Nearly two weeks after a major fire destroyed a 24-storey block of flats in west London, the repercussions of what happened to the Grenfell Tower continue to be felt across the UK, and much farther afield.
The political fallout has been immense, with criticisms levelled at everyone from the company that manufactured the cladding used, to the council that managed the tower block, right up to the country’s prime minister. British media have followed the story of the hundreds of residents, who found themselves homeless, lodged in temporary accommodation and, in some cases, later asked to leave. Hard questions have been asked of government ministers and thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets to protest the fire and its aftermath.
Another council in London last week evacuated five tower blocks, moving 800 households out of their homes and into temporary accommodation, saying they could not guarantee their safety. Across the country, at least 15 local authorities reported that tower blocks in their area had cladding that had failed fire safety tests.
With such media and political focus on the tragedy, it is inevitable that questions have been asked around the world about the cladding used in buildings there. In the UAE, companies that manufacture cladding used in UAE buildings clarified that such fires could not happen in the country, because of new rules introduced at the start of this year that specified fire-resistant panels.
That would have provided comfort to many, but there remain potentially dozens, perhaps hundreds, of buildings with cladding that needs to be inspected. One mechanism to deal with this issue is to introduce a level of transparency into what cladding is used on which buildings, and allow the market to decide.
If developers had to specify what kind of cladding was used on their buildings, tenants could choose whether to live there or not – and those with cladding tenants disliked would attract lower rents. A rating system, similar to that used for sustainable design of buildings in Abu Dhabi, called Estidama, could be used. That way, people would know what covers the places in which they live.
Company%20profile
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Company%20Profile
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TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
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)
SPECS
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2
Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina
Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5