Regarding Anam Rizvi's story Lessons from the wild: UAE teachers to host remote classes from The National Aquarium (December 13): this is a good step. More places need to do this. We are missing all the fun field trips we can no longer take our students on... the Emirates Zoo, Heritage Village, the Grand Mosque, a farm and so many more places.
Katie Kamdem, Abu Dhabi
Spoilt for one more choice when it comes to travel
With reference to Gillian Duncan's report Coronavirus: Could people who refuse to be vaccinated be prevented from travelling? (December 15): this will be another choice to make – to travel or not to travel. Because there would be several groups unsuitable for vaccinations, those with existing allergies or those who have had allergic reaction to other vaccines in the past or some similar conditions. It will be another way this virus will have changed our lives.
Monika Arora Agarwal, Dubai
Scientists ought to be people of the year
With reference to the report Joe Biden and Kamala Harris named Time 'Person of the Year' (December 11): in my view, the people of the year 2020 should definitely be the scientists and healthcare workers around the world. Usually, vaccines take years or decades to discover and refine. In the case of Covid-19, scientists have generated options within nine months. This is a giant leap for mankind. The world had stopped. Now, it could work again. Hopefully, some of the vaccines will deliver. The scientists deserve our applause.
The doctors, nurses and ward staff risked their lives and those of their families for the sake of patients. The least they deserve is a standing ovation.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
John le Carre leaves a rich legacy for readers
Regarding the editorial John le Carre shone light on murky worlds (December 15): this was an enlightening read. The demise of 89-year-old David Cornwell is a great loss to the literary world. Fans of spy fiction will no doubt find themselves returning to his novels such as Absolute Friends, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, A Most Wanted Man and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy . The news of his death might even have created new readers of his work.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays
4.5/5
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Scores
Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Arsenal 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Burnley 1-0 Brighton
Manchester United 4-1 Fulham
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace
Saturday fixtures:
Chelsea v Manchester City, 9.30pm (UAE)
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur, 11.45pm (UAE)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The%20specs
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Company%20profile
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