, I think I speak for a large number of people working in the UAE when I say I sure wish my embassy could make my employer pay me much more than the average US salary for my job - and provide accommodation, food, utilities, airfare, visa fees, insurance and so on.

I'm sure that, realistically, that's asking too much. Market forces are doing just fine. If they weren't, people would just go elsewhere.

Donald Glass, Abu Dhabi

Sentence change seems generous

I am writing regarding Jail terms cut for woman and policeman who beat maid to death (November 13).

The law must take its course, but I haven't heard of such generosity from the courts before.

U Ubaid, Abu Dhabi

Support for child protection law

I applaud the decision by the Federal Cabinet described in Wadeema's Law to curb child abuse and neglect (November 14).

Nothing will bring back eight-year-old Wadeema, who was tortured and starved to death, but I hope this law ensures it will never happen again.

Mary Morris, Dubai

No surprise over Salem's accounts

Regarding Egyptian corruption unit investigates private jet sale (November 14), of course they only found small amounts of cash held in Hussein Salem's name in Egypt.

Guys like that don't keep their money in one account in their own country. I bet the jewellery and gold coins are the tip of the iceberg.

Gold is about $1,728 (Dh6,347) per ounce. Who knows how many ounces of gold are out there. H Peterson, Dubai

I was at Sharm El Sheikh in December 2010, and Mr Salem appeared to be greatly loved.

They told me he had created jobs for many thousands of Egyptian citizens.

M Levine, Dubai

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

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

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The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Big%20Ape%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20LucasArts%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PC%2C%20PlayStation%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Company profile

Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018

Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: Health-tech

Size: 22 employees

Funding: Seed funding 

Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors

Why your domicile status is important

Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.

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Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

Various Artists 
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

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