I am so sad to hear that the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) will be discontinued (Abu Dhabi Film Festival to be closed down, May 9). It was one of my favourite events during my time in Abu Dhabi. It felt like a real community cultural event.
Recently, I had conversations with people about their experience of the festival.
I hope more international independent films will be brought to the UAE to make up for this – and that there will be more screenings of local films.
Valeri R, US
It is sad. The film festival was a great event for the capital.
Natalie Wells, Abu Dhabi
This is sad. Last year’s ADFF was the best ever and on a par with the best film festivals in the world (and I’ve attended quite a few). Womad was a great loss and now this.
To cut costs, they could have experimented with charging for Womad and making the ADFF less glitzy.
Now we are doomed to an endless supply of mindless action and comic-book movies, plus Bollywood productions, at the cinemas. There will be almost no chance of seeing great films such as Ida, Leviathan, Tales, Theeb, and so many others that were screened at the ADFF.
Ali Moosavi, UK
The film festival was one of the events that I really looked forward to in Abu Dhabi. I am sad that I will no longer be able to attend it.
Yvette Arizala, Abu Dhabi
Government’s anti-corruption move laudable
Checks and balances are the hallmark of a strong sovereign state (Government bodies to be watched by taskforce, May 9). This is why this country's zero-tolerance approach to corruption is so significant. Kudos to the UAE.
Nelfer, Abu Dhabi
Salman case a shame for India
The way the Bollywood actor Salman Khan has been allowed bail again is astonishing (Bollywood star's bail extended, May 9).
If he was not a star, he would probably have been in jail since the moment of the accident. This situation is appalling and must change. India should realise that its image is at stake.
Name withheld by request
Ride not for the faint-hearted
I refer to the article Ferrari World Abu Dhabi reveals new record breaking roller coaster (May 5).
This sounds amazing, but it is definitely not meant for the faint-hearted. Ferrari World has been able to attract tourists and residents alike since its opening.
The rides at the park offer thrill-seekers an experience worth remembering.
Name withheld by request
No country is perfect
Regarding Justin Thomas's opinion article Arabia Felix, the happy land – with an envy problem (May 5), the most important thing is to respect the rules of the country in which you are living, visiting or working.
The world is not perfect and there is no country that is perfect. Every country has its own problems and issues. Let’s think positive and see the good as well as the bad.
It is so easy to talk negatively about a country. It’s much harder to be positive.
Angela Pop, Dubai
Dubai’s success is our success
Dubai is a young city that has been able to make a mark for itself in a very short span of time due to its visionary leaders who have constantly strived to make its presence felt globally (Dubai among top 5 most improved cities, study says, May 7).
It is heartening to see the city on the path to continued success and prosperity.
To be able to make it to the Top 5 list is a huge achievement for Dubai, its leaders and its people.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
Napoleon
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
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SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
