More than 750,000 people answered a government call for volunteers to help the country's health service. Reuters
More than 750,000 people answered a government call for volunteers to help the country's health service. Reuters
More than 750,000 people answered a government call for volunteers to help the country's health service. Reuters
More than 750,000 people answered a government call for volunteers to help the country's health service. Reuters

Europe

Syrian refugee joins Britain’s coronavirus front line

Hassan Akkad left Syria for the UK in 2015 and has been called a ‘hero’ for helping the country's health service

Arthur Scott-Geddes
Arthur Scott-Geddes

April 14, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

A Syrian refugee living in Britain has lent his support to the country’s fight against coronavirus as a cleaner with the National Health Service.

Hassan Akkad, who now lives in the UK capital, signed up to help keep St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London clean as it is used to treat Covid-19 patients.

Mr Akkad shared an image of himself on Twitter dressed in full protective gear, saying he received special training before he began work.

“London has been my home since leaving Syria, and the least I can do is making sure my neighbours and the amazing NHS staff are safe and sound,” he said in a Tweet on Tuesday morning.

Mr Akkad said he was “honoured to join an army of cleaners” working to disinfect coronavirus wards at the hospital, commonly known as Barts.

More than 40,000 people responded to the post, with many users offering their thanks for his contribution to the NHS.

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“Your work is skilled, difficult and all too often undervalued. We simply couldn’t function without you. Thank you, Hassan, stay safe,” wrote one Twitter user.

“You are a hero, Hassan,” wrote another.

Mr Akkad, who taught English in Damascus before coming to Britain, escaped Syria in 2015, where he had been imprisoned by the Bashar Al Assad regime.

His journey to Europe, in which he crossed the Aegean Sea on an overcrowded dinghy, was featured in the BBC television series Exodus, which put video cameras into the hands of migrants.

With more than 12,000 confirmed cases, the British capital is at the centre of the country’s outbreak. The disease has claimed more than 5,000 lives in the UK, which has recorded more than 50,000 cases nationwide.

More than 750,000 people answered the government’s call to help the NHS as it grapples with the outbreak. The government scheme had originally set a target of recruiting 250,000 volunteers to help vulnerable people in the country, but was inundated with offers.

General view of the empty Piccadilly Circus in London, Britain. EPA
General view of the empty Piccadilly Circus in London, Britain. EPA
View of an empty underground staircase at Piccadilly Circus in London, Britain. EPA
View of an empty underground staircase at Piccadilly Circus in London, Britain. EPA
Large liquid oxygen tanks are seen installed at the rear of the Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire and the Humber set up at the Harrogate Convention Centre in Harrogate, northern England to help with the new coronavirus covid-19 outbreak. AFP
Large liquid oxygen tanks are seen installed at the rear of the Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire and the Humber set up at the Harrogate Convention Centre in Harrogate, northern England to help with the new coronavirus covid-19 outbreak. AFP
Pedestrians, wearing protective masks, walk past a street art mural, depicting "Mass Hysteria" related to the Covid-19 pandemic, in Birmingham, U.K. Bloomberg
Pedestrians, wearing protective masks, walk past a street art mural, depicting "Mass Hysteria" related to the Covid-19 pandemic, in Birmingham, U.K. Bloomberg
Lights are seen inside residential properties in the Barbican Estate in London, England. Getty Images
Lights are seen inside residential properties in the Barbican Estate in London, England. Getty Images
A journalist is seen outside of the St Thomas' Hospital after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to intensive care after his coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms worsened and has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise. London, Britain. REUTERS
A journalist is seen outside of the St Thomas' Hospital after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to intensive care after his coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms worsened and has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise. London, Britain. REUTERS
General view of 10 Downing Street after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken into the intensive care unit in hospital on Monday evening, after his coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms worsened and he has asked Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Dominic Raab to deputise, in London, Britain. REUTERS
General view of 10 Downing Street after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was taken into the intensive care unit in hospital on Monday evening, after his coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms worsened and he has asked Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Dominic Raab to deputise, in London, Britain. REUTERS
Signage to the entrance of the new NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital has been installed, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain. REUTERS
Signage to the entrance of the new NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital has been installed, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain. REUTERS
A man wears a protective face mask on Westminster Bridge, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in London, Britain. REUTERS
A man wears a protective face mask on Westminster Bridge, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in London, Britain. REUTERS
An electronic ad thanking the heroes of the moment is seen on the streets of Manchester, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Manchester, Britain. REUTERS
An electronic ad thanking the heroes of the moment is seen on the streets of Manchester, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Manchester, Britain. REUTERS
A sign on a fence on a popular costal walk, tells people to stay at home as it gives the number of deaths to date on April 06, 2020 in Penarth, Wales. Getty Images
A sign on a fence on a popular costal walk, tells people to stay at home as it gives the number of deaths to date on April 06, 2020 in Penarth, Wales. Getty Images
A woman passes with a stroller a banner showing support for the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Belfast, Northern Ireland. REUTERS
A woman passes with a stroller a banner showing support for the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Belfast, Northern Ireland. REUTERS
A food delivery courier carrying a Deliveroo, operated by Roofoods Ltd., backpack stands near a message thanking Britain's National Health Service in Birmingham, U.K. Bloomberg
A food delivery courier carrying a Deliveroo, operated by Roofoods Ltd., backpack stands near a message thanking Britain's National Health Service in Birmingham, U.K. Bloomberg
A closed down traditional fish and chips van parked by the river Thames in London, Britain. EPA
A closed down traditional fish and chips van parked by the river Thames in London, Britain. EPA
A bus driver wearing a face mask is seen, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, London, Britain. REUTERS
A bus driver wearing a face mask is seen, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, London, Britain. REUTERS
Rylan (12) playing football with his uncle Aaron, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Belfast, Northern Ireland. REUTERS
Rylan (12) playing football with his uncle Aaron, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Belfast, Northern Ireland. REUTERS

The initial wave of volunteers accepted onto the scheme received their first tasks on Tuesday.

Government scientists believe that the country’s daily death toll will continue to rise until at least April 12. Britain is yet to decide when it will lift the lockdown measures put in place to limit the spread of the virus.

Britain's Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, remains in intensive care, where he is receiving treatment for the complications arising from coronavirus.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

On Women's Day
Structural%20weaknesses%20facing%20Israel%20economy
%3Cp%3E1.%20Labour%20productivity%20is%20lower%20than%20the%20average%20of%20the%20developed%20economies%2C%20particularly%20in%20the%20non-tradable%20industries.%3Cbr%3E2.%20The%20low%20level%20of%20basic%20skills%20among%20workers%20and%20the%20high%20level%20of%20inequality%20between%20those%20with%20various%20skills.%3Cbr%3E3.%20Low%20employment%20rates%2C%20particularly%20among%20Arab%20women%20and%20Ultra-Othodox%20Jewish%20men.%3Cbr%3E4.%20A%20lack%20of%20basic%20knowledge%20required%20for%20integration%20into%20the%20labour%20force%2C%20due%20to%20the%20lack%20of%20core%20curriculum%20studies%20in%20schools%20for%20Ultra-Othodox%20Jews.%3Cbr%3E5.%20A%20need%20to%20upgrade%20and%20expand%20physical%20infrastructure%2C%20particularly%20mass%20transit%20infrastructure.%3Cbr%3E6.%20The%20poverty%20rate%20at%20more%20than%20double%20the%20OECD%20average.%3Cbr%3E7.%20Population%20growth%20of%20about%202%20per%20cent%20per%20year%2C%20compared%20to%200.6%20per%20cent%20OECD%20average%20posing%20challenge%20for%20fiscal%20policy%20and%20underpinning%20pressure%20on%20education%2C%20health%20care%2C%20welfare%20housing%20and%20physical%20infrastructure%2C%20which%20will%20increase%20in%20the%20coming%20years.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
Brief scores:

​​​​​​Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field

​Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55

Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out

Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets

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
Tomorrow 2021
Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

Schedule for show courts

Centre Court - from 4pm UAE time

Johanna Konta (6) v Donna Vekic

Andy Murray (1) v Dustin Brown

Rafael Nadal (4) v Donald Young

 

Court 1 - from 4pm UAE time

Kei Nishikori (9) v Sergiy Stakhovsky

Qiang Wang v Venus Williams (10)

Beatriz Haddad Maia v Simona Halep (2)

 

Court 2 - from 2.30pm

Heather Watson v Anastasija Sevastova (18)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (12) v Simone Bolelli

Florian Mayer v Marin Cilic (7)

 

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
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7%E2%80%9D%20LPTO%20Amoled%2C%202412%20x%201080%2C%20394ppi%2C%20HDR10%2B%2C%20Corning%20Gorilla%20Glass%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Qualcomm%20Snapdragon%208%2B%20Gen%202%2C%20octa-core%3B%20Adreno%20730%20GPU%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F12GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20128%2F256%2F512GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2013%2C%20Nothing%20OS%202%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%2050MP%20wide%2C%20f%2F1.9%20%2B%2050MP%20ultrawide%2C%20f%2F2.2%3B%20OIS%2C%20auto-focus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2030%2F60fps%2C%201080p%20%40%2030%2F60fps%3B%20live%20HDR%2C%20OIS%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2032MP%20wide%2C%20f%2F2.5%2C%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Full-HD%20%40%2030fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204700mAh%3B%20full%20charge%20in%2055m%20w%2F%2045w%20charger%3B%20Qi%20wireless%2C%20dual%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Google%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fingerprint%2C%20face%20unlock%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP54%2C%20limited%20protection%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual-nano%20SIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dark%20grey%2C%20white%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nothing%20Phone%20(2)%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20cable%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%20(UAE)%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh2%2C499%20(12GB%2F256GB)%20%2F%20Dh2%2C799%20(12GB%2F512GB)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Astra%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdallah%20Abu%20Sheikh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20technology%20investment%20and%20development%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

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 

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

While you're here
While you're here
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Squad for first two ODIs

Kohli (c), Rohit, Dhawan, Rayudu, Pandey, Dhoni (wk), Pant, Jadeja, Chahal, Kuldeep, Khaleel, Shami, Thakur, Rahul.

Ads on social media can 'normalise' drugs

A UK report on youth social media habits commissioned by advocacy group Volteface found a quarter of young people were exposed to illegal drug dealers on social media.

The poll of 2,006 people aged 16-24 assessed their exposure to drug dealers online in a nationally representative survey.

Of those admitting to seeing drugs for sale online, 56 per cent saw them advertised on Snapchat, 55 per cent on Instagram and 47 per cent on Facebook.

Cannabis was the drug most pushed by online dealers, with 63 per cent of survey respondents claiming to have seen adverts on social media for the drug, followed by cocaine (26 per cent) and MDMA/ecstasy, with 24 per cent of people.

TOURNAMENT INFO

Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier

Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November

UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi

Transgender report
Results

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1hr 32mins 03.897sec

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull-Honda) at 0.745s

3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 37.383s

4. Lando Norris (McLaren) 46.466s

5.Sergio Perez (Red Bull-Honda) 52.047s

6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 59.090s

7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) 1:06.004

8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 1:07.100

9. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri-Honda) 1:25.692

10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:26.713,

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Tearful appearance

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.

LondonEuropeSyriaCoronavirus