Taxi rides in Dubai are bound to become safer
With reference to Patrick Ryan's report Artificial intelligence to monitor behaviour of taxi drivers in Dubai (July 14): this is a very sensible move to keep the driver from being drowsy or distracted. It ensures safety of the passengers as well.
Noora A Kaabi, Abu Dhabi
A dream to be on an inaugural flight
With regard to Hayley Skirka's piece Wizz Air Abu Dhabi: What to see, eat and do in the six cities the low-cost airline will fly to (July 14): this is something to look forward to when October rolls around. Maybe one can start planning holidays. It would be great to be on the inaugural flight to any of these six destinations, whether to Yerevan or Odessa.
Anisur Rahman, Abu Dhabi
Governments need to rethink their stimulus packages
With reference to Sami Mahroum's op-ed What governments are missing in their Covid-19 stimulus packages (July 9): the author has wisely argued that unless there is technological advance in terms of internet, digitisation and credit cards utilisation, the impact of government incentives in developed countries may be limited. In developing countries in South Asia, like India, the issue of low consumer spending is exacerbated as citizens do not have unemployment benefits. They have nobody to turn to in distress.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Remote learning fixed gaps in children's learning
I write to you with reference to your editorial To pupils, parents and teachers: happy summer staycation (July 3): remote learning during these months has been an experience of a lifetime, or many lifetimes. As a mum of four kids ranging in ages from four to 14 years, the experience has been mostly positive.
In March, we began the initially planned two weeks of learning at home, only partially prepared, apprehensive and unsure. As the two weeks expanded to the longest final term of the school year, we found ways to balance work, study and play.
Lengthy school runs and bus rides in the stifling heat no longer sapped the children's energies. Packed schedules for extra curricular activities intended to enrich their skills no longer drained parents' finances or their time.
I was able to address gaps in my children's learning, such as basic math concepts, handwriting skills, grammatically correct sentence construction and spellings. Like other families self-isolating and social distancing, we rediscovered baking, cooking, growing our own fruits and veggies, drawing and painting.
The past four months have shown us another way forward. A strong internet infrastructure has allowed virtual voice and video calling to become a reality again in the UAE. If education can be pursued remotely then we should remain open to this option. Not only has it given each of us a deeper connection with our children, the flexibility will ultimately improve productivity and test scores.
Seemi Saify, Dubai
Squads
Sri Lanka Tharanga (c), Mathews, Dickwella (wk), Gunathilaka, Mendis, Kapugedera, Siriwardana, Pushpakumara, Dananjaya, Sandakan, Perera, Hasaranga, Malinga, Chameera, Fernando.
India Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Rahane, Jadhav, Dhoni (wk), Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Thakur.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Christopher Robin
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Haley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Peter Capaldi
Three stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The years Ramadan fell in May
Zayed Sustainability Prize
THURSDAY FIXTURES
4.15pm: Italy v Spain (Group A)
5.30pm: Egypt v Mexico (Group B)
6.45pm: UAE v Japan (Group A)
8pm: Iran v Russia (Group B)
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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.
MATCH INFO
World Cup qualifier
Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')
UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')
