I was surprised to read your editorial, The celebrity appeal (November 15), as Ras Al Khaimah's tourism industry has never been stronger.
We have recently announced that the emirate has attracted almost 200,000 tourists in the third quarter of 2015 alone – the highest number recorded in Ras Al Khaimah’s history.
The majority of these visitors are from the UAE, Germany, the UK, Russia and India, all of which are very important markets for the emirate.
Ras Al Khaimah has also been recognised by the Financial Times' FDI Magazine to be among the "world's top 10 small and midsized cities of the future", and as one of the fastest growing emirates in the UAE – tracking 34 per cent growth from 2011-2013.
The only “challenge” we are facing at the moment is providing the best possible offering for the growing number of visitors from around the world, which is expected to reach one million by the end of 2018.
Although we welcome all visitors, from all cultures, we have not associated ourselves with celebrity visits in order to attract attention and increase visitor figures; our growth and success so far speaks for itself.
Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
Bad driving is not acceptable
I agree with Brett Debritz's opinion article, As a community, we must insist on better driving (November 23).
Dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention needs to be made socially unacceptable.
More speed cameras are needed but, much more importantly, there needs to be more traffic police who are rewarded for booking bad drivers.
Giles Heaton, Dubai
When it comes to taxi drivers, their hours of service are an important contributing element.
Asking any driver to be on the road 12 hours a day, seven days a week, is a risk to everyone.
Driver fatigue and micro-sleeps are an unreported factor in many of these accidents.
R MacMillan, Dubai
How about clamping down on texting and driving like they do in the United States?
It is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.
Clint Mead, Abu Dhabi
Anchor should show respect
I enjoyed reading about Arnab Goswami (India's most popular news anchor takes his abrasive style to the UK, November 23).
I’m something of a TV news addict and I agree that Goswami is the most controversial anchor on the Times Now channel.
The irritation of the guests he invites on to his show is very noticeable. I’ve often felt that they get too little time to share their own views, because the anchor is so dominating.
Even when Goswami had the opportunity to interview prime minister Narendra Modi and the Congress Party’s Rahul Gandhi, it didn’t change his approach as a commentator.
Perhaps the success of Times Now has affected his style and approach.
I think he should show his audience more respect for spending their precious time watching him.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
Applause for musical magic
I enjoyed an evening of breathtakingly good music on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi Theatre featuring Jordi Savall and his international ensemble.
A prolonged standing ovation was richly deserved. We are so fortunate to have such distinguished artists making regular visits to our shores, as music of this quality deeply enriches our lives. Deidre Willis, Abu Dhabi
Israel must end occupation now
I refer to Ben White's opinion article, How Israel uses its 'security needs' to justify discrimination (November 21).
The situation will not end as long as the Israeli government perpetuates a violent military occupation that allows inequality and injustice to flourish.
Israel's recent actions include attempts to discredit victims' families and witnesses, and the deliberate targeting of civilians.
Israel’s actions sanction oppression and forbid justice at every turn.
It must end its policy of collective punishment and ensure that Palestinian civilians are protected.
Samaoen Osman, South Africa
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
'Midnights'
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
Match info
Newcastle United 1
Joselu (11')
Tottenham Hotspur 2
Vertonghen (8'), Alli (18')
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars