Oh, the joy of possessing a squeezy water bottle that had Ariel and Flounder chasing each other in circles, as envious glances were cast at the Disney princess-shaped eraser and sharpener sitting on the neighbouring desk on the first day of school.
Back-to-school shopping is a special time in a child's life, no matter how much grief it might cause a harried parent. There's something about seeing, touching and choosing colourful paraphernalia peppered with beloved characters and fun slogans, that appeals to and enlivens the senses.
Putting together a kit of cool stationery in a new bag almost assuages the grief experienced at the end of the long and lazy summer holiday (again, strictly from a child's point of view), and makes the idea of swapping fiction and fun movies with textbooks and digital worksheets a touch more palatable.
While the lenticular pencil boxes of parents' childhoods may have flickered out of style, there is an array of options your child can choose from to start the new term on a cheery note.
Scroll through the gallery above to see the back-to-school products currently on shelves in the UAE
A number of brands have also put together back-to-school kits to make parents' lives easier. Online grocery store Food Crowd, for example, has a snack box with fruit, veg, crackers, juices, chicken nuggets and more that should take care of some of your child's nutritional needs in their first week back. For easy lunch box ideas, click here.

Elsewhere, Cutting Edge salon in JLT and Dubai Marina has a 50 per cent discount on hair cuts for teenagers until Wednesday, August 31; Skechers is selling two pairs of children's shoes for Dh349 (as opposed to Dh229 to Dh2,300 a pop); adidas is offering Dh100 off on every spend of Dh300; and electronics shop Eros has a laptop exchange programme in place.
Malls across Dubai are also holding activations for families as they shop. At The Dubai Mall, for example, in the Star Atrium, find activities such as science-themed workshops and shows from 4pm to 10pm until Sunday, August 28.
In Dubai Hills Mall, there are more science-inspired activities, workshops and weekend shows, with raffle draws open to shoppers, while over at Dubai Marina Mall’s Dome Atrium, there are workshops as well as magic tricks, soap making and a giant memory game for children to put their brains to the test.
35 new things to do indoors in the UAE this summer — in pictures
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Take a sushi-making masterclass at SushiSamba in Dubai. Photo: SushiSamba -

Roxy Cinemas is opening at Dubai Hills Mall this summer. Photo: Roxy Cinemas -

Nakheel Mall has opened a VR-powered escape rooms venue with a board game cafe. Photo: Nakheel -

Back-to-school activities are ongoing at Dubai Hills Mall, pictured, The Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina Mall. Photo: Dubai Hills Mall -

Try the cannoli from Cipriani Dolci at Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall. Photo: Cipriani -

Anyone aged 5 and upwards can join in the Yas Mall Indoor Run this summer. Photo: Yas Mall -

Dubai Design District is hosting its Rethink Summer programme until August 26. Photo: Dubai Design District -

Deep Dive Dubai turned one in July. -

The Mohammed bin Rashid Library spans seven storeys. EPA -
Adnec's Abu Dhabi Summer Sports is the biggest event of its kind in the Middle East. Photo: Abu Dhabi Summer Sports / Instagram -

A summer camp will be held indoors at the WB Abu Dhabi hotel. -
Ice Bar at The London Project on Bluewaters, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

Splatter Rooms in Abu Dhabi offers freewheeling art sessions for children and adults. Photo: Splatter Rooms -

Ripe Market will be held indoors at Golden Mile Galleria and Circle Mall in Dubai this summer. -

Yas Island has a Kids Go Free offer this summer, which includes accommodation, food and access to its theme parks for children under 12. Photo: Ferrari World -

Saray spa at Marriott Al Forsan Abu Dhabi has discounts of up to 50 per cent this summer. -

Abu Dhabi Mall's Boxed In - Think In is the latest escape room to open in the capital. Photo: Boxed In - Think In -

The Green Planet, Dubai, has an overnight camping experience. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

The National Aquarium in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, is home to 46,000 creatures and 300 species. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -

The Storm Coaster in Dubai Hills Mall is the fastest indoor roller coaster in the world. Photo: Emaar -
Museum of the Future in Dubai requires visitors to book tickets well in advance. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

Central Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi has arcade games and bowling alleys. Victor Besa / The National -
Dubai Sports World offers indoor courts for padel, a popular sport in the UAE. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

Theatre of Digital Art in Dubai is hosting a Digital Extravaganza exhibition led by Synti, a 3D holographic figure. Photo: Theatre of Digital Art -

Viking restaurant in Ajman is a cool new spot that will take you back in time. Photo: Viking -

The Galleria Al Maryah Island is hosting a new Let's Walk fitness programme. Photo: The Galleria Al Maryah Island -

Dubai Summer Surprises: a number of malls will hold sales from July 1 to September 4. Photo: DFRE -

RAK Animal Welfare Centre in Ras Al Khaimah is looking for people to meet, play with and adopt pets. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

Motiongate Dubai has launched its Coolest Summer promotion. Dubai Parks and Resorts. -

Studio 14 in Dubai has a Himalayan salt wall, which is beneficial when you're working out indoors in close proximity with others. Antonie Robertson / The National -

An object discovered at Deir el-Medina by the Egyptian Museum of Turin. The museum, along with Sharjah Museum Authority, has put together an interactive exhibition targeted at school children called Deir el Medina: Village of the Pharaohs’ Artists. Photo: museoegizio / Instagram -

Alserkal Avenue in Dubai is hosting the Eyes Wide Shut exhibition. Photo: Alserkal Avenue -

The Alley DXB is a glow-in-the-dark padel court in Dubai. Photo: @thealleydxb / Instagram -

Thunder Road restaurant in Umm Al Quwain has an indoor retail store selling speciality Italian products, from olive oil to truffle everything. Photo: Pixabay -

Indoor golf and entertainment lounge MyGolf Dubai is open during the summer. Photo: MyGolf Dubai
Scorline
Iraq 1-0 UAE
Iraq Hussein 28’
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National Editorial: Donald Trump has left his mark on the Middle East
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Raghida Dergham: Will Biden's 'maximum diplomacy' with Iran work?
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
Company%20profile
MATCH INFO
Everton v Tottenham, Sunday, 8.30pm (UAE)
Match is live on BeIN Sports
While you're here
SANCTIONED
- Kirill Shamalov, Russia's youngest billionaire and previously married to Putin's daughter Katarina
- Petr Fradkov, head of recently sanctioned Promsvyazbank and son of former head of Russian Foreign Intelligence, the FSB.
- Denis Bortnikov, Deputy President of Russia's largest bank VTB. He is the son of Alexander Bortnikov, head of the FSB which was responsible for the poisoning of political activist Alexey Navalny in August 2020 with banned chemical agent novichok.
- Yury Slyusar, director of United Aircraft Corporation, a major aircraft manufacturer for the Russian military.
- Elena Aleksandrovna Georgieva, chair of the board of Novikombank, a state-owned defence conglomerate.
While you're here
While you're here
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
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
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Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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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
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
While you're here
Company Profile
Company name: Fine Diner
Started: March, 2020
Co-founders: Sami Elayan, Saed Elayan and Zaid Azzouka
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and food delivery
Initial investment: Dh75,000
Investor: Dtec Startupbootcamp
Future plan: Looking to raise $400,000
Total sales: Over 1,000 deliveries in three months
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