Readers are divided over whether we need have Wi-Fi on the beach. Sarah Dea / The National
Readers are divided over whether we need have Wi-Fi on the beach. Sarah Dea / The National

Do we need to surf the internet on the beach?



It's good that Dubai is thinking smart ('Smart palms' installed in Dubai offer free Wi-Fi, phone charging and information, July 30). I'm all for free Wi-Fi, but to put these on beaches seems like a bit of a mistake. Surely people go to the beach to swim, as opposed to charging their devices or surfing the internet.

Clare L'Estrange, Abu Dhabi

I don’t know why people are complaining about this. As for the appearance, it hardly matters, because we are not going to decorate our homes with these installations.

Also, I don’t think that this facility will disconnect beachgoers from their surroundings. After all, Wi-Fi is not obligatory. We live in the internet age so we always need to stay connected for whatever reason. This is the future. We must thank Dubai for all these facilities.

Tasneem Al Zamrooni, Dubai

With reference to the news report Petrol price change may prompt residents to re-evaluate their lifestyles, (July 29), the government should also consider applying a carbon-dioxide emission penalty charge. This will further encourage people to consider smaller and more fuel-efficient cars

Alex Bibi, Dubai

The UAE is still way cheaper compared to the countries that it wants to be compared to. Forget about other Arab countries. Think global.

Casper Morgenstern, Dubai

A large number of people who make Dh1,000 a month or less will find it difficult to commute if bus fares rise (Price rise 'could have been worse', July 29). Even now, when bus fares are relatively low, many of them take a walk whenever they can, or hitchhike. For them, every dirham counts.

Name withheld by request

This country is becoming too expensive to live in. The low fuel prices helped balance out the high price of everything else. A lot of people are thinking of going back to their home countries, because it is becoming cheaper to live back home, and have the added bonus of being close to family.

It’s so sad, as this is a beautiful country and has a lot to offer to everyone, including families.

Wendy Latimer Gething, Dubai

With reference to the article Dubai becomes No 1 jobs destination for US expats, study finds (July 30), Dubai certainly has geographical advantages that make it attractive to companies that want to do business in the Mena region and South Asia.

That said, it does not have London’s financial institutions, though it is a cheaper place to do business in comparison. The competition is good. It will improve the city which will be beneficial for those who wish to work there.

Mehul Kamdar, US

What Sheikh Mohammed has done for Dubai and its people is amazing (Vice President launches training for young leaders, July 31). He is truly a visionary. Leaders of other countries should learn from his example.

Sussanne Cherrie, Dubai

Rents rise, but where is safety?

How many times do we hear alarms and ignore them because they're not maintained by landlords properly (Residents rescued from fire in building, July 31)? They increase rents, but where is the accountability for tenant safety?

Aiysha Hurley, Abu Dhabi

Padmaavat

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh

3.5/5

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar

Director: Neeraj Pandey

Rating: 2.5/5

Empires%20of%20the%20Steppes%3A%20A%20History%20of%20the%20Nomadic%20Tribes%20Who%20Shaped%20Civilization
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Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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)
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021

Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.

Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.

Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.

Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.

Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.

Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.

Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”

Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI. 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
Company%20Profile
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Where%20the%20Crawdads%20Sing
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Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

'Downton Abbey: A New Era'

Director: Simon Curtis

 

Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan

 

Rating: 4/5

 
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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