Divided views on Shamima Begum
With reference to Nicky Harley's report Shamima Begum loses appeal against removal of UK citizenship (February 22): It's a pity the system doesn't help people to change or rebuild their lives.
Oozema MK, Houston, Texas, US
She is an extremist. I have seen her entire interview and while I do have some sympathy for her, this is a good decision. It's a lesson for teenagers to not even think about taking the path she did.
Joe B, Allahabad, India
She chose to join and fight with ISIS. What else can one rationally expect from the UK government?
Dennis Reyes, London, UK
Well done, I say. Sadly, we do not do this in Sweden.
Kent Nordlander, Stockholm, Sweden
The UK did the right thing.
Biswajit Biswas, Kolkata, India
Interesting to think if she were a white, would she be treated differently? There can be double standards at play when people make these decisions.
Mary Wang, London
There are two sides to a story. Let's hear that both before being judgmental about anyone's choices.
Chitra Devi, Malaysia
Monitoring the wheat crop in India
Regarding Taniya Dutta's article India monitors threat to wheat crop amid severe heat risk (February 21): This was an important piece and the news has wide implications. In the majority of states in India, people consume wheat routinely. Although in the southern states, more rice is consumed. India's monitoring of wheat crops is quite natural and only to be expected. If severe heat continues for months, the crop will be affected and people will face a shortage. The country has seen a severe winter and it's worrying that the heat in some parts of the country has already reached 40 °C. The consequences for the agriculture community and the country at large cannot be understated.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
A happy family and the UAE's speedy online visa services
I am writing to share that the UAE is really a place where splendour and efficiency march shoulder to shoulder. Office work is smooth and orderly and so is the disposal of public requests. My son, who holds a UAE residence visa, mooted a request online to General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai to grant a long-term parent visa for my wife and I, forwarding all the necessary documents. On the basis of my experience in my own country I thought it would take at least two months, given the process of raising objections and removing them. To my surprise, the GDRFA disposed of the matter within 48 hours or so, after, suggesting certain improvements in the draft applications. These improvements/objections were adhered and attended to immediately. Everything was done online: 24 hours service! The Emirates ID and residency visa for both of us was reflected on the portal virtually within a week. This is how a country earns the reputation and distinction of being so spirited, congenial and cherished.
Dr Shiben Krishen Raina, Dubai
Company%20profile
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
The%20specs
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The%20Specs
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Company%20Profile
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More from Janine di Giovanni
MATCH RESULT
Al Jazira 3 Persepolis 2
Jazira: Mabkhout (52'), Romarinho (77'), Al Hammadi (90' 6)
Persepolis: Alipour (42'), Mensha (84')
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
Courses%20at%20Istituto%20Marangoni%2C%20Dubai
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUndergraduate%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EInterior%20Design%3B%20Product%20Design%3B%20Visual%20Design%3B%20Fashion%20Design%20%26amp%3B%20Accessories%3B%20Fashion%20Styling%20%26amp%3B%20Creative%20Direction%3B%20Fashion%20Business%3B%20Foundation%20in%20Fashion%3B%20Foundation%20in%20Design%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EProfessional%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFashion%20e-Commerce%20%26amp%3B%20Digital%20Marketing%3B%20Fashion%20Entrepreneurship%3B%20Fashion%20Luxury%20Retail%20and%20Visual%20Merchandising%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EShort%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFashion%20design%3B%20Fashion%20Image%20%26amp%3B%20Styling%3B%20Fashion%20Trend%20Forecasting%3B%20Interior%20Design%3B%20Digital%20Art%20in%20Fashion%3Cbr%3EMore%20information%20is%20at%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.istitutomarangoni.com%2Fen%3Futm_source%3DLocal%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3Dgmb%26utm_content%3Ddubai%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Ewww.istitutomarangoni.com%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')