• The idea of giving gadgets and machines personalities came from wanting to let people see and relate to technology in a new and interesting way, Nasir Nasrallah says. All photos: 421
    The idea of giving gadgets and machines personalities came from wanting to let people see and relate to technology in a new and interesting way, Nasir Nasrallah says. All photos: 421
  • In circular canvasses, disjointed mechanical parts swirl with cellular grace, as if seen through a microscope
    In circular canvasses, disjointed mechanical parts swirl with cellular grace, as if seen through a microscope
  • Poetic of Machines is a product of the 421 Artistic Development Programme, in which emerging artists living in the UAE receive guidance on how to develop their vision
    Poetic of Machines is a product of the 421 Artistic Development Programme, in which emerging artists living in the UAE receive guidance on how to develop their vision
  • Poetic of Machines is replete with world-building and mythology that give it its capricious flair
    Poetic of Machines is replete with world-building and mythology that give it its capricious flair
  • Nasrallah’s visual sensibilities, using the spatial dynamics in 421, make visitors feel immersed within this industrial magic realism
    Nasrallah’s visual sensibilities, using the spatial dynamics in 421, make visitors feel immersed within this industrial magic realism
  • Poetic of Machines is running at 421, formerly Warehouse421, until September 24
    Poetic of Machines is running at 421, formerly Warehouse421, until September 24
  • When contemplating how the scrapped machinery will occupy the two-dimensional space of his drawings, Nasrallah decided to apply a sense of microgravity, or weightlessness, as experienced by astronauts or objects in space
    When contemplating how the scrapped machinery will occupy the two-dimensional space of his drawings, Nasrallah decided to apply a sense of microgravity, or weightlessness, as experienced by astronauts or objects in space
  • While the word ‘poetics’ is usually employed when discussing literature and poetry, Nasrallah uses the concept to signify the artistic choices that come when devising machines
    While the word ‘poetics’ is usually employed when discussing literature and poetry, Nasrallah uses the concept to signify the artistic choices that come when devising machines
  • Nasrallah uses mirrors, textiles, texts and drawings to invite an alternate view of technology
    Nasrallah uses mirrors, textiles, texts and drawings to invite an alternate view of technology
  • Poetic of Machines is a playful reimagining of the tools that populate our lives rathe than a dystopian vision of a world overrun by gadgets
    Poetic of Machines is a playful reimagining of the tools that populate our lives rathe than a dystopian vision of a world overrun by gadgets
  • Nasrallah uses several mechanical parts in his artworks that bear resemblance to the ones conceived by the 12th-century polymath Ismael Al-Jazari
    Nasrallah uses several mechanical parts in his artworks that bear resemblance to the ones conceived by the 12th-century polymath Ismael Al-Jazari
  • Nasir Nasrallah's Poetic of Machines comes from his participation in the 421 Artistic Development Programme
    Nasir Nasrallah's Poetic of Machines comes from his participation in the 421 Artistic Development Programme

Poetic of Machines: Exhibition at 421 is a playful reimagining of technology


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

In a solo exhibition at 421, Nasir Nasrallah whimsically rouses machines with the stuff of life, using mirrors, textiles, texts and drawings to invite an alternate viewpoint of technology.

Poetic of Machines is not a dystopian envisioning of a world overrun by gadgets. Rather, it is a playful reimagining of the tools that populate our lives.

In circular canvases, disjointed mechanical parts swirl with cellular grace, as if seen through a microscope. Elsewhere, through sprawling textile works, satellites look back beaming with childlike eyes.

Images of crankshafts and suction pumps are painted on framed, reflective surfaces. Handwritten pages are pinned to the wall, logging conversations between man and machine.

Nasir Nasrallah's Poetic of Machines exhibition is a product of the 421 Artistic Development Programme. Photo: 421
Nasir Nasrallah's Poetic of Machines exhibition is a product of the 421 Artistic Development Programme. Photo: 421

“The idea of giving gadgets and machines personalities came from wanting to let people see and relate to technology in a new and interesting way,” Nasrallah says. “Instead of just seeing them as regular tools, I wanted to show that these devices have their own unique qualities and behaviours, kind of like people do.”

Poetic of Machines is running at 421, formerly Warehouse421, until September 24. The exhibition is a product of the 421 Artistic Development Programme, in which emerging creatives living in the UAE receive guidance on how to develop their practice. They are also given the space to experiment and produce work.

"The programme provided me with mentorship and feedback that supported the development of this body of work," Nasrallah says. "It was also a great opportunity to install a large-scale solo exhibition in a major public space and see how my project can take a life of its own through the physical presentation."

While taking part in the programme, Nasrallah became keen to examining the rapport between humans and technology.

This relationship has been a lifelong interest to him, analogous to the bond he had with his late grandfather, Mohammed Nasrallah Alzarooni, to whom the exhibition is dedicated to.

Poetic of Machines is running at 421, formerly Warehouse421, until September 24. Photo: 421
Poetic of Machines is running at 421, formerly Warehouse421, until September 24. Photo: 421

“My relationship with my late grandfather was truly special and deeply influential in shaping my artistic journey,” he says.

As a child, Nasrallah would often spend time in his grandfather’s antique shop in Sharjah. Located in Souq Al Arsa, Gulf Antiques, he says, was “a place filled with treasures that carried stories of the past".

“I would often spend hours in his shop, surrounded by the aura of history and the whispers of forgotten eras,” he says. “My grandfather had an extraordinary ability to see the beauty in old and discarded objects.”

Much of Poetic of Machines aims to do the same, whether it is by giving childlike qualities to scrap metals or by reimagining a fax machine as a centerpiece to an installation.

The exhibition is replete with world-building concepts and mythology that give it its capricious flair. Nasrallah’s visual sensibilities, along the spatial dynamics within 421, make visitors feel immersed within this industrial magic realism.

But it is the research behind the works and Nasrallah’s personal history that adds depth to his light-hearted approach.

While the word ‘poetics’ is usually employed when discussing the structure, patterns and styles within literature and poetry, Nasrallah utilises the concept to signify the artistic choices that come when devising machines. Photo: 421
While the word ‘poetics’ is usually employed when discussing the structure, patterns and styles within literature and poetry, Nasrallah utilises the concept to signify the artistic choices that come when devising machines. Photo: 421

Besides finding inspiration in his grandfather, Nasrallah was also spurred by the research he did on historical figures from the region. These include Ismail Al-Jazari, a 12th century polymath with roots in in the area of Upper Mesopotamia. Al-Jazari excelled in a number of areas. He was a mathematician, artisan and mechanical engineer.

However, he is perhaps most famous for authoring The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices, in which he proposed more than 50 gadgets with instructions on how to construct them.

Among his inventions are the elephant clock, and one of the earliest water supply systems that was operated by gears and pumps. Many of his inventions featured mechanical parts that mimicked human movement. His automata were also thought to have influenced Leonardo da Vinci.

Nasrallah uses several mechanical parts in his artworks that bear resemblance to the ones conceived by Al-Jazari.

“Exploring the achievements and innovations of historical figures like Ismail Al-Jazari connects my work to a legacy of human ingenuity and creativity,” he says.

“Al-Jazari, a renowned inventor of the Islamic Golden Age, inspired me with his intricate mechanical designs and innovative ideas. His contributions to automata and engineering remind me of the timeless fascination humans have had with crafting machines.

"By referencing historical figures like Al-Jazari, I aim to bridge the gap between past and present, highlighting the continuous thread of innovation that runs through human history.”

Nasrallah also found inspiration in other scientific notions. When contemplating on how the scrapped machinery would occupy the two-dimensional space of his drawings, he decided to apply microgravity, or the appearance of weightlessness seen in astronauts or objects in space.

“By delving into the effects of microgravity on objects and organisms, I seek to capture the essence of the unknown and the unexplored,” he says.

“In essence, historical readings and research serve as a wellspring of ideas, guiding me to create artworks that resonate on intellectual, emotional and cultural levels.”

While the word "poetics" is usually employed when discussing the structure, patterns and styles within literature and poetry, Nasrallah uses the concept to signify the artistic choices that come when devising machines.

“Just as poets carefully choose words and arrange them in unique ways to create meaning and evoke emotions, the creators of these machines put thought into their design, functionality and even the way they interact with us,” Nasrallah says.

The exhibition’s title, he adds, is intended to evoke an appreciation for the creativity and thoughtfulness required when making technology, and not merely in the utilitarian sense.

“I hope the exhibition sparks curiosity about the intersection of art, science, and history. Encountering diverse mediums, narratives and concepts can encourage visitors to explore new ideas, engage in interdisciplinary thinking and embrace a spirit of continuous learning.”

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

GRAN%20TURISMO
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TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Directed by: Michael Fimognari

Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo

Two stars

The%20BaaS%20ecosystem
%3Cp%3EThe%20BaaS%20value%20chain%20consists%20of%20four%20key%20players%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsumers%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20End-users%20of%20the%20financial%20product%20delivered%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDistributors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Also%20known%20as%20embedders%2C%20these%20are%20the%20firms%20that%20embed%20baking%20services%20directly%20into%20their%20existing%20customer%20journeys%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEnablers%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Usually%20Big%20Tech%20or%20FinTech%20companies%20that%20help%20embed%20financial%20services%20into%20third-party%20platforms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProviders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Financial%20institutions%20holding%20a%20banking%20licence%20and%20offering%20regulated%20products%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo%20permanent%20magnet%20synchronous%20motors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo-speed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E625hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E456km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh737%2C480%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE 12 BREAKAWAY CLUBS

England

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus

Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid

Tree of Hell

Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla

Director: Raed Zeno

Rating: 4/5

BAD%20BOYS%3A%20RIDE%20OR%20DIE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Adil%20El%20Arbi%20and%20Bilall%20Fallah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWill%20Smith%2C%20Martin%20Lawrence%2C%20Joe%20Pantoliano%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khaldoon%20Bushnaq%20and%20Tariq%20Seksek%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20100%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20to%20date%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2415%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SERIES INFO

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series

All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Test series

1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March

Play starts at 9.30am

T20 series

1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March

TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

SQUADS

Bangladesh (from): Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed

Afghanistan (from): Rashid Khan (capt), Ihsanullah Janat, Javid Ahmadi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Qais Ahmad, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Afsar Zazai, Shapoor Zadran

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows

Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.

Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.

The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.

After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.

The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.

The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.

But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.

It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Company Profile 

Founder: Omar Onsi

Launched: 2018

Employees: 35

Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)

Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained

Defined Benefit Plan (DB)

A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.

Defined Contribution Plan (DC) 

A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic

Power: 169bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Price: Dh54,500

On sale: now

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High profile Al Shabab attacks
  • 2010: A restaurant attack in Kampala Uganda kills 74 people watching a Fifa World Cup final football match.
  • 2013: The Westgate shopping mall attack, 62 civilians, five Kenyan soldiers and four gunmen are killed.
  • 2014: A series of bombings and shootings across Kenya sees scores of civilians killed.
  • 2015: Four gunmen attack Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya and take over 700 students hostage, killing those who identified as Christian; 148 die and 79 more are injured.
  • 2016: An attack on a Kenyan military base in El Adde Somalia kills 180 soldiers.
  • 2017: A suicide truck bombing outside the Safari Hotel in Mogadishu kills 587 people and destroys several city blocks, making it the deadliest attack by the group and the worst in Somalia’s history.
The biog

Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.

His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.

“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.

"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”

Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.

He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking. 

'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

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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

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Updated: September 15, 2023, 6:02 PM