Today's Google Doodle is a game called Coding for Carrots. Google
Today's Google Doodle is a game called Coding for Carrots. Google
Today's Google Doodle is a game called Coding for Carrots. Google
Today's Google Doodle is a game called Coding for Carrots. Google

The Google Doodle is now a series of games to bust boredom while staying at home


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

In a bid to help curb boredom as many people stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic, Google has launched a series of games to keep us preoccupied.

The game "doodles" will run for two weeks from April 27.

Google has created a huge amount of games for its home page over the years. You can find these archived on the Google Doodle Blog.

In today's Doodle, a game called Coding for Carrots allows users to put in a simple combination of commands to see a rabbit hop around various squares, eating carrots. It's far more entertaining and addictive than it sounds.

A two-week series of games to keep people entertained while at home amid the coronavirus pandemic has launched on Google. Google
A two-week series of games to keep people entertained while at home amid the coronavirus pandemic has launched on Google. Google

The game first appeared in 2017, as Google celebrated the 50th anniversary of Logo, the first programming language created for children.

Globally, there are two other Google Doodles showing up in people's searches on April 27. One is for Koningsdag – that's Dutch for King's Day – which is a popular holiday in the Netherlands, honouring the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, the country's first king in 123 years.

Google is also marking King's Day in the Netherlands. Google
Google is also marking King's Day in the Netherlands. Google

Elsewhere, South Africa Freedom Day marks the date in 1994 when the country held its first post-apartheid democratic elections, which resulted in Nelson Mandela being voted president.

April 27 also marks South Africa Freedom Day. Google
April 27 also marks South Africa Freedom Day. Google

Take a look through the photo gallery below to see previous Google Doodles that have celebrated the Middle East and North Africa:

  • A Google Doodle celebrating Egyptian actress Karima Mokhtar's 89th birthday. All images: Google
    A Google Doodle celebrating Egyptian actress Karima Mokhtar's 89th birthday. All images: Google
  • Egyptian writer Ihsan Abdel Quddous
    Egyptian writer Ihsan Abdel Quddous
  • Kuwaiti actor and comedian Abdulhussain Abdulredha's 83rd birthday
    Kuwaiti actor and comedian Abdulhussain Abdulredha's 83rd birthday
  • UAE National Day 2022 Google Doodle.
    UAE National Day 2022 Google Doodle.
  • Ousha Al Suwaidi was a poetess from the United Arab Emirates.
    Ousha Al Suwaidi was a poetess from the United Arab Emirates.
  • Prof. Hamed Abdel Fattah Goher was an Egyptian oceanographer, scientist and TV presenter.
    Prof. Hamed Abdel Fattah Goher was an Egyptian oceanographer, scientist and TV presenter.
  • Tunisia's Tawhida Ben Cheikh was a pioneer in women's medicine.
    Tunisia's Tawhida Ben Cheikh was a pioneer in women's medicine.
  • Google Doodle of Egyptian actor and director Nour El-Sherif honours him on what would have been his 75th birthday.
    Google Doodle of Egyptian actor and director Nour El-Sherif honours him on what would have been his 75th birthday.
  • Google celebrates Syrian-Egyptian composer and actor Farid Al Atrash with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 110th birthday.
    Google celebrates Syrian-Egyptian composer and actor Farid Al Atrash with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 110th birthday.
  • Children's author Notaila Rashed is honoured with a special Google Doodle to mark her 86th birthday.
    Children's author Notaila Rashed is honoured with a special Google Doodle to mark her 86th birthday.
  • Egyptian actress, producer, writer and filmmaker Bahiga Hafez was born 112 years ago, on August 4.
    Egyptian actress, producer, writer and filmmaker Bahiga Hafez was born 112 years ago, on August 4.
  • The Google Doodle for January 20, 2020, celebrates Mufidah Abdul Rahman, Egypt's first female lawyer.
    The Google Doodle for January 20, 2020, celebrates Mufidah Abdul Rahman, Egypt's first female lawyer.
  • A Google Doodle on June 10, 2019, celebrates Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Towfik.
    A Google Doodle on June 10, 2019, celebrates Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Towfik.
  • Google Doodle honours Persian mathematician, poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam on what would have been his 971st birthday.
    Google Doodle honours Persian mathematician, poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam on what would have been his 971st birthday.
  • Mary Mounib was a renowned actress in the Egyptian cinema scene. Her 114th birthday is marked in a Google Doodle on February 11, 2019.
    Mary Mounib was a renowned actress in the Egyptian cinema scene. Her 114th birthday is marked in a Google Doodle on February 11, 2019.
  • Egyptian poet Gamila El Alaily is honoured in a Google Doodle on March 20, 2019.
    Egyptian poet Gamila El Alaily is honoured in a Google Doodle on March 20, 2019.
  • Syrian artist Louay Kayali is the subject of Google's doodle on January 20, 2019.
    Syrian artist Louay Kayali is the subject of Google's doodle on January 20, 2019.
  • Egyptian-French singer and actress Dalida is honoured on her birthday by Google Doodle, on January 17, 2019.
    Egyptian-French singer and actress Dalida is honoured on her birthday by Google Doodle, on January 17, 2019.
  • Egyptian actress Hind Rostom is celebrated in a Google Doodle on her 87th birthday, on November 12, 2018.
    Egyptian actress Hind Rostom is celebrated in a Google Doodle on her 87th birthday, on November 12, 2018.
  • Ibn Sina, one of the greatest thinkers of Islam's golden age, is honoured on August 7, 2018.
    Ibn Sina, one of the greatest thinkers of Islam's golden age, is honoured on August 7, 2018.
  • A Google Doodle honours Saudi musician Talal Maddah on what would have been his 78th birthday, on August 5, 2018.
    A Google Doodle honours Saudi musician Talal Maddah on what would have been his 78th birthday, on August 5, 2018.
  • A Google Doodle gif marks Egyptian actor Omar Sharif's birthday on April 10, 2018.
    A Google Doodle gif marks Egyptian actor Omar Sharif's birthday on April 10, 2018.
  • Egyptian poet Farouk Shousha is honoured by Google on what would have been his 82nd birthday, on January 9, 2018.
    Egyptian poet Farouk Shousha is honoured by Google on what would have been his 82nd birthday, on January 9, 2018.
  • Google celebrates Lebanese singer Sabah's 90th birthday on November 10, 2017.
    Google celebrates Lebanese singer Sabah's 90th birthday on November 10, 2017.
  • Egyptian painter Inji Aflatoun's Google Doodle pays homage to her style of bold brushstrokes.
    Egyptian painter Inji Aflatoun's Google Doodle pays homage to her style of bold brushstrokes.
  • Google celebrates the birthday of Algerian painter Mohammed Khadda, who was born on March 14, 1930.
    Google celebrates the birthday of Algerian painter Mohammed Khadda, who was born on March 14, 1930.
  • Lebanese singer-songwriter Melham Barakat is honoured by Google on his birthday.
    Lebanese singer-songwriter Melham Barakat is honoured by Google on his birthday.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

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Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

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Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people. 

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.

 

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE

Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000

Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6

Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
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Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
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The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

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THE 12 BREAKAWAY CLUBS

England

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus

Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid

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Ipaf in numbers

Established: 2008

Prize money:  $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.

Winning novels: 13

Shortlisted novels: 66

Longlisted novels: 111

Total number of novels submitted: 1,780

Novels translated internationally: 66

The specs: 2019 BMW i8 Roadster

Price, base: Dh708,750

Engine: 1.5L three-cylinder petrol, plus 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 374hp (total)

Torque: 570Nm (total)

Fuel economy, combined: 2.0L / 100km

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5