Regarding Ashleigh Stewart's article The all-female robotics team in Afghanistan who made a cheap ventilator out of Toyota parts (April 6): this was a great story. I feel so proud of this team of innovators.
Mir Khan, Dubai
They have all our respect. We are rooting for them.
Imran Habib, Ontario, Canada
UAE doing well to boost its food security
I write to you about Daniel Sanderson's story Coronavirus: why UAE farmers have 'never been so busy' during pandemic (April 6). This was an informative article. The UAE is doing well to sustain itself. The government will be able to look back at these times as having given them the opportunity to further develop the farming sectors in the UAE and reduce dependence on neighbouring countries.
Omair Mansoor, Ajman
Should school fees come down during this time of e-learning?
In reference to Anam Rizvi and Sarwat Nasir's report Coronavirus: parents in UAE plead for school fees discount (April 6): if the students are being taught, the teachers need to be paid.
Judy Garelli, Abu Dhabi
Parents are asking for a fee reduction because some of them are on unpaid leave, and it looks like it might be more than a month for things to even begin to get back to normal.
We are definitely not asking for the fee reduction to come from the staff pockets. It could be balanced from the profit schools make. A crisis is not exactly the time to make money.
Gincy Varghese, Dubai
Our school reduced the fee by 20 per cent and reimbursed bus fare too. It was a nice gesture and it feels really good to receive such support.
Anna Jansen, Dubai
Kudos to the UAE for bailing out other afflicted countries
With regard to the report Coronavirus: UAE sends 10 tonnes of medical supplies to Italy (April 6): bravo. This will be a great help to the Italian doctors and medical staff. Well done, UAE. That is what kindness is, helping each other in need. I am sure the receiving nations are grateful for the help.
Angela P, Dubai
Bless the UAE leaders for showing such humanity in a time of crisis. Despite coronavirus cases in the UAE, the country still reaches out to nations less fortunate at the moment.
It has been 10 years since I left the Dubai but I keep up with news of my beloved former country of residence.
The battle is long, but as they say, the fruit of patience is sweet. Let's keep our hopes up.
Preetha Furtado Cardoza, Kolkata, India
Sport can take a backseat at this time, surely
Regarding the report Uefa president: playing games without fans is better than scrapping season due to coronavirus (April 5): why put your players in danger?
Sian Carvill, Dubai
Hap-hap-happy... birthdays can be celebrated in isolation
I write to you in regard to Katy Gillett's article Happy birthday to you? How UAE residents are baking cakes and using Zoom to celebrate their big day amid the crisis (April 3): for my son's 10th birthday last week we sang happy birthday in English and French and shared our party in Sharjah via Zoom with friends in the UK, Switzerland and Italy. It was very special.
Lisa Sykes, Sharjah
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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.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
