What sounds like an earthquake is actually 24 girls between the ages of 7 and 11 slapping the floor in time.
“Thunder, thunder, thunderation, we are the Girl Guides Association, when we work with determination, we create a sensation,” they chant.
It has been 100 years since the Guidinging movement began and to commemorate the milestone, Girlguiding UK’s Chief Guide Gill Slocombe paid a visit to the UAE last month, her first official trip outside Great Britain since taking on the role three years ago. It was also first time a chief guide has visited any of the 270 groups that make up British Guides in Foreign Countries, which is present in 35 countries worldwide and boasts 530,000 members.
Keeping up with the times
In a world unrecognisable from the one Brownies inhabited a century ago, one constant is the emphasis on helping others across all the units, which include 5- to 7-year-old Rainbows; 7- to 11-year-old Brownies; 11- to 14-year-old Guides, and 14- to 19-year-olds in the senior section.
Adele Steel, 52, the district commissioner for Guiding in Abu Dhabi, says: “The core values of Guiding are still helping others and challenging yourself. But in no way are we all about knitting and cleaning these days. We’ve had our girls on climbing walls and assault courses – it’s not a genteel pastime. They give the Scouts a good run for their money. They can be quite scary when they’re en masse!”
A commitment for life
For Guide Joaanavi Coneti, 14, taking the oath is her favourite memory of her four years in Guides. “It took a lot of time to memorise and think about the promise,” she says. “It’s a life motto – it affects everything in my life.”
Raeanna Stewart, 16, from Scotland, who is in the Senior Section, likes to help out with the Guides and Brownies. “The younger ones really look up to you,” says Stewart. “And I like the freedom of the all-girl atmosphere. There are some things you can’t discuss when there are boys around.”
Women of the future
An important aspect of modern Guiding involves encouraging the girls to develop a positive self-image. That includes a body confidence programme, and a course starting in February to train older girls to educate their peers about timely issues including bullying. “A lot of our badges now involve discussion on images of women in advertising. We ask the girls: ‘Should we let these affect us?’” says Steel. “It’s relevant now. There are more things in society that affect their confidence. We work on how girls can be independent and not get held back by anything. We’re setting them up to be able to make life choices.”
Volunteers needed
Despite the growing demand for places in the UAE’s Guiding units, there is a lack of adult volunteers. In Abu Dhabi, this means one Brownie unit and one Rainbow unit are in danger of being suspended after Christmas.
“I could open another Rainbow and Brownie pack tomorrow and fill them up almost instantly, we have so many girls wanting to join,” adds Steel. “But we haven’t got enough adults prepared to volunteer and take on the commitment.”
artslife@thenational.ae
UNITS IN THE UAE
British Guides in Foreign Countries, which is part of Girlguiding UK, has a presence in 23 countries where it can be difficult, for reasons such as language or culture, for girls to join the local national organisation.
Abu Dhabi
The first Brownie unit in the capital was set up in 1967, and is believed to have been the first Guiding unit in the Middle East. There are currently nine units – three Rainbows, three Brownies, two Guides and one Senior Section, which meet at St Andrew’s Hall, Al Khubairat and Al Yasmina Schools. Email adelesteel@hotmail.com
Dubai
Guiding is led by Dubai division commissioner Claire Godfrey, who has been involved in Guiding since she was 7. Guiding is a popular pastime in Dubai. First came the Brownies in 1970, the first Guide unit in 1980 and the first Rainbow unit in 1994. Now, there are 35 units – 8 Rainbow, 17 Brownie, 9 Guides and a senior section, comprising more than 850 members. Email girlguidingdubai@gmail.com
Sharjah
There is now one Brownie, Rainbow and Guides unit each, with some girls attending from Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. The groups meet at the Wanderer’s Sports Club in Sharjah, led by Mandy Bray. Email sharjahguiding@gmail.com
UAE Girlguides
Sharjah is also home to the headquarters of UAE Girlguides, which is separate to BGIFC, although they’re all part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The association, which holds meetings in Arabic, was set up in 1973 and is led by its president, the wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi. The Guides teach the elderly to read and write, and spread awareness about violence against women, among other things. Email info@uaegg.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Tori Amos
Native Invader
Decca
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
RESULTS
ATP China Open
G Dimitrov (BUL x3) bt R Bautista Agut (ESP x5)
7-6, 4-6, 6-2
R Nadal (ESP x1) bt J Isner (USA x6)
6-4, 7-6
WTA China Open
S Halep (ROU x2) bt D Kasatkina (RUS)
6-2, 6-1
J Ostapenko (LAT x9) bt S Cirstea (ROU)
6-4, 6-4
ATP Japan Open
D Schwartzman (ARG x8) bt S Johnson (USA)
6-0, 7-5
D Goffin (BEL x4) bt R Gasquet (FRA)
7-5, 6-2
M Cilic (CRO x1) bt R Harrison (USA)
6-2, 6-0
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,00
On sale: Available for preorder now
Company%20profile
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
The Lost Letters of William Woolf
Helen Cullen, Graydon House
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20Profile
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Normal People
Sally Rooney, Faber & Faber
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ECBDC%20real-value%20pilot%20held%20with%20three%20partner%20institutions%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPreparing%20buy%20now%2C%20pay%20later%20regulations%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPreparing%20for%20the%202023%20launch%20of%20the%20domestic%20card%20initiative%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPhase%20one%20of%20the%20Financial%20Infrastructure%20Transformation%20(FiT)%20completed%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
