US President Donald Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas. Reuters
US President Donald Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas. Reuters

Handshakes and smiles will not bring peace to the Koreas



I write to you in reference to Robert Kelly's article After the smiles and handshakes, what hope is there for peace on the Korean peninsula? (July 4).

Will this diplomatic masquerade will go on indefinitely? Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un are not seriously interested in solving the problem and reuniting the Koreas.

Peace is but a dream in the Korean peninsula. I wish leaders would put their sincere efforts into these talks instead of seeing them as photo opportunities.

Nazim Hasan Khan, India

Handshakes and smiles will not bring peace to the Koreas

I write to you in reference to Robert Kelly’s article After the smiles and handshakes, what hope is there for peace on the Korean peninsula? (July 4): will this diplomatic masquerade will go on indefinitely? Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un are not seriously interested in solving the problem and reuniting the Koreas. Peace is but a dream in the Korean peninsula. I wish leaders would put their sincere efforts into these talks instead of seeing them as photo opportunities.

Nazim Hasan Khan, India

Shopping sprees clutter our houses and our minds

I write to you in reference to your article More than 30 million holiday toys are neglected by March, survey says (March 23, 2019). Festivities have become excuses for us to go on needless shopping sprees. Omnipresent advertisements and massive discounts push us to shop excessively when we could be spending our hard-earned money more wisely.

However, most people are not addicted to shopping per se and resort to compulsive buying as a means to relieve stress.

Online boutiques and shopping platforms are also to blame. These websites push people to buy compulsively at any time of the day and from the comfort of their own home. But what is the use of buying more items of clothing or beauty products if they are just filling one’s closets with things that will never be used?

Excessive shopping can only clutter one’s mind and one’s house. It would be much better to donate these items to charity or use the money to buy food for those in need.

Lamiya Siraj, Abu Dhabi

Iraq is the cradle of civilisation. We must protect its heritage

I write to you in reference to your editorial Unesco has given fragile Iraq a new lease of life (July 7): this article was a fascinating read as it gave me a glimpse into Iraq's rich past and the mystical Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Arab nation is the cradle of civilisation and its heritage must be cherished and embraced.

I am very relieved to read that Unesco is helping the Iraqi government take good care of its heritage sites.

Opening up these sites to the public could also attract tourists from around the world once the security situation improves.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

SPECS
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
Results

1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000

2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000

3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000

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Sustainable Development Goals

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

10. Reduce inequality  within and among countries

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Nightmare Alley'

Director:Guillermo del Toro

Stars:Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara

Rating: 3/5

The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

On sale: Now

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

Company%20profile
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Oppenheimer
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