The grass is always greener or, in this case, the sky is always greyer. "In the UAE, people miss the rain. They look forward to it like Europeans look forward to the sun," Omar al Nami, a government employee who chases storms as a hobby, told The National this week. Mr al Nami is in good company. Had Ben Franklin not flown his kite during an electrical storm, spurring the invention of the lightning rod, the world might have been different. Children: don't try this at home.
Mr al Nami lets the rains direct his plans. The Government may not want to. As sure as thunder follows lightning, there are public calls after every storm to revamp the UAE's infrastructure to better cope with flooding. Another useful maxim, however: don't throw the baby out with the rain water. While the storms may seem particularly heavy this year, policy should take a long view. The National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology puts the rainfall in perspective, describing a normal climate cycle with heavy rains every few years. In response to a deluge every decade, or even two weeks of rain every other year, it simply does not make sense to dig up the streets and cause additional delays and traffic problems for the rest of the year. And, as can be seen in the capital, drainage networks simply accumulate sand 97 per cent of the year.
Still, there are some short-term solutions that can be implemented at relatively little cost. In particular, stepped-up road safety enforcement could help tame the adverse effects of flooding. And, on a personal level, Mr al Nami's advice is sound: slow down and enjoy the different weather. It will be dry again soon enough. How the UAE managed water a few generations ago should lend us some perspective on more prudent planning. Rains were scarce. Resources were husbanded accordingly. Someone who managed resources skilfully wasn't just a candidate for a big bonus; it was a matter of life and death.
Water, and many other resources, are much more plentiful today. Still, urban planning and infrastructure projects should be considered in the context of their costs and benefits. We can't wait for a rainy day to remember this lesson.
Rashid & Rajab
Director: Mohammed Saeed Harib
Stars: Shadi Alfons, Marwan Abdullah, Doaa Mostafa Ragab
Two stars out of five
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
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
The Transfiguration
Director: Michael O’Shea
Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine
Three stars
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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