Coffee shop owner Gerard Reymond has died at the age of 68. The news of his death was announced on Thursday.
“In our remembrance of a legend in Dubai. Our great Gerard who touched so many hearts. We already miss you. Love you papa,” posts on Facebook and Instagram read.
The owner of the popular Gerard Cafe chain, which was founded in 1978, was known for his cappuccinos, pastries and cakes, as well as his friendly rapport with customers. Many people credit him as a stalwart in helping to establish the roots of the vibrant cafe scene in the UAE today.
Gerard arrived in the UAE from France in 1978 after receiving an invitation to visit from a friend. He opened his first coffee shop in Sharjah the same year. Over time, he expanded his reach, opening branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah.
Since news of his death was announced, people from across the country have paid tribute to the man. Emirati writer Sultan Al Qassemi shared a photo of Gerard and himself at the cafe.
“RIP Gerard Raymond, founder of Gerard Cafe, who passed away aged 68. Gerard arrived in the UAE in 1978 setting up his famous French cafe carrying his name first in Sharjah at the Flying Saucer and later expanding to Dubai's Al Ghurair Centre & Magrudy's complex in Jumeirah,” tweeted Al Qassemi.
The exact cause of death has not been announced. His son Anthony Reymond thanked those who had offered kind words, as well as the medical professionals who treated his dad.
“On behalf of my father, I’d like to thank the doctors and nurses that did their best during and after dad’s heart surgery," he wrote on social media. "I’d like to also thank the healthcare system of the UAE, and the blood donors that have made the donations.
"Finally, I’m grateful for all the love and support sent to my dad during these past few days. Means a lot to us. Thank you all.”
Kirsty Heaton, a teacher at Mindful ME in Dubai, said her family have been visiting the Gerard Cafe for more than 30 years.
“For many years Gerard's in Jumeirah was the place to meet. It was always buzzing in the mornings, afternoons and evenings," she said.
"You would always see familiar faces, the staff were so welcoming and everyone knew each other. It was the 'hub' of the city and Gerard himself was always there, welcoming guests and chatting to his customers. The cafe had a family feel and the smell of freshly baked croissants was always in the air,” she said.
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The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
Pathaan
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
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The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
UAE%20SQUAD
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.
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A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
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Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at
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The burning issue
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