• Key safety measures were in place at The British School Al Khubairat on January 31 as pupils returned. Victor Besa / The National
    Key safety measures were in place at The British School Al Khubairat on January 31 as pupils returned. Victor Besa / The National
  • A pupil heads back to The British School Al Khubairat on January 31. Victor Besa / The National
    A pupil heads back to The British School Al Khubairat on January 31. Victor Besa / The National
  • Two young pupils return to in-person studies at Brighton College in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Two young pupils return to in-person studies at Brighton College in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A young learner heads to class at Brighton College. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A young learner heads to class at Brighton College. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Senior school pupils were welcomed back at Brighton College .Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Senior school pupils were welcomed back at Brighton College .Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Brighton College offered a warm welcome to returning learners. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Brighton College offered a warm welcome to returning learners. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Brighton College in Abu Dhabi is now able to offer in-person teaching for all of its age groups. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Brighton College in Abu Dhabi is now able to offer in-person teaching for all of its age groups. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Physical distancing rules remain in place to keep the school population safe. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Physical distancing rules remain in place to keep the school population safe. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The familiar walk to school was back on the agenda on January 31. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The familiar walk to school was back on the agenda on January 31. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A young pupil prepares to reunite with classmates at Brighton College . Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A young pupil prepares to reunite with classmates at Brighton College . Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A Brighton College learner makes his way to class. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A Brighton College learner makes his way to class. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A pupil returns to the Brighton College campus in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A pupil returns to the Brighton College campus in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Many Brighton College Pupils were back on the school bus to start the week. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Many Brighton College Pupils were back on the school bus to start the week. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi marked another milestone moment on January 31. Victor Besa / The National
    The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi marked another milestone moment on January 31. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils get set for in-person lessons at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils get set for in-person lessons at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A young learner makes his way to class at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A young learner makes his way to class at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A pupil is given some guidance on their return to The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A pupil is given some guidance on their return to The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • January 31 marked a first day back to school for thousands of pupils across the country. Victor Besa / The National
    January 31 marked a first day back to school for thousands of pupils across the country. Victor Besa / The National
  • Safety remains paramount at The British School Al Khubairat. Victor Besa / The National
    Safety remains paramount at The British School Al Khubairat. Victor Besa / The National
  • A pupil gets set for in-person teaching at The British School Al Khubairat. Victor Besa / The National
    A pupil gets set for in-person teaching at The British School Al Khubairat. Victor Besa / The National
  • A young learner on the back to school trail. Victor Besa / The National
    A young learner on the back to school trail. Victor Besa / The National

When is the half-term break for schools in the UAE?


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  • Arabic

Related: Travelling from the UK to Dubai and Abu Dhabi? Here's your pre-trip check list

Many schools in the UAE will close for a week this month for the half-term break.

International schools that begin their year in September will close from Monday, 14 February. But pupils will have two more days off as February 12 and 13 fall on a weekend. February 11 will be a half-day for all schools.

Many British schools will be off from February 12 to 20 (including both weekends) and classes will resume on February 21, Monday.

Some American schools will have three days off from February 12 to 14, including the weekend. Classes will begin on Tuesday, February 15.

Term 2 will end on March 25 in most schools, followed by the spring break.

Schools that begin their academic year in April will not have a midterm break in February but they will get more than two weeks off at the end of March.

The February break is one of the busiest periods of the year for tourism, with tens of thousands of foreign visitors heading to the Emirates as Europe's schools take a week-long holiday.

Pupils and teachers will also have some extra time off during the Eid Al Fitr holidays in May. The number of holidays depends on when the Moon is sighted.

Schools are allowed some flexibility in their calendar, as long as they complete a certain number of days in the year.

There are two midterm breaks during the year – the first in October and the second in February.

Some schools include both in their calendar, but the one in October is shorter while others have only one midterm break in February.

Dubai's winter tourism boom: in pictures

  • Dubai's post-pandemic boom has made it one of the most visited places in the world today. Further to that, the city has seen tens of thousands of new residents arrive to settle down. Reuters
    Dubai's post-pandemic boom has made it one of the most visited places in the world today. Further to that, the city has seen tens of thousands of new residents arrive to settle down. Reuters
  • Between late 2020 and spring 2022, the city's population grew by close to 100,000 people. Karim Sahib / AFP
    Between late 2020 and spring 2022, the city's population grew by close to 100,000 people. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • Lifestyle and a growing jobs market has attracted many residents to flashy communities such as Jumeirah Beach Residence. Reuters
    Lifestyle and a growing jobs market has attracted many residents to flashy communities such as Jumeirah Beach Residence. Reuters
  • Population growth is a major part of Dubai's 2040 Urban Plan, which seeks to boost the population to 5.8 million. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Population growth is a major part of Dubai's 2040 Urban Plan, which seeks to boost the population to 5.8 million. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • There are plans to physically expand Dubai, creating new beaches and parks for the larger population. The government wants 60 per cent of the city to be green parks and reserves. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    There are plans to physically expand Dubai, creating new beaches and parks for the larger population. The government wants 60 per cent of the city to be green parks and reserves. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • The past two years have \seen a rush of foreign investors looking to buy new property in places such as Palm Jumeirah, where prices have risen significantly. AP Photo / Kamran Jebreili
    The past two years have \seen a rush of foreign investors looking to buy new property in places such as Palm Jumeirah, where prices have risen significantly. AP Photo / Kamran Jebreili
  • Landmarks such as Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel, have put Dubai on the map as a global lifestyle destination. Reuters
    Landmarks such as Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation wheel, have put Dubai on the map as a global lifestyle destination. Reuters
The biog

Name: Salem Alkarbi

Age: 32

Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira

First started supporting Al Wasl: 7

Biggest rival: Al Nasr

Dubai World Cup Carnival Card:

6.30pm: Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (Dirt) 1,200m​​​​​​​
7.40pm: Zabeel Turf Listed $175,000 (T) 2,000m​​​​​​​
8.15pm: Cape Verdi Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m​​​​​​​
8.50pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,600m​​​​​​​
9.25pm: Handicap $175,000 (T) 1,600m

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Tottenham v Ajax, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm

Games on BeIN Sports

88 Video's most popular rentals

Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.  

Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.

Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.

Combating coronavirus
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm) 
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm) 
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm) 
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)

Monday, May 18

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)

How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

Everything Now

Arcade Fire

(Columbia Records)

Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
​​​​​​​Bloomsbury Academic

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.

A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.

Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.

A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.

On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.

The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.

Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.

The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later. 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm

Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km

Price: from Dh362,500

On sale: now

England World Cup squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

A%20QUIET%20PLACE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lupita%20Nyong'o%2C%20Joseph%20Quinn%2C%20Djimon%20Hounsou%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMichael%20Sarnoski%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
US households add $601bn of debt in 2019

American households borrowed another $601 billion (Dh2.2bn) in 2019, the largest yearly gain since 2007, just before the global financial crisis, according to February data from the New York Federal Reserve Bank.

Fuelled by rising mortgage debt as homebuyers continued to take advantage of low interest rates, the increase last year brought total household debt to a record high, surpassing the previous peak reached in 2008 just before the market crash, according to the report.

Following the 22nd straight quarter of growth, American household debt swelled to $14.15 trillion by the end of 2019, the New York Fed said in its quarterly report.

In the final three months of the year, new home loans jumped to their highest volume since the fourth quarter of 2005, while credit cards and auto loans also added to the increase.

The bad debt load is taking its toll on some households, and the New York Fed warned that more and more credit card borrowers — particularly young people — were falling behind on their payments.

"Younger borrowers, who are disproportionately likely to have credit cards and student loans as their primary form of debt, struggle more than others with on-time repayment," New York Fed researchers said.

Dubai Rugby Sevens

November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai

Gulf Under 19

Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy

Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2

Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina

Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School

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COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Age: 59

From: Giza Governorate, Egypt

Family: A daughter, two sons and wife

Favourite tree: Ghaf

Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense 

Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”

Six tips to secure your smart home

Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.

Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.

Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.

Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.

Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.

Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.

Updated: February 03, 2022, 9:59 AM