Schools and universities are all about theory and much of what you learn there is never used (More focus needed on talent rather than grades, education researchers say, December 11).
Now we have apps for most things but schools do not allow children to use them freely. It’s like when the calculator came on the market. Most schools insisted on not using it.
Baitani Latif, Sharjah
My son is excellent in maths and design but he can barely pass because of a grades obsessed system.
Ahmed Buhamad, Dubai
The education system needs an overhaul. Children work only for grades. They learn very little.
Jaya Ravi Bhat, Abu Dhabi
A channel of serenity in the heart of Dubai
Last weekend, I went to take a look at the Dubai Canal and was convinced that it's an amazing project (Cruising the new Dubai Canal offers a new perspective of the emirate, December 11).
Looking at it, I felt myself lucky to be able to live in a country that strives to keep its people happy by opening up so many avenues of entertainment.
This canal is going to be a lifeline for the people of Dubai, who can take a break from the din and bustle of the city.
There are, of course, parks and other serene places in the city, but nothing is comparable to this new development.
What more, it has got tremendous tourism potential.
I wish for Dubai to attract a lot of tourism revenue from this project. I wish all the best to the city that has given me so much.
Vallonia Santos, Dubai
Stop those who dupe clients
I refer to the article UAE regulator clamps down on savings, investment and insurance policy sales practices after 'alarming amount of complaints' (December 11). I literally lost half of my investment to commissions.
I was fooled by the agent who told me that I lost heavily in the shares they bought on my behalf. To make things worse, the agent put the blame on me saying that I didn’t ask to change the types of investment, but I found out that most of my losses were due to commission payment.
Fady Abi Khalil, Abu Dhabi
Hopefully some of these wannabe financial advisers will go back to selling used cars in the UK.
Andy Partridge, Dubai
The senior-level people in these companies need to be stopped. They advocate the sale of poor financial products to clients.
John Paul, Dubai
Labelling alone will not help
In reference to your editorial, Labels could tackle obesity (December 9), what about all the junk food literally being put into children's mouths daily as breakfast, lunch and dinner? Is this going to be addressed as well? This is a significant factor that contributes towards obesity.
Tanya Milbourne, Abu Dhabi
We need reasonably priced (not just for the super rich) indoor recreational facilities. Maybe even free ones.
Sara Smith, Abu Dhabi
Mentioning calories on all menus would be helpful.
Chris Reid, Dubai
Banning all sugary items in vending machines in hospitals and clinics would be a good start. If the health profession backs it up, followed by gyms, other fitness centres and schools, then maybe the message will get home. However, in my opinion, the worst culprits are some parents who advocate this sugar fix to placate their unruly children.
Little do they know that sugar is what actually sparks this disruptive behaviour.
Name withheld by request
I had an appointment at a hospital in the cardiology unit (Why a sugar tax can beat obesity, December 10). In the waiting area there was a TV showing a public information film on heart-related problems caused by bad eating habits and lack of exercise. Less than a metre from the screen was a vending machine full of chocolates, potato crisps and fizzy drinks. It was unbelievable. I raised it with the staff, but I bet it’s still there.
Louise Halmkan Slantenburg, Abu Dhabi
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.
Inside%20Out%202
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Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Company%20Profile
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Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
FIGHT%20CARD
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Company%20Profile
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Two-litre%20four-cylinder%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E235hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nine-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh167%2C500%20(%2445%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors