We've all been guilty of mass circulating videos of people messing up on Zoom over the past 10 months or so, since the world began working from home.
One might think we'd be more adept at using the popular video-conferencing platform by now, but only this week Presidio County Attorney Rod Ponton in Texas managed to attend a court hearing as a fluffy white doe-eyed kitten.
“I’m here live. I’m not a cat,” the lawyer said.
“I can see that,” replied the presiding judge.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the footage has since gone viral.
So, in honour of this hilarious mishap, we reminisce on some of the other best Zoom and video-conferencing fails we've seen over the past few months.
1. The one with Mrs Potato Head
Very early on in the pandemic, in March 2020, social media user Rachele Clegg tweeted about one of the first video meetings to go truly viral.
"My boss turned herself into a potato on our Microsoft teams meeting and can't figure out how to turn the setting off, so she was just stuck like this the entire meeting," Clegg wrote alongside a screen grab of the meeting.
Her boss, Lizet Ocampo, has a pretty serious job, as she's the political director at non-profit People for the American Way, but thankfully, she saw the humour despite the fact that the tweet now has almost one million likes.
Ocampo replied: "I yam potato boss. You should see me in a crown, right @billieeilish? I yam glad this is making folks laugh at this time. Please stay planted at home and safe!"
2. The one with BBC Dad
Long before the pandemic and when Zoom became everyone's go-to work platform, BBC correspondent Robert Kelly experienced a rather embarrassing mishap of his own.
It happened in 2017, when the associate professor of political science at Pusan National University in South Korea was speaking live from his home office about the ouster of the country's then-president Park Geun-hye.
As Kelly was speaking, one of his children strolled jovially into the room. As he pushed her away, apologising for the intrusion, his baby toddled in in a walker, followed closely by a frantic mum trying desperately to scoop them up.
The "hippity hoppity" strut his daughter Marion, who was 4 at the time, displayed has since become a meme for confidently walking into a room.
Kelly has since become widely known as "BBC Dad".
3. The one with the Italian priest
Paolo Longo of the Church of San Pietro and San Benedetto di Polla in Italy is no stranger to the pitfalls of social media filters.
The parish priest was right in the middle of a rather solemn mass being held over Facebook Live in March last year when he accidentally switched some face filters on. Soon enough, he was donning some pretty futuristic headgear, lifting cartoon weights and surrounded by gold confetti.
The video has since had millions of views.
Thankfully, he saw the funny side, later writing: "Even a laugh is good."
4. The one with the cat lady and Lords
As British trade policy leader Sally Jones is about to answer a very serious question from Lord Cavendish of Furness about Brexit in a House of Lords session last June, she's interrupted by her cat.
"OK, I should first explain, I'm really sorry, my cat has managed to open my kitchen door and is trying to get on my lap," she says in a cool, calm and collected way, teaching us all a thing or two about how to handle such potentially embarrassing intrusions.
"It may be easier just to let him do that, rather than for me to keep trying to bat him away.
"I'm really, really sorry your Lordships."
Lord Cavendish simply says, "Welcome cat", before Jones attempts to answer his question while continuing to stroke her pet.
5. The one with Boris Johnson
While most of the other entries on this list are rather light-hearted, the UK Prime Minister sparked real national security concerns last year when he accidentally revealed a Zoom meeting ID number on Twitter.
"This morning I chaired the first ever digital Cabinet," he wrote obliviously, as he shared a photograph of his screen, which contained the private code in the top lefthand corner, as well as the usernames of some ministers taking part.
"Our message to the public is: stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives," he continued.
The British leader was self-isolating at the time, after testing positive for Covid-19. While Downing Street insisted the online gathering was password protected and still secure, a cybersecurity expert told The Metro newspaper that the tweet broke a key rule when using this type of technology.
"In the worst-case scenario, the meeting ID will be reused, the meeting is not protected by a password, and an eavesdropper is able to join. Likewise, Mr Johnson’s colleagues might get unsolicited and unwanted email."
6. The one with the UAE minister
Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE's Minister of State for International Co-operation, also had a serious moment unintentionally interrupted by her young son.
As she was speaking during the UN's Yemen aid conference, her little one, Hazza, walked in and leaned on her shoulder, looking for a hug.
Mark Lowcock, UN undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, seemed to enjoy the unexpected appearance, giving us a chuckle.
Al Hashimy smiled and stormed on through her speech like a pro.
7. The one with the dog and the weatherman
Fox 13 meteorologist Paul Dellegatto gave viewers a rather unorthodox weather report from his Tampa Bay home back in April 2020 after his dog, Brody, decided he wanted to join in.
The poor pooch "whacked the computer with his head", Dellegatto said, explaining he could no longer show any weather maps.
Determined to do his job come rain or shine, Dellegatto said: "Let me just verbalise the forecast," which he did.
While he continued to pet Brody throughout the segment, the dog's master did slightly chastise him, saying: "That wasn't very smart."
Then, when Brody yawned, Dellegatto quipped in a deadpan voice: "Didn’t mean to keep you up."
8. The one with the two biscuits
Foreign affairs editor Deborah Haynes also fell victim to her children's whims during a live report for Sky News last summer.
She was speaking about political developments in Hong Kong when her son Charlie, 4, gatecrashed the broadcast for something very important: to ask if he could have two biscuits.
"Yes, you can have two biscuits," Haynes said quickly, as she apologised.
The scene quickly cut back to the studio, as the broadcaster announced they'd leave Haynes to deal with her family duties, highlighting the difficulties of reporting from home during lockdown.
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Read more:
Approach the bench please, Mr Tiddles: Zoom filter makes lawyer look like cat
Chaotic council meeting goes viral after zoom insults
First lady Jill Biden reveals she taught class via Zoom the day before inauguration
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Ahmed Raza
UAE cricket captain
Age: 31
Born: Sharjah
Role: Left-arm spinner
One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95
T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28
Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Empires%20of%20the%20Steppes%3A%20A%20History%20of%20the%20Nomadic%20Tribes%20Who%20Shaped%20Civilization
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKenneth%20W%20Harl%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHanover%20Square%20Press%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E576%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S24%20ULTRA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.8%22%20quad-HD%2B%20dynamic%20Amoled%202X%2C%203120%20x%201440%2C%20505ppi%2C%20HDR10%2B%2C%20120Hz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204nm%20Qualcomm%20Snapdragon%208%20Gen%203%2C%2064-bit%20octa-core%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012GB%20RAM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2014%2C%20One%20UI%206.1%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20quad%20200MP%20wide%20f%2F1.7%20%2B%2050MP%20periscope%20telephoto%20f%2F3.4%20with%205x%20optical%2F10x%20optical%20quality%20zoom%20%2B%2010MP%20telephoto%202.4%20with%203x%20optical%20zoom%20%2B%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20f%2F2.2%3B%20100x%20Space%20Zoom%3B%20auto%20HDR%2C%20expert%20RAW%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208K%4024%2F30fps%2C%204K%4030%2F60%2F120fps%2C%20full-HD%4030%2F60%2F240fps%2C%20full-HD%20super%20slo-mo%40960fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20f%2F2.2%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205000mAh%2C%20fast%20wireless%20charging%202.0%2C%20Wireless%20PowerShare%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205G%2C%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3B%20built-in%20Galaxy%20S%20Pen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP68%2C%20up%20to%201.5m%20of%20freshwater%20up%20to%2030%20minutes%3B%20dust-resistant%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESIM%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nano%20%2B%20nano%20%2F%20nano%20%2B%20eSIM%20%2F%20dual%20eSIM%20(varies%20in%20different%20markets)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Titanium%20black%2C%20titanium%20grey%2C%20titanium%20violet%2C%20titanium%20yellow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGalaxy%20S24%20Ultra%2C%20USB-C-to-C%20cable%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh5%2C099%20for%20256GB%2C%20Dh5%2C599%20for%20512GB%2C%20Dh6%2C599%20for%201TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 Lincoln MKC
Price, base / as tested: Dh169,995 / Dh192,045
Engine: Turbocharged, 2.0-litre, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 253hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 389Nm @ 2,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.7L / 100km
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Carzaty%2C%20now%20Kavak%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20launched%20in%202018%2C%20Kavak%20in%20the%20GCC%20launched%20in%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20140%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Automotive%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20raised%20%246m%20in%20equity%20and%20%244m%20in%20debt%3B%20Kavak%20plans%20%24130m%20investment%20in%20the%20GCC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
The Little Things
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Ad Astra
Director: James Gray
Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones
Five out of five stars
Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
AS IT STANDS IN POOL A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Scoreline
Syria 1-1 Australia
Syria Al Somah 85'
Australia Kruse 40'
The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio
Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)
Engine 4.7L V8
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.