The UAE has carried out a mass testing campaign for the coronavirus. Getty Images
The UAE has carried out a mass testing campaign for the coronavirus. Getty Images

UAE coronavirus testing and numbers are a good sign



Regarding the article Coronavirus: 387 new Covid-19 cases in UAE as 22,000 are tested (April 12): good job, UAE. It is outstanding that already so many thousands have been tested. The country has stayed consistent in its approach. Those who tested positive are quarantined. This is how we will contain this and not let the infection spread. Stay home, friends.

Alva Rosendo Acuna, Dubai

Of the people tested so far, a fraction are actually infected. If you do the math, the percentage is minuscule, which is amazing. This is why we all love this country. We respect the UAE and their efforts to keep its residents safe. A lot of countries are not able to do that even with their own citizens. There is a lot to be grateful for.

Ajay Bhatia, Dubai


The country is doing a fantastic job. One reason the numbers are low could be because the UAE does not have a large elderly population. Also, let's bear in mind, broadly speaking, we are a healthy demographic. That much is ensured when we land here and take the medical tests. All these measures pay off.
Saraih Jones, Dubai 

Not quite the vaccine but holy water as a cure for the morale 

With regard to Khaled Yacoub Oweis's report Coronavirus: Saudi authorities send holy water to hospitalised patients (April 12): this is a very good decision by the Saudi government.

Mohammed Farhad, Dubai

That's a great move.

Abrar Ahmed Lodhi, Dubai


In tough times, the power of morale can look like magic.
Scott Birch, Bahrain 

A year on, church in Sri Lanka takes a large-hearted step

With reference to the report Sri Lanka Catholic church 'forgives' 2019 Easter suicide bombers (April 12): forgiveness is what this world could do with in times like these. If we continue to ask about an eye for an eye forever, then war and conflict will never stop.

Raphael von Eyestone, Dubai

All people connected with this act of terror need to go to prison.

Arif Khan, Abu Dhabi

Something to smile about at check-in 

Regarding Katy Gillett's piece 'We'll meet soon': farewell message being placed in passports of those flying out of Dubai (April 13): such good motivation to keep spirits up. Nicely done.

Ibrahim Jehangir, Dubai

Beautiful gesture.

Patricia Brown, Leeds, UK

Thanks, UAE.

Rosvy Bolo, Al Ain 

That's a lovely gesture in horrible times.

Lisa Worth, Liverpool, UK

Someone thought of this and that is wonderful.

Tarja Yilmaz, Dubai

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
Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Company%20Profile
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All the Money in the World

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Charlie Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer

Four stars

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

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

Rating: 4.5/5

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

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

%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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.
BMW%20M4%20Competition
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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
The%20specs
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THE%C2%A0SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%20four-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Starting%20from%20Dh89%2C900%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics

 

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

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

Rating: 2.5/5

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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FFP EXPLAINED

What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.

What the rules dictate? 
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.

What are the penalties? 
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.