10th: With a low crime rate and high score for personal safety, Japan is one of the most liveable countries in the world. It pushed Switzerland and Canada outside of the top 10 this year. Hiro Komae / AP
10th: With a low crime rate and high score for personal safety, Japan is one of the most liveable countries in the world. It pushed Switzerland and Canada outside of the top 10 this year. Hiro Komae / AP
9th: A low crime rate and high ease-of-business environment gives Singapore a high score. It has attracted a large number of expats and businesspeople who have left Hong Kong as a result of repeated pandemic lockdowns. Roslan Rahman / AFP
9th: A low crime rate and high ease-of-business environment gives Singapore a high score. It has attracted a large number of expats and businesspeople who have left Hong Kong as a result of repeated pandemic lockdowns. Roslan Rahman / AFP
8th: At the heart of Europe, Czech Republic benefits from a strong economy, low crime rate and good transport ties. It ranks highly for its ecology and cleanliness, and its capital Prague attracted more than 2.4 million visitors in 2021. Milan Jaros / Bloomberg
8th: At the heart of Europe, Czech Republic benefits from a strong economy, low crime rate and good transport ties. It ranks highly for its ecology and cleanliness, and its capital Prague attracted more than 2.4 million visitors in 2021. Milan Jaros / Bloomberg
7th: One of Europe's greenest countries, Slovenia is regarded as one of the most liveable places on the list. Jure Makovec / AFP
7th: One of Europe's greenest countries, Slovenia is regarded as one of the most liveable places on the list. Jure Makovec / AFP
6th: Portugal has experienced a strong post-pandemic recovery and attracted high foreign investment, despite having one of the EU's heaviest debt burdens. Tourists have returned in their droves and an attractive long-term residency and citizenship scheme attracts many expats and foreign workers. AFP
6th: Portugal has experienced a strong post-pandemic recovery and attracted high foreign investment, despite having one of the EU's heaviest debt burdens. Tourists have returned in their droves and an attractive long-term residency and citizenship scheme attracts many expats and foreign workers. AFP
5th: One of the most environmentally conscious nations in the world, Austria scores high on the list for peace, low crime, and liveability. Vienna is home to major international organisations including a dozen United Nations agencies. AFP
5th: One of the most environmentally conscious nations in the world, Austria scores high on the list for peace, low crime, and liveability. Vienna is home to major international organisations including a dozen United Nations agencies. AFP
4th: Denmark scores highly for human rights, liveability and cleanliness. AFP
4th: Denmark scores highly for human rights, liveability and cleanliness. AFP
3rd: Dublin serves as the European headquarters of tech giants including Google and Facebook owner Meta. With heritage, history and a renowned sports culture, the Republic of Ireland sits close to the top of the chart. Reuters
3rd: Dublin serves as the European headquarters of tech giants including Google and Facebook owner Meta. With heritage, history and a renowned sports culture, the Republic of Ireland sits close to the top of the chart. Reuters
2nd: The skyline of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. The country ranks highly for peace, safety and happiness, despite high living costs. Its multicultural cities and welcoming people attract migrants from across the globe, and its handling of the pandemic was regarded as exemplary. Bloomberg
2nd: The skyline of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. The country ranks highly for peace, safety and happiness, despite high living costs. Its multicultural cities and welcoming people attract migrants from across the globe, and its handling of the pandemic was regarded as exemplary. Bloomberg
1st: Iceland tops the charts this year. Often ranked as among the happiest countries, its scores highly across every aspect of the peace index. Successful trials of a four-day working week in 2021 have been emulated around the world. AFP
1st: Iceland tops the charts this year. Often ranked as among the happiest countries, its scores highly across every aspect of the peace index. Successful trials of a four-day working week in 2021 have been emulated around the world. AFP

World

Global Peace Index 2022: the 10 safest and most dangerous countries in the world

Ukraine recorded the largest deterioration in the Global Peace Index while Iceland tops the charts

Kelly Clarke
Kelly Clarke

June 15, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Main story: Russia's war in Ukraine has 'turbocharged' decline in global peace

Afghanistan is the world's most dangerous country for the fifth consecutive year, but it is Ukraine which has recorded the largest deterioration in the Global Peace Index 2022.

Since Russian troops invaded the Eastern European country in February, it has fallen 17 places, to 153, in terms of its peacefulness.

Russia has also taken a hit, falling five places to 160 out of 163 countries. Both nations received a “very low” rating in the annual report.

Iceland was ranked number one, a position it has held since the inception of the index in 2008.

The five countries with the largest deteriorations were Ukraine, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Russia and Haiti, while the five countries that improved the most were Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and Algeria.

Europe is the most peaceful region in the world, where seven of the ten safest countries are located.

Eight countries that appeared among the highest rankings in last year’s report remained among the top 10 again this year.

Singapore and Japan, which were ranked ninth and 10th, respectively, climbed the rating list this year, pushing Switzerland and Canada outside of the top 10, into 11th and 12th place respectively.

Yemen remains the most dangerous country in the Mena region for a second year in a row, ranking one place behind Afghanistan. Syria kept its position as the third most dangerous country in the world.

Despite the overall deterioration of global peace relative to 2021, 90 countries recorded an improvement in peacefulness this year, while 71 recorded a deterioration.

Significant low scores in “political instability”, “political terror”, “neighbouring country relations” and “refugees and IDPs” (internally displaced people) occurred in 2022, with these indicators reaching their worst levels since the inception of the index in 2008.

Other indicators to deteriorate were "deaths from external conflict" and "intensity of internal conflicts".

On a more positive note, there were substantial improvements to the scores of a number of indicators, including "terrorism impact", "nuclear and heavy weapons", "military expenditure" and "perceptions of criminality".

Terrorism impact is now at its best level in six years, however, the world is now less peaceful than it was at the inception of the index in 2008. The average level of country peacefulness has deteriorated by 3.2 per cent.

Global Peace Index 2022: 10 most dangerous countries

1. Afghanistan has been named the least peaceful country in the Global Peace Index 2021 for the fourth consecutive year. AP
1. Afghanistan has been named the least peaceful country in the Global Peace Index 2021 for the fourth consecutive year. AP
2. Yemen is the least peaceful country in the Mena region, having recorded declines every year since 2008. EPA
2. Yemen is the least peaceful country in the Mena region, having recorded declines every year since 2008. EPA
3. Syria, where the political terrorism indicator has risen to its highest level since it began in 2008. AFP
3. Syria, where the political terrorism indicator has risen to its highest level since it began in 2008. AFP
4. Russia has dropped five places in the index, with the number of conflict deaths increasing owing to the war in Ukraine. AFP
4. Russia has dropped five places in the index, with the number of conflict deaths increasing owing to the war in Ukraine. AFP
5. South Sudan. Although levels of internal conflict remain high, the number of deaths improved by 15 per cent in 2022. AFP
5. South Sudan. Although levels of internal conflict remain high, the number of deaths improved by 15 per cent in 2022. AFP
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo had one of the lowest scores for safety and security. AFP
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo had one of the lowest scores for safety and security. AFP
7. Iraq was one of seven countries in which the number of deaths from external conflict has increased in seven countries. AP
7. Iraq was one of seven countries in which the number of deaths from external conflict has increased in seven countries. AP
8. Somalia, where the cost of violence was more than 30 per cent of its gross domestic product in 2021. AFP
8. Somalia, where the cost of violence was more than 30 per cent of its gross domestic product in 2021. AFP
9. Central African Republic, where more than 20 per cent of the population is displaced. AFP
9. Central African Republic, where more than 20 per cent of the population is displaced. AFP
10. Sudan is beset by deadly political unrest and hunger. AFP
10. Sudan is beset by deadly political unrest and hunger. AFP
BULKWHIZ PROFILE

Date started: February 2017

Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce 

Size: 50 employees

Funding: approximately $6m

Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait

Virtuzone GCC Sixes

Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City

Time Matches start at 9am

Groups

A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs

Whiile you're here
Polarised public

31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views

19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views

19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all

Source: YouGov

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ICC Awards for 2021

MEN

Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)

WOMEN

Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)

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Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

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Kareem Shaheen on Canada
SERIES INFO

Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
1st ODI, Wed Apr 10
2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
4th ODI, Sun Apr 16

UAE squad
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed

Zimbabwe squad
Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura

Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

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MATCH DETAILS

Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)

Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)

The Old Slave and the Mastiff

Patrick Chamoiseau

Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Updated: June 15, 2022, 9:08 AM
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