Quad biking in the desert can be a risky actvity. (Pawan Singh / The National)
Quad biking in the desert can be a risky actvity. (Pawan Singh / The National)

Recreation can come with risks



The UAE offers many outdoor activities and this time of year, with its mild weather, presents the perfect opportunity to enjoy them. But, as one Al Ain couple discovered, what begins as harmless fun can sometimes land you in big trouble. As The National reported yesterday, Jessie Kerkhove ended up in hospital and her fiance, Hamed Al Obaidi, landed in jail after a quad-biking adventure in the desert went very wrong.

They had an accident in which Ms Kerkhove received injuries including leg fractures that required surgery. And, although the company that rented them the quad-bike insists that drivers don’t need to be licensed and the vehicles don’t require registration if they are only used off-road, the police and the courts disagreed. Mr Al Obaidi was arrested and spent more than a week in custody. A court convicted him of causing his partner’s injuries, driving without a licence and driving an unregistered vehicle. The couple now have to pay heavy fines and are faced with a demand from the rental company to pay to replace the bike, which was impounded by police.

Their case illustrates an apparent discrepancy in the law, which does not make separate provision for quad-bikes or some other vehicles. It also points to the risks inherent in many recreational activities and the responsibilities faced by those who undertake these activities and facilitate them.

It is important for those who organise risky activities such as dune-bashing, jet-skiing or sky-diving to understand their legal responsibilities and ensure that their customers do too. But the ultimate responsibility lies with the individuals who participate in these pastimes. Residents and visitors alike should ensure that they are properly informed, equipped and insured for any activity they intend to engage in.

Additionally, we should all appreciate that any activities in the desert carry some element of danger. It can be a very beautiful place, but it is also a hostile environment for those who fail to respect it.

THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

Cryopreservation: A timeline
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  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
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  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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.
How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

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

Rating: 4.5/5

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Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford