The Eid holidays next week should provide an opportunity for most UAE residents to take a break of some sort, whether or not the break involves travel.
I, like many others, find myself unable to fly to places that I perhaps would have visited, had it not been for the pandemic. That’s a pity – an escape for the summer would have been nice.
Over the past few weeks, though, as I have looked to see how other countries are faring with Covid-19, I have not felt encouraged to travel. The evolving situation in some countries is enough to make one change plans.
I am fairly relaxed about my decision to stay in the UAE over the summer
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine was keen to get back to Britain for a few months. He first took a trip to Albania to avoid the need for a 10-day quarantine at London’s Heathrow Airport. He is now in a hurry to rush back to the UAE, as the number of cases in Britain soars and he doesn’t want to get stuck there.
Another friend managed to slip away to Cyprus, where the level of cases isn’t too worrying. Once he returns, however, he will need to quarantine for a few days.
Some of our neighbours have flown home to Lebanon, where the virus is raging, taking urgently needed supplies for their families. Hospitals there are struggling to cope; the electricity supply is haphazard and petrol is in short supply. Right now Lebanon is not really a place to visit for a break, however much we would like to do so.
To reach my other home, in the Channel Island of Jersey, we would first need to pass through the UK, with a 10-day quarantine, and then face further isolation once we got there. Even in Jersey, the number of cases have been soaring over the past few weeks, with the government clearly struggling to cope.
The situation naturally varies from country to country. As cases of Covid-19 rise or fall, so regulations change. My family has not been prepared to take the risk of travelling now when restrictions may suddenly be imposed that would delay a return.
The clincher, in terms of our decision not to travel, has been a lack of clear instructions in some of our desired travel destinations, about what people should and should not be doing. That, to put it mildly, has caused confusion and possibly contributed to a worsening situation for travellers.
In Britain, for example, or rather in England – since the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales make their own rules – it was announced that most restrictions were to be lifted next week –and then that they weren’t. People were told that wearing masks was mandatory – and then that it was simply a matter of advice. Large crowds were suddenly acceptable. To be fair, the football mania of the past week would have made it difficult to prevent crowds from forming.
And yet, if one peruses the official figures and studies the statements from the scientists, it seems probable that "Freedom Day" will simply be a temporary hiccup on the path to more cases.
Perhaps the problem is, in part, the failure of political leaderships in many countries to give clear guidance and to be transparent about their longer term objectives. Take the UK, for example. Is a movement towards "herd immunity" desirable? Is a tough message about vaccination essential? Over the next few weeks, the results of such mixed and weak messaging will become apparent.
That is why, on balance, I am fairly relaxed about my decision to stay in the UAE over the summer. Here, there is a determined campaign by the government to promote vaccination as widely as possible. If the science suggests that a third booster shot might be sensible, we are told that.
Wearing masks can be a bit of a nuisance at times, but it is widely recognised that it is necessary when in close proximity to others and that it is for the benefit of everyone.
I myself feel fortunate to live in the UAE. The messaging here has been clear from the start. It is not one message today and another tomorrow. The rules are explained, and we are frequently reminded of them.
So when it comes to travelling out of the country while the pandemic is still on, take your pick: the UAE, with a clear and consistent policy, on the one hand – or, another country where different messages are given by the politicians and scientists? I know which I prefer. That, perhaps, is fundamentally about clear leadership. On Covid-19, the UAE has it. Clearly, you cannot say the same for some other countries.
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Europa League group stage draw
Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWomen%E2%80%99s%20race%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Tigist%20Ketema%20(ETH)%202hrs%2016min%207sec%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Ruti%20Aga%20(ETH)%202%3A18%3A09%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Dera%20Dida%20(ETH)%202%3A19%3A29%0D%3Cbr%3EMen's%20race%3A%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Addisu%20Gobena%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A01%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lemi%20Dumicha%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A20%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20DejeneMegersa%20(ETH)%202%3A05%3A42%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The years Ramadan fell in May
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
Astroworld
Travis Scott
Grand Hustle/Epic/Cactus Jack
