With reference to the report How the UAE is helping people in Gaza – in numbers (April 9): that's a great effort. Nothing can be better than a ceasefire and ending the killings, but it is still worthwhile to send aid on such a large scale. Good to read about the water desalination plants being set up and the bakeries to ease famine conditions. The hundred doctors and lab technicians and a floating hospital are all very necessary. Any help is good at this stage. People across the world are praying for the misery in Gaza to end.
Reshma Khan, Abu Dhabi
A chief minister in jail
With regard to Taniya Dutta's report Delhi leader Arvind Kejriwal to stay in jail after losing appeal over arrest (April 9): it's been a dramatic few weeks for the chief minister of Delhi and his Aam Aadmi Party that came to power with promises of no corruption, and development for the people of Delhi, and by providing free electricity. However, now the Delhi High Court has rejected Mr Kejriwal's plea and admitted that charges against him by the Enforcement Directorate have merit. Despite this verdict, he is going to appeal in the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the land. We will have to wait and see whether or not he succeeds, and if he's granted bail before India's general election.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
Non-stop flight on a leisure airline?
With regard to Hayley Skirka's report Travel Unpacked: All-business class airline takes flight and 101 things to do in Abu Dhabi (April 11): I found Hayley Skirka’s article about upstart airline Beond to be of interest. However, I found a line in it could be misconstrued: “Currently, Beond flies from Munich, Zurich and Riyadh to the Indian Ocean holiday haven.” As presently constituted, the airline’s small fleet of A319 and A321 aircraft do not have the range to fly to Male from Munich or Zurich, and it is not clear that they intend to fly Riyadh to Male non-stop, or rather route passengers through their Dubai hub. Passengers from Europe to Maldives should be aware that flights could involve re-fuelling stops and may not be “non-stop”. It is an important distinction in my opinion.
Mark Skoning, Dubai
A voice for the Palestinian people
With regards to the article UAE envoy to UN Lana Nusseibeh awarded Shield of Palestine (April 10): Ms Nussiebeh has been an outstanding voice for the great people of Palestine and a star ambassador for the UAE. Wishing her every success.
Shahameen Jehan, Abu Dhabi
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final (first-leg score):
Juventus (1) v Ajax (1), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Match will be shown on BeIN Sports
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.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Ukraine
Capital: Kiev
Population: 44.13 million
Armed conflict in Donbass
Russia-backed fighters control territory
Gender pay parity on track in the UAE
The UAE has a good record on gender pay parity, according to Mercer's Total Remuneration Study.
"In some of the lower levels of jobs women tend to be paid more than men, primarily because men are employed in blue collar jobs and women tend to be employed in white collar jobs which pay better," said Ted Raffoul, career products leader, Mena at Mercer. "I am yet to see a company in the UAE – particularly when you are looking at a blue chip multinationals or some of the bigger local companies – that actively discriminates when it comes to gender on pay."
Mr Raffoul said most gender issues are actually due to the cultural class, as the population is dominated by Asian and Arab cultures where men are generally expected to work and earn whereas women are meant to start a family.
"For that reason, we see a different gender gap. There are less women in senior roles because women tend to focus less on this but that’s not due to any companies having a policy penalising women for any reasons – it’s a cultural thing," he said.
As a result, Mr Raffoul said many companies in the UAE are coming up with benefit package programmes to help working mothers and the career development of women in general.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
More on animal trafficking
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5