Liquid Image Explorer Series 5.0MP
Sea legs Electronics and water are natural enemies (electronics are the gazelles and water is the lion). But specialised devices like the Liquid Image Explorer - a diving mask with a built-in digital camera - allow the two to peacefully co-exist while delivering quality underwater photos and videos.
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Waterproof The Liquid Image Explorer can handle depths of up to 5 metres and comes with 16MB of internal memory, which amounts to about 27 high-res photos or about a minute of video. However, it also comes with a MicroSD slot that can add up to 2GB of storage and the mask runs on two AAA batteries. Simply plug the mask into your computer to download photos just like any other camera (although the included software works with PCs only).
Seaworthiness The mask allows for hands-free underwater photography, which comes in handy since swimming often requires the full attention of all our limbs. Cross hairs are printed on the goggles, allowing divers to line up their shots, and an LED inside indicates photo and video modes.
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Kodak C123 Sport
Sea legs The diminutive yet robust Kodak C123 can deliver 12 megapixel photos and videos in harsh conditions, including underwater. Using Kodak's "share" feature, photo enthusiasts can tag their photos or videos for immediate uploading to Facebook or particular e-mail addresses as soon as the device is connected to a computer.
Waterproof The Kodak C123 works underwater at depths of up to 3m, perfect for the pool or snorkelling. The camera is also "dust proof", meaning you can take it almost anywhere without constantly worrying that it will succumb to the elements. It operates with two AA batteries.
Seaworthiness The camera possesses most of the features you'll find in any point-and-shoot digital camera, including a 2.4-inch LCD screen, face detection and automatic camera settings. But it also comes with a buoyant wrist strap, which is vital since the camera can do almost anything underwater except float.
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DicaPac WP410 Waterproof Case
Sea legs Although the DicaPac WP410 won't take pictures or videos in and of itself, it will turn that landlubber point-and-shoot you already have into a full-fledged digital submersible that floats if you lose your grip.
Waterproof Cameras enveloped in the DicaPac WP410 will be safe and dry at depths of up to 5m thanks to a patented Velcro zipper design that also gives underwater photographers full access to all their camera's buttons. A special polycarbonate lens opening allows you to also make full use of your camera's zoom capabilities.
Seaworthiness The one-size-fits-almost-all DicaPac WP410 will work for about 200 cameras of various brands and is the perfect solution for those who plan to be totally immersed in an aquatic fling, but do not need digital waterproofing all year round.
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The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
The biog
Hobbies: Salsa dancing “It's in my blood” and listening to music in different languages
Favourite place to travel to: “Thailand, as it's gorgeous, food is delicious, their massages are to die for!”
Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”
Favourite film: “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”
Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”
The biog
Name: Samar Frost
Born: Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends
Favourite singer: Adele
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
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Wednesday's results
Finland 3-0 Armenia
Faroes Islands 1-0 Malta
Sweden 1-1 Spain
Gibraltar 2-3 Georgia
Romania 1-1 Norway
Greece 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Liechtenstein 0-5 Italy
Switzerland 2-0 Rep of Ireland
Israel 3-1 Latvia
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
The specs: Volvo XC40
Price: base / as tested: Dh185,000
Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 250hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
