With regard to Nick Webster and Salam Al Amiri's report Dubai to push for flexible working and school bus fleets to reduce traffic (May 9): Bus fees in private schools are very high for some families, forcing parents to drop their children to school, adding to the traffic. Maybe authorities can fix a reasonable price for fees so that all can afford the opportunity.
Sara Crossley, Dubai
My daughter's pick-up time is 5:50am. It's unfair on the children. She reaches home at 3:45pm. That's a long day for young children. Flexible hours at schools would really help.
AB, Dubai
America's new conditional support for Israel
With regard to Sara Ruthven and Thomas Watkins's report US will stop sending weapons to Israel if it launches Rafah invasion, Biden says (May 9): It's all very well to say now. But it doesn't explain why the US has been sending bombs to Israel in the first place.
Kaya Scott, Dubai
How many "ifs" can the US attach to conditions for peace. The people of Gaza have had enough.
Marwan M, New Jersey
This is insanity. These statements are being made as if to imply there isn't already enough misery in Rafah. The US must stop supplying Israel with weapons without conditions.
Anaisa H, Beirut
The US will stop sending bombs but it's alright to send warships? With all the money that is given to Israel, it's clear the US is continuing to fund this war machine. It should really give up talking about human rights.
Omar N, Texas
What is Biden even talking about? One minute he's saying something else and the next minute it's something else. The country is an embarrassment. Both the previous government and this one are making many US residents ashamed.
Nikoletta Skarlatos, California
People in Gaza are paying the price for Joe Biden playing good cop, bad cop with Benjamin Netanyahu.
Zahed Asif Khan, Lahore
A lesson in crisis management
With regard to Deena Kamel's report 'It cost a lot. It was really tough': Sheikh Ahmed on how Emirates tackled UAE storm (May 8): Hats off to Sheikh Ahmed and the entire Emirates team for pulling through so well during a tough week.
Neel Shukla, Dubai
I respect that the airline crew worked round the clock. They made the best alternate arrangements possible during conditions that impeded normal flight operations. The rain was unlike anything the country had seen recently.
Cathrin Odeya, Dubai
How to help or find other cats to adopt
There are many that often look for volunteers or other types of assistance. They include:
Rescue Animals in Need United Arab Emirates
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
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Saudi National Day
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Inside Palestine-Israel
Saeb Erakat:Â Palestine can overcome coronavirus
Michael Young: The issue with Israel's 'iron wall'
Michael Young:Â What Israel's divisions mean for Arabs
UAE'S%20YOUNG%20GUNS
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
More from UAE Human Development Report:
While you're here
Con Coughlin:Â To survive, Nato must renew its sense of common purpose
Gavin Esler:Â Nato summit failed for making news more than it made deals
Simon Waldman: Nato continues to be Ankara’s best security guarantor
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Â
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth BranaghÂ
Rating: 5/5
more from Janine di Giovanni
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Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Eriksen 80')
Inter Milan 0
New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
New Zealand
Penalties: Barrett (7)
British & Irish Lions
Tries: Faletau, Murray
Penalties: Farrell (4)
Conversions: Farrell
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.
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education:Â Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
On Women's Day
Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?
Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality
The National Editorial:Â Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?
Justin Thomas:Â Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
Â
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.Â
Read part four:Â an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three:Â the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two:Â how climate change drove the race for an alternativeÂ
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More on Afghanistan
Con Coughlin:Â US-Taliban peace deal - what's the deal and where's the peace?
National Editorial:Â The US-Taliban peace deal is only the first step to peace
Ken Hedricks:Â The Afghan scorpion farmer harvesting valuable venom
The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
THREE
SPECS
The%20Letter%20Writer
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
AL%20BOOM
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
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.Â
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
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Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
