Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Pupils across the UAE are organising their own donation drives to collect aid for Palestinian families affected by the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Schools are also hosting events throughout the month for volunteering pupils to collect donations that will be sent to families in Gaza.
All donations will go towards the Emirates Red Crescent's Compassion for Gaza campaign.
Small steps can help change the world
Satarupta Mukherjee,
18, pupil at Gems Modern Academy in Dubai
“Our children wanted to be able to help and to really do something to help others their own age,” said Monique Flickinger, superintendent at the American Community School of Abu Dhabi.
“Starting this week, we are collecting items outlined by the Emirates Red Crescent and later, we will assemble those items, which include necessities such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.
“Students said that this was a small thing they could do as children to help other children.”
Al Salam Community School in Dubai also launched its donation drive on Monday and is collecting aid for the ERC's Compassion for Gaza campaign.
“Our student and parent volunteers have been supporting all week by collecting items and cash donations which will be sent to families in Gaza through the Emirates Red Crescent,” said Kifaya Khan, the school's principal.
Mr Khan said the school would also be hosting a donation event on November 10, with all proceeds going to the ERC's campaign for Gaza.
“The event will allow our community to come together to embrace the culture and heritage of Palestine, while also raising aid for the relief effort.”
A learning process
Satarupa Mukherjee, 18, an Indian pupil at Gems Modern Academy in Dubai, is leading the donation drives at her school.
“I registered myself as a volunteer and thought that rather than just giving supplies, why don't I take the initiative in school and ask everyone to help get one more thing,” she told The National.
She is still planning the logistics and working with the school to make it a success.
“My friend and I will be going on the day with all the supplies and the school will be providing transport, and will help us by keeping all the cartons in place.
“Small steps can help change the world,” she said, adding that this experience of supporting a humanitarian cause was a learning process for pupils.
“I feel school is not only about studying or getting an education, it's about getting a platform to raise your voice and understand what's happening around you.”
Donation drives are continuing across the country, with malls collecting aid for Palestinian families through the ERC's humanitarian initiative.
Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls said on Thursday that it had teamed up with the Emirates Red Crescent Authority to hand out donation boxes to shoppers.
Malls in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah and Abu Dhabi will be accepting donations, including cash, blankets, canned food, new clothes and children's supplies, that will all go towards those affected by the war in Gaza.
The UAE has sent a plane carrying 68 tonnes of vital food supplies to the Gaza Strip as part of its humanitarian support for the Palestinian people.
The aircraft flew to Al Arish in Egypt on Friday, in co-operation with the World Food Programme.
The food aid is expected to cross into the enclave through the Rafah crossing to help families affected by the war.
The latest from the Israel-Gaza war – in pictures
Florida: The critical Sunshine State
Though mostly conservative, Florida is usually always “close” in presidential elections. In most elections, the candidate that wins the Sunshine State almost always wins the election, as evidenced in 2016 when Trump took Florida, a state which has not had a democratic governor since 1991.
Joe Biden’s campaign has spent $100 million there to turn things around, understandable given the state’s crucial 29 electoral votes.
In 2016, Mr Trump’s democratic rival Hillary Clinton paid frequent visits to Florida though analysts concluded that she failed to appeal towards middle-class voters, whom Barack Obama won over in the previous election.
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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
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Scoreline
UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia
UAE Mabkhout 21’, Khalil 59’
Saudi Al Abed (pen) 20’
Man of the match Ahmed Khalil (UAE)
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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
SCORES IN BRIEF
Lahore Qalandars 186 for 4 in 19.4 overs
(Sohail 100,Phil Salt 37 not out, Bilal Irshad 30, Josh Poysden 2-26)
bt Yorkshire Vikings 184 for 5 in 20 overs
(Jonathan Tattersall 36, Harry Brook 37, Gary Ballance 33, Adam Lyth 32, Shaheen Afridi 2-36).
What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
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