• ‘We Miss You’ banner posted on the boundary wall of the building. Pupils are being welcomed back after more than five months.
    ‘We Miss You’ banner posted on the boundary wall of the building. Pupils are being welcomed back after more than five months.
  • The Dubai British School in Jumeirah Park will welcome back 1,230 pupils on August 30. 'The National' takes a look at the Covid-19 precautionary measures taken to ensure staff and pupil safety. Campuses are beign reopened after more than five months of closure. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
    The Dubai British School in Jumeirah Park will welcome back 1,230 pupils on August 30. 'The National' takes a look at the Covid-19 precautionary measures taken to ensure staff and pupil safety. Campuses are beign reopened after more than five months of closure. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
  • The entrance of the school will soon include thermal scanners. There are dedicated entry and exit points for primary and secondary sections.
    The entrance of the school will soon include thermal scanners. There are dedicated entry and exit points for primary and secondary sections.
  • Storage units have been placed at a distance to prevent gathering.
    Storage units have been placed at a distance to prevent gathering.
  • Tables in the canteen area are distanced by two metres.
    Tables in the canteen area are distanced by two metres.
  • Markings have been placed in hallways throughout the school to encourage social distancing.
    Markings have been placed in hallways throughout the school to encourage social distancing.
  • A total of 130 automatic hand sanitisers have been fitted across the school.
    A total of 130 automatic hand sanitisers have been fitted across the school.
  • Desks inside classrooms have been distanced and only two pupils per table will be allowed.
    Desks inside classrooms have been distanced and only two pupils per table will be allowed.
  • Posters promoting good hygiene are placed in hallways and different areas of the school.
    Posters promoting good hygiene are placed in hallways and different areas of the school.
  • Partitions are placed in Year 1 classrooms.
    Partitions are placed in Year 1 classrooms.

'Distance learning is not a holiday': Parents urged not to take children to crowded places


  • English
  • Arabic

Medics and school principals are urging parents and youngsters to avoid crowded public places where possible.

With many schools shifting to online learning in the UAE as cases of Covid-19 remain high, experts said parents should not consider the move as an extension of summer holidays.

Dr Ammar Al Hakim of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City hospital in Ajman, cautioned parents against taking children to malls, beaches or any other public places.

By the time a child shows symptoms, he or she could have infected many others, the doctor said.

"Parents need to understand that a shift to online learning is not a holiday, it is self-isolation and they need to adhere to that," Dr Al Hakim said.

Kids can be like machine guns spreading infections all over the place

The disease is less severe among minors, and some children carrying the virus don’t show symptoms, he said.

“If carrying the virus, children can be like machineguns – spreading infections all over the place with one cough launching millions [of virus particles] in the air,” he said.

“It's like a vicious circle. Children pick it up from school or home, then take it to school personnel and classmates or to family members who in their turn carry it [to their] home, school or work.”

Understanding this cycle explains the importance of the decision to halt face-to-face classes, Dr Al Hakim said.

Cases across the UAE have remained high since December. The country recorded a slight fall on Monday with 3,123 infections confirmed – down from 3,167 the day before. Thirteen patients died as the toll in the Emirates rose to 1,027. In the past week, 97 people succumbed to the illness.

Teachers shared similar advice and urged people to stay out of crowded places if possible with the situation remaining concerning.

All schools in Ajman have moved to online learning. Victor Besa / The National
All schools in Ajman have moved to online learning. Victor Besa / The National

"If you have to go out, do everything you can to protect yourself and others," said Suzanne Watson, principal at Ajman Modern School, which has 400 pupils and staff that commute  from four emirates.

"Stay out of public areas and, when you have to be in a public place, follow all the precautions, wear masks and sanitise your hands," said Ms Watson.

She said many people got careless over the December break, and only a community approach would cut the number of coronavirus cases.

"People got tired of being careful and wanted to celebrate but we are paying the price for that now," she said.

"It is important that we make sure we follow all protocols and do everything to protect ourselves and others."

The principal said there was some confusion in the minds of parents about  Covid-19, as children under a certain age were not required to wear masks or take swab tests.

She said some misinformed parents thought children were immune, and therefore did not need to wear a mask.

"Children can spread the virus even if they are asymptomatic."

Pupils in Dubai’s private schools have been back in class for in-person lessons since September.

Children at Abu Dhabi's private schools returned to classes on Sunday after studying remotely for six weeks at the start of term.

Schools across the Northern Emirates have returned to online learning following a rise of Covid-19 cases in the UAE.

Recently, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai's private education regulator, urged teachers in Dubai to avoid parties following the recent surge in Covid-19 cases.

Abu Dhabi schools return to classes

  • Pupils at Gems United Indian School return to class on January 2 after the winter break. All pictures by Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils at Gems United Indian School return to class on January 2 after the winter break. All pictures by Victor Besa / The National
  • A parent brings his daughter at Gems United Indian School as private schools in the capital reopen
    A parent brings his daughter at Gems United Indian School as private schools in the capital reopen
  • Pupils wait in line before entering their school
    Pupils wait in line before entering their school
  • A father drops off his daughter at Gems United Indian School
    A father drops off his daughter at Gems United Indian School
  • Safety measures are in place as schools open their doors in Abu Dhabi
    Safety measures are in place as schools open their doors in Abu Dhabi
  • Pupils return to Gems United Indian School
    Pupils return to Gems United Indian School
  • Pupils wait for their turn to have their temperature checked at the lobby
    Pupils wait for their turn to have their temperature checked at the lobby
  • A pupil has his hands sanitised after getting temperature checked at the lobby
    A pupil has his hands sanitised after getting temperature checked at the lobby
  • Pupils sit inside the classroom
    Pupils sit inside the classroom
  • A pupil waves as she returns to school
    A pupil waves as she returns to school
START-UPS%20IN%20BATCH%204%20OF%20SANABIL%20500'S%20ACCELERATOR%20PROGRAMME
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Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face

The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.

The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran. 

Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf. 

"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said. 

Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer. 

The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy. 

 

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COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Letstango.com

Started: June 2013

Founder: Alex Tchablakian

Based: Dubai

Industry: e-commerce

Initial investment: Dh10 million

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month

The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5

Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder /  3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km

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

The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli

Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000

Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km

UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0DJemma%20Eley%2C%20Maria%20Michailidou%2C%20Molly%20Fuller%2C%20Chloe%20Andrews%20(of%20Dubai%20College)%2C%20Eliza%20Petricola%2C%20Holly%20Guerin%2C%20Yasmin%20Craig%2C%20Caitlin%20Gowdy%20(Dubai%20English%20Speaking%20College)%2C%20Claire%20Janssen%2C%20Cristiana%20Morall%20(Jumeirah%20English%20Speaking%20School)%2C%20Tessa%20Mies%20(Jebel%20Ali%20School)%2C%20Mila%20Morgan%20(Cranleigh%20Abu%20Dhabi).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania ​​​​​​​
Verdict: 4 Stars

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

Alita: Battle Angel

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Stars: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Keean Johnson

Four stars

BlacKkKlansman

Director: Spike Lee

Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver 

Five stars

FIGHT CARD

Welterweight Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Tohir Zhuraev (TJK)

Catchweight 75kg Leandro Martins (BRA) v Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)

Flyweight Corinne Laframboise (CAN) v Manon Fiorot (FRA)

Featherweight Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB)

Lightweight Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) v Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG)

Featherweight Yousef Al Housani (UAE) v Mohamed Arsharq Ali (SLA)

Catchweight 69kg Jung Han-gook (KOR) v Elias Boudegzdame (ALG)

Catchweight 71kg Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) v Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)

Featherweight title Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)

Lightweight title Bruno Machado (BRA) v Mike Santiago (USA)

Who is Allegra Stratton?

 

  • Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
  • Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
  • In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
  • The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
  • Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
  • She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
  • Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth

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SPIDER-MAN%3A%20ACROSS%20THE%20SPIDER-VERSE
%3Cp%3EDirectors%3A%20Joaquim%20Dos%20Santos%2C%20Kemp%20Powers%2C%20Justin%20K.%20Thompson%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Shameik%20Moore%2C%20Hailee%20Steinfeld%2C%20Oscar%20Isaac%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The past Palme d'Or winners

2018 Shoplifters, Hirokazu Kore-eda

2017 The Square, Ruben Ostlund

2016 I, Daniel Blake, Ken Loach

2015 DheepanJacques Audiard

2014 Winter Sleep (Kış Uykusu), Nuri Bilge Ceylan

2013 Blue is the Warmest Colour (La Vie d'Adèle: Chapitres 1 et 2), Abdellatif Kechiche, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux

2012 Amour, Michael Haneke

2011 The Tree of LifeTerrence Malick

2010 Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Lung Bunmi Raluek Chat), Apichatpong Weerasethakul

2009 The White Ribbon (Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte), Michael Haneke

2008 The Class (Entre les murs), Laurent Cantet

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888