I write in reference to your heartrending editorial Refugee camps hold forgotten thousands (April 2): I hope global leaders like US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping read your editorial, which seems to have been written with the tears and blood of the refugees in Greece and not with normal ink.
How can we be so indifferent to the plight of Syrian refugees? How is this callousness any different to the blind eye which the world turned to the plight of the victims of the Nazis during the Second World War?
Leaders of various countries are elected by their voters to look after the interests of their people. So Mr Trump is right to focus on reserving local jobs for Americans and Mr Xi is justified in expanding the Chinese economy.
But how can all world leaders ignore the screams of innocent Syrian refugees who face starvation, disease, deprivation, molestation and even death?
There are some causes which trump trade, jobs or elections. The issue of how war-impacted refugees are treated by the world is a humanitarian one and the United Nations should take charge.
If the UN does not act immediately on this issue, the very purpose for its creation and the basis of its existence will be undermined.
Syrian refugees cannot just be left to die in this day and age. This is a serious blot on the entire human race, which history will not forget or condone.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Unemployment has beleaguered India for too long
I refer to the article India's jobs crisis: 25 million applicants for 90,000 vacancies (April 2): Samanth Subramanian's elaborate explanation of the current crisis of unemployment in India was meaningful and thought-provoking. Unemployment has plagued India for too long, no matter who was, or is, in power. Despite the fact that the current Narendra Modi-led government has created numerous policies to boost jobs growth, the number of unemployed continues to increase. Among the causes for this sad reality is the migration from rural to urban India. Another factor that defies all the strategising by governments is the growth of population. The crisis of unemployment will be mitigated somewhat if the government can figure out a way to slow down population growth.
K Ragavan, Bangalore
Book yourself on a Saudi road trip when tourist visas are introduced
I refer to your article Saudi Arabia says tourist visa rules 'complete' (April 1). At the moment, you don't have to wait if you have family to visit there and if you are feeling adventurous, you can drive all the way from the UAE to Jordan.
Mohammed Nawas, Abu Dhabi
Bahrainis deserve their bounty of black gold
In reference to your article Bahrain makes biggest oil discovery since 1932 (April 1), this is fantastic. The Bahrainis deserve such good news.
Angelika Lancsak, London
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Oscars in the UAE
The 90th Academy Awards will be aired in the UAE from 3.30am on Monday, March 5 on OSN, with the ceremony starting at 5am
What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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
