A Japanese aquarium closed during the coronavirus outbreak is asking people to make video calls to their eels so the sensitive creatures remember humans exist. AFP via The Sumida Aquarium
A Japanese aquarium closed during the coronavirus outbreak is asking people to make video calls to their eels so the sensitive creatures remember humans exist. AFP via The Sumida Aquarium
A boy is seen on a tablet in front of a water tank keeping spotted garden eels, at a rehearsal of "Face Show Festival", which urges the public to video call the aquarium's collection of around 300 spotted garden eels to help the animals stay interactive. Sumida Aquarium HO via Reuters
A boy is seen on a tablet in front of a water tank keeping spotted garden eels, at a rehearsal of "Face Show Festival", which urges the public to video call the aquarium's collection of around 300 spotted garden eels to help the animals stay interactive. Sumida Aquarium HO via Reuters
Participants are seen on tablets in front of a water tank keeping spotted garden eels, at a rehearsal of "Face Show Festival", which urges the public to video call the aquarium's collection of around 300 spotted garden eels to help the animals stay interactive, amid the coronavirus disease outbreak. Sumida Aquarium HO via Reuters
Participants are seen on tablets in front of a water tank keeping spotted garden eels, at a rehearsal of "Face Show Festival", which urges the public to video call the aquarium's collection of around 300 spotted garden eels to help the animals stay interactive, amid the coronavirus disease outbreak. Sumida Aquarium HO via Reuters

Asia

FaceTime with an eel so they don’t forget us, Japanese aquarium asks

The Sumida Aquarium has called on the public to spend time online with the notoriously shy garden eels

AFP

May 04, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

A Japanese aquarium closed during the coronavirus outbreak is asking people to make video calls to their eels so the sensitive creatures remember humans exist and that we don't pose a threat.

The Sumida Aquarium, housed in the landmark Tokyo Skytree tower, has been closed since the start of March and its animals have become used to a largely human-free environment during the two-month calm.

But the aquarium said the "unprecedented situation" was having some unexpected downsides.

"Creatures in the aquarium don't see humans except keepers and they have started forgetting about humans," it said on its Twitter account this week.

"Garden eels, in particular, disappear into the sand and hide every time the keepers pass by," it noted. That is causing difficulties for keepers trying to check on the health of the animals.

"Let us make an emergency plea," the aquarium wrote.

"Could you show your face to our garden eels from your home?" it requested, calling the event a "face-showing festival".

Garden eels are very sensitive and wary by nature but 300 of them living in a tank at the aquarium had become used to humans and rarely hid in the sand when approached by visitors.

Coronavirus around the world

People wear face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus as they walk along the promenade at Marina Bay in Singapore. AFP
People wear face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus as they walk along the promenade at Marina Bay in Singapore. AFP
Cedar Meats Australia in Melbourne, Australia. Victoria has recorded 19 new Covid-19 cases connected to a cluster at Cedar Meats, a meat processing facility. EPA
Cedar Meats Australia in Melbourne, Australia. Victoria has recorded 19 new Covid-19 cases connected to a cluster at Cedar Meats, a meat processing facility. EPA
People wear protective masks in front of Laduree on Madison Avenue during the coronavirus pandemic in New York City. Covid-19 has spread to most countries around the world, claiming more than 247,000 lives with over 3.5 million infections reported. Getty
People wear protective masks in front of Laduree on Madison Avenue during the coronavirus pandemic in New York City. Covid-19 has spread to most countries around the world, claiming more than 247,000 lives with over 3.5 million infections reported. Getty
An employee works to set up a medical facility to accomodate coronavirus patients with mild symptoms at the Nippon Foundation Para Arena in Tokyo. Japan's government prepared on May 4 to extend its nationwide state of emergency to the end of May as it braces for a lengthy battle against the pandemic. AFP
An employee works to set up a medical facility to accomodate coronavirus patients with mild symptoms at the Nippon Foundation Para Arena in Tokyo. Japan's government prepared on May 4 to extend its nationwide state of emergency to the end of May as it braces for a lengthy battle against the pandemic. AFP
A woman walks while wearing a protective mask during the coronavirus pandemic in New York City. Covid-19 has spread to most countries around the world, claiming over 248,000 lives with over 3.5 million infections reported. Getty
A woman walks while wearing a protective mask during the coronavirus pandemic in New York City. Covid-19 has spread to most countries around the world, claiming over 248,000 lives with over 3.5 million infections reported. Getty
A pedestrian pulls a cart past closed stores on a near-empty street in Wuhan, China. The lifting on April 8 of the unprecedented lockdown on Wuhan -- where the virus first emerged -- was a milestone. Stringent nationwide restrictions in China meant the world's second-largest economy recorded its deepest contraction in decades over the first quarter. Bloomberg
A pedestrian pulls a cart past closed stores on a near-empty street in Wuhan, China. The lifting on April 8 of the unprecedented lockdown on Wuhan -- where the virus first emerged -- was a milestone. Stringent nationwide restrictions in China meant the world's second-largest economy recorded its deepest contraction in decades over the first quarter. Bloomberg
A woman, wearing a face mask as a preventive measure against the spread of the Covid-19 walks along the promenade at Marina Bay in Singapore. AFP
A woman, wearing a face mask as a preventive measure against the spread of the Covid-19 walks along the promenade at Marina Bay in Singapore. AFP
A general view shows increasingly busy streets as Malaysia reopens a majority of businesses, after a movement control order was imposed to fight the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reuters
A general view shows increasingly busy streets as Malaysia reopens a majority of businesses, after a movement control order was imposed to fight the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reuters
A Chinese official carries medical supplies to a truck after a handover ceremony at the Council of Ministers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. China donated medical supplies to Cambodia to prevent the spread of coronavirus. EPA
A Chinese official carries medical supplies to a truck after a handover ceremony at the Council of Ministers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. China donated medical supplies to Cambodia to prevent the spread of coronavirus. EPA
U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a live Fox News Channel virtual town hall called 'America Together: Returning to Work' with with hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum about the response to the coronavirus disease being broadcast from inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a live Fox News Channel virtual town hall called 'America Together: Returning to Work' with with hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum about the response to the coronavirus disease being broadcast from inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Reuters
Students wearing face masks have their temperatures measured as they enter Marie Curie school in Hanoi, Vietnam. Students at secondary and high schools in many provinces have returned to school after a three-month closure due to the pandemic. EPA
Students wearing face masks have their temperatures measured as they enter Marie Curie school in Hanoi, Vietnam. Students at secondary and high schools in many provinces have returned to school after a three-month closure due to the pandemic. EPA
Firefighters and paramedics with Anne Arundel County Fire Department wear enhanced PPE while preparing to transport a suspected coronavirus patient in Glen Burnie, Maryland. As of this morning Maryland has 24,473 confirmed Covid-19 cases out of 1.18 million confirmed US cases. AFP
Firefighters and paramedics with Anne Arundel County Fire Department wear enhanced PPE while preparing to transport a suspected coronavirus patient in Glen Burnie, Maryland. As of this morning Maryland has 24,473 confirmed Covid-19 cases out of 1.18 million confirmed US cases. AFP
Young members of the Church of God hold signs during a demonstration against California's stay-at-home orders that were put in place due to the coronavirus outbreak, in Rancho Cucamonga. AP
Young members of the Church of God hold signs during a demonstration against California's stay-at-home orders that were put in place due to the coronavirus outbreak, in Rancho Cucamonga. AP
The procession of emergency vehicles for retired paramedic Paul Cary makes its way out of Denver International Airport, 2020m, in Denver. Cary died from coronavirus after volunteering to help combat the pandemic in New York City. AP
The procession of emergency vehicles for retired paramedic Paul Cary makes its way out of Denver International Airport, 2020m, in Denver. Cary died from coronavirus after volunteering to help combat the pandemic in New York City. AP
Teachers and volunteers, wearing face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus, prepare food donations for lower-income families organised by the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church at a school canteen in Bangkok. Thailand began easing restrictions on movement and gatherings on May 3, allowing restaurants, hair salons and open-air markets to resume business -- provided that social distancing is maintained and proprietors carry out temperature checks. AFP
Teachers and volunteers, wearing face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus, prepare food donations for lower-income families organised by the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church at a school canteen in Bangkok. Thailand began easing restrictions on movement and gatherings on May 3, allowing restaurants, hair salons and open-air markets to resume business -- provided that social distancing is maintained and proprietors carry out temperature checks. AFP
Putra, a 15-year-old performer wearing a large puppet figure called "Ondel-ondel", donning a face mask, walks on a street during a performance at a densely residential area in Jakarta, amid the spread of coronavirus disease in Indonesia. Reuters
Putra, a 15-year-old performer wearing a large puppet figure called "Ondel-ondel", donning a face mask, walks on a street during a performance at a densely residential area in Jakarta, amid the spread of coronavirus disease in Indonesia. Reuters
The Christ the Redeemer statue is seen illuminated calling society to wear face masks to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP
The Christ the Redeemer statue is seen illuminated calling society to wear face masks to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP
Journalists stand maintaining social distancing in a demonstration to mark the World press freedom day during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, in Islamabad. AFP
Journalists stand maintaining social distancing in a demonstration to mark the World press freedom day during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, in Islamabad. AFP
A woman watches Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan singing during the 'I For India' concert live on Facebook on a television screen in New Delhi. International and Bollywood stars took part in a four-hour virtual concert on May 3 to raise funds for the battle against coronavirus in India, where the number of cases is surging. AFP
A woman watches Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan singing during the 'I For India' concert live on Facebook on a television screen in New Delhi. International and Bollywood stars took part in a four-hour virtual concert on May 3 to raise funds for the battle against coronavirus in India, where the number of cases is surging. AFP
An Indian navy ship anchored off coast of Marina beach is illuminated to pay tribute to people fighting against the spread of the coronavirus, in Chennai. AFP
An Indian navy ship anchored off coast of Marina beach is illuminated to pay tribute to people fighting against the spread of the coronavirus, in Chennai. AFP

In a bid to reacquaint the eels with humans, the aquarium is setting up five tablets facing the tank housing the delicate creatures, with eel enthusiasts asked to connect through iPhones or iPads via the FaceTime app.

Once the video calls start, people are supposed to show their faces, wave and talk to the eels. But given the tender nature of the animals, callers are asked not to shout.

The "face-showing festival" is scheduled for May 3 to 5, at the height of Japan's Golden Week holiday period, when many people usually travel. This Golden Week, however, people have been asked to stay at home while the country remains under a state of emergency over the coronavirus.

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The aquarium's plea has attracted plenty of support, under the Japanese hashtag #PleaseRememberHumans.

"'When you gaze at the garden eels, the garden eels gaze at you.' Understood. I'm happy to take part," one Twitter user wrote.

"They need training to learn humans are not a threat!" another wrote. "Interesting."

And among those eager to take part were many calling on the aquarium to offer access via another app, so that those using PCs and phones with Android operating systems could also take part.

"I never regretted my Android phone this much before," one wrote.

Tuesday's fixtures
Group A
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Iran v Uzbekistan, 8pm
N Korea v UAE, 10.15pm
UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYasmin%20Azad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESwift%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition

Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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Labour dispute

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 

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Museum of the Future in numbers
  •  78 metres is the height of the museum
  •  30,000 square metres is its total area
  •  17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
  •  14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
  •  1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior 
  •  7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
  •  2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
  •  100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
  •  Dh145 is the price of a ticket
The specs

BMW M8 Competition Coupe

Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8

Power 625hp at 6,000rpm

Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm

Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto

Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec

Top speed 305kph

Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km

Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)

On sale Jan/Feb 2020
 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Price, base / as tested: Dh101,140 / Dh113,800


Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder


Power: 148hp @ 5,500rpm


Torque: 250Nm @ 2,000rpm


Transmission: Eight-speed CVT


Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

While you're here
Soldier F

“I was in complete disgust at the fact that only one person was to be charged for Bloody Sunday.

“Somebody later said to me, 'you just watch - they'll drop the charge against him'. And sure enough, the charges against Soldier F would go on to be dropped.

“It's pretty hard to think that 50 years on, the State is still covering up for what happened on Bloody Sunday.”

Jimmy Duddy, nephew of John Johnson

While you're here...
Whiile you're here

The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta

'Morbius'

Director: Daniel Espinosa 

Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona

Rating: 2/5

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Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: from Dh155,000

On sale: now