Abu Dhabi, UAE - September 10, 2017 - Students of British School of Al Khubairat arrive for their first day of the new school year - Navin Khianey / The National
Abu Dhabi, UAE - September 10, 2017 - Students of British School of Al Khubairat arrive for their first day of the new school year - Navin Khianey / The National

Your presence at the start of term was appreciated



It was great to have The National with us on our first day of school last week (New curriculum for UAE pupils returning to school, September 10). Your team shared a special morning with us. Good luck to students across the UAE as you embark on your new term.

The British School – Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi

Passengers should always listen in on safety procedures

In reference to your article, Flight and fancy: Etihad chic at New York Fashion Week (September 8), I think it is very arrogant of aviation passengers not to watch safety demonstrations or read the information booklets before take-off. No matter how often you fly, every plane has different safety procedures.

Brigitte Tibet von Bulow, United States

Bounced cheques should lead to civil procedures

Being in debt is part of being in business. A bounced cheque should not land someone in jail (Emirates NBD chief sparks fresh debate over bounced cheques, September 14). It is about time that practice went away. That is also why the credit bureau exists. Banks should find different ways to loan money. Cryptocurrency, for example, immediately gets blocked if someone does not pay.

Khurram Qureshi, Dubai 

This goes in hand-in-hand with certain practices that must be changed. For example, rents should be paid on a monthly basis. Paying a yearly rent in one cheque could leave people in financial uncertainty.

Farhana Hassan, Abu Dhabi 

Terrorism has nothing to do with religion

The terror attack in south London is a painful reminder of the cruelty of terrorists (London underground attack: Witnesses describe 'fireball' at Parsons Green tube, September 15). Those who perpetrate such acts of violence have no respect for human lives.

Asyah Elisabeth Meel, Abu Dhabi

The persecution of the Rohingya is a human rights violation

In reference to your article Amnesty report reveals Myanmar's horrific persecution of Rohingya Muslims (September 14), it is a clearly a genocide when such obvious brutal acts of murder by Myanmar's Buddhist military government are committed, these are irrefutable human rights violations and those responsible must be brought to justice.

Tamimi Espinosa, Kuwait 

On splitting the bill and stinginess in different cultures 

Since when has splitting the bill been considered a stingy act? (September 16) is a funny article and is straight to the point.

Abdulla Ali Alsuwaidi, Abu Dhabi 

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Match info

Athletic Bilbao 0

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

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.”

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What is a black hole?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species

Camelpox

Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.

Falconpox

Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.

Houbarapox

Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

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