The news article Make the picture clearer, judge tells prosecutors (January 27) reported that the chief justice told prosecutors to clarify whether it was illegal to take photos at Yas Marina Circuit. This was the fourth such case, highlighting the confusion about where photography is not allowed in Abu Dhabi.
So let me make sure I understand this correctly. People can drive crazy, speed, do car stunts and tricks where other people's lives are placed in danger and they will only get fined. But when a person harmlessly takes a picture of certain landmarks, they go to prison? Does this seem rational?
This is not good at all and I do hope that government officials listen to this judge and change the laws by making them clearer for travelers to the UAE.
To be put in prison for taking pictures is just too extreme in my opinion. You cannot promote your country as a beautiful tourist destination, and then imprison tourists for taking pictures; especially when they are taking pictures near high profile landmarks.
I suggest two things the government can do.
First, post big signs in Arabic, English, Urdu and Tagalog that warn people not to take pictures at certain locations or else there will be "legal consequences" that follow.
Secondly, instead of imprisoning people for taking pictures, fine them. Do not imprison those who come over on holiday for taking pictures, whilst unaware that they were not supposed to do so.
The UAE is a beautiful place and my second home. Let's not tarnish the image of such a beautiful country with rules that do not make sense.
This situation is harmful to the UAE economy since it leads to bad word of mouth, keeping potential tourists and money away from the country.
Andre Rishi, Abu Dhabi
Force majeure is no excuse
The front page business article 'Act of God' cited for no refunds (January 26) reported that Dubai developers are increasingly using the force majeure clause to excuse delays and refuse refunds.
When things go wrong, there is limited recourse for the investor. Being able to even consider citing force majeure is indicative of the state of the UAE market.
This is a situation where no one cares about the investors who have their pensions invested into a development that should never have been granted a permit to build in the first place.
AW, Ras Al Khaimah
Your article about Dubai-based developers citing force majeure as a means to avoid compensating purchasers for delays in completing their projects is shocking.
Force majeure should only be used as a last resort in the face of uncontrollable physical events such as extreme weather and earthquakes where no party can reasonably be held responsible. To use it in this case is a total abdication of the developers' responsibility to their customers.
It is highly likely that the developers will be seeking compensation from the master-development companies for the delays, so what gives them the right to deny this to their customers?
The use of such tactics at the expense of the end user will do nothing to rebuild investor confidence and is irresponsible to the community in which the developer operates.
Jeremy Alston, Dubai
No bridge means danger for walkers
I reside in Tourist Club Area of Abu Dhabi, very near to Al Salam Tunnel under construction.
Since the beginning of the tunnel work, the construction company had put a pedestrian bridge to cross the construction site to reach the Corniche side. Last Saturday after three days' notification, they removed the bridge. Now people staying in the Tourist Club area are really struggling to reach offices as we have to take a long route with no alternate route provided for the public.
Doctors working at the Corniche Hospital also have to take the long route, even if there is an emergency and they are on call.
When buses or trucks pass us by in the narrow way, our lives are in danger.
Ciju Kurian, Abu Dhabi
Nefertiti belongs back in Egypt
The story Germany clings to Egyptian queen (January 27) reported that Germany has rejected the latest demand by Egypt to return a 3,350-year-old bust of Queen Nefertiti, originally excavated by German archeologists in 1912.
A German art collector stated that returning Nefertiti to the country of origin would be "like tearing the heart out of Berlin's chest".
I wonder what taking it from the German excavation site in Amana was like for Egypt? This is what has come of justice. People need to negotiate with the thief and the thief is judge and jury. We need an international court of justice which applies to all.
Ravi Abay, Abu Dhabi
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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The 24-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg).
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Thomas Meunier (Paris Saint-Germain), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Nacer Chadli (West Bromwich Albion), Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Youri Tielemans (Monaco), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur).
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea/Dortmund), Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United), Dries Mertens (Napoli).
Standby player: Laurent Ciman (Los Angeles FC).
Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
• Dyed hair must be of a natural colour
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)
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Jawan
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAtlee%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Nayanthara%2C%20Vijay%20Sethupathi%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Champions'
Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
The%20specs
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Klopp at the Kop
Matches 68; Wins 35; Draws 19; Losses 14; Goals For 133; Goals Against 82
- Eighth place in Premier League in 2015/16
- Runners-up in Europa League in 2016
- Runners-up in League Cup in 2016
- Fourth place in Premier League in 2016/17