Fitting a car seat is a motoring necessity for parents. iStockphoto.com
Fitting a car seat is a motoring necessity for parents. iStockphoto.com

The air bag: Marrying a new arrival with a sporty coupé



You might reasonably think that, being 43 years old, I would have had all the possible curve balls thrown at my life by now – but no. A short while ago, after I got home from the office one night, Mrs H told me I needed to sit down because there was something she needed to tell me. A woman telling any man that they “need to talk” is enough to strike morbid fear into his heart. I was fully expecting to hear the news that our trusty Volkswagen Scirocco had been involved in another smash. What I wasn’t expecting was to hear that she was “expecting”.

My son is 20 years old and about to start his final year at university in the United Kingdom, and here I am, about to go through it all again. He says he’s still trying to “process” the information. Truth be told, so am I. And one of the topics of conversation that keeps rearing its ugly head is what we are to do with said Scirocco. As a two-door, sporty coupé, surely it will need to quickly be replaced by an enormous SUV if we as a family of three are to lead anything ­approaching a normal existence? This has been the thought process of my dear wife, but I’m having none of it.

Compact it might be, but the Scirocco does have two individual rear seats and, unlike some so-equipped sports cars, they are entirely usable. I know, I’ve been a passenger in them and there’s more than enough room for a normal-sized adult, never mind an infant. It also has something rather important going for it: a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. Yes, the diminutive VW is a veritable fortress on wheels, and I’d feel far happier knowing that both Mrs H and junior were bombing around Dubai in something that will withstand a collision without folding up like an aluminium drink can.

So there’s enough interior room to cope with another Hackett and integrity in its construction. But what, asks Mrs H, about boot space? I’m ­constantly ­bombarded with lists of essential things we’ll need to buy and cart around with us wherever we go, but again, I see no reason to make our lives more complicated or expensive than they already are.

A week ago, we spent an ­obscene amount of money on a pram and a car seat that, if all goes to plan, will last until junior is able to go out and earn a living to support his dribbling parents. The pram (or stroller, if you must) is a funky-looking thing that my wife says is the best. She read about it online, apparently. The same goes for the seat, which I have to admit is a brilliant piece of engineering design, but she remained defiant: no way would they fit in the Scirocco.

So out I went with the sales assistant to prove that they would. The pram fits in the boot with ease, while the seat attaches itself nicely to the “Isofix” anchors nestled between the rears of the car. I see no need whatsoever to trade in the car I love for something that says I’ve just given up on life, but the battle is not yet won.

What, she enquires, about the awkwardness she’ll face when putting junior into the seat while it’s in the back? I have no answer for that one I’m afraid, so I fear that a session of experimentation will ensue once these hideously expensive items are delivered in the next few days. No matter what ensues, though, I’ll find a way around any potential problems to ensure the Scirocco is kept in our parking space for many years to come. Besides, keeping hold of our car and ­eschewing anything larger will ultimately help the planet, which will benefit your kids as well as mine. That’s my last-ditch excuse, and I’m sticking to it.

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The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

What is type-1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.

It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.

Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.

Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.

Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Ovo's tips to find extra heat
  • Open your curtains when it’s sunny 
  • Keep your oven open after cooking  
  • Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy 
  • Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat 
  • Put on extra layers  
  • Do a few star jumps  
  • Avoid alcohol   
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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
Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank 

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

UAE - India ties

The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China

Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion

The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India

Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015

His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016

Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017

Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25