With reference to Anam Rizvi's story Coronavirus: Dubai landlord hailed a hero after offering tenant Dh100,000 rent reprieve (November 12): it is often in times of adversity that we learn about the kindness of strangers. And we have a responsibility to pay it forward when we are able, to allow such unconditional support to open our worlds and make us more compassionate.
Mr El Ard is a hero, indeed deserving of praise and support, as are others who help out in their own way. Here's sending a warm thought for all of those who are doing what they can to help others, no matter how small it might seem. We will all have to live with the decisions we make during this fraught period in history.
Name withheld upon request, Dubai
Vaccine should be made available to developing nations too
With reference to Simon Rushton's report UK snaps up Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine in bid to immunise 2.5 million people (November 16): as the world expects a vaccine to counter the spread of the coronavirus, there is anxiety about its availability and how long the process is likely to take. Even though we don't know the time frame, that it is on the horizon gives comfort to a lot of people, especially the elderly and people with underlying health issues. However, developed countries with advanced medical facilities must support developing nations with large vulnerable communities, who may not be able to afford the vaccine in large quantities.
Ramachandran Nair, Muscat
Happy Independence Day, Suriname
This is with reference to my country, Suriname, mentioned in the article Amazon countries meet to bolster rainforest protection (September 7, 2019): living in Dubai for two years, everyday I have to tell people where Suriname is. It is the same for the other 25-30 Surinamese I know who live here. Unfortunately, we do not yet have an embassy or consulate in the UAE and nobody seems to really know about our beautiful land.
Some readers may wonder what or where Suriname is. It is the smallest country in South America, a very fertile land in the north between Guyana and French Guyana and above Brazil and 95 per cent of it is tropical rainforest.
The small population of about 600,000 people are descendants of Africans, Indians, Chinese, Javanese and of course the indigenous inhabitants, indigenous American Indians. And I just wanted to share with readers that on November 25, the Republic of Suriname will celebrate its 45th independence day.
Cathrin Carter Judell, Dubai
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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England's lowest Test innings
- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887
- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994
- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009
- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948
- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888
- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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Our commentary on Brexit
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Tomorrow 2021
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BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
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Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
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