tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28436341790928734312024-03-06T00:11:34.382+04:00Global MadrasiLove all, hate noneR. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.comBlogger766125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-69434631210732423662024-01-10T11:29:00.003+04:002024-01-10T11:55:13.003+04:00Global Madrasi Back in Action<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hi guys,</span></p><p><span style="color: var(--tw-prose-body); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 1rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Missed you all—really! After two decades in Splendid Sharjah, it’s time to unravel Chennai and beyond. Prepare for a deep dive into the city's soul, unearthing human-interest tales, bustling business events, delightful encounters with fascinating personalities, and uncovering hidden gems you never knew existed. Fasten your seatbelts, we're about to embark on an unprecedented journey! </span><span style="color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Be it Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, or any enchanting city, let's unravel their essence and delve into the heartbeat of these vibrant locales.</span></p>R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-10047668783054231312019-09-22T22:26:00.001+04:002019-09-22T22:26:53.522+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some recent
Editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Protect planet or be ready
to pay the price</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Hundreds of thousands of young people taking to the streets across the
globe sends a loud and clear message that decision-makers do not anymore have
the luxury of </span>dilly-dallying
when it comes to taking effective measures against global warming.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The planet has been facing the heat, there is no planet B and the time
is running out. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Global leaders gathering for a UN climate summit next week should take
a serious note of the worldwide rallies and initiate measures to avert an
environmental catastrophe.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The global climate strike on Friday kicked off in the Pacific islands
— some of the nations most threatened by rising sea levels — and followed the
rising sun through Australia, Japan, Southeast Asia and into Europe, Africa,
Middle East and the Americas.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish activist who has inspired the
movement, noted in a tweet the "huge crowd" in Sydney, which she said
would set the standard for strikes and protests planned in about 150 countries.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The climate challenge
comes on multiple fronts. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Ocean heat hit a
record high in 2018 raising concerns about the threat global warming poses to
marine life. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The world has already witnessed temperature records smashed from
Europe to the Arctic Circle. </span>The
last four years had been the hottest on record. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The first half of 2019 saw intense heat waves in Australia, India,
Pakistan and parts of the Middle East, according to the World Meterological
Organisation (WMO).</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Soaring temperatures broke records in Germany, France, Britain and the
Netherlands.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change report spells out that by the end of the 21st century
temperatures must not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius. Not enough is being done to
achieve that. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Besides the heat waves in
Europe, drought and storms in Africa, melting glaciers, bleaching corals, the
Arctic ice melting are all indications of the danger lurking on the climate
front. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Fortunately, there are also some positive signals. Some countries and
leaders are showing willingness to address the issue. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The German government, for example, has presented a far-reaching 50
billion euro package of measures to curb carbon emissions, including a new
carbon dioxide (CO2) pricing system and a higher air traffic tax.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stated that the deal agreed by the
country's governing parties after all-night talks represented a major boost for
Germany's efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Europe's biggest economy aims to cut its emissions by 55% by 2030
compared with 1990 levels.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Separately, growth in the renewable electricity generation sector has
returned to a double-digit pace thanks to a surge in the installation of solar
photovoltaic (PV) panels, as per the International Energy Agency.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The IEA expects renewable capacity additions to grow by almost 12 per
cent this year, the fastest pace since 2015, to reach almost 200 gigawatts
(GW), mostly thanks to solar PV and wind power. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Poland's President Andrzej Duda and first lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda joined
school students in Poland's Puszcza Biala forest to pick up trash, saying the
forest cleanup was a way to care for the environment.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Africa is the most vulnerable continent to climate change and the
least equipped to deal with it. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The harmful effects of manmade climate change need to be tackled. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Climate action concerns
each and every individual on the planet. It will be irresponsible on the part
of the present generation to leave a much more inhospitable planet for the
future generations to inherit. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Resurgence of measles a
cause for concern</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The World Health
Organization (WHO) has stated that measles cases are skyrocketing in Europe and
the disease is surging in four countries previously considered to have
eliminated it, including the UK, and this is a matter of huge concern. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laxity cannot be an option
and countries across the world need to step up vaccination efforts.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If high immunisation
coverage is not achieved and sustained in every community, both children and
adults will suffer unnecessarily and some will tragically die, as Günter Pfaff,
Chair of the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella
Elimination (RVC) has cautioned.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">WHO, there were 89,994 cases of measles in 48
European countries in the first six months of 2019, more than double the number
in the same period in 2018 when there were 44,175 cases, and already more than
the 84,462 cases reported for all of 2018.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Based on 2018 data, the disease is no longer considered eliminated in
the UK, Greece, the Czech Republic and Albania.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Measles is considered eliminated when there is no endemic disease
transmission for 12 months or more in a specific geographic area.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It should not be forgotten
that measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It remains an important
cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a
safe and effective vaccine.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Measles is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of
infected persons. Initial symptoms, which usually appear 10–12 days after
infection, include high fever, a runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and tiny white
spots on the inside of the mouth. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper
neck and gradually spreading downwards.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Adding to the anxiety is the fact that measles is currently spreading
in outbreaks in many parts of the world, including in the United States, the
Philippines, Tunisia and Thailand. Tens of thousands of cases have been
reported in Africa. Ukraine alone has had more than 30,000 cases.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The UK reported 953 cases in 2018 and 489 for the first six months of
2019. In the same periods Greece reported 2,193 and 28 cases, Albania 1,466 and
475, and the Czech Republic 217 and 569.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Some 60 per cent of patients in Europe in the first half of 2019 were
under the age of 19.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Between 2010 and 2017, an
average of 21.1 million children missed their first dose of the measles vaccine,
the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) had indicated earlier. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Widening pockets of
unvaccinated children have created a pathway to the measles outbreaks currently
spreading around the world.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The growing so-called
anti-vax movement in richer nations is also being cited as a major reason for
the resurgence of the once-eradicated disease. This needs to be effectively
countered. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The movement — driven by fraudulent claims linking the MMR vaccine
against measles, mumps and rubella, to a risk of autism in children — has
increasingly gained traction.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Social media has
compounded the problems in this case. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The
anti-vax phenomenon has adherents across Western countries but is said to be
particularly high profile in the US.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prevention is any time
better than cure. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As well stated earlier by
Henrietta Fore, Unicef Executive Director, the measles virus will always find
unvaccinated children. If we are serious about averting the spread of this
dangerous but preventable disease, we need to vaccinate every child, in rich
and poor countries alike.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Better strategy needed to
curb suicides</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nearly 800,000 people
commit suicide each year — more than those killed by war and homicide or breast
cancer — according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and it is a clear
indication that a concerted, swift global action is essential to avert the
avoidable tragedies.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The UN health agency’s assertion that the global suicide rate had
fallen somewhat between 2010 and 2016 offers little consolation, as the number
of deaths has remained stable because of a growing global population.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It is tragic that despite progress, one person still dies every 40
seconds from suicide. As WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus points
out, every death is a tragedy for family, friends and colleagues.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The global suicide rate in 2016 -- the last year for which data was
available — stood at 10.5 per 100,000 people.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since WHO’s first report
on the issue was filed in 2014, the number of countries with national suicide
prevention strategies has increased, and now stands at 38. However, this
participation is still far too few and governments need to commit to
establishing them.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Distressingly, for every
suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide every year. A prior
suicide attempt is said to be the single most important risk factor for suicide
in the general population. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stigma, particularly
surrounding mental disorders and suicide, means many people thinking of taking
their own life or who have attempted suicide are not seeking help and are
therefore not getting the help they need. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The prevention of suicide
has not been adequately addressed due to a lack of awareness of suicide as a
major public health problem and the taboo in many societies to openly discuss
it.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Early identification and
management of mental and substance use disorders in communities and by health
workers in particular will go a long way in tackling the serious problem.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Available data reflects
the global trend. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The most common methods of
suicide are hanging, gunshots and — especially in rural areas — the ingestion
of poisonous pesticides.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Most suicides happen in low- and middle-income countries, where most
of the global population lives, but rates are higher in wealthier countries.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">After Guyana, Russia registered the world's second-highest rate, with
26.5 suicides per 100,000 people.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Also figuring high on the list were Lithuania, Lesotho, Uganda, Sri
Lanka, South Korea, India and Japan, as well as the United States, which
registered 13.7 suicides per 100,000 people.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It is also sad to note that young people are especially vulnerable:
More than half of all those who commit suicide are under the age of 45.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Limiting access to pesticides can be hugely helpful. As per the WHO
report, in Sri Lanka, regulations and bans on pesticides led to a 70 per cent
fall in suicides between 1995 and 2015, resulting in 93,000 lives saved.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WHO rightly recognises
suicide as a public health priority. As experts emphasise, though suicide is a
serious public health problem, they are preventable with timely, evidence-based
and often low-cost interventions. For national responses to be effective, a
comprehensive multi-sectoral suicide prevention strategy is needed.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to limiting
access to means of suicide, experts suggest that other effective measures to
reduce deaths include responsible reporting of suicide in the media, such as
avoiding language that sensationalises suicide and avoiding explicit
description of methods used.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Raising community
awareness and breaking down the taboo is important for countries to make
progress in preventing suicide.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Political solution best
option for Syria</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The long-sought agreement
reached by the United Nations on the composition of a committee to draft a new
constitution for Syria is a positive development. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Syrian people have
suffered for too long. Since the conflict erupted in 2011, more than 400,000
people have been killed and over 11 million forced to flee their homes. The
country has witnessed unprecedented devastation and displacement.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The worst affected have
been children. In 2018 alone, 1,106 children were said to have been killed in
fighting in the country – the highest ever number of children killed in a
single year since the start of the war.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">This important step on the constitution panel can help the country
leave the conflict behind and look forward to a new path of peace and progress.
</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Billions of dollars in US and European reconstruction aid are
conditioned on the government taking concrete steps towards a political
settlement.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">When at </span>a
Russian-hosted Syrian peace conference in January 2018 an agreement was reached
to form a 150-member committee to draft a new constitution, it was looked at as
a key step towards elections and a political settlement to the Syrian conflict.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The task has not been
easy. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">There was an early agreement on 50-member lists from the Syrian
government and the opposition. But it has taken nearly 20 months to agree on
the list the United Nations was authorised to put together representing
experts, independents, tribal leaders and women.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is a moral obligation
for the international community to support Syrians to unite around a vision
that addresses the root causes of the conflict and forges a negotiated
political solution.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In July, Senior
Humanitarian Adviser to the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi, revealed
that an estimated 11.7 million people across Syria needed humanitarian
assistance, five million of which were in acute need.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UAE, on its part, has
spared no efforts to contribute to international endeavours aimed at
alleviating the suffering of the people of Syria.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delivering the UAE's
statement before the UNHRC as part of the interactive dialogue held by the
Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, Jamal Azzam, of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, clearly expressed
the UAE's appreciation of the efforts played by the Commission to brief the
members on the latest developments in the war-ravaged country in line with
UNHRC Resolution 40/17.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Azzam underlined the UAE's
appreciation of the efforts made by Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy of UN
Secretary-General for Syria, and his efforts to effect a comprehensive truce in
accordance with UNSC Resolution No. 2254 and to revive political efforts,
including the formation of a constitutional committee.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He rightly called on the
international community to continue efforts in support of the brotherly people
of Syria to ensure affected populations' access to assistance and services.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since 2012, the UAE has
spent as much as $1.01 billion in humanitarian and developmental aid for Syrian
refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Greece as well as on the internally
displaced people. Part of the aid has been allocated to financing projects in
areas of public health, development and drinking water.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Azzam pointed out, the
re-opening the UAE embassy in Damascus goes in line with the Emirati call for
activating the Arab role in the current developments in Syria. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The move also fits within
the UAE's keenness to invigorate the joint Arab action in a way that supports
pan-Arab interest.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-77264269559771894312019-08-20T21:37:00.000+04:002019-08-20T21:37:09.103+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some recent
Editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">World should not ignore recession signals</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">A German GDP contraction, weak Chinese industrial output and an
inversion of the US yield curve all seem to strengthen fears of a global
slowdown and the world community needs to take a serious note of it. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Also highlighting the seriousness of the issue is the fact that stock
markets on both sides of the Atlantic witnessed hefty losses on Wednesday.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The US Treasury yield curve inverted for the first time since 2007. A
curve inversion, when short-dated bond yields are higher more than their
longer-dated counterparts, is seen as a reliable warning for an impending
recession.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The US curve has inverted before each recession in the past 50 years.
It offered a false signal just once in that time.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The glaring signal of impending trouble has come from Germany where
the economy shrank by 0.1 per cent in the second quarter as troubles in the
auto industry held back the largest member of the 19-country Euro currency
union.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The weak performance has darkened prospects for the entire Euro zone,
where the European Central Bank is poised to add more monetary stimulus at its
next meeting.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It has also raised the possibility that Germany could enter a
technical recession by posting another consecutive quarter of falling output.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Germany's economy is facing headwinds as its auto industry, a key
employer and pillar of growth, faces challenges adjusting to tougher emissions
standards in Europe and China and to technological change. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Uncertainty over the terms of Britain's planned exit from the European
Union has also weighed on confidence more generally. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has declared that his country
will leave the EU on Oct. 31, with or without a divorce deal.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The euro zone's GDP barely grew in the second quarter of 2019 as
economies across the bloc lost steam.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">On Tuesday, the dollar gained dramatically against the yen after US
President Donald Trump backed off his Sept.1 deadline for imposing 10% tariffs
on remaining Chinese imports, delaying duties on cellphones, laptops and other
consumer goods. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Those gains were reversed overnight, however, as scepticism about the
progress began to weigh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Singapore has already
slashed its full-year economic growth forecast. The government cut its forecast
range for gross domestic product (GDP) in Singapore — often seen as a
bellwether for global growth because international trade dwarfs its domestic
economy - to zero to 1% from its previous 1.5%-2.5% projection.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Just recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had indicated that
global trade expanded by merely 0.5% in the first quarter of 2019, marking the
slowest year-on-year pace of growth since 2012. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It had also signaled that a more significant slowdown is possible.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath stated that she saw significant
downside risks for global growth going forward, including escalating trade
wars.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">With the IMF lowering its forecast for global growth this year and the
next, the world community should address more seriously prevailing concerns
caused by factors such as additional US-China tariffs, technology tensions and
a disorderly Brexit. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More and more businesses
are worried globally about the effect of increasing protectionism on exports
and production. The deterioration in the global outlook has pushed central
banks to cut interest rates and consider unconventional stimulus to shield
their economies.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">In a hugely knitted world, coordinated actions suit best. Economic
uncertainty can add to social unrest and hence the world community needs to
wake up and act, before it is too late. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Kabul wedding attack a
monstrous act</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The terrorist attack that
targeted a wedding in the Afghan capital, Kabul, is a cowardly, monstrous act
that turned a scene of joy <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">and celebration
into horror and carnage.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The perpetrators of the crime against humanity should be swiftly
brought to justice. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Imagine the plight of a groom who greets smiling guests in the
afternoon, before seeing their bodies being carried out just a few hours later.
Targeting helpless civilians, including the elderly, women and children,
reveals the depraved mindset of the killers. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The massive blast, which claimed several innocent lives, underscores
both the inadequacy of Afghanistan's security forces and the scale of the
problem they face as Washington and the Taliban finalise a deal to reduce the
US military presence in Afghanistan.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The conflict in
Afghanistan continues to be devastating for civilians.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has in its latest
report stated that more civilians were killed by Afghan and international
coalition forces in the first half of this year than by the Taliban and other
militants, which they should take a serious note of.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">At least 3,812 Afghan civilians were killed or wounded in the first
half of 2019 in the war against militant groups, including a big increase in
the number of casualties caused by government and foreign forces.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The fighting has been forcing civilians to live under the constant
threat of being targeted by militants or being caught up in ground fighting, or
becoming inadvertent victims of air strikes by Afghan government and foreign
forces.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">More than 32,000 civilians in Afghanistan have been killed in the past
decade, as per UN figures. More children were killed last year — 927 — than in
any other over the past decade by all actors.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meaningless violence has
become a norm in the country and the situation cannot be allowed to continue.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">On Monday, scores of people including children were wounded after a
series of explosions shook the eastern city of Jalalabad, as the country's
independence day was marred by bloodshed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">As many as 10 blasts were reported in and around the city in Nangarhar
province and the casualty numbers rose as the day wore on.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Mayhem from Afghanistan's war continues to wreak havoc on Afghans
every day.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">An attack deliberately targeting civilians is an outrage, and deeply
troubling, as it can only be described as a cowardly act of terror, as stated
by Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for
Afghanistan. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">Such deliberate attacks on civilians signal a deliberate intent to
spread fear among the population, which has already suffered too much.</span><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">The pace of such atrocious attacks indicates that current measures in
place to protect must be strengthened and those who organised such attacks must
be brought to justice and held to account.</span><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UAE Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MoFAIC, has condemned in the
strongest terms the terrorist attack and reaffirmed its support to the Afghan
government as it confronts the menace of terrorism.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As the ministry correctly
pointed out, this cowardly attack claimed by Daesh on a civilian gathering is a
solemn reminder of the complex challenges faced by the Afghan government as it
works to enter a new phase of stability and security.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This unacceptable loss of
life definitely underlines the importance of multilateral efforts to promote a
comprehensive peace agreement that will degrade the ability of transnational
terror groups to operate in Afghanistan, as the UAE foreign ministry pointed
out.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>UAE remains a beacon of
hope for youth</b> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The youth are the
cornerstone of any development plan and their active contribution is not only
necessary but also integral to the development process. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As countries across the
globe marked the International Youth Day on Tuesday, the UAE stood out as a
model nation because it has always made youth the focus of its attention in
almost every aspect of its policy for the future.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since the establishment of
the UAE in 1971, the country has adopted clear national policy and strategic
plans to empower the youth and develop their capabilities.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Cabinet formed in
February 2016 was called "Cabinet of Future" for including eight
young new ministers, whose average age was 38, including Shamma Bint Suhail
Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, who assumed the post at
the age of 22 to be the youngest minister in the world.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saeed Saleh Al Rumaithi
became a member of the Federal National Council, FNC, at the age of 31 to be
the youngest member in the FNC's history.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2016, the Cabinet
adopted the establishment of the Emirates Youth Council, under the leadership
of Shamma Bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The council undertakes
various important tasks, including developing a youth work system in the UAE,
setting and mapping out strategies and policies for young people in line with
the UAE’s future approaches. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It also identifies
challenges faced by the youth in various sectors and proposes solutions to
overcome them. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The council’s tasks also
include proposing necessary solutions to ensure the positive participation of
young people in society across various sectors.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Besides, the UAE Cabinet
has approved the formation of the Federal Youth Authority to encourage young
people to get involved in key sectors of the economy.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is responsible for
coordinating with local youth councils with the aim of setting an annual agenda
for youth activities in the country and ensuring that the objectives, plans,
strategies and activities of these councils are in line with the general plans
of the country in this regard.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For several years
consistently, most Arab youth from the region have named the UAE as the country
in which they would like to live and work.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the international
level, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has rightly stated that schools
are “not equipping young people with the skills they need to navigate the
technological revolution.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Transforming Education is
the theme for this year, which comes at a time when the world is facing a “learning
crisis,” as per Guterres, and students need not only to learn, “but to learn
how to learn”.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UN statistics reveals that
significant transformations are still required to make education systems more
inclusive and accessible: only 10% of people have completed upper secondary
education in low income countries; 40 % of the global population is not taught
in a language they speak or fully understand; and over 75 % of secondary school
age refugees are out of school.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Education today should
combine knowledge, life skills and critical thinking, as Guterres points out.
It should include information on sustainability and climate change. And it
should advance gender equality, human rights and a culture of peace.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The future-focused vision
of the UAE leadership has been paying rich dividends. The UAE is indeed a
beacon of hope and a model nation for young people, and for all the right
reasons.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>N-treaty collapse makes
world less safer</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The collapse of the
landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between the United
States and Russia has fuelled fears of a new arms race and made the world a
more dangerous place to live in. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is hugely disappointing
that the two major powers, instead of resolving their differences through
sincere dialogue, chose a path that puts the entire world at risk. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Intermediate-Range
nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), negotiated by then US President Ronald Reagan and
Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, had a noble goal of eliminating
land-based short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles
by both countries.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Under the deal, missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers were
eliminated. That paved the way for the mothballing of Russian SS-20 missiles
and American Pershing missiles deployed in Europe.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">For years, Washington has accused Russia of developing a new type of
missile, the 9M729, which it says violates the treaty — claims that NATO has
backed up.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The missile has a range of about 1,500 kilometres, according to NATO,
though Moscow says it can only travel 480 kilometres.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nuclear weapons are the
most dangerous enemies of humanity. Nuke weapons have the potential to destroy
an entire city killing millions, cause inconceivable damage to environment and
ruin the lives of future generations with long-term catastrophic effects.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The blame game has begun
too.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Washington has placed the
responsibility firmly on Moscow over the demise of the treaty with<span> </span>President Donald Trump insisting any
new disarmament pact would now also need China to come on board.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Russia, on its part, has accused the US of making a "serious
mistake" in turning its back on the INF, which the United Nations said had
played a pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability for more than three
decades.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">"Russia is solely responsible for the treaty's demise," US
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement confirming Washington's
formal withdrawal, minutes after Russia also pronounced the agreement void.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Russia's suggestion of a moratorium was also swiftly rebuffed by NATO
chief Jens Stoltenberg as not credible while saying the 29-country
transatlantic alliance did not want to see a renewed battle for military supremacy.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">In another worrisome development, Trump's new defence secretary Mark
Esper has declared that the US has already begun work to develop mobile,
conventional, ground-launched cruise and ballistic missile systems.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The INF pact had been widely proclaimed as a beacon of hope.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">As UN </span>Secretary-General
António Guterres points out, in the current deteriorating international
security environment, previously-agreed arms control and disarmament agreements
are increasingly under threat.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since its entry-into-force
on June 1, 1988, the Cold War-era arms control contributed tangibly to the
maintenance of peace and stability internationally and especially in Europe,
playing an important role in reducing risk, building confidence and helping to
bring the Cold War to an end.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is no alternative to
dialogue on nuclear arms control. Risk-reduction measures, including
transparency in nuclear-weapon programmes and further cut in all types of
nuclear weapons is the best way forward. For that, leaders need to keep the
dialogue process alive. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Guterres is correct in
insisting on the need to avoid destabilising developments and to urgently seek
agreement on a new common path for international arms control.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Russia and the US should
extend New START and undertake negotiations on further arms control measures.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That’s the best option and
any other path could prove disastrous. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A world free of nuclear
weapons should be the common goal. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-65672708193976764752019-07-29T20:23:00.000+04:002019-07-29T20:23:50.873+04:00Recent Editorials <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Here are
some recent Editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>Climate
change naysayers better wake up</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Merely halfway through 2019, the world has already
witnessed temperature records smashed from Europe to the Arctic Circle and the
year could prove to be one of the hottest ever recorded.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>This June was the hottest on record, beating out
June 2016 — so far the hottest year ever.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The first half of 2019 also saw intense heat waves
in Australia, India, Pakistan and parts of the Middle East, according to the
World Meterological Organisation (WMO).</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Soaring temperatures broke records in Germany,
France, Britain and the Netherlands last week as a heat wave gripped Europe for
the second time in a month and this should definitely be seen as a wake-up for
action against climate change. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>As a cauldron of hot air from the Sahara desert
moved across the continent, drawn northwards by high pressure, Paris saw its
highest temperature since records began and Britain reported its hottest
weather for the month of July.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>An all-time high was measured in Germany for a
second day running, at 41.5 degrees Celsius in the northwestern town of Lingen
on Thursday.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The impact was harsh and residents were forced to
face the brutal impact of the heat wave. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The abnormal conditions even brought a reduction in
French and German nuclear power output, disrupted rail travel in parts of
Britain and sent some Europeans, not habitual users of air conditioning in
their homes, out to the shops in search of fans.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Health authorities were forced to issue warnings to
the elderly, especially vulnerable to spikes in temperature. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The seriousness of the situation could also be
gauged by the warning issued by the United Nations that the hot air which
smashed European weather records this week looks set to move towards Greenland
and could cause record melting of the world's second largest ice sheet.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>As per Clare Nullis, spokeswoman for the UN WMO,
the hot air moving up from North Africa had not merely broken European
temperature records but surpassed them by 2, 3 or 4 degrees Celsius, which she
has described as "absolutely incredible."</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Three papers released this week showed that Earth's
temperature was currently warming at a rate and uniformity unparallelled in the
past 2,000 years.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>There are
enough alarm bells ringing over climate change. The heat waves in Europe,
drought and storms in Africa, melting glaciers, bleaching corals, the Arctic
ice melting — do we need to add more?</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report spells out that by the end of
the 21st century temperatures must not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Unfortunately, not enough is being done to achieve that. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
challenge comes on multiple fronts. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Ocean
heat also hit a record high in 2018 raising urgent new concerns about the
threat global warming is posing to marine life.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Scientists have repeatedly linked intense heat
waves to manmade climate change and indications on the ground are
substantiating their arguments.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The sequence is alarming. The last four years are
the hottest on record. Last year was fourth on the list, with an average
surface temperature of 1°C above pre-industrial levels. The year 2016 still
holds the crown as the hottest year in human history — 1.2C above average.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>There is
a need for everyone to unite, connect to nature and stand together for the
planet. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The planet is heating up fast, and if the
counter-measures are not equally swift, the repercussions could be
unimaginable.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span></span></span><b><span>Slow
global growth calls for fast remedy</span></b><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has indicated
that global trade expanded by merely 0.5% in the first quarter of 2019, marking
the slowest year-on-year pace of growth since 2012. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>This certainly comes as disturbing news as there
are also signals that a more significant slowdown is possible.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>With the
IMF lowering its forecast for global growth this year and the next, the world
community should take a more serious note of the issue and address prevailing
concerns caused by factors such as additional US-China tariffs, technology
tensions and a disorderly Brexit. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>These
could compound problems by further slowing growth, weakening investment and
disrupting supply chains.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>IMF Chief
Economist Gita Gopinath has indicated that she does not see signs of a
recession, but does see significant downside risks for global growth going
forward, including escalating trade wars.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
negative consequences of policy uncertainty are visible in the diverging trends
between the manufacturing and services sector, and the significant weakness in
global trade.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Manufacturing
purchasing manager indices continue to decline alongside worsening business
sentiment as businesses hold off on investment in the face of high uncertainty.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Euro zone business growth was weaker than expected
in July, hampered by a deepening contraction in manufacturing. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>A recession in Germany's manufacturing sector
worsened in July while French business growth also slowed unexpectedly in the
month.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Amid the
worrisome trend, the positive development is that the <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">US and Chinese negotiators are expected to restart
trade negotiations in Shanghai on July 30, aimed at improving the trade
relationship between the world's two largest economies,</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and US Trade
Representative Robert Lighthizer will lead the American team, while Chinese
Vice Premier Liu He will lead negotiations for China, as per a White House
statement.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The discussions are likely to cover a range of
issues, including intellectual property, forced technology transfer, non-tariff
barriers, agriculture, services, the trade deficit, and enforcement.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Protectionist
and unilateral approaches on trade are not the best way forward and only tend
to fuel fear among investors.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In a
highly connected world, moving further away from an open, fair and rules-based
trade system cannot be termed sensible.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Economic
issues can have a direct impact on lives of people across the globe and could
even lead to social and health problems in the form of joblessness and
depression. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>It is
hence necessary that the international community take remedial measures swiftly
before things get out of hand.<span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
global economy clearly remains at a delicate juncture and it would be pertinent
to adopt policies to support growth, as suggested by IMF officials. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Monetary
policy should remain accommodative especially where inflation is softening
below target. But it needs to be accompanied by sound trade policies that would
lift the outlook and reduce downside risks. With persistently low interest
rates, macroprudential tools should be deployed to ensure that financial risks
do not build up.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Fiscal
policy should balance growth, equity, and sustainability concerns, including
protecting society’s most vulnerable. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The need
for greater global cooperation is urgent. In addition to resolving trade and
technology tensions, countries should work together to address issues such as
climate change, international taxation, corruption, cybersecurity and the
challenges of emerging digital payment technologies.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Primarily,
tariffs should not be used to target bilateral trade balances or as a
general-purpose tool to tackle international disagreements. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Instead,
the rules-based multilateral trading system should be strengthened to encompass
areas such as digital services, subsidies and technology transfer.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>India’s
moon mission a victory for science</span></b><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>As India’s rocket soared on a historic attempt to
put a landing craft on the surface of the moon, so did the joy of millions of
Indians across the globe. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The thrill of the take-off drowned the dejection of
the halting of the initial launch of Chandrayaan-2 (Moon Chariot 2) a week
earlier. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>This is India’s most ambitious mission yet in an
effort to establish itself as a low-cost space power and become only the 4th
nation to soft-land on the moon, thereby joining an elite space force. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The new mission comes almost 11 years after the
launch of India's first lunar mission — Chandrayaan-1 — which orbited the moon
and searched for water.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>China, Russia and the United States are the only
other nations to have sent missions to the moon.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>If
successful, $146-million mission will allow Indian scientists to carry out
studies regarding the presence of water at the moon's south pole, unexplored by
any other nation before.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Incidentally,
<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">the United States — which is marking the
50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong becoming the first human on the moon — spent
the equivalent of more than $100 billion on its Apollo missions.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Nonetheless,
the <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Chandrayaan-2 </span>task has just begun
and the path to success is laden with huge challenges. A total number of 38
soft landing attempts have been made so far. The success rate is 52 per cent.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>It may be
recalled that earlier this year, Israel's first moon mission crash-landed while
attempting to touch down.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>"Today
is a historic day for space, science and tech in India," Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K. Sivan stated as he hailed the efforts
made to fix a fuel leak that forced the earlier launch to be postponed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>But Sivan
has also made it clear that <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">the mission's
next stage would be critical to its success, with scientists set to conduct
some 15 crucial manoeuvres of Chandrayaan-2 over the next month-and-a-half to
position it around the moon.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>In his own words: "After that, D-day will come
— and that day we are going to experience 15 minutes of terror to ensure that
the landing is safe." </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The 2.4-tonne orbiter is expected to circle the
moon for about a year, taking images of the surface, looking for signs of
water, and studying the atmosphere.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>ISRO scientists will remotely control the rover
named Pragyaan — "wisdom" in Sanskrit — as it carries out
experiments. It will work for one lunar day, the equivalent of 14 Earth days,
studying rocks and soil on the moon's surface.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The country’s space ambitions have been soaring.
India's 2019/20 budget for space research stood at Rs124.7 billion ($1.81
billion), rising by some 75% since 2014.</span></span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>In March this year, India shot down one of its own
satellites to demonstrate its anti-satellite weapon capabilities.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>India also put a satellite into orbit around Mars
in the nation's first interplanetary mission in 2013 and 2014. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>India has also announced plans for a manned space
mission with a targeted flight in December 2021, besides proposing missions to
study Venus and the sun.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Besides,
India puts into orbit foreign satellites for a fee using its PSLV rocket.
Revenue for launching satellites depends on the weight of the satellite —
higher the weight, higher the revenue.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Any development in science and technology will at
the end of the day benefit entire humanity. India does deserve a pat for the
tireless efforts to fulfill its space ambitions. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>Continuing
turmoil taking toll on HK</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Hong Kong
has for long been seen as one of the safest cities in the world, but its recent
troubles in the form of protests<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"> </span>show
no sign of abating and that’s a huge cause for worry. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
demonstrators are seeking direct elections for the semi-autonomous Chinese
territory's leader, the resignation of the current leader and an investigation
into police use of force to quell earlier protests. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>An
unrelenting administration has refused to heed such calls and the situation
only seems to be worsening with each passing week. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Semi-autonomous
Hong Kong has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history after
millions of demonstrators took to the streets and sporadic violent
confrontations erupted between police and pockets of hardcore protesters.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The demonstrations over the last few weeks were
triggered by a controversial bill which would have allowed extraditions to
mainland China, but have evolved into a call for wider democratic reforms and a
halt to sliding freedoms.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The unprecedented protests with huge turnouts, as
well as frequent clashes and the sacking of parliament, have had little luck
persuading Beijing or Hong Kong's leaders.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>City leader Carrie Lam has also shown no sign of
backing down beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Her administration has faced down weeks of public
anger and she has made few public appearances beyond visiting injured officers
and holding a handful of press conferences.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
disappearance into mainland custody of dissident booksellers, the
disqualification of prominent politicians, the de facto expulsion of a foreign
journalist and the jailing of democracy protest leaders are among several
issues that have sparked anxiety.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
deteriorating situation could be gauged by the fact that p<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">olice fired tear gas at protesters for the second
night in a row on Sunday.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Chaotic scenes filled several blocks in the western
part of Hong Kong on Sunday night as police pushed protesters away from the
Chinese government's liaison office and a police station. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
situation reached such a stage where the p<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">olice
appealed to people to stay indoors with their windows shut as officers use tear
gas to try to drive protesters from the streets.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Hong Kong
returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems"
formula that guarantees its people freedoms for 50 years that are not enjoyed
in mainland China, including the liberty to protest and an independent
judiciary.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Beijing
vehemently denies interfering in Hong Kong affairs, but many residents worry
about what they see as an erosion of freedoms and a relentless march towards
mainland control.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Last Sunday, protesters took police by surprise
with a swoop on the Liaison Office, scrawling graffiti and throwing paint bombs
at walls, the national emblem and a plaque.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Chinese officials have described the vandalism as
an attack on China's sovereignty which would not be tolerated.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Anger
against police is also too evident. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Many of
the marchers chanted slogans against the police. Some held up banners reading:
"We rise as one, we fight as one" and "Stop violence."</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Adding to
fears is the fact that the <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">protesters appear
to be getting more organised and willing to use violence to achieve their aims.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Continuing
turbulence is not good for Hong Kong. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It is
unfortunate that the city's leadership seems unable or reluctant to end the
chaos. The level of public anger and frustration is visibly high. The
administration should do its best to address all genuine grievances of the
protesters. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-74669904333251857842019-06-26T21:21:00.000+04:002019-06-26T21:21:00.811+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some recent
Editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t turn migrants’ dream
into nightmare</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When the <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">image of </span>Aylan Kurdi, a three-year-old
Syrian boy, rattled collective human conscience and made global headlines after
he drowned on Sept.2, 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea, it was expected that the
approach of governments and people towards refugees and migrants would turn
more humane. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alas, that has not turned
out to be the case. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shocking images of a
drowned Salvadoran migrant and his two-year-old daughter who died while trying
to cross the Rio Grande river from Mexico to the United States have now emerged
raising questions whether humanity as a whole is turning compassion-deficient. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The searing photograph of their bodies, </span>found face down in shallow water with the
23-month-old girl's arm around her father's neck, <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">captured by journalist Julia Le Duc and published
by Mexican newspaper <span> </span>La
Jornada, also highlights the perils faced by mostly Central American migrants
fleeing violence and poverty and hoping for asylum in the United States.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Contrary to the portrayal
of certain political worlds leaders, migration is a positive global phenomenon.
It powers economic growth, reduces inequalities and connects diverse societies.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a touching briefing to
the UN Security Council recently, Filippo Grandi, United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, stated that during his three and a half decades as
an international civil servant, he had never seen such toxicity, such poisonous
language in politics, media and social media, directed towards refugees,
migrants and foreigners.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Grandi emphasised that the
stigmatisation of refugees and migrants was unprecedented and that traditional
responses to refugee crises appeared increasingly inadequate.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It should be acknowledged
that Germany, <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">under Chancellor Angela
Merkel, </span>has a set a brilliant example of how those seeking refuge need
to be treated with dignity and care.<span>
</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The US and Mexico are
presently implementing tougher policies to stem the flow of undocumented
migrants, mostly from Central America, travelling north. At least six have died
in recent days.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most migrants insist they
are fleeing violence and poverty in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, and
plan to seek asylum in the US.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, US President
Donald Trump's hardline stance on immigration is visibly driving migrants to
take more dangerous routes.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The image of Óscar Alberto
Martínez Ramírez and his 23-month-old daughter Valeria, who drowned crossing
the Rio Grande, will haunt the conscience of all considerate human beings for
years to come. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ramírez’s tragedy
highlights the plight of migrants in similar situations. F<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">rustrated because his family from El Salvador was
unable to present themselves to US authorities and request asylum, he
reportedly swam across the river on Sunday with his daughter, Valeria.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">He set her on the US bank of the river and started back for his wife,
Tania Vanessa Ávalos, but seeing him move away the girl threw herself into the
waters. Martínez returned and was able to grab Valeria, but the current swept
them both away.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With the UN refugee agency
indicating that a record 71 million people have now been displaced worldwide by
war, persecution and other violence, the world community cannot anymore afford
to turn a blind eye to the crucial issue. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Collective and effective
global measures to tackle the root causes of displacements are essential.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It should never be
forgotten that migrants are humans too. Fair migration laws will benefit all
and that’s precisely what the international community should strive for. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The question remains how
many more innocent lives need to be lost before the world community wakes up to
the endless plight of migrants and refugees!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t ignore warming world’s
warning signals</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Climate change is
accelerating faster than efforts to counter it and laxity on the part of the
international community could prove disastrous for future generations. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The consolation, though,
is the visibly increasing awareness on the subject, especially among
youngsters. The protest by thousands of students from across Europe on Friday
near a coal mine in western Germany urging governments to take bolder action
against climate change sends a clear signal that climate change is now one of
the hottest issues on the European political agenda.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Protesters from 16
countries took part in the rally in Aachen, near Germany's border with Belgium
and the Netherlands. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What has added to global
disappointment is the push by most European Union nations for the world's
biggest economic bloc to go carbon-neutral by 2050 being dropped to a mere
footnote at a summit on Thursday after fierce resistance from Poland, the Czech
Republic and Hungary .</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">France and Germany took
the right approach of leading efforts for the 28-member EU to lead by example
in setting an ambitious new climate goal ahead of UN climate talks in September
that US President Donald Trump has abandoned.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unanimity was needed and
last-ditch persuasion efforts in what diplomats described as
"impassioned" talks that dragged on for four hours failed to ease
fears among the central and eastern European states, including Estonia, that it
would hurt economies like theirs dependent on nuclear power and coal.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scientists have repeatedly
warned that ending fossil fuel use by mid-century is a must if countries want
to achieve the 2015 Paris climate accord's most ambitious goal of keeping
global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to
pre-industrial times. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">British broadcaster and
environmentalist David Attenborough has stated that climate change is
humanity's greatest threat in thousands of years, and he is absolutely right.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The situation is dire because,
as Attenborough noted, the issue could lead to the collapse of civilisations
and the extinction of "much of the natural world."</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The extreme cold in North
America, record high heat and wildfires in Australia, heavy rains in parts of
South America, and heavy snow on the Alps and Himalayas should be seen as
warning signals. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even with just one degree
Celsius of warming so far, Earth has been bombarded with raging wildfires,
widespread crop failures and super-storms exacerbated by rising sea levels. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Climate change has even
been damaging polar bears' sea-ice habitats and forced them to scavenge more
for food on land, bringing them into contact with people and inhabited areas.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Germany, Europe's biggest
economy, has long promoted clean renewables such as solar and wind while
phasing out nuclear power -- but it is still missing its climate goals because
of a reliance on cheap coal.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Especially since last
year's scorching summer — when drought slashed crop yields, forest fires raged
and shipping was halted on dried-out rivers -- many people in Germany tend to
agree with the protesters' demand on carbon fuels.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the United States,
ignoring scientists' increasingly urgent warnings, the Trump administration
ordered a sweeping about-face last week on Obama-era efforts to fight climate
change, easing restrictions on coal-fired power plants. The Trump
administration is also proposing to roll back a mileage rule requiring tougher
mileage standards for cars and light trucks.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A growing number of
people, governments, cities and businesses understand that climate solutions
can strengthen economies and improve air quality and public health.
Unfortunately, it looks like there is still a long way to go. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">#YouthForGood a noteworthy
initiative</span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UAE and benevolence
are synonymous terms. When the social media helps strengthen the country’s <span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">humanitarian activities, it is all the more good. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey’s
launching of a major philanthropic initiative, #YouthForGood, together with the
UAE’s Youth Hub and Shamma Bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for
Youth Affairs, is hugely creditable. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The project is noble
especially because it involves youngsters and instills in them virtuous social
responsibilities. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The competition calls on
UAE-based youth to create a greater impact in local communities, whether
through civic engagement, volunteering or charitable partnerships.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">#YouthForGood will be open
to participants of three to five people over the next three months. The
initiative encourages the young people of the UAE to utilise the power of
Twitter to launch a creative, engaging and active Twitter account that will
fuel philanthropic efforts locally in their community. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There will be huge
recognition for the winning team too as it will be awarded with the acclaimed
Twitter MENA Award and a Twitter for Good Ads Grant.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Incidentally, the
#YouthForGood initiative, the first of its kind in the world, aims to promote
the use of Twitter to support humanitarian and social causes and sustain a
culture of volunteering among youth in the region and the world. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It forms part of the
broader global #TwitterForGood campaign, with the philanthropic mission to
harness the positive power of Twitter to bring communities together.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">His Highness Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of
Dubai has been among the early adopters of social media in the region and
completes a decade of his presence on Twitter this June. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the past decade, he
has garnered 9.71 million followers on this Twitter account. The Dubai Ruler
was on the 11th spot on the list of 'The 50 most followed world leaders in
2018'. He had a following of 9 million Twitter users then.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">As Sheikh Mohammed himself commented, "The UAE represents
positive change and hope in our Arab region and we are keen to encourage our
young people to harness the power of online platforms such as twitter to create
a positive impact on their communities. #YouthForGood is a significant
initiative in this direction."</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Social media has become a
part of life. It brings with it huge advantages and has set off a knowledge
explosion, knitting the entire world into a global village.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UAE is among the few
countries that have resolutely nurtured the huge positive potential of social
media for the good of the society. The country has persistently kept pace with
technology drawing praise from the international community.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In fact, the country is
the second highest regional investor in Artificial Intelligence (AI) over the
past 10 years, investing as much as<span>
</span>$2.15 billion in total, according to the AI Maturity Report in the
Middle East and Africa (MEA) a study commissioned by Microsoft and conducted by
Ernst & Young.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The bulk of this
investment went towards social media and Internet of Things, transactions, followed
by notable spending across eight technologies, including smart mobile and
machine learning.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shamma Al Mazrui well
highlighted the scope of the youth initiative by stating, "The
#YouthForGood reflects Twitter’s potential to impact communities by supporting
real time communication across borders and barriers. This initiative gives our
youth a chance to organise around a common purpose and unite to create a force
for good using the power of Twitter."</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-46689736882652801252019-04-22T22:02:00.000+04:002019-04-22T22:02:54.113+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some recent
Editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Show no tolerance towards
intolerance</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The world community needs
to join hands and send out a clear and loud message that racism, bigotry and
xenophobia are a bane that have no place in a sane society. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a l<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">atest incident of racism in football</span>, <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">a video circulated on social media ahead of
Chelsea's Europa League match at Slavia Prague this week showed a group of six
supporters chanting racist abuse against Egypt forward</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"> </span><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Mohamed Salah
repeatedly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Liverpool manager Jurgen <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Klopp has not only condemned the disgusting racist
abuse aimed at Salah, but has also rightly called for lifetime bans for the
Chelsea fans accused of taunting the Liverpool star.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Liverpool has stated that
the video showed "vile discriminatory chants" and is "dangerous
and disturbing", while Chelsea has issued a statement pledging to use all
available punishments against those involved. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The culprits should be
identified at the earliest and forced to face the law. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It may be recalled that
four Chelsea supporters were previously suspended by the club after Manchester
City winger Raheem Sterling was racially abused at Stamford Bridge in December.
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bigotry comes in varied
forms. There are many instances of helpless migrants and refugees facing the
worst form of hatred.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a heartfelt briefing to
the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Filippo Grandi, United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, stated that during his three and a half decades as
an international civil servant, he had never seen such toxicity, such poisonous
language in politics, media and social media, directed towards refugees,
migrants and foreigners.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Grandi emphasised that the
stigmatisation of refugees and migrants was unprecedented and that traditional
responses to refugee crises appeared increasingly inadequate.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The best way to tackle the
issue is strong political will and improved responses, as enshrined by the UN
Global Compact for Refugees, adopted last December.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UN Security Council
has a critical role to play, particularly in terms of solving peace and
security crises, supporting countries that are hosting refugees, and working to
remove obstacles to solutions.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As indicated by Grandi,
the consequences of the toxic language surrounding refugees and migration can
be gauged by the example of the recent mosque shootings in Christchurch, New
Zealand, which left 49 innocent people dead.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The response of the New
Zealand government is certainly a good example of effective leadership and how
to respond to such toxicity, in a firm and organised manner, restating
solidarity with refugees, and reaffirming the principle that our societies
cannot be truly prosperous, stable and peaceful, if they do not include
everyone.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UAE, on its part, is a
shining example of cultural and religious diversity, which proudly hosts over
120 churches and many other places of worship that belong to religious
minorities living in the country.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As part of the
"Istanbul Process" regarding the implementation of Human Rights
Council Resolution No. 16/18 on combatting intolerance, negative stereotyping,
stigmatisation, discrimination and violence against people for their religion
or beliefs, Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the UN in
Geneva and Chair of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Group in Geneva,
recently participated in a relevant meeting organised by the European Union.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Al Zaabi well concluded
that open communities, which are free from racism and extremist ideologies, can
achieve economic, cultural and social successes. That is aptly proved by the
UAE’s experience over 47 years.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Attacks in Sri Lanka a
barbaric act</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Terrorism is a language of
the cowards and those with evil mindsets. Terrorists engage in indiscriminate
violence and destruction with the wrong notion that they can strangle social
harmony and break the unity of peace-loving people around the world.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The series of devastating bomb blasts that ripped through hotels and
churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka killing or wounding several
hundreds of innocent people is </span>an
abhorrent, barbaric act that implies<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"> the
fight against evil mongers needs to be strengthened further. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The dreadful violence violated the sanctity of holy places of worship.
</span>Such bloody acts of terror
could be avoided by strongly promoting the values of diversity and peaceful
coexistence. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The world community should unite more strongly than ever to erase the
scourge of terrorism.</span> Countries
need to act more vigorously to build partnerships to promote the cherishable
values of tolerance and peace.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice
President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has echoed the feelings of the
entire nation while tweeting: “Terrorists are those who betray worshippers in
their places of worship, plant fear in their hearts and try to ignite religious
conflicts in societies. Our condolences to the people of Sri Lanka, to the
world and to everyone who works tirelessly towards tolerance and coexistence.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UAE has always
maintained an unequivocal position of denouncing terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations regardless of their motivations, justifications and sources.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As the UAE Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated, the international
community needs to close ranks and uproot the scourge of terrorism in order to
ensure international peace and security.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Sri Lanka had suffered deadly militant attacks for years, especially
by ethnic Tamil militants during a decades-long civil war that ended in 2009
when Sri Lankan forces crushed the insurgency. It had witnessed relative peace
during the past decade. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">There have been reports that Sri Lanka's police chief Pujuth
Jayasundara had issued an intelligence alert to top officers 10 days ago,
warning that suicide bombers planned to hit "prominent churches." Why
did the warning not receive the kind of attention it should have is a question
that needs to be answered. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Last year, there were 86 verified incidents of discrimination, threats
and violence against Christians, according to the National Christian
Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, which represents more than 200 churches and
other Christian organisations.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">This year, it recorded 26 such incidents, including one in which
Buddhist monks allegedly attempted to disrupt a Sunday worship service, with
the last one reported on March 25.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Out of Sri Lanka's total population of around 22 million, 70 per cent
are Buddhist, 12.6 per cent Hindu, 9.7 per cent Muslim and 7.6 per cent
Christian, according to the country's 2012 census.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The perpetrators of the
monstrous act in Sri Lanka should be caught at the earliest and punished
severely in order to send a strong message to terrorists that there is no safe
place for them on earth. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Global response to hunger
remains poor</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The war against hunger is
truly mankind’s war of liberation, once stated John F. Kennedy. Unfortunately,
the global war on hunger is losing steam and the unpalatable truth is that as
many as 113 million people in 53 countries experienced high levels of food
insecurity last year, as indicated by a new, joint UN and European Union (EU)
report.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is upsetting to note
that too many men and women across the globe struggle to feed their children a
nutritious meal. Hunger is the world’s most solvable challenge and all that is
called for is conscientious action through collective initiatives. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With all the technological
advancements and economic progress that the world has witnessed, if millions of
people are still forced to go to bed on an empty stomach, then it can only be
seen as a blot on humanity. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and EU “Global Report on Food
Crises 2019” shows that the number going chronically-hungry has remained well
over 100 million over the past three years, with the number of countries
affected actually rising. That is indeed disheartening. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According to the report,
nearly two-thirds of those facing acute hunger come from just eight countries:
Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South
Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. And although there were 11 million fewer people
believed to be in food crisis in 2018 compared with 2017, in 17 countries,
acute hunger either remained the same or increased.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With an additional 143
million people in another 42 countries just one step away from acute hunger,
rapid remedial measures are the need of the hour. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Conflicts and
climate-related disasters have proved to be big villains. Climate and natural
disasters pushed another 29 million people into acute food insecurity in 2018,
and that number excludes 13 countries — including North Korea and Venezuela —
because of data gaps.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Climate variability and
extremes are already undermining food production in some regions and if action
to mitigate disaster risk reduction and preparedness is not taken the situation
will only get worse.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Achieving zero hunger by
2030 is one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals adopted by member states
in 2015. UN officials had earlier cautioned that world hunger rose in 2017 for
a third consecutive year due to conflict and climate change, jeopardising the
global goal.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rising numbers living
in slums exacerbate the challenge. About one-third of the urban population is
in slums with limited access to welfare benefits and safety nets, which impacts
on their food security, nutrition and livelihoods.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">World leaders should not
waste time but act together so as to tackle the issue by implementing peace and
climate resilience initiatives.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WFP Executive Director,
David Beasley, has correctly highlighted the importance of attacking the root
causes of hunger: conflict, instability, impact of climate shocks.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Boys and girls need to be
well nourished and educated, women need to be empowered and rural
infrastructure strengthened in order to meet the Zero Hunger goal. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Programmes that make a
community resilient and more stable will also reduce the number of hungry
people. And one thing we need world leaders to do as well, as Beasley suggests,
is step up to the plate and help solve the conflicts, right now.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Conserve every drop or
land in deep waters</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Every form of life on
earth depends on water for subsistence. Access to water underpins public health
and is critical to sustainable development and a stable and prosperous world.
Yet, World Water Day 2019, marked on March 22, passed by indistinctly without
many people even realising its significance.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A 16-nation study by the
UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) into how water supplies affect children caught up
in emergencies has highlighted that a lack of safe water is far deadlier for
children than war in more than a dozen conflict-affected countries. This should
serve as a wake-up call for action by the international community.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The study also shows that
children under five are on average more than 20 times more likely to die from
illnesses linked to unsafe water and bad sanitation, than from conflict.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According to the report,
every year, 85,700 children under 15 die from diarrhoea linked to unsafe water,
sanitation and hygiene facilities (WASH), compared with 30,900 from conflict.
Some 72,000 under-fives die annually from similar illnesses linked to
WASH-access problems, compared to 3,400 from war-related violence.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The challenge is
widespread could be surmised by the fact that the Unicef data covered as many
countries as Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic,
Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Libya, Mali,
Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By the end of the 2017,
conflict, persecution or human rights violations forcibly displaced an
unprecedented 68.5 million from their homes. Disasters displaced another 18.8
million. As UN officials point out, such mass displacement places strain upon
natural resources and water-related services at transition and destination
points for both existing populations and new arrivals, creating potential
inequalities and a source of conflicts among them.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Population and economic
growth have placed unprecedented pressures on water, with water scarcity
affecting over 40 per cent of the world's people. The Middle East and North
Africa is the most water-scarce region in the world, with over 60 per cent of
the region’s population living in areas with high or very high surface water
stress, compared with a global average of about 35 per cent, as Saeed Mohammed
Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of <span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">the
Dubai Electricity and water Authority (DEWA), points out.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Citizens and residents of
the UAE are fortunate as the <span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">wise leadership
attaches great importance to water security, which is one of the seven
strategic sectors of the National Innovation Strategy, and one of the main
pillars of UAE Vision 2021. The UAE water Security Strategy 2036 aims to ensure
sustainable access to water during both normal and emergency conditions.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2010, the UN recognised
the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that
is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights. Regulatory
and legal frameworks must recognise the right to water for all people.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Water issues call for
global solidarity and joint measures. What is needed is solid commitment. All
members of society should conserve natural resources, especially water.
Governments and relevant organisations should coordinate to provide sustainable
solutions to use water more efficiently and raise awareness about its
challenges. All measures should be taken to ensure water security for future
generations. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-60092065477796718292019-03-17T22:07:00.000+04:002019-03-17T22:07:33.078+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span><b>Here
are some recent Editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):</b></span>
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span><b>Need
to address Islamophobia globally</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>In the
wake of the gruesome terrorist massacre in New Zealand, which has triggered
extreme grief across the world, there is a dire need for the international
community to initiate more serious measures to counter Islamophobia and
eliminate intolerance and violent extremism in all its forms.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>The
dastardly shooting of innocent people as they prayed peacefully in mosques has
shaken the conscience of humanity. The remarkable solidarity shown by the rest
of the world for the victims and their families does offer solace, but there’s
much more that needs to be done by the global community so as to avert such
horrific crimes in future.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>Darkness
cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that, once stated Martin Luther King, Jr. Unfortunately, that
righteous message seems to have lost its way in the Internet era. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>The
Christchurch massacre has bared the link between Islamophobia and terrorism in
a way that none can argue otherwise. To think that a man could fill himself
with such venomous hatred for fellow human beings he live-streams himself via a
head-mounted camera online while firing at peaceful worshippers indicates that
things are heading in a wrong direction. Somewhere the cherished values of
peace, compassion and love for fellow beings advocated by every religion are
being lost. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>The
rights to equality and non-discrimination are cornerstones of human rights law.
Yet blatant racism and religious hatred continue to remain the bane of certain
societies. It should never be forgotten that discrimination against individuals
affects the society as a whole.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>Countries
need to have zero tolerance towards hate crime. Trust in the police will be
eroded if hate crime cases are not handled with the seriousness they deserve. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>The world
is increasingly a global village and the fact should be acknowledged. Building
bridges is anytime better than separation walls. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The dead from Friday's barbaric massacre span
generations, aged between three and 77, according to a sombre list circulated
among relatives. Some victims came from the neighbourhood, others from as far
as Egypt or Fiji. At least two of the dead were from the same family— a father
and son. India has stated that five of its nationals were killed, while
Pakistan said nine of its citizens were among the dead.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The mosque attacks have shaken peaceful New
Zealand, a country that prides itself on welcoming refugees fleeing violence or
persecution. </span></span><span>At
a time of growing hostility towards diversity and the latest killings, the
outpouring of compassion from authorities and people of New Zealand is truly
laudable.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>The
highly respected Al Azhar University in Egypt has called the attack a dangerous
indicator of the dire consequences of escalating hate speech, xenophobia and
the spread of Islamophobia. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>It’s
undoubtedly time for global introspection and corrective action. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>As Dr
Anwar Bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, wisely
pointed out in his Twitter messages: “The New Zealand terrorist massacre
highlights the necessity to address Islamophobia globally. While it is a time
for grieving and reflection surely the link between Islamophobia and terrorism
is firmly established. Reconsidering other terror attacks around the globe, surely
the way forward is greater acceptance, diversity & inclusion. This should
be our approach in defeating extremism.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span><b>Global
warming a burning issue, indeed</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Student protests seeking action on climate change
have been snowballing into a vigorous global movement and world leaders better
take a serious note of the burning issue. Blind denial of global warming won’t
hold water any longer. </span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>Swedish
teenager Greta Thunberg, who protests weekly outside Sweden's parliament, has
successfully ignited a heated debate on the subject that cannot be doused with
empty words. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Classrooms in capitals from Bangkok to Berlin,
Lagos to London emptied last Friday as organisers of the student strike tried
to stage 1,000 demonstrations in as many as 120 countries. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>Just on
Wednesday, a major report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released at
the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, cautioned that human activity is
damaging the planet so badly, exacerbated by climate change, that it will
increasingly put our health at risk.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>Unless
environmental protections are drastically scaled up, there could be millions of
premature deaths by the middle of this century, with pollutants in freshwater
systems becoming a major cause of death by 2050. In addition, more chemicals,
known as endocrine disruptors, will have an adverse effect on male and female
fertility, as well as the neurological development of children.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>Leaders
should heed scientists’ caution that fossil fuel use releases greenhouse gases,
which trap heat and lift global temperatures, bringing more floods, droughts,
heat waves and rising sea levels.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>While nations meeting at the UN environment
assembly did announce that they had agreed to "significantly reduce"
single-use plastics over the next decade, it is disappointing that the pledge —
which only referred to man-made global warming and made no mention of the
fossil fuels driving it — fell far short of the steps needed to tackle earth's
burgeoning pollution crisis.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>The 2015
Paris climate conference pledge to keep the increase in global average
temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius (35 F) above pre-industrial levels
requires a radical cutback in use of coal and fossil fuels.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>Data
released recently by the United Nations World Meteorological Organization made
it abundantly clear that the past four years were officially the four warmest
on record. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>The
analysis showed that the global average surface temperature in 2018 was
approximately 1° Celsius above the pre-industrial (1850-1900) baseline — a huge
cause for concern. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The pattern indicates trouble. The year 2019 has
picked up where 2018 left off, with Australia experiencing its warmest January
on record. Intense heat waves are becoming more frequent as a result of climate
change.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>Sea ice
cover in the Arctic and Antarctic both marked the second lowest ever observed.
There were 14 weather-related disasters costing one billion dollars or more.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Devastating forest fires, droughts, floods and
hurricanes are now the norm rather than the exception. Such climatic
catastrophes make it imperative on world nations to intensify efforts to cut
down carbon emissions and expedite climate adaptation measures.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The agony of Maldives is a glaring example. The
low-lying Maldives is among countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate
change such as rising sea levels and coral reef deterioration.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>T<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">he planet is heating up and a cool attitude could
prove disastrous. </span>Time is definitely running out to limit global warming
to 1.5˚C. Climate change adaptation needs to be a high priority for the global
community. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span><b>Disturbing
signals from North Korea</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>Reports
that <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">North Korea has restored part of a
rocket test site it began to dismantle after pledging to do so in a first
summit with US President Donald Trump last year sound disturbing. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>It is perturbing especially because </span></span><span>North Korea had carried out six
nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017. In the wake of diplomatic efforts led by
the US and South Korea to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula, and the lull in
rocket launches, there was optimism in the air. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>In 2017, Pyongyang claimed it had become a nuclear
state, capable of fitting a viable nuclear weapon on an ICBM that could reach
as far as the United States' eastern seaboard. In response, the UN Security
Council had to ban North Korea's main exports — coal and other mineral
resources, fisheries and textile products — to cut off its access to hard
currency.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Just last week, the second meeting between Trump
and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, which was supposed to build on
their historic first summit in Singapore, ended in a deadlock and no joint
statement could be signed. By abruptly cutting short their meeting, the two
leaders scuttled hopes for an agreement with tangible progress towards ending
the North's nuclear programme that could have raised confidence across the
region.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span>While the
failure of the summit came as a shock, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency and two
US think tanks have reported that work was underway at the Sohae Satellite
Launching Station at Tongchang-ri even as Trump met Kim Jong Un at the second
summit.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Washington and the rest of the world want North
Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme and everything associated with
it. Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, has come up with tough
words for Pyongyang. "If they're not willing to do it, President Trump has
been very clear — they're not going to get relief from the crushing economic
sanctions that have been imposed on them and we'll look at ramping those
sanctions up in fact," Bolton has warned.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Separately, two US senators have also sought to
pile up pressure on North Korea by reintroducing a bill to impose sanctions on
any bank that does business with its government.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>One has to wait and see how Pyongyang responds to
the tough approach from Washington. Collapse of the peace process could lead
not only the Korean region, but also the entire world on a risky path.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-56148271948174429482019-02-18T21:40:00.000+04:002019-02-18T21:40:20.784+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Here are some recent
Editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Children bearing
brunt of conflicts</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A child is an uncut
diamond, once wrote Austin O’Malley. Children hold a special place in any
society. They are to be protected. All children have the right to live free
from violence, which harms their physical and mental growth. Unfortunately,
what’s happening on the ground reflects a sad reality. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Charity organisation Save
the Children International’s observation that at least 100,000 babies die every
year because of armed conflict and its impact — from hunger to denial of aid,
should rattle the conscience of every human being. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is distressing that in
the 10 worst-hit countries, a conservative estimate of 550,000 infants died as
a result of fighting between 2013 and 2017. They succumbed to war and its
effects, among them hunger, damage to hospitals and infrastructure, a lack of
access to health care and sanitation and the denial of aid.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Children continue to face
the threat of being killed or maimed, recruited by armed groups, abducted or
falling victim to sexual violence and mere silence cannot be the response of
the world community. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per the charity’s CEO,
Helle Thorning-Schmidt, almost one in five children are living in areas impacted
by conflict — more than at any time in the past two decades. To add to the
distress, the number of children being killed or maimed has more than tripled.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Under international
humanitarian law, children and civilians should never be targeted for attacks.
But the unfortunate reality speaks otherwise. For example, Israel’s violent
practices in Gaza and the West Bank against innocent Palestinian children have
been continuing unabated despite repeated warnings by the international
community.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The United Nations Refugee
Agency estimated recently that around 43 per cent of internally displaced
people are children, and around three million Syrian children are refugees, and
over 40 per cent of Syrian refugees do not have access to education.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This situation is just not
acceptable. None of us grow up to be man or woman without passing through that
beautiful, carefree phase called childhood. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Peace Research Institute
Oslo study commissioned by Save the Children group had also found that 420
million children were living in conflict-affected areas in 2017.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It issued a list of
recommendations to help protect children, from steps such as committing to a
minimum age of 18 for military recruitment to the avoidance of using explosive
weapons in populated areas. One hopes such ideas are taken seriously and acted
upon. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Mounting ‘e-waste’ </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>a mammoth challenge</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The environment and health
are at increasing risk from the growing weight of electronic waste (e-waste),
and it is disappointing that the world community is not giving the crucial
subject due attention. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s estimated that each
year, close to 50 million tonnes of electronic and electrical waste are
produced globally, and only 20 per cent is formally recycled. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A joint report by seven UN
entities, entitled, “A New Circular Vision for Electronics – Time for a Global
Reboot,” has rightly called for a new vision for e-waste based on the “circular
economy” concept, whereby a regenerative system can minimise waste and energy
leakage. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A deliberative process
must be instilled to change the system – one that collaborates with major
brands, small and medium-sized enterprises, academia, trade unions and civil
society.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where there's a will,
there's a way. Considerable work is already under way to harness a circular
economy. For example, the Nigerian Government, the Global Environment Facility
and UN Environment earlier announced a $2 million investment to formalise an
e-waste recycling industry in Nigeria. The investment will leverage over $13
million in additional financing from the private sector.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As far as the UAE is
concerned, it is fortunate that the country is fully aware of the challenge
e-waste poses and takes serious and effective measures to deal with the
situation. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al
Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, outlined recently, “Given
the relatively high per capita income in the country, our people have
demonstrated a high consumption rate. But we are also the most active in
creating proper e-waste disposal procedures.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An Integrated Waste Management
system has been established, aiming to meet the UAE’s ambitious target of
diverting 75 per cent of all municipal solid waste away from landfills by 2021
as outlined in the National Agenda of the UAE Vision 2021.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In May 2018, a federal law
was issued on integrated waste management that governs the management of all
types of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That’s not all. In
partnership with the private sector, the Ministry of Climate Change and
Environment has been supporting the establishment of one of the largest e-waste
treatment facilities in the region soon with a processing capacity of 39,000
tonnes per year.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Globally, what’s called
for is better e-waste strategies and green standards as well as closer
collaboration between governments, employers and unions to make the circular
economy work for both people and planet, as Guy Ryder, Director-General,
International Labour Organisation, well suggests.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Protect users from </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>cyberspace risks</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Technology is a
double-edged sword. The immense benefit it offers comes with a flip side that
poses potential dangers to users in varied forms. This makes it imperative for
tight safety measures to be put in place. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even as various government
and private entities joined hands to mark the International Safer Internet Day
2019 on Tuesday, it would be prudent to take a serious note of a United Nations
Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report which indicated that online violence,
cyber-bullying and digital harassment affected over 70 per cent of young people
globally, and rightly called for concerted action to tackle and prevent this
form of violence.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A recent
one-million-strong Unicef poll of 15- to 24-year-old’s from more than 160
countries prompted the call, along with a series of student-led #ENDviolence
Youth Talks held globally, which examined what parents, teachers and
policymakers could do to keep them safe.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Interestingly, in the end,
kindness stood out as one of the most powerful means to prevent bullying and
cyberbullying.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According to the UN
International Telecommunications Union (ITU), 94 per cent of 15- to 24-year
old’s in developed countries are online, and more than 65 per cent of their
developing country counterparts – well ahead of the pace of Internet usage
among the general population. Half of the world’s total population, regardless
of age, is online, which brings increased risks.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unicef is absolutely right
in stating that cyber-bullying can cause profound harm as it can quickly reach
a wide audience, and can remain accessible online indefinitely, virtually “following”
its victims online for life. Bullying and cyber-bullying also feed into each
other, forming a continuum of damaging behaviour.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per data from the UN
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, the proportion of children
and adolescents affected by cyber-bullying ranges from five per cent to 21 per
cent, with girls at higher risk than boys.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The need to establish an
effective mechanism to develop sustainable means of communication, while
maintaining a safe Internet environment should never be underestimated. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The safety of children
when they are online is one of the primary concerns of modern times. Parents
should guide their children and prevent them from falling prey to fake news or
messages posted on social media platforms.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Malicious cyber activity
should be fought efficiently and unitedly. Greater coordination among countries
is essential to enact a system for fair and safe use of cyber space.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Constant vigil is
essential from all sides to protect honest social media users.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Efforts needed to make </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>food chain safer</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Each year, food
contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins or chemicals cause more
than 600 million people to fall ill and 420,000 to die worldwide, as per UN
organisations, and the only best way forward is to forge greater international
cooperation to make the food chain safer.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The need to root out
dangerous food should never be underestimated as it hampers progress towards
sustainable development everywhere. This fact was amply highlighted at the
first International Food Safety Conference, in Addis Ababa – organised by the
United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization,
World Trade Organization and the African Union.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Contaminated food is to blame for more than 200 diseases, ranging from
diarrhoea to cancers -- and the economic impact is huge but often overlooked.
Children under five suffer most, comprising 40 per cent of those who fall ill.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Illness linked to unsafe
food overloads healthcare systems and damages economies, trade and tourism. The
impact of unsafe food costs low- and middle-income economies around $95 billion
in lost productivity each year. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To move to a healthy diet,
a recent report by the EAT-Lancet Commission well suggested that the world
double its consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts while reducing
at least by half, red meat and food with added sugar.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Facts can be bitter. Many
may not know that one-third of the world’s croplands are used to grow feed for
cows, rather than fruits, nuts, vegetables and whole grains which are needed
for a healthy human diet. More than half of the world’s population suffers from
some form of malnutrition. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The reality is that the
world is witnessing changing food systems. Technological advances,
digitalization, novel foods and processing methods provide a wealth of
opportunities to simultaneously enhance food safety, and improve nutrition,
livelihoods and trade. At the same time, climate change and the globalisation
of food production, coupled with a growing global population and increasing
urbanization, pose new challenges to food safety.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Food systems are becoming
even more complex and interlinked, blurring lines of regulatory responsibility,
as experts point out. Solutions to these potential problems require
intersectoral and concerted international action.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Food safety must be a
paramount goal at every stage of the food chain, from production to harvest,
processing, storage, distribution, preparation and consumption.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The international
community needs to strengthen political commitments and engage in key actions
on food safety as the subject affects each and every individual on the planet. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-7421832479720734412019-01-14T22:37:00.000+04:002019-01-14T22:37:48.503+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some recent
editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dubai a cradle of
innovation</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dubai is a city of
superlatives. The pursuit of happiness through hard work and the fondness for
the Number 1 slot make Dubai the world’s most inspiring and sought-after
destination.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The inspiration springs
from the leadership. The objectives of The Fifty-Year Charter, which aims to
speed up the journey of prosperity, progress and sustainability in Dubai, well
reflect the visionary zeal of the leaders.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Vice President, Prime
Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid
Al Maktoum has made it clear that Dubai is determined to cement its position as
global business capital. Once a goal is set, track record proves that Dubai
never fails to achieve it, however hard the path may be.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sheikh Mohammed’s vision
for the next 50 years focuses on building upon the accomplished achievements,
to reach a fully integrated city of law and the spirit of mercy and compassion,
where its inhabitants enjoy prosperity and progress, as well as creating a
conducive environment for future generations.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Foresight is a crucial
word in a fast changing world. Whether it’s individuals or nations, those who
procrastinate or fail to anticipate are bound to lose. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Sheikh Mohammed points
out, the new era requires keeping abreast of the changes that are taking place
in today's world with creative thinking that anticipates the future challenges
to ensure that Dubai will maintain its achievements and influential position to
become a centre of the world.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The city’s magnetic appeal
is also due to its year-round calendar of festivals, events and shopping
experiences. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Figures speak volumes
about the success story. The Emirate saw 1,777,913 passengers pass through its
sea, air, and land ports from Dec.23, 2018 through Jan.1, 2019. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Constant upgradation and
innovative initiatives, coupled with service par excellence by the staff have
paid off, with the Dubai International Airport receiving its one billionth
passenger last month. A billion people have taken Dubai to their destination. Dubai
is a part of their story for a billion people. And that’s an awesome
achievement. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No wonder, the Emirate
remains on track to becoming the most visited city for global travel, business
and events.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All factors indicate that
Dubai is making sustained progress towards its Tourism Vision 2020 goals of
welcoming 20 million visitors per year by 2020.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“We must look forward and
anticipate the future, so that our country lead globally,” once stated Sheikh
Mohammed. That vision is paying rich dividends. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>New year should see</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>end to trade war</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The year gone by cannot be
termed as great for global trade. While trade frictions between China and the
United States affected business confidence and investment, political
uncertainty and slower global growth added to the worry. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In fact, several global
stock markets suffered their worst year in a decade. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Wall Street advanced in low-volume trading on
Monday as revelers gathered to ring in 2019, marking the end of the worst year
for US stocks since 2008, the height of the financial crisis.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">December was a particularly testing time for US equities. The S&P
500 saw its worst December since the Great Depression and the Nasdaq confirmed
it was in a bear market, or 20 per cent below its high. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Asian and European markets
too suffered similar losses during the year. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The 2018 Asia-Pacific
Trade and Investment Report, earlier issued by the UN’s development arm in the
region, ESCAP, cautioned that an escalating tariff war and resulting drop in
confidence next year could cut nearly $400 billion from the global gross
domestic product and drive regional GDP down by $117 billion.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The report underscored
that neither China nor the US could win a trade war, explaining that both would
see significant economic losses.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Washington and Beijing imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on more than $300
billion worth of goods in total two-way trade last year, locking them in a
conflict that has begun to eat into profits.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The International Monetary
Fund too cut its global growth forecast in October to 3.7 per cent for both
2018 and 2019, down from 3.9 per cent projected in July.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Fortunately, there is some scope for optimism. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The presidents of China and the US have exchanged messages vowing to
boost cooperation despite the bruising trade war on the 40th anniversary of the
countries' diplomatic relations.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">US President Donald Trump, who has frozen the latest planned tariff
hike, has indicated<span> </span>"big
progress" after a call with his counterpart Xi Jinping. Xi too has
underlined the importance of working with the US "to advance China-US
relations featuring coordination, cooperation and stability."</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moving the globe further
away from an open, fair and rules-based trade system cannot be termed sensible.
<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Protectionist and unilateral approaches on trade are not the best way
forward and only tend to fuel uncertainty and fear among investors. Uncertainty
is a bane and huge hurdle to progress. Co-ordination is anytime better than
confrontation. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="taglinetextl11colorc1taglineen">German hack exposes</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>cyber vulnerability</b> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While technology brings
with it huge advantages, there is a dangerous flip side to it. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Private data that has been stolen from hundreds of
German politicians, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, and released online
indicates the extent to which damage could be inflicted by unscrupulous hackers
on individuals and organisations. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The fact that the information, which comprised home addresses, mobile
phone numbers, letters, invoices and copies of identity documents, was
published via Twitter in December but only came to light this week shows that
the world needs to recognise the vulnerability of the virtual world and act
more vigorously to counter such malicious activities.<span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The extent of the damage
could be surmised from the fact that among those affected were members of the
Bundestag lower house of parliament, the European Parliament, as well as those
from regional and local assemblies. Deputies from all parties represented in
the Bundestag were also affected, as well as President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Beyond politicians, the leak also exposed the private data of
celebrities and journalists.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some consolation comes
from the fact that<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"> preliminary investigation
indicated no sensitive information or data from Merkel's office had been
leaked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It may be recalled that last year, the country’s domestic intelligence
service, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, said there had been
repeated cyberattacks against MPs, the military and several embassies that were
allegedly carried out by Russian Internet espionage group "Snake."
Computer networks belonging to the German government came under sustained
attack and data from foreign ministry staff were stolen.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The fact that no
right-wing politicians in the country were targeted in the latest cyber attack
gives a twist to the controversy, which needs to be analysed by the
investigative agencies. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is true that such
digital attacks are something most countries will have to adapt to in future.
The susceptibility of such a powerful nation to cyber attacks hints at problems
countries with much lesser facilities and infrastructure could face. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Such cyber crimes are not acceptable anywhere in the world and can
only be perceived as an attack on democracy and institutions. Whichever
individual or organisation is behind such act should be identified and made
accountable.<span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Cyber
vandalism," as former US president Barack Obama once dubbed such actions,
needs a stronger response. What is called for is an effective system that could
help utilise the benefits of digital technology even while protecting against
negative impacts. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Give peace a chance</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>in Afghanistan</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It is distressing that senseless violence continues unabated in
Afghanistan despite a flurry of diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing the
Taliban to the negotiating table and ending the 17-year war. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">More disturbing is also the fact that civilians continue to bear the
brunt of the war.<span> </span>According to the
UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), 8,050 civilians died or were
wounded between January and September, with use of suicide bombings and other
improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by anti-government elements, accounting for
almost half the casualties.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">What will rattle human conscience is the fact that 5,000</span> children in Afghanistan were either killed or
maimed within the first three-quarters of 2018. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Children there make up 89
per cent of civilian casualties from explosive remnants of war, such as
unexploded shells, mortars or grenades.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">On Monday, in the southeastern province of Paktika, eight civilians
were killed and 12 wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near a market in
Janikhail district.</span> <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The militants are said to have left the bomb in a
village square. Among the dead were two brothers aged 10 and 12. A group of
children had been trying to remove the explosive device from the ground when it
exploded.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The war in Afghanistan is
America's longest overseas military intervention. It has cost Washington nearly
a trillion dollars and killed tens of thousands of people.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">US <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">President Donald Trump's plan to slash troop
numbers in Afghanistan has also added to the confusion. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While many worry that the
withdrawal of US troops could lead to political instability and give the
Taliban more power, others are hopeful their departure will facilitate peace
talks.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Top Afghan officials
insist that in the past four and a half years, security has been solely in the
hands of Afghans and the final goal as part of those efforts is for Afghan
National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) to stand on their feet and protect
and defend soil on their own.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per <span> </span><span> </span>The
Independent, fatalities in Afghanistan have been significantly higher in the
past four years that the ANDSF have spent battling with the Taliban. At least
28,529 Afghan security forces have been killed since 2015, whereas American
fatalities are low in contrast. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whatever the background, a<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">ll sides involved in the conflict should now work
earnestly towards reconciliation and see to it that peace returns at the
earliest. The Afghan people have suffered for too long for no mistake of their
own. </span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-67326938848016034002018-12-31T22:54:00.000+04:002018-12-31T22:54:04.361+04:00HAPPY 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7VhnZEgyYEEEvcAKYTiKOq1U2wpCIlC7pEvT0DVL6CnlrxpygrVlU197_oLP4R07IQAE6g6r-UNphQHbj3zJWFXoQu6kPmf0aWgaDSzA11NWY4bo1VwEmdmsYmilocDnYDqG6_-mfBmX/s1600/rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="165" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7VhnZEgyYEEEvcAKYTiKOq1U2wpCIlC7pEvT0DVL6CnlrxpygrVlU197_oLP4R07IQAE6g6r-UNphQHbj3zJWFXoQu6kPmf0aWgaDSzA11NWY4bo1VwEmdmsYmilocDnYDqG6_-mfBmX/s200/rose.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Smile on your face, dollars in your pocket, peace in your heart, charity
in your mind, fulfillment in job and company of adorable friends -
wishing you all that and more in 2019..because you are very dear to
me:):)</span></span></span></div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-24968916705805540132018-12-17T22:13:00.000+04:002018-12-17T22:13:33.242+04:00Recent Editorials <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b>Here are
some recent editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records): </b></span>
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Leave no one behind on
health care</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Health is a fundamental
source of happiness for any human being. Any amount of wealth may prove
worthless for an ailing individual. Hence, it is sad to note that the
International Universal Health Coverage Day passed by on Dec.12 without many
people even realising it. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2012, the United
Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate
progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) – the proposal that everyone,
everywhere should have access to quality, affordable health care - as an
essential priority for international development.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The idea is to raise
awareness of the need for strong health systems and universal health coverage
with multi-stakeholder partners.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A vast section of the
world population still lacks coverage for even the most essential health
services.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Primary health care plays
a vital role in bringing health services closer to people’s homes and
communities, thereby improving access. In October, 1,200 delegates from 120
countries gathered in Astana, Kazakhstan, for a Global Conference on Primary
Health Care. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They adopted the
Declaration of Astana, vowing to strengthen their primary health care systems
as an essential step towards UHC.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As World Health
Organisation Regional Director for Europe, Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, pointed out at
the conference, the Declaration of Astana is a call to step up action, which
should empower the world to make primary health care a reality in all our
countries. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Active lifestyle is an
antidote to health issues and Dubai deserves praise for putting much effort on
this front. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of
Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, has been actively implementing the
vision to make sport a way of life in the emirate.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dubai has several
programmes geared towards motivating individuals and institutions to embrace a
physically active lifestyle. The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Order of Merit for Sports
Education School is one such initiative that focuses on schools and aims to
spread health and happiness among school children through the practice of
sports. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Dubai Fitness
Challenge – the flagship fitness movement Sheikh Hamdan launched in 2017, is
the world’s only city-wide initiative of its kind that promotes an active
lifestyle and long-term wellness and features a varied line-up of fun, social
and entertaining fitness activities. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">World leaders should take
proactive action and work towards making bigger and smarter investments in
health. All sectors involved should commit to help move the world closer to UHC
by 2030 as envisaged. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Digital push unlocks </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>key potential of UAE</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a rapidly changing
world of technology, countries that lag behind are bound to pay a heavy price.
While many nations are just starting to think about utilisation of smart
technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), the UAE has been fortunate,
thanks to visionary leadership, to have already made rapid strides and lead the
digitalisation race in the region. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A report prepared by the
Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Campus, a technology hub of Dubai Silicon
Oasis Authority, has stated that the UAE ranks first in the region in terms of
enterprise adoption of AI applications with an annual growth rate of 33.5 per
cent. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The report quotes PwC’s
2017 forecasts that the contribution of AI to the global economy will increase
to $15.7 trillion by 2030, and that AI will contribute $96 billion to (13.6 per
cent) to the UAE GDP by 2030.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Incidentally, the UAE
ranks first in the Arab world in terms of expected annual growth of AI
contribution to the economy at 33.5 per cent.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Perseverance pays and the
UAE is reaping the benefits of proactive approach. A glance at the country’s
key achievements this year in terms of the overall reinforcement and
development of AI applications reveals the depth of the success story. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In January, the Ministry
of Health and Community Prevention created a system to manage hospitals that
aim to ensure the integration of AI in health facilities, bed management and
the "PACE Real-Time Dashboard," as part of the ministry's participation
in the Arab Health Conference Exhibition.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Three months later, the
country's construction and transport sector declared the start of the
implementation of AI in federal road projects, which will reduce project
implementation periods by 54 per cent, fuel consumption by 37 per cent, labour
dependence by 80 per cent, and the number of equipment by 40 per cent.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On May 11, the UAE adopted
26 mechanisms related to the use of AI in many economic sectors while the
University of Dubai signed an agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority
to establish a research centre for the roads and transport sector.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To cap it all, in
November, a federal law was issued that will enable the UAE Cabinet to grant a
temporary licence to implement unregulated but innovative projects based on AI
and other advanced technologies, which aims to provide a safe and experimental
environment for future technologies.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Smart thinking has
certainly paid rich dividends for the UAE. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Pope’s visit will boost</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>global peace efforts</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UAE is known as a land
of peace and tolerance. The UAE model of open-mindedness demonstrates the true
image of Islam, which is one of love and brotherhood. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">Founding Father late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al
Nahyan laid the seeds for such a broadminded approach right at the time of
foundation of the nation</span>. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">His Holiness Pope Francis’
proposed visit to the UAE in February next year at the invitation of His
Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and
Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has created all-round
excitement and for right reasons. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pope Francis has been
revered the world over as a symbol of peace and compassion. He has been
campaigning relentlessly for harmony among people of various faiths. He has
repeatedly made it clear that hatred has no place in a sane society. Pope
Francis is seen by many around the world as more progressive than many of his
predecessors.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The visit will also be the
Pope’s first to a GCC member country and hence it is bound to be historic.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">His Highness Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE
and Ruler of Dubai, has echoed the feelings of the entire nation by tweeting: “We
welcome the news of Pope Francis’ visit to the United Arab Emirates next
February — a visit that will strengthen our ties and understanding of each
other, enhance interfaith dialogue and help us to work together to maintain and
build peace among the nations of the world.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With people from all
around the globe living and working in the UAE, the country presents a
brilliant model of harmony among communities. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In June, Pope Francis
commended the efforts made by the UAE to promote tolerance and strengthen
inter-faith dialogue and peaceful co-existence between world peoples. He
highlighted in this regard the pioneering humanitarian initiatives championed
by the UAE to alleviate the suffering of a large number of world people
irrespective of colour, culture, ethnicity, race and religion.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Sheikh Abdullah Bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,
points out, Pope’s visit will establish and support strong foundations of
brotherhood and peaceful coexistence, both regionally and globally. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The theme of the Pope’s
visit has been aptly titled "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.” The visit
would certainly go a long way in strengthening global peace efforts and
boosting interfaith dialogue.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Climate deal pleasant </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>news, now time to act</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The world can take comfort
from the fact that after two weeks of heated negotiations, nearly 200 nations
gathered in Katowice have managed to adopt a set of strong guidelines to ensure
the implementation of the terms of 2015 Paris Agreement aimed at containing
global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There should be no let-up
in follow-up action as the adopted guidelines package, the “rulebook,” is
designed to encourage greater climate action ambition and benefit people from
all walks of life, especially the most vulnerable. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Financing from developed
countries in support of climate action in developing countries has remained a
thorny issue and it is good that the document has set a way to decide on new,
more ambitious targets from 2025 onwards, from the current commitment to
mobilise $100 billion per year as of 2020.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another notable
accomplishment is that the nations have agreed on how to collectively assess
the effectiveness of climate action in 2023, and how to monitor and report
progress on the development and transfer of technology.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UAE has rightly called
for quick enforcement of the procedures and global standards adopted by the
nations.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al
Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and head of the UAE
delegation points out, the final meetings confirmed the UAE's statement during
the conference that time is no longer with us, and the need for decisive
climate action has never been more crucial. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Al Zeyoudi correctly
alerted the world that the warning signs are becoming more evident and dramatic
– the devastating forest fires, droughts, floods, and hurricanes are now the
norm rather than the exception across the globe. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Such climatic catastrophes
make it clear for world nations that they have no choice but to intensify their
efforts to cut down carbon emissions and expedite climate adaptation measures.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UAE has implemented
robust initiatives on the ground such as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Solar Park and Noor Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest solar power plant that is
being built in the UAE capital at a cost of Dhs3.2 billion.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UAE has also, through
its government and semi-government entities, helped deploy renewable energy
solutions across the world.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While the UAE stays
focused on addressing the climate challenge, other nations need to do their bit
too. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The best solution lies in
experimenting with models that have proved successful in reducing the effects
of climate change, across several sectors.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Road safety should</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>be global priority</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A new report by the World
Health Organization (WHO) indicates road traffic deaths continue to rise, with
an annual 1.35 million fatalities, and this is a matter of huge concern. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also worrisome is the
trend wherein road traffic injuries are the leading killer of children and
young people aged 5-29 years, as per the WHO Global Status Report on Road
Safety 2018. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These deaths are an
unacceptable price to pay for mobility, as WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros
Adhanom Ghebreyesus, points out. There is no excuse for inaction especially
because this is a problem with proven solutions. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It should be noted that of
the total number of road traffic deaths, 90 per cent occur in low and
-middle-income countries. The risk of a road traffic death remains three times
higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries. The rates are
highest in Africa (26.6 per 100 000 population) and lowest in Europe (9.3
per 100 000 population).</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Globally, pedestrians and
cyclists need to take extra care as they account for 26% of all road traffic
deaths. Motorcycle riders and passengers also account for 28% of all road
traffic deaths.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UN Sustainable
Development Goals seek to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from
road traffic accidents and to provide access to safe, affordable and
sustainable transport systems as well as improve road safety for all. Efforts
should be intensified to achieve those goals.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Fortunately, there is some scope for consolation. Despite the increase
in the overall number of deaths, the rate of death compared to the growing
number of people and cars in the world has stabilised in recent years. In the
last report, based on data from 2013, the number of road traffic deaths was
estimated at 1.25 million annually.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The implication is that
existing road safety efforts in some middle and high-income countries have
mitigated the situation. This is largely due to better legislation around key
risks, including speeding, drinking and driving, besides others.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Vehicle safety regulations
should ensure that all new motor vehicles meet applicable minimum regulations
for the protection of occupants and other road users, with seat belts, airbags
and active safety systems fitted as standard equipment.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Road safety has not been
receiving the attention it deserves.<span>
</span>There is a need for greater efforts to reduce road traffic deaths
worldwide. Stakeholders should step up efforts to achieve global road safety
targets.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-83968492063029292652018-11-06T22:28:00.000+04:002018-11-06T22:28:39.923+04:00Recent Editorials <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Here are
some recent editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):</span>
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b>World
cannot afford </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b>to
lose war on hunger</b></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Some 821 million people, or one of every nine
people on the planet, suffered from hunger last year, marking the third
consecutive annual increase, according to the UN's latest hunger report. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>If this statistics does not rattle the collective
conscience of humanity and persuade the world to initiate remedial measures,
what else will?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>As g</span></span><span>lobal hunger mounts obstinately, a commitment to zero
tolerance for food waste from both consumers and food industry is the need of
the hour.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>An estimated 155 million children under five years
old are chronically malnourished, according to the Food and Agriculture
Organisation.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>What most
people tend to forget is that small actions could make a big difference when it
comes to tackling global hunger. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>It is
estimated that globally some 1.3 billion tonnes of food is lost or wasted each
year. A reduction in that shocking figure presents what the UN Habitat agency
calls “an enormous opportunity for tackling food insecurity.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The UAE,
on its part, deserves praise for being a key point in providing food supplies
to the entire region. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>As
Minister of State for Food Security Mariam Hareb Almheiri points out, the UAE
has taken major steps to guarantee its future food security as a national
priority, through adopting a series of relevant policies.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The UAE
has established a national committee responsible for achieving sustainable
development goals and developing agriculture policies to encourage the
production of high quality food products through utilising the latest
agricultural technologies, as well as for developing national standards for
food markets and products.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Khalifa
Ahmed Al Ali, Managing Director of the Food Security Centre, is right when he
says that the paradigm shift achieved in food security by the UAE is not
limited to local level. Its impact has reached abroad as the UAE has supported
and implemented many agricultural, livestock and fishery development projects
globally.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
country's livestock exceeded 4.5 million, which in itself provides an important
aspect of food security related to meat, dairy products and others. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The world
population is expected to reach 9 billion in 2050. Farmers need to find new
productive ways to farm food and diversify their crops.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Everyone
has a role to play in achieving ZeroHunger. People, organisations and
governments should do their bit.<span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The good
news is it is possible and merely calls for responsible action from all sides.
Wasting less, eating better and adopting a sustainable lifestyle are key to
building a world free of hunger.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b>Declining
wildlife</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b>a
mounting concern</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Every human being has a responsibility to protect
the planet that we live in, as much as we do for our individual homes.
Unfortunately, reckless h</span></span><span>uman activity — how we feed, fuel, and finance our lives —
is taking a heavy toll on wildlife and the natural resources we need to
survive.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>In what would rattle collective human conscience,
the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has stated that from 1970 to 2014, 60 per cent of
all animals with a backbone — fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals —
were wiped out by human activity.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>For freshwater fauna, the decline in population
over the 44 years monitored was a staggering 80 per cent. Latin America was hit
hardest, seeing a nearly 90 per cent loss of wildlife over the same period, as
per the WWF's "Living Planet" report.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>It does not give cozy comfort to note that the
earth has lost almost half of its shallow water corals in the past 30 years and
that a fifth of the Amazon has actually disappeared in 50 years. </span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
situation is really bad, and it keeps getting worse, as WWF International
Director General Marco Lambertini points out. The consolation, though, is the
reasons for the crisis are known and corrective measures are possible. What it
calls for is collective will. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>As far as
the UAE is concerned, the country is fortunate that its Founding Father, late
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, himself was an ardent nature lover and
conservationist who laid a strong foundation for environmental protection.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Though
the UAE is situated in one of the most arid regions, it boasts alluring
mangroves, wadis, salt marshes and lagoons.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The UAE’s
idea of conservation was exemplified by an incident last year when an entire
project venue was shifted to rescue a bird. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,
and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy
Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, were travelling to a forest area
when they spotted a houbara bustard bird laying eggs near a project site. They
immediately ordered to shift the project to another part of the area to protect
the bird and its eggs.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>There is
a dire global need to reduce carbon emissions, prevent habitat loss and fight
climate change. Destroying nature at this pace would have dangerous
consequences on human beings. It’s better to wake up before it’s too late. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b>N-treaty
spat makes</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b>world
less safer</b></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>At a time
when the world looks increasingly divided on multiple issues, US President
Donald Trump’s decision to exit a Cold-War era treaty that helped eliminate a
class of nuclear weapons marks a huge setback for arms control and makes the
world less safer.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
Intermediate-Range nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), negotiated by then US President
Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, had a noble goal of
eliminating land-based short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and
conventional missiles by both countries.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>US
authorities believe Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched
system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow it to launch a nuclear
strike on Europe at short notice. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>While
such an apprehension is legitimate, Washington would do better to make Russia
see sense by talking and making it adhere to the treaty rather than withdraw
from it. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Nuclear
weapons are the most dangerous enemies of humanity. Nuke weapons have the
potential to destroy an entire city killing millions, cause inconceivable
damage to environment and ruin the lives of future generations with long-term
catastrophic effects.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>As per
the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), at the<span> </span>start<span> </span>of<span> </span>2018<span> </span>nine<span> </span>states —United<span>
</span>States,<span> </span>Russia, United<span> </span>Kingdom,<span> </span>France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea — possessed<span>
</span>approximately 14,465 nuclear<span>
</span>weapons.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Russia
and the US together still account for nearly<span> </span>92<span> </span>per<span> </span>cent of all<span> </span>nuclear<span>
</span>weapons. Despite making limited reductions to their nuclear forces,
Russia and the US have long-term programmes under way to replace and modernise
their nuclear warheads, missile and<span>
</span>aircraft<span> </span>delivery<span> </span>systems,<span> </span>and<span>
</span>nuclear<span> </span>weapon
production<span> </span>facilities.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the International Campaign to Abolish
Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) last year was seen as a timely acknowledgement of the
world’s genuine concerns over nuclear weapons.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>ICAN, a
coalition of non-governmental organisations in 100 countries, vigorously
campaigned for a UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which was
adopted by 122 nations in July last year.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>ICAN's
Executive Director Beatrice Fihn sent a loud message: "Nuclear weapons are
illegal. Threatening to use nuclear weapons is illegal. Having nuclear weapons,
developing nuclear weapons, is illegal, and they need to stop."</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>There is
simply no alternative to dialogue on nuclear arms control. Risk-reduction
measures, including transparency in nuclear-weapon programmes and further
reduction in all types of nuclear weapons is the best way forward. For that,
leaders need to keep the dialogue process alive. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b>Air
pollution, the </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b>invisible
killer</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>As many as 93 per cent of children under the age of
15 — a full 1.8 billion youngsters, including 630 million under the age of five
— breathe dangerously polluted air, according to the World Health Organization (WHO),
and this is hugely worrisome news.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>It’s as good as saying that almost all children on
the planet are affected by foul air.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>With exposure to toxic air killing some 600,000
children under the age of 15 each year, silence cannot be an answer to the challenge
posed by the silent killer.<span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Polluted air is poisoning millions of children and
ruining their lives, as WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, points out. This
is absolutely inexcusable. Every child should be able to breathe clean air so
they can grow and fulfil their full potential.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
situation should be considered serious especially because when pregnant women
are exposed to polluted air, they are more likely to give birth prematurely,
and have small, low birth-weight children. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Air
pollution also impacts neurodevelopment and cognitive ability and can trigger
asthma, and childhood cancer. Children who have been exposed to high levels of
air pollution may be at greater risk for chronic diseases such as
cardiovascular disease later in life.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Children
are particularly vulnerable because they breathe more rapidly than adults and
so absorb more pollutants.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>It should, nevertheless, be acknowledged that some
countries are taking a serious note of the issue and initiating corrective
measures. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Norway’s capital Oslo, for example, is paving a
fossil-free, electrified path in its push towards improving air quality. The
city has implemented methods of recycling waste into heat and electricity and
offers cyclists precedence over private cars.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>China is moving in the right direction by ordering
1.18 million residential households in 11 cities located in three central
provinces to switch to natural gas heating this winter as part of the anti-air
pollution campaign.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>World
leaders should commit to act against this serious health threat. As experts
point out, all countries should work towards meeting WHO global air quality
guidelines to enhance the health and safety of children. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Governments
should adopt measures such as reducing the over-dependence on fossil fuels in
the global energy mix, investing in improvements in energy efficiency and
facilitating the uptake of renewable energy sources. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Exclusive
use of clean technologies and fuels for household cooking, heating and lighting
activities can certainly improve the air quality within homes and in the
surrounding community.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-45709115621929983912018-10-12T22:17:00.000+04:002018-10-14T22:02:30.179+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Here are some recent
editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records): </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Need to talk about</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>mental health care</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The World Mental Health
Day 2018 passed off quietly on Wednesday with not much people talking about how
important it is to share, care and seek support in these days of increasing
stress caused by technology, environment and other social issues. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A startling warning has
been issued by t<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">he "Lancet
Commission" report that mental health disorders are on the rise in every
country in the world and could cost the global economy up to $16 trillion
between 2010 and 2030 if a collective failure to respond is not addressed. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The report by 28 global
specialists in psychiatry, public health and neuroscience, as well as mental
health patients and advocacy groups, has distinctly highlighted that the
growing crisis could cause lasting harm to people, communities and economies
worldwide.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The world community cannot
afford to take this lightly considering the magnitude of the challenge. Efforts
should be intensified to end the stigma that prevents people from seeking help
for their mental health.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mental illness has also
risen dramatically worldwide in the past 25 years, partly due to societies
ageing and more children surviving into adolescence.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The World Health
Organization (WHO) estimates that around 300 million people worldwide have
depression and 50 million have dementia. Schizophrenia is estimated to affect
23 million people, and bipolar disorder around 60 million.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Half of all mental illness
begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated. In terms
of the burden of the disease among adolescents, depression is the third leading
cause. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">British Prime Minister
Theresa May has taken the correct step by naming a minister for suicide
prevention as part of a new push to tackle mental health issues. Incidentally,
there are more than 4,500 self-inflicted deaths every year in England, and
suicide remains the leading cause of death among men under the age of 45.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The importance of talking
as the first step towards getting help should be reinforced in the community.
As experts point out, prevention begins with being aware of and understanding
the early warning symptoms of mental illness. Parents and teachers can help
build life skills of children and adolescents to help them cope with everyday
challenges at home and at school. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Lancet Commission
report is absolutely right in calling for a human rights-based approach to
ensure that people with mental health conditions are not denied fundamental
human rights, including access to employment, education and other core life
experiences.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Rising temperature</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>a mounting challenge</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A landmark report by the
United Nations has issued a dire warning that time is running out to avert
climate disaster and the advice deserves to be taken very seriously as it will
affect each and every individual on planet earth — man or woman, rich or poor,
child or elderly. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Limiting global warming to
1.5°C will require far-reaching and unprecedented changes, such as ditching
coal for electricity to slash carbon emissions, as per the exhaustive
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, and leaders of the
world better wake up to reality.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The landmark Paris
Agreement adopted in December 2015 by 195 nations at the 21st Conference of the
Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change included the aim of
strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change by holding
the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above
pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to
1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately, actions on
the ground so far do not match the pace at which the crisis is growing.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Earth's surface has
already warmed one degree Celsius — enough to lift oceans and unleash a
crescendo of deadly storms, floods and droughts — and is frighteningly on track
towards an unliveable 3C or 4C rise. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Extreme weather
conditions, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice are merely a tip
of the iceberg compared to massive damage that humans could pay as a price for
inaction. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If anyone thinks that the
problem is merely for the future generations to worry about, the thought is
futile because at current levels of greenhouse gas emissions, we could pass the
1.5C marker as early as 2030.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The report rightly seeks
huge changes in land, energy, industry, buildings, transportation and cities.
Global net emissions of carbon dioxide need to fall by 45 per cent from 2010
levels by 2030 and reach "net zero" around 2050.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The stakes are especially high for small island states, developing
nations in the tropics, and countries with densely-populated delta regions
already suffering from rising seas.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scientists and experts
have given their verdict. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Now it is the duty
of governments to act on the subject. Lethargy could prove disastrous. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The good news is that it
is possible to tackle the climate challenge and limit global warming to 1.5°C.
What is called for is global collective will and concrete action. There is
absolutely no time to waste. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>A salute to </u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>the elderly</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To forget the elderly is
to ignore the wisdom of the years, once wrote Donald Laird. As the world marks
the International Day for Older Persons on Monday, the crucial contributions
being made by this hugely respectable segment of society should be recognised
and saluted.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per United Nations
estimates, almost 700 million people are now over the age of 60. By 2050, 2
billion people, over 20 per cent of the world’s population, will be 60 or
older. With this in mind, enhanced attention to the particular needs and
challenges faced by most older people is clearly required.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s a collective
responsibility of those living in any country to care for the elderly. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thankfully, countries like
the UAE leave no stone unturned to help the aged and deserve praise for doing
so. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For example, the Sharjah
Social Services Department (SSSD) is all set to launch the seventh Elderly
Services Forum 2018, to be held under the slogan, "Sharjah Age-Friendly
City,” to highlight the most prominent services and programmes of age-friendly
cities. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The SSSD has also
conducted a survey on entertainment programmes for the elderly, aiming to
achieve the department's vision of promoting a safe and secure society and
enhancing family stability.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The gesture comes in line
with the SSSD’s strategy to empower the elderly, discussing the most prominent
proposals that serve several old people.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In Dubai, the Dubai
Municipality has provided dedicated walkways for the elderly people on public
beaches. The special pathways have been built for the People of Determination
and the elderly to enable them to cross the beach and reach the sea easily.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Obaid Salem Al Zaabi,
Permanent Representative of the UAE at the United Nations, pointed out in
Geneva recently that the UAE has been paying proper attention and care to older
persons and the Ministry of Community Development is working with civil society
organisations to provide an integrated social care and inclusion system.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The country has been
undertaking additional efforts to mitigate challenges facing older persons.
Programmes are in place protecting elderly persons from social exclusion and
providing them with services, while respecting the dignity of every person.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All this is possible due
to the UAE society’s deep-rooted values of caring and love for older people. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The International Day of
Older Persons offers another opportunity to highlight the important
contributions that older people make to society.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Lend refugees </u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>a helping hand</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">When people are forced to flee their homes due to war, violence or
persecution, it </span>hits at the
core of collective human conscience and raises questions about what the
international community is doing to address the issue. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With 68.5 million people
forcibly displaced worldwide as of the start of this year and funding by
governments for refugee and other displacement situations barely matching, the
worries of United Nations officials are understandably growing.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per a new report
released by the Donor Relations and Resource Mobilisation Service of UNHCR, the
UN Refugee Agency, based on contributions to date, it expects funding for 2018
to meet just 55 per cent of the $8.2 billion that is needed.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This compares to 56.6 per
cent in 2017 and 58 per cent in 2016. In short, donor funding is falling
increasingly behind even as the number of forcibly displaced worldwide has
grown.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The trend is certainly
worrisome as the consequences for refugees and internally displaced people in
particular are too real.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UN officials say they are
witnessing increases in malnutrition, health facilities being overcrowded,
housing and shelters becoming increasingly dilapidated, children either in
overcrowded classrooms or doing without school altogether, and growing
protection risks because of shortages of personnel to deal with unaccompanied
children or victims of sexual violence.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Six refugee and
displacement situations globally are particularly badly hit. These include
Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syria and
Somalia.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Sharjah International
Children’s Film Festival (SICFF 2018) organisers deserve praise for doing their
bit to raise awareness on the issue. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In seeking to raise
understanding and awareness of the refugee crisis, the sixth edition of the
Festival, organised by Funn Establishment – Sharjah Media Arts for Youth and
Children, has selected 13 short films that can inspire and provoke people to
act, and establish an understanding of what its like to be forced to leave
homes and countries, with nowhere to go. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beginning from Oct.14
until 19, the festival audiences can anticipate films that seek to bridge the
understanding of displacement crisis.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The world community should
step up assistance and see to it that vulnerable people are not left out. The
refugee issue is a global humanitarian challenge that must be collectively
addressed due to its significant impact on global stability and peace. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The future of entire
generations of children and young people in countries affected by conflicts and
unrest are at stake. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Blood donors </u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>are life savers</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blood transfusion saves
lives and improves health, but many patients across the world requiring
transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood. Such unavailability of
blood often leads to preventable deaths. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blood is the most precious
gift anyone can give to another person — the gift of life. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Providing safe and
adequate blood should be an integral part of every country’s national health
care policy and infrastructure, as World Health Organisation officials suggest.
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just last week, Dubai
Health Authority’s (DHA) Dubai Blood Donation Centre underlined the importance
of blood donation, indicating that while all blood types are needed, negative
blood types are in greater demand due to their rarity.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per Dr Mai Raouf,
Director of the Dubai Blood Donation Centre, only 0.6 per cent of the UAE
population are AB negative, 1.8 per cent are B negative, 2.4 percent are A
negative, 4 per cent are O negative. The O-positive blood types are most common
and are found in 38.6 percent of the population.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a continuous
demand for all blood types as blood lasts for only 42 days and, hence, donors
are always needed to come forward to replenish these stocks.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Interestingly, the Dubai
Blood Donation Centre, which has an international accreditation from the
American Association of Blood Banks since 2012, has taken a number of steps to
provide smart services that ease the customer’s journey. Among them is the
DAMMI App, which makes it easier to find the time and place to make blood
donations in Dubai.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The app allows blood
donors to answer donation eligibility questionnaire and read pre-donation
educational material through their mobile phones before they reach the donation
centre.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Ministry of Health and
Prevention (MOHAP) provides blood donation services within the priority health
services by providing blood units and their components for hospitals in the
private and government sectors.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr Hussein Abdel-Rahman
Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for Health Clinics and Centres, recently made
an interesting observation that the UAE, with the support of its wise
leadership, has become self-sufficient in safe blood, with 100 per cent of the
blood supply in the MOHAP coming from voluntary blood donations.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This has positioned the
UAE at the regional level in terms of safe blood transfusion services. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blood donors, who help
save several lives every year whether through regular or emergency donations,
truly deserve a hearty salute. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-32999091628477034612018-09-16T21:27:00.000+04:002018-09-16T21:27:21.904+04:00Generation ‘gaffe’<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they
show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.</span>
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>These are
not my words, but of great philosopher, Socrates.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>So it is
that generation after generation, we are used to blaming GenNext for all the
ills in the society. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>There is
a need to press the “pause” key on this trend and acknowledge that the present
generation kids are gems, who work very hard, are more focused, and sadly, are
deprived of much leisure and playtime that the earlier generations enjoyed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Bullock
cart days offered much spare time, competition was less and colleagues behaved
like family. Just a few decades ago, phones and television were luxury items,
leaving more time for social get-togethers. No computers meant plenty of time
for oneself and no 24/7 duties. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Doctors
earlier never asked for a dozen medical tests for even minor ailments like
cold, cough and sneezing. A doctor would just ask the patient to open his mouth
wide like a hippopotamus and immediately declare, “You have diphtheria.” </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Fast
forward. Children have no time for their parents, friends or even themselves.
Round-the-clock classes means they have little time to eat, play or make merry.
When they fall sick, the list of medical tests could test anyone’s patience. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Rat race
has made them machines, while machines are injected with artificial
intelligence to compete. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In spite
of such a challenging field of action, today’s kids shine like stars and often
use charming words like “Awesome, Cool.” </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Stop
blaming kids and instead salute them.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-66112961991930416872018-09-12T22:11:00.000+04:002018-09-12T22:11:11.067+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Here are
some recent editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records): </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>World
cannot afford </span></span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>to lose
war on hunger</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The war
against hunger is truly mankind’s war of liberation, once stated John F.
Kennedy. Unfortunately, the global war on hunger is losing steam and the
unpalatable truth is that the number of undernourished people actually
increased from 777 million to 821 million over the last two years.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
implication is also that global hunger reached an alarming ten-year high in
2017, as indicated by the UN’s annual multi-agency flagship report on the State
of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The trend
confirms a worrying reversal of positive movement seen earlier in the new
millennium.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>A glance
at the figures could rattle anyone’s conscience. Globally, one in nine do not
have enough food to eat. In sub-Saharan Africa, more than one in four may have
suffered from chronic hunger in 2017. Asia has the largest number of
undernourished people — 515 million. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Nearly
151 million children under five suffered from stunting due to malnutrition, a
condition that hampers physical and mental development. More than 50 million
children under five are too thin for their height and more than 38 million are
overweight.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Achieving zero hunger by 2030 is one of the UN's
Sustainable Development Goals adopted by member states in 2015. The setting of
such a goal is indeed noble, but lack of timely, coordinated and effective
action may mar the objective. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Children are paying a heavy price. Save the
Children charity’s warning that 600,000 children in war zones could die from
extreme hunger by the end of this year as funding shortfalls kick in and
warring parties block supplies from getting to the people who need them should
be taken very seriously.<span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>UN
experts have identified three primary drivers across the world as reasons for
the increase in hunger: the intensification of conflict, an economic downturn
and the effects of climate change. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Climate
variability and extremes are already undermining food production in some
regions and if action to mitigate disaster risk reduction and preparedness is
not taken the situation will only get worse as temperatures are expected to
rise and become more extreme.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>While the
root causes of hunger have been diagnosed, world leaders need to join hands and
address the issue by implementing peace and climate resilience initiatives.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>It should
never be forgotten that hunger is the world’s most solvable challenge. What is
called for is collective will and action. Not a single person on earth should
go to bed hungry because of deprivation. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Time for
truce </span></span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>on trade
war</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
global markets are increasingly feeling the heat of the trade war ignited by <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">US President Donald Trump and the escalating
frictions could throttle global growth and strike at the heart of the trading
system.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Trump, who is challenging China, Mexico, Canada and
the European Union on trade issues, has also expressed displeasure about the
large US trade deficit with Japan.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Fears over a rapid intensification of the trade
brawl hit emerging markets and sent stocks to a fresh 2018 low on Monday,
hurting major currencies with India’s rupee tumbling to record lows and
Russia's rouble at its weakest in two years.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>India is already witnessing street protests over
the issue of falling rupee and rising prices. With a general election less than
nine months away, demonstrations against record high petrol and diesel prices
shut down businesses, government offices and schools in many parts of India on
Monday, while in some places protesters blocked trains and roads and vandalised
vehicles.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Russia's rouble weakened beyond 70 versus the
dollar for the first time since March 2016 before recovering its losses,
buckling under pressure from uncertainty about US sanctions and concern ahead
of a central bank meeting on Friday.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Last week, Trump blamed the European Union and
raised the spectre of slapping tariffs on Europe's auto industry. Auto tariffs
would be seen as a blow by Germany and would add to existing levies on steel
and aluminium that Trump imposed on Europe in June. The EU imposed a raft of
counter-duties in return.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Trump went to the extent of saying earlier that the
European Union was "possibly almost as bad as China" when it comes to
trade.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Trump’s latest warning that he may slap tariffs on
virtually all Chinese imports to the United States and Beijing’s retort that it
would certainly retaliate has literally pushed the fight on to the next stage. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Washington is considering extending penalties to an
additional $267 billion of Chinese products. That would be on top of $50
billion of goods already hit by 25 per cent duties and another $200 billion on
which Washington is poised to raise tariffs.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>China matched Washington's first round of tariff
hikes on $50 billion of its goods, but owing to lopsided trade balance Beijing
is running out of imports for retaliation. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>What is called for is an immediate truce on trade
war. Meaningful and sincere negotiations would prove more sensible in sorting
out such issues rather than throttling markets with uncertainty.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Endless
anguish of</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Afghan
civilians</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
continuing <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">wave of violence </span>and
ever-rising number of civilian casualties in Kabul and across Afghanistan is a
matter that cannot be ignored anymore. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>An entire
generation of children in the country has only witnessed violence in their
lives, at a time when they should have been studying in school and playing in
the gardens. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>According
to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, nearly 4.2
million people in Afghanistan are in acute need of humanitarian assistance,
including 1.9 million internally displaced by conflict, and more than 60,000
refugees who have returned home need help to restart their lives.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Afghan people are forced to suffer for no mistake
of their own. </span></span><span>Compounding
the problem, the country is facing a massive drought that is affecting 70 per
cent of its territory, and putting 1.3 million women, children and men at risk.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>In the past two days alone, Taliban fighters have
killed nearly 60 members of the security forces in a spate of attacks in the
northern areas and threatened a provincial capital for the second time in as
many months.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>An
unprecedented ceasefire in June followed by talks between US officials and
Taliban representatives in July raised hopes that peace negotiations could
bring an end to the <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">17-year conflict.</span>
But the continuing deadly violence has diluted all optimism. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The intensified fighting also raises questions
about the peaceful conduct of Afghanistan's long-delayed parliamentary
elections scheduled on October 20.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The already overstretched security forces will be
tasked with protecting thousands of polling stations around the country even
when they are struggling to beat back insurgents.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Civilians have suffered beyond imagination. </span></span><span>The conflict killed 763 civilians
and injured 1,495 in the first three months of this year alone, as per United
Nations statistics. The 2,258 civilian casualties, documented from Jan.1 to
March 31 by UNAMA, are at the similar levels recorded in the first three months
of 2017 and 2016. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The endless
cycle of violence has undermined peace and stability in the country for too
long and should end immediately. While the ordinary and vulnerable people
continue to live in insecurity and fear, those responsible for heinous crimes
have been managing to escape punishment. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>A
categorical rejection of all forms of violence is the only way forward.
Militants should realise that nothing could be achieved through such senseless
violence. Those involved in killing of innocent people should be made
accountable and forced to face the law. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Another
unfair US move</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>against
Palestinians</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Washington’s
bias in favour of Israel is becoming increasingly obvious with each passing day
and this raises serious questions whether it can act as a legitimate moderator
in the Middle East peace process. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>President Donald Trump’s latest order to stop $25
million in assistance earmarked for the care of Palestinians in East Jerusalem
hospitals can only be seen as </span></span><span>yet another mean and unjustified act by the United States,
in an attempt to arm-twist Palestinians into negotiations. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Such a move will directly threaten the lives of
thousands of Palestinians and the livelihoods of thousands of hospital
employees.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>What
shocks the world community is that the latest action follows the recent move by
Trump <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">to halt funding to the United Nations
Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has been a lifeline for millions of
Palestinian refugees since it was set up nearly 70 years ago.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
freezing of funds to the UNRWA, recognising occupied Jerusalem as the capital
of Israel, relocating US embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem, refusing
to restrain the occupation forces from illegally expanding settlements are all
acts that expose Washington’s prejudice against Palestinians. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Last month, the Trump administration said it would
redirect $200 million in Palestinian economic support funds for programmes in
the West Bank and Gaza.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>It is
hugely distressing that Trump has preferred to mix politics with humanitarian
issues. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The US covers 40 per cent of costs
in six east Jerusalem hospitals that provide care for Palestinians from the
Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.</span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Bassem Abu Libdeh, director of Makassed hospital,
has already cautioned that US decision to cut funding to hospitals serving the
Palestinians will have a "severe effect."</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The US aid cut has come at a time when the hospital
is going through a suffocating crisis as a result of the lack of flow of
financial aid.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Any individual or country proposing to act as a
mediator should rise above all bias. Through its recent deeds, Washington has
raised more suspicion about its intentions by trying to please Israel while
ignoring legitimate Palestinian appeals. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Israel’s
sole goal is to prolong the occupation and entrench the grave suffering of the
Palestinian people. America should not allow itself to be seen as a partner in
such a demeaning endeavour. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Trump has made it clear that he is working to force
the Palestinians to negotiate. Force should be applied against the aggressors
and not the victims, Mr Trump. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Physical
inactivity a</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></b><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>global
health problem</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Technology
brings with it huge advantages, but the flip side is its harmful impact on the
health of individuals across the globe. Sedentary jobs are making more and more
people less active and the health consequences could be dire. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Now a
World Health Organisation (WHO) study has warned that insufficient physical
activity is a leading risk factor for non-communicable disease, negatively
impacting mental health and overall quality of life and the message should be
addressed in all earnestness. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Inactivity
is actually putting the physical and mental health of as many as 1.4 billion
adults at risk, as per WHO.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
study, published in The Lancet Global Health journal, has coherently
highlighted the well-established benefits of being physically active, including
a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes, as well as
breast and colon cancer. Additionally, physical activity has positive effects
on mental health, can delay the onset of dementia, and help people maintain a
healthy weight.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The study
has made it clear that by the end of 2016, in 55 of 168 countries, more than
one-third of the population was insufficiently physically active and this
should be seen as a major cause for concern. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
greatest levels of insufficient activity comparing women and men appeared in
South Asia (43 versus 24 per cent), Central Asia, Middle East and north Africa
(40 vs. 26 per cent), and high-income Western countries (42 vs. 31 per cent).</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Fitness
and health awareness programmes could go a long way in motivating people to
stay fit and events like the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) deserve special
praise.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Incidentally,
the Dubai Fitness Challenge, the flagship fitness initiative launched last year
by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and
Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, will return with a wider public
programme in 2018. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
inaugural DFC 2017 saw the public and private sectors come together as a
response to a city-wide movement, to encourage 786,000 citizens and residents
of all ages and fitness levels to commit to 30 consecutive minutes of daily
physical activity for 30 days, as well as organise other events across Dubai
and the rest of the UAE throughout the month-long festival.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Countries
need to scale up policy actions to promote physical activity. As experts point
out, investing in policies to promote walking, cycling, sport and active
recreation can contribute directly to achieving many of the 2030 Sustainable
Development Goals.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-8123954604490855072018-06-17T22:03:00.000+04:002018-06-17T22:03:14.978+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="taglinetextl11colorc1taglineen"><b>Here are some recent editorials I wrote for The
Gulf Today. (Posted for my records): </b></span>
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="taglinetextl11colorc1taglineen"><b>Antarctic ice loss not a cozy trend</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Antarctica has lost a staggering three trillion tonnes of ice since
1992, as per a consortium of 84 scientists reported in the journal “Nature,”
and this is a loud wake-up call for naysayers who keep expressing doubts about
the continent's shrinking ice mass.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The scientists’ warning should be taken seriously because they insist
that the frozen continent could redraw earth's coastlines if global warming
continues unchecked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The matter is so serious that low-lying coastal cities and communities
home to hundreds of millions of people face existential threat.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Up to now, scientists have struggled in determining whether Antarctica
has accumulated more mass through snowfall than it loses in meltwater run-off
and ice flows into the ocean. But more than two decades of satellite data — the
new findings draw from 24 separate space-based surveys — have finally yielded a
more complete picture.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">West Antarctica has proven far more vulnerable to global warming,
especially the Antarctic Peninsula, where more than 6,500 square kilometres of
ice shelves have sheared off into the sea since 1995.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Already floating, ice shelves breaking off into icebergs do not add to
sea level. But massive glaciers on West Antarctica slowly gliding seaward hold
enough water to push oceans up by 3.5 metres.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Climate change is a matter
that affects each and every living organism on earth. Without rapid cuts in <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">carbon dioxide </span>and other greenhouse gas
emissions, we will be heading for dangerous temperature increases by the end of
this century, well above the target set by the Paris climate change agreement.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Weather-related disasters caused some $320 billion in economic damage,
making 2017 the costliest year ever for such losses.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">In social as well as economic terms, the 2017 Atlantic hurricane
season was devastating, washing away decades of development in an instant.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">In South Asia, major monsoon floods affected 41 million people.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">In Africa, severe drought drove nearly 900,000 people from their
homes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Wildfires caused destruction across the world. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Climate change is moving
much faster than anticipated. Ic<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">e loss of
2.7 trillion tonnes since 1992 added about eight millimetres to sea level. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It will be irresponsible
for the present generation to leave an inhospitable planet for the future
generations to inherit. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The observation by the scientists on Antarctic ice melting is another
ringing alarm for action to slow the warming of our planet. Any lethargy on
this front could prove too expensive for humanity. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tariff war is not</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>good for world</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At a time when everyone
thought the world would be spared a dreaded tariff war, <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">US President Donald Trump has struck again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">W<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">eeks of back and forth between Washington and
Beijing that have veered in tone from conciliatory to hostile had left
observers bemused, but Friday saw Trump unveiling hefty tariffs on $50 billion
of Chinese imports, prompting China to announce equal levies on US goods.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Raising tensions between the world's two largest economies are
certainly not pleasing news. What is worrisome is that such actions could shake
investor confidence and bruise global growth.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">China has swiftly retaliated by imposing "equal" tariffs on
US products. "We will immediately launch tax measures of equal scale and
equal strength," the commerce ministry said in a statement on its web site
which also called on other countries to "take collective action"
against this "outdated and backwards behaviour."</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Beijing has also made it clear that it will negate agreements it had
reached with the US during previous consultations over the penalties.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Washington’s warning of "additional tariffs" should China
hit back with tit-for-tat duties on American goods and services exports merely
ignites the row further. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trump has riled key allies
by pursuing protectionist trade policies, including the imposition of steel and
aluminum tariffs on the European Union, Canada and Mexico.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He stunned his
counterparts by backing out of a joint communique agreed by Group of Seven
leaders in Canada last weekend that mentioned the importance of free, fair and
mutually beneficial trade.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Already, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has hinted at a new front in
the trade row with the United States, warning that Europe's strategic interests
rode on the future of Europe's car industry and hinting at competition probes
of US Internet giants.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Trump has repeatedly criticised Europe, and Germany in particular, for
running large trade surpluses over the United States.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Trump should heed the </span>International
Monetary Fund (IMF) warning that his new import tariffs threaten to undermine
the global trading system, prompt retaliation by other countries and damage the
US economy.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per IMF Director
Christine Lagarde, the tariffs will have a larger economic toll if they prompt
retaliation from trading partners like Canada and Germany.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moving the globe further
away from an open, fair and rules-based trade system cannot be termed sensible
at a time when the world is hugely inter-connected. One only hopes good sense
prevails.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>World should stand by</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>people of determination</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is one of the most widely-ratified
international human rights treaties, which reaffirms that people with
disabilities are entitled to the same treatment as everybody else.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cementing and protecting
the rights of around 1.5 billion people around the world in accordance with the
Convention is a moral imperative, as rightly pointed out by United Nations
Secretary-General António Guterres.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mere signing and ratifying
the Convention is not enough. Vigorous implementation holds the key.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Countries should robustly
apply the Convention to their development policies, investments and legal
systems so as to fulfil the central pledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development: to leave no one behind.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">Talking on the subject, the UAE deserves praise for always remaining
in the forefront when it comes to the welfare and empowerment of the people of
determination.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Continuing a slew of
measures aimed at empowerment, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and
Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum last year
launched the National Strategy for Empowering People with Special Needs.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">The policy revolves around 6 pillars including health and
rehabilitation, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment, mobility,
social protection and family empowerment, and public life and sports.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">Importantly, Sheikh Mohammed declared that people with special needs
will be referred to as “people of determination” to recognise their
achievements in different fields.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">The creation of the People of determination Advisory Council is a huge
step to empower this segment and enables them to play an important part in the
country’s development.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">The UAE’s Federal Law No.29 of 2006 protects the rights of people of
determination and guarantees them the right to live with dignity. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sheikh Mohammed has always
maintained that people of determination represent an integral component of
UAE’s society and have the right to enjoy a happy and dignified life like other
community groups. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per UN officials, every
minute, more than 30 women are seriously injured or disabled during childbirth.
Women and girls with disabilities face multiple barriers to accessing
education, health services and jobs.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Across the world, people
of determination still often face overt discrimination, stereotyping and lack
of respect for their basic human rights – with women and girls
disproportionately affected.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Other countries can take a
cue from the UAE and initiate intense efforts so that people of determination
can fully participate in society.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>UN vote a victory for </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Palestinians, justice</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The backing for a resolution by as many as 120 countries at the UN
General Assembly calling for </span>greater
protection for Palestinians and deploring the use of excessive,
disproportionate and indiscriminate force by the Israeli military against
Palestinian civilians, particularly in Gaza, sends a powerful warning message
to the occupation forces and is an unambiguous victory for Palestinian human
rights and justice. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is no justification
for the use of live ammunition by Israeli forces against civilian protesters,
including children, as well as medical personnel and journalists. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Israel has for long been
emboldened by the unstinted and blind support extended by Washington and the
stunning helplessness of the <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">world
community, which has remained silent in the face of the most violent crimes and
human rights violations systematically perpetrated against the Palestinian
people by Israeli forces.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Israel stands exposed as
not a single Israeli has been fatally attacked, but a<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">t least 129 Palestinians have been killed by
Israeli fire during peaceful protests near the border with Gaza that began at
the end of March. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The largest number of deaths occurred on May 14, the day the United
States moved its embassy in Israel to occupied Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">US Ambassador Nikki Haley’s allegation that Arab countries are trying
to score political points at home through the resolution makes absolutely no sense
in view of such merciless killings of innocent Palestinians. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It may be recalled that <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">in December, 128 countries defied US President
Donald Trump and voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution calling
for the United States to drop its recognition of occupied Jerusalem as Israel's
capital.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The General Assembly had then largely ignored Trump's threats to cut
off aid to any country that went against the US and voted 128-9 to denounce the
president's action. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UN’s position is that
occupied Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through
negotiations between the parties.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The international
community should be more vigilant now and see to it that the Israeli occupation
forces fully abide by legal obligations and responsibilities under the fourth
Geneva Convention on protecting civilians.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">All that the peace-loving people across the world ask for is the
protection of Palestinian civilian population. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Israel should realise that it has crossed all limits. The world will
not tolerate any more atrocities by its forces and the backing of such a large
number of countries for the UN resolution is an indication of that view. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-1724281659940328242018-05-29T21:49:00.000+04:002018-05-29T21:49:53.692+04:00‘Spiderman’ saved baby, and honour of migrants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="mentions-texteditor__content">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(My salute to migrants - Editorial for The Gulf Today)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="mentions-texteditor__content">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While
video footage of Malian "Spiderman" Mamoudou Gassama scaling four
storeys of a Paris building with his bare hands to save a child dangling
from a balcony has catapulted him to global fame, the incident has also
brought into sharp focus the plight of millions of migrants, who risk
their lives on rough seas and unknown territories just in the hope that
one day the sun would shine and they might find a better life.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="mentions-texteditor__content">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">French
President Emmanuel Macron has sent the right signals by hailing the
22-year-old Malian migrant as an "example" and offering him citizenship.
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="mentions-texteditor__content">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, Gassama’s act of
heroism comes as lawmakers debate a controversial bill in France that
would speed up the deportation of economic migrants and failed
asylum-seekers, thousands of whom live in sordid camps in the capital.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="mentions-texteditor__content">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Like
almost all other refugees and migrants, Gassama’s story has also been
one of huge challenges. He has been living illegally and working in
construction since arriving in September last year following a perilous
journey from his homeland to Libya and then Italy. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="mentions-texteditor__content">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On
his arrival in France after travelling the Mediterranean migrant route,
Gassama was just given a mattress on the floor in a room occupied by
his brother and three relatives from his home village.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="mentions-texteditor__content">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Migrants
and refugees are humans too. It’s the strangulating circumstances they
are in that force them to look for greener pastures. Exploitation,
extreme weather conditions, new cultures and food habits, hostile hosts
are just a few of the line of thorns they are forced to overcome. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="mentions-texteditor__content">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
birth of a baby boy, aptly named Miracle, on board a ship in the
Mediterranean after his migrant mother was rescued trying to make the
crossing from Libya last week highlights the length to which migrants go
seeking safer places. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="mentions-texteditor__content">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘Miracle’ is said to be the 36th baby to be born on board one of the ships that patrol the Mediterranean.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="mentions-texteditor__content">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Migration
is not a crime. Slamming doors, closing borders and keeping people out
will never ever be a solution. Fair migration laws will benefit all and
that’s precisely what the international community should strive for. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-84623733237248606262018-05-27T21:30:00.002+04:002018-05-27T21:30:25.732+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Here are some recent
editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):</b>
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Trump, Kim should seize
</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>peace opportunity</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">A</span><span class="taglinetextl11colorc1taglineen">fter a few </span><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">turbulent days
of diplomatic brinkmanship that sent tensions soaring,</span><span class="taglinetextl11colorc1taglineen"> there
is some positive news from across the Korean peninsula. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has committed to complete
denuclearisation and to a landmark summit with US President Donald Trump, as
per a statement by South Korean President Moon Jae-in. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Though Trump rattled a sabre on Thursday by cancelling the planned
June 12 meeting with Kim in Singapore citing "open hostility" from
Pyongyang, fortunately, within 24 hours he reversed course, saying it could
still go ahead.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="taglinetextl11colorc1taglineen">The “Will they, won’t they?” question has been
answered with “Yes, they will.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The need to protect the
momentum and seize the opportunities available to find a peaceful path forward
should never be underestimated. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is heartening is that
the peace process has sustained, despite the on and off hiccups. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Just last year, Trump and Kim were trading war
threats and insults after Pyongyang tested its most powerful nuclear weapon to
date and missiles it said were capable of reaching the US mainland.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">There are still stark differences between the two sides. Washington wants
North Korea to give up all its nukes in a verifiable way as quickly as possible
in return for sanctions and economic relief.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Pyongyang has a different view of what denuclearisation might look
like and remains deeply worried that abandoning that deterrent would leave the
country vulnerable to regime change.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scepticism reigns on
whether <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Kim would actually ever fully
abandon his nuclear arsenal. Moon has also indicated that North Korea is not
yet convinced it can trust security guarantees from the United States.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If successful, recent
efforts towards lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula would formally end one of
the world’s longest unresolved conflicts, which began in June 1950. An
armistice brought about a ceasefire in 1953, but the war never officially ended
because the parties failed to reach agreement over a peace treaty.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Discussions across the table, however heated, are any time better and
safer for humanity than firing of ballistic missiles and calling names via
social media. Direct talks between the leaders of the United States and North
Korea are crucial to resolving the crucial nuclear issue. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sustainable peace and
denuclearisation are the ultimate goals. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">All
sides involved should seize the historical opportunity to settle matters
through honest and productive dialogue. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Any other path is strewn with huge risks not only for the Korean
peninsula, but the rest of the world too. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>No place for hatred</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>in a sane society</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Darkness cannot drive out
darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do
that, once stated Martin Luther King, Jr.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately, that
virtuous message seems to have lost its way before reaching Nottingham city in
Britain. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is appalling to note
that three out of five of Nottingham's Muslims have been victims of hate crime.
Many victims specifically cite Islamophobia and religion as the motivation
behind the offences.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per a report in <span> </span><span> </span>The
Independent, Citizens UK, in collaboration with academics from Nottingham Trent
University and the University of Nottingham, collected the experiences of 1,202
people in Nottingham, including the frequency, causes and locations of hate
crime.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The report, titled “Still
No Place For Hate,” found more than a third (35 per cent) of all people
surveyed in the city had experienced a hate crime, an increase of six per cent
since the last report in 2014.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I wear the Islamic dress
and the perpetrator was shouting that I was hiding a bomb,” one respondent
said. “On another incident whilst driving in my car, a passerby was shouting and
calling me Bin Laden.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Regularly am followed
when I go out in a hijab and abused the whole journey back home,” a woman
reported. “Regularly get abuse online and on Facebook.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is no place for such
hatred in a sane society. Every person is entitled to human rights without
discrimination. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rights to equality and
non-discrimination are cornerstones of human rights law. Yet blatant racism,
xenophobia and religious hatred continue to remain the bane of certain
societies. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It should never be
forgotten that discrimination against individuals affects the society as a
whole.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sajid Mohammed, leader of
Citizens UK subsidiary Nottingham Citizens, has pointed out that “Everyone from
the new Home Secretary to Nottingham school girls as young as 12 have ended up
victims of hateful slurs.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Communities can and must
change this dreadful trend. There should be zero tolerance towards hate crime.
Trust in the police will be eroded if hate crime cases are not handled with the
seriousness they deserve. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The report serves as a
perfect reminder that the authorities need to do much more to challenge hate.
Leaders should be sincere in working with the community and find ways to better
promote tolerance and respect for diversity.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They should realise that
if there is no harmony in society, they will also have to pay a price, if not
today, some day. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Air pollution </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>a global threat</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">More than 90 per cent of the global population is breathing in high
levels of pollutants, says the World Health Organization (WHO) and that is as
good as saying almost entire humanity is affected. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The implication is that
air pollution levels remain dangerously high in many parts of the world. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Considering the seriousness of the subject, the
global community needs to take rapid and coordinated remedial measures. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">New data from WHO shows
that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants.
Updated estimations reveal an alarming death toll of 7 million people every
year caused by ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sadly, the poorest and
most marginalised people bear the brunt of the problem. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Dr Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, points out, it is unacceptable that over
3 billion people – mostly women and children – are still breathing deadly smoke
every day from using polluting stoves and fuels in their homes.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ambient air pollution
alone caused some 4.2 million deaths in 2016, while household air pollution
from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies caused an estimated 3.8
million deaths in the same period.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More than 90 per cent of
air pollution-related deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, mainly
in Asia and Africa, followed by low and middle-income countries of the Eastern
Mediterranean region, Europe and the Americas.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per WHO officials,
ambient air pollution levels are lowest in high-income countries, particularly
in Europe, the Americas and the Western Pacific. Europe also has the highest
number of places reporting data. Unfortunately, Africa and some of the Western
Pacific have a serious lack of air pollution data.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not all is lost, however.
The positive news is that more and more governments are committing to monitor
and reduce air pollution.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Air quality can be
improved by implementing policy measures such as banning the use of coal for
“space heating” in buildings, using clean fuels for electricity production and
improving efficiency of motor vehicle engines. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cities like Copenhagen and
Bogotà have improved air quality by prioritising dedicated networks of urban
public transport, walking and cycling. There is a lesson for others to learn
here. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is true that air
pollution does not recognise borders. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WHO experts have rightly
stated that improving air quality demands sustained and coordinated government
action at all levels. Countries need to work together on solutions for
sustainable transport, more efficient and renewable energy production and use
and waste management. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Protect civilians </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>caught in conflict</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With more than 128 million
people worldwide requiring immediate humanitarian aid, mostly due to war and
violence, the international community should do more to protect civilians
caught in conflict.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per United Nations
Secretary-General António Guterres, last year alone, more than 26,000 civilians
were killed or injured in many countries affected by conflict, including
Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo and
Iraq.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is in this background
that the UAE’s call on the UN Security Council and Member States to join in
protecting civilians and upholding international law by focusing on prevention
to address the root causes of conflict assumes deep significance. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a need to
recognise that regional conflicts require regional solutions and reinvigorate
the Council to ensure that it takes both action in response to conflicts and
follows through on its existing resolutions.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Ambassador Lana Zaki
Nusseibeh, UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York,
explicitly pointed out at the Open Debate on the protection of civilians in armed
conflict, the failure of the Council to respond decisively to conflict around
the world has exacted a profound human toll.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is called for is a
re-energised unity of purpose within the Council and renewed action to maintain
international peace and security.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With the conflict in
Syria, for example, now entering its 8th year, the world is experiencing the
challenge of multiple armed conflicts that have severe implications for
civilian communities. These conflicts have in many instances been worsened and
prolonged by the Security Council’s failure to act.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Syrian people have
been denied humanitarian assistance for too long largely due to the inaction of
the Council to pass any resolutions or implement adopted resolutions on Syria.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Israeli occupation
forces have been inflicting much suffering on Palestinians for decades.
Israel’s recent actions at the Gaza Fence, which include attacks on doctors and
paramedics, clearly violated the protection for medical personnel assisting
wounded civilians guaranteed under the Fourth Geneva Convention and
international law.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ambassador Nusseibeh
rightly condemned Iran’s arming of various non-state actors in order to avoid
sovereign accountability for its actions, thereby putting the region at greater
risk. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The UN Council needs to
take bold steps towards countering the threats posed by non-state actors to
better address 21st century challenges. States such as Iran should be held
accountable for their attempts to violate international law and continued
violations of the UN Council’s resolutions.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-12399391814505912582018-04-30T21:22:00.002+04:002018-04-30T21:22:33.411+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Here are some recent editorials
I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):</b>
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Afghan attacks </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>a monstrous act</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Monday turned out to be
another tear-jerking day for Afghanistan. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Savage bombings carried
out by <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">cold-blooded terrorists claimed the
lives of several innocent people, including </span>children and brave
journalists doing their job.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">There is absolutely no justification for such monstrous attacks and
the perpetrators </span>should be
swiftly brought to justice. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The suicide attack that killed a group of Afghan journalists as they
gathered to cover a bomb explosion in Kabul was evidently a deliberate act targeting
the media, as the bomber had presented a press card to police before joining
the group standing near a blast site.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">A BBC reporter, Agence France-Presse chief photographer for
Afghanistan were among the victims, on the deadliest day for journalists in the
country since the fall of Taliban in 2001. Also killed was Maharam Durani, a
young female producer who had joined Radio Azadi, a local station, just a week
earlier.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Globally, it was the worst attack on journalists in a single incident
since 31 reporters and photographers were killed in a massacre in the
Philippines in 2009.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">As per the Afghanistan Journalists Safety Committee, at least 80
journalists and media workers have been killed working in the country since
2001. But there had never been a day when so many were killed in the same
attack.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Such horrific attacks have
been taking place in succession. Just l<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">ast
week, a suicide bomber attacked a voter registration centre in Kabul, killing
60 people and wounding at least 130 others. There were 22 women and eight
children among the fatalities.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">A month before, a suicide bomber targeted a shrine in Kabul in an
attack that killed 31 people.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The heartless terrorists
did not spare even children. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">In Kandahar,
where NATO-led forces operate out of a big air base, 11 children were killed
and 16 wounded when a suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden van into a
convoy.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The international
community needs to wake up to the reality in Afghanistan where bloodshed has
become a norm and civilians are not able to live in peace for years. The
suffering faced by Afghan families should be brought to an end. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The killing of such a
large number of journalists <span class="st">in the exercise of their profession</span>
is a direct assault on freedom of expression. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The Afghan government should do more to protect civilians and
journalists.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Those who organised and
enabled such cruel attacks should not be allowed to get away and must be held
to account. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Positive signals in </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Korean peace push</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has indicated that his country would
not only shut its nuclear test site in May but also invite experts and
journalists from the United States and South Korea when that happens. This is
hugely positive news from Pyongyang and undoubtedly a step in the right
direction. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Following Friday’s historic summit between the leaders of the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea, the world is
increasingly hopeful that the two countries would swiftly implement all agreed
actions, including ridding the Peninsula of nuclear weapons. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Nuclear weapons are the most dangerous enemies of humanity. The scale
of devastation they could cause is inconceivable. A single nuclear bomb
detonated over a large city could kill millions of innocent people.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">An armistice brought the fighting on the Korean peninsula to an end in
1953, but 65 years later, a final peace agreement has still not been reached.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Kim informed South Korean President Moon Jae-in during the summit that
the North would have no need to keep nuclear weapons if Washington commits to
formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War and signs a non-aggression pact with
Pyongyang. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">That leaves the ball in Washington’s court. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on his part, insists that the US
has an "obligation" to pursue a diplomatic solution with North Korea,
and there is a "real opportunity" for progress. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It’s not that there are no hiccups. While Pyongyang says it will close
its nuclear test site, Kim and Moon did not outline concrete measures to be
taken to achieve that goal of denuclearisation.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">If Kim offers commitment on this extremely sensitive subject and also
keeps his words, the United States should not hesitate to take matching
positive actions.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It’s so far so good insofar as the peace process is concerned and the
world community increasingly hopes that all sides keep their promises through
right action. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Let bygones be bygones. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Advancing harmony and
peace on the Korean Peninsula is not only good for the region, but the entire
world. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Sheikh Abdullah Bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,
pointed out, the groundbreaking summit between the two Koreas represents a
turning point on the path towards ending tension on the Korean Peninsula and
establishing peace and security there.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is absolutely necessary
to keep the momentum of such efficient steps. The international community
should also spare no effort in providing all needed support.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Do not ignore plight </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>of displaced people</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More than 40 million
people are displaced by conflict and another 25 million annually by disaster
within the borders of their own countries, according to the International
Organization for Migration (IOM).</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The numbers not only
startle but also indicate the need for collective and effective global action
to tackle the root causes of internal displacements.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To compound the worry,
children, on average, make up over half those numbers.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Internally displaced
people (IDP) is a label given to those who remain in their homeland, as opposed
to refugees, who flee across borders.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“In 1998, internal
displacement was recognised as one of the world’s greatest tragedies and 20
years later, it still is,” as William Lacy Swing, head of IOM, points out. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately, the number
of internally displaced people has nearly doubled in two decades due to ongoing
new displacements, a lack of solutions for those being left behind in
protracted crises and a chronic shortfall of almost 50 per cent of funding
needed to meet basic humanitarian needs.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thus, the daily tragedy of
internal displacement continues for millions of people around the globe. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Syrian conflict has
led to more than 6.1 million internally displaced people, with more than 13
million people inside the country requiring humanitarian assistance, including
nearly six million children.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In Idlib Province alone,
some 1.5 million people are said to be displaced in various locations, making
it “the biggest refugee camp in many ways.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The agony of the world’s
most persecuted community, the Rohingya in Myanmar, cannot be ignored. Over
400,000 Rohingya Muslims still living in Rakhine State continue to face a life
of hardship and marginalisation due to movement restrictions.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These restrictions
severely compromise their rights and obstruct their access to health,
livelihoods, education and other essential services.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">About 2.2 million people
became internally displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo last year
alone, nearly doubling the total number of internally displaced people to 4.5
million.<span class="article-container"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="article-container">Internal
displacement is a serious issue, but the phenomenon has largely been neglected.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It should not reach a
situation where insecurity and hopelessness set in the minds of displaced
persons. It is the duty of the rest of humanity to wake up and extend a helping
hand. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The victims face a
desperate humanitarian situation. The international community should initiate
action to alleviate the suffering of millions of men, women and children who get
trapped in conflict zones around the world. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>World should question</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Israel on brutal
killings</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With over 43 Palestinians
killed and more than 5,500 injured during protests in Gaza over the past month,
it is increasingly obvious that Israel has been using brutal and excessive
force against non-violent protesters. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The international
community cannot afford to remain a silent spectator to such monstrous killings
by the occupation forces. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has rightly called on Israel to ensure
that its security forces do not resort to use of excessive force amid the
ongoing demonstrations. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The staggering number of injuries caused by live ammunition only
confirms the sense that excessive force has been used against demonstrators —
not once, not twice, but repeatedly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately, such
repeated warnings by the UN and other peace-loving organisations and
individuals have gone unheeded, as the approach of the Israeli security forces
does not seem to have changed.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amnesty International is
also absolutely correct in calling for an arms embargo of Israel over the use
of live fire. For four weeks the world has watched in horror as Israeli snipers
and other soldiers, in full-protective gear and behind the fence, have attacked
Palestinian protesters with live ammunition and tear gas, as the human rights
organisation has stated. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Israel has so far unabashedly rejected calls for an independent
inquiry into the deaths along Gaza's border, which is a clear indication of its
guilty conscience. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Israel's open-fire rules are unambiguously unlawful as they allow
soldiers to use lethal force even in situations where their lives are not in
danger.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another cause for concern
is that over the last four weeks, four children were shot dead by Israeli
forces, three of them by a bullet to the head or neck. A further 233 were
injured by live ammunition, with some sustaining injuries that will result in
lifelong disabilities, including through the amputation of limbs.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The use of excessive force
against any demonstrator is reprehensible, but children enjoy additional
protection under international law, as Zeid points out. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is extremely difficult
to see how children can present a threat of imminent death or serious injury to
heavily protected Israeli security force personnel. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If the images of a child
being shot as he runs away from Israeli security forces do not shake the
conscience of humanity, what else will!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar">The importance of reaching a fair solution to the Palestinian cause
that ensures a decent and dignified life for the Palestinian people should
never be underestimated. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-61348570302574723632018-04-10T22:16:00.000+04:002018-04-10T22:19:17.582+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Here are some recent editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today.
(Posted for my records):</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><u>Banking on solar power</u></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><u>brings ray of hope</u></b></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Amid all the din of negativity concerning environment, a ray
of hope has emerged all the way from the sun and it is indeed pleasant news. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">According to the Global Trends in Renewable Energy
Investment 2018 report, released this week by the UN Environment Programme
(UNEP), solar energy dominated global investment in new power generation like
never before in 2017.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Solar power attracted far more investment than any other
technology, at $160.8 billion, up 18 per cent.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">A driving power behind last year’s surge in solar was China,
where an unprecedented boom saw some 53 gigawatts added — more than half the
global total — and $86.5 billion invested, up 58 per cent.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The extraordinary surge in solar investment shows how the
global energy map is changing and what the economic benefits are of such a
shift, as UNEP chief Erik Solheim points out. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Investments in renewables bring more people into the
economy, deliver more jobs, better quality jobs and better paid jobs. Clean
energy means less pollution, which means healthier, happier development.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Last year was the eighth in a row in which global investment
in renewables exceeded $200 billion – and since 2004, the world has invested
$2.9 trillion in these green energy sources.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The UAE too has been expediting the pace of clean and
renewable energy projects in order to secure a happy future.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Incidentally, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, broke ground on
the 700MW fourth phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the
biggest Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project in the world last month.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The project advances the UAE’s global leadership in the use
of clean and renewable energy.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Sheikh Mohammed made it clear that the UAE is developing a
new model for sustainability and innovation and is keen to find creative
solutions based on international best practices and benchmarks. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The CSP project, based on the Independent Power Producer
model, will generate 700MW of clean energy at a single site. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The project, which features the world’s tallest solar tower
measuring 260 metres and the world’s largest thermal energy storage capacity,
will provide clean energy to over 270,000 residences in Dubai, reducing 1.4
million tonnes of carbon emissions a year.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">This project has achieved the world’s lowest Levelised Cost
of Electricity of USD 7.3 cents per kilowatt hour (kW/h). </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">This is certainly a grand global achievement for the UAE.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><u>Nothing can justify</u></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><u>a chemical attack</u></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Barbaric is a mild word to describe the alleged use of
chemical weapons against civilians in the Syrian city of Douma during an attack
that killed dozens of people, including women and children. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Renewed violence in Douma is a matter of serious concern as
sustained airstrikes and shelling have killed civilians, destroyed
infrastructure and damaged health facilities. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Pope Francis has rightly pointed out “there is not a good
war and a bad one, and nothing, nothing can justify the use of such devices of
extermination against defenceless people and populations.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Just a week ago, Thomas Markram, Director and Deputy to the
High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, told the UN Security Council, that
the persistent allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Syria underscore
the need to identify solutions and reach agreement on an appropriate
accountability mechanism.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The Joint Investigative Mechanism of the Organisation for
the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and UN was created in 2015 by the
Council, but its mandate expired in November 2017.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">While allegations of the use of chemical weapons have not
stopped, consideration of a mechanism for accountability has apparently slowed,
if not come to a standstill, as Markram pointed out. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">In November last year, the Security Council failed to adopt
a resolution to renew the mandate of an international panel investigating the
use of chemical weapons in Syria, due to the use of the veto by permanent
member, Russia.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">An angry US President Donald Trump has already stated that
there will be a "big price to pay" after what he called a
"mindless chemical attack" in Syria. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">"Many dead, including women and children, in mindless
chemical attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by
Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world," the
president tweeted.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">With allegations and counter-allegations flying around, it
is the helpless Syrian population that is paying the price. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Syria has been bleeding for long and the fighting has
entered the eighth year. As per UN data, the conflict has produced more than
5.6 million Syrian refugees and 6.1 million internally displaced people, with
more than 13 million people inside the country requiring humanitarian
assistance, including nearly six million children.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The use of chemical weapons, under any circumstances, is
totally unjustifiable. The international community cannot afford to remain
silent. The perpetrators should not be allowed to get away with this kind of
monstrous act.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><u>UAE a humanitarian </u></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><u>role model for world</u></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The naming of the UAE as the world's largest donor of
development assistance in proportion to its gross national income (GNI) for the
fifth consecutive year by the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and
Development is a matter of pride and honour for the entire nation. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The path of benevolence has effectively been laid down by
the founding father of the nation, late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. To
this day, his generous legacy has been kept alive, crossing all borders and
barriers to touch the hearts of people in almost every country.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The UAE has exceeded the United Nations’ target of 0.7 per
cent official development assistance in proportion to its GNI ratio by donating
Dhs19.32 billion, a growth of 18.1 per cent over 2016, representing 1.31 per
cent of its GNI for official development assistance in 2017.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">It should be noted that up to 54 per cent of the value of
the aid is non-refundable grants that are aimed at supporting the developmental
plans of the beneficiaries, which totalled 147 countries, 40 of which are among
the least developed in different world continents.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">As Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation, points out, the UAE support has helped
secure the lives of millions of people around the world, establishing
international peace and security, creating better opportunities and a brighter
future for people in developing countries.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Right since its establishment, the UAE has been contributing
tremendously to international sustainable development efforts and humanitarian
response to global crises and disasters.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The nation’s commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian
assistance is total and inspirational. In December 2016, President His Highness
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared 2017 as the “Year of Giving,” in
which three key pillars were highlighted throughout the year: Corporate Social
Responsibility, CSR, Volunteering, and Serving the Nation.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The Year of Giving saw the development of various
comprehensive frameworks via various initiatives, strategies and programmes
that cemented the values of giving and philanthropy amongst the UAE’s citizens
and residents.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Sheikh Zayed once stated: “We believe that the benefit of
the fortune granted to us by God should spread to cover our brothers and
friends.” It is pleasing to note that the announcement on UAE being the world’s
largest humanitarian donor coincides with the celebration of the centennial of
Sheikh Zayed and marking of 2018 as the Year of Zayed.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">If the words kindness and Emirati are considered synonymous,
now one well knows the reason.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><u>Accelerate efforts to</u></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><u>cut global emissions</u></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ warning
that “climate change is still moving much faster than we are” calls for serious
attention of the world community. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Climate change is a matter that affects each and every
living organism on earth. Without rapid cuts in carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gas emissions, we will be heading for dangerous temperature
increases by the end of this century, well above the target set by the Paris
climate change agreement.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Rapidly increasing atmospheric levels of CO2 and other
greenhouse gases have the potential to initiate unprecedented changes in
climate systems that could lead to severe ecological and economic disruptions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The Paris Agreement on climate change, adopted by world
leaders in December 2015, aims to keep global temperature rise to well below 2
degrees Celsius and pursues efforts to limit the temperature increase even
further, to 1.5 degrees.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The year 2017 had been filled with climate chaos and 2018
has already brought more of the same.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Recent information from the World Meteorological
Organisation (WMO), the World Bank and the International Energy Agency shows
the relentless pace of climate change.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">For instance, as the UN chief points out, energy-related
carbon dioxide emissions rose 1.4 per cent, to a historic high of 32.5
gigatonnes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Weather-related disasters caused some $320 billion in
economic damage, making 2017 the costliest year ever for such losses.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">In social as well as economic terms, the 2017 Atlantic
hurricane season was devastating, washing away decades of development in an
instant.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">In South Asia, major monsoon floods affected 41 million
people.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">In Africa, severe drought drove nearly 900,000 people from
their homes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">As if these were not enough, wildfires caused destruction
across the world. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Arctic sea ice cover in winter is at its lowest level, and
the oceans are warmer and more acidic than at any time in recorded history.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">According to WMO officials, last year was one of the three
warmest on record, and the warmest not influenced by an El Niño event. From
November 2016 to December 2017, 892,000 drought-related displacements were
recorded. Both the Artic and Antarctica are warming up fast. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Guterres is absolutely right in stating that this tsunami of
data should create a storm of concern. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The international community has no choice but gear up and
meet the level of the climate challenge.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It will be irresponsible for the present generation to leave
an inhospitable planet for the future generations to inherit</span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-70553544902188867712018-03-25T21:04:00.000+04:002018-03-25T21:05:52.475+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some recent
editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today. (Posted for my records):</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Guns are not symbols </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>of non-violence</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When guns fall into the
wrong hands, innocent people pay with their lives. Repeated incidents in the
United States have shown that they indeed landed in wrong hands on many
occasions. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Rampant gun violence kills roughly
30,000 people per year in the US. Status quo on gun control regulations, hence,
is not acceptable. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">At least, that’s the loud and clear message from </span>h<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">undreds of
thousands of teenagers and supporters, rallying across the US for tougher laws
to fight gun violence.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The fact that the "March for Our Lives" events have drawn
massive crowds, marking the largest youth-led protests since the Vietnam War
era, sends a message with absolutely no ambiguity: S</span>omething needs to be done about gun control.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The shooting in Florida last month was the 18th in a US school this
year. The massacre was the deadliest ever at an American high school,
surpassing the 1999 rampage at Columbine High School in Colorado, where two
teenagers killed 12 students and a teacher and then themselves.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It’s not just the scared children from campuses who are speaking out.
Celebrities too are lending their voice in increasing numbers. For Pop star
Paul McCartney, who was among those marching next to New York's Central Park,
it’s a personal stake in the debate. "One of my best friends was shot not
far from here," he told CNN, referring to Beatles bandmate John Lennon,
who was gunned down near the park in 1980.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The young US organisers have also won kudos and cash from dozens of
celebrities, with singers Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande, as well as
"Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Actor George Clooney and his
human rights attorney wife, Amal, donated $500,000.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Making a rousing appearance at a protest in Washington, the
nine-year-old granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr. sent a crisp and powerful
message: "I have a dream that enough is enough. And that this should be a
gun-free world — period."</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Since the Parkland attack, the state of Florida and the US Congress
have made only modest tweaks to gun laws and President Donald Trump's proposal
to arm teachers has already met with widespread resistance.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The fact remains that thousands of school pupils have experienced a
shooting on campus in the US. Kids don't feel safe at schools. If this
situation does not trigger a change of attitude towards the dangers of
unbridled gun violence, what else will? </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>UAE presses right keys </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>in digital adoption</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Digitisation has taken the
global economies by storm. Smart technology is fast reshaping the future of the
world. The “man and machine” debate is intensifying by the day. Lethargy cannot
be an option anymore when it comes to digital transformation. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thankfully, the UAE has
not only recognised the tremendous power of technology, but also pressed the “smart”
key well ahead of others. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The impressive results are
already showing. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per a report by Al
Masah Capital Limited titled, "Digital Banking - ME Trends," the UAE
is leading the <span class="st">Middle East and North Africa (</span>MENA) region
with an impressive 16.4 per cent in digital penetration.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The MENA region offers
promising opportunities for the banks and other financial institutions, with
UAE and Saudi Arabia emerging as two of the most active markets in the
development of a digital ecosystem.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The MENA region enjoys a
large millennial population, which is expected to further drive the future of
digital banking industry.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All sectors are well
geared up to embrace digital transformation. For example, the world’s first
automated, artificial-intelligence-powered renewable energy digital utility is
set to be established in Dubai.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The utility is proposed by
the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) for the Dubai 10X Initiative,
an ambitious venture overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation. Dewa is
pioneering a new model of utility services leveraging innovation in renewable
energy, energy storage, artificial intelligence, and digital services.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the healthcare front,
the Dubai Health Authority has geared up to showcase some of the latest
innovations. This includes Dubai Genome, which aims to map the genomes of the
entire population (including residents) and use artificial intelligence to
analyse genetic data to change the face of medical care through personalised
medicine and prior detection of individuals at risk.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Roads and Transport
Authority in Dubai processed 547,461 online transactions relating to vehicle
licensing services in 2017. The transactions have been handled via smart
channels and are part of RTA’s strategic plans for transformation of all
services under the Smart City initiative.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In another interesting
development, the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority
recently launched the first stage of the "National Early Warning
System," by adopting a unified electronic system and activating a feature
to send warning messages through telecommunications networks, to reach the
general public through their mobile phones.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a fast-changing world,
digital adoption is a must and it is heartening that the UAE is far ahead of
others on this front. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Conserving water</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>everyone’s duty</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No water, no life. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That sums up what water
means to all lives on earth. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It is true that three-quarters of planet earth is covered with water,
but only 2.5 per cent is fresh water, and of this, less than 1 per cent is available
to sustain all terrestrial life and ecosystems.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Conservation and optimum utilisation of water are, hence, key words
that every human being should bear in mind. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.</span> more than two billion people worldwide lack access
to safe water and over 4.5 billion to adequate sanitation services. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By 2050 at least one in
four people may live in a country where the lack of fresh water will be chronic
or recurrent.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Growing demands for water, coupled with poor water management, have
increased water stress in many parts of the world.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As with most development
challenges, women and girls suffer disproportionately. For example, women and
girls in low-income countries spend some 40 billion hours a year collecting
water.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">T<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">he UN World water Development Report released this
week states that the global demand for water has been increasing at a rate of
about 1 per cent per year as a function of population growth, economic
development and changing consumption patterns, among other factors — and it
will continue to grow significantly over the next two decades.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">UN officials have well
pointed out how a resolute will can bring about positive change. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 1986, the province of
Rajasthan in India experienced one of the worst droughts in its history. Over
the following years, a non-governmental organisation worked alongside local
communities to regenerate soils and forests in the region by setting up water
harvesting structures. This led to a 30 per cent increase in forest cover,
groundwater levels rose by several metres and cropland productivity improved.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Faced with an
ever-increasing demand for water, China recently initiated a project, entitled “Sponge
City,” to improve water availability in urban settlements with the aim of
recycling 70 per cent of rainwater.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ukraine has been
experimenting artificial wetlands to filter some pharmaceutical products from
wastewater based on evidence that wetlands alone can remove 20 to 60 per cent
of metals in water and trap 80 to 90 per cent of sediment from runoff.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Individuals as well as
governments should work together towards protecting this vital resource.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Greater global cooperation, investment and innovation are the ways
forward to tackle the water challenge. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Slash emissions,</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>protect planet</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Climate change and extreme
weather patterns are serious issues that are said to push 26 million people
into poverty every year. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Events unraveling
throughout the world present huge challenges on the climate front and blind
denial of such occurrences just does not help.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">This time around, Europe has descended into a deep freeze while the
Arctic experiences record high temperatures, leaving scientists to ponder the
role global warming may play in turning winter weather upside down.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Sea ice cover in Antarctica has dropped to its second-lowest on record
and it is not yet clear what is driving the reduction after several years of
record-highs.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">According to Bureau of Meteorology Antarctic scientist Phil Reid,
since August 2016, the sea ice coverage has been tracking well below the
long-term average. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">A decade ago, a thick layer of ice covered the Collins Glacier on
Antarctica's King George Island. Now, the rocky landscape is visible to the
naked eye well highlighting how the region is a victim of climate change.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The World Meteorological
Organisation has cited consolidated data from five leading international
weather agencies to confirm that 2015, 2016 and 2017 have been the three
warmest years on record.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last year was the second
or third warmest on record behind 2016, and the hottest without an extra dose
of heat caused by an El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is unanimity amongst
almost all countries that joint effective action needs to be initiated to
tackle global warming. It is consoling that the climate deal under Paris
Agreement has now been ratified by 175 nations.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The crucial agreement has
set a goal of keeping the rise in average global temperatures to well below 2°C
above pre-industrial times, and ideally to 1.5 degrees. The world has already
warmed by about 1 degree.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately, Washington
holds a view on the subject contradictory to what is perceived by the rest of
the world. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It would definitely be
better and safer for the planet if US President Donald Trump changes his mind
on withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement to tackle climate
change and stays in the 2015 global deal.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Time is running out and
countries need to take serious action by expediting measures to slash heat-trapping
emissions to meet the Paris targets. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Complacency could lead to
serious repercussions, the signs of which are already in the air.</span></span></span> </span></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-46873061917714058472018-02-20T21:15:00.000+04:002018-02-20T21:15:08.038+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Here are some recent
editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today (Posted for my records):<span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar"><b>Guns not meant </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar"><b>for everyone</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Several precious lives have been lost in the deadly school shooting in
Florida and the</span> <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">key question that remains to be answered is how
the heavily-armed killer managed to hoodwink security and mingle with students
before pulling the trigger. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The fact that the shooting was the 18th in a US school this year, as
per gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety, implies that status quo cannot
remain an option on the security front. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The massacre was the deadliest ever at an American high school,
surpassing the 1999 rampage at Columbine High School in Colorado, where two
teenagers killed 12 students and a teacher and then themselves.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It was also the second deadliest at a US public school, after the 2012
massacre of 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary in
Newtown, Connecticut. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Since Sandy Hook, US schools upgraded the security arrangements and
installed electronically-controlled doors.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">As per media reports, a law enforcement officer is assigned to every
school in the district. Schools have a single point of entry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Distressingly, despite such precautionary measures, the heartless
killer managed to strike. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The Valentine's Day bloodshed also raises questions about ways to
tackle unbridled gun violence that has become a regular occurrence at US
schools and college campuses.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">By indicating that the suspect may have been "mentally
disturbed," President Donald Trump is trying to deviate from questions
about gun control. He had cited mental health as a cause for mass shootings
earlier too.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">In a tweet, Trump noted, "So many signs that the Florida shooter
was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior.
Neighbours and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such
instances to authorities, again and again!"</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">But the debate on gun
control cannot and should not be wished away. <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Pope Francis, for example, has frequently lashed
out at gun manufacturers, calling them "merchants of death." During
his 2015 speech to the US Congress, he called for an end to the arms trade,
which he said was fueled by a quest for "money that is drenched in blood,
often innocent blood."</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="st">Reality
television star Kim </span>Kardashian
is among a host of celebrities calling for tighter gun controls. “We owe it to our children
and our teachers to keep them safe while at school. Prayers won't do this:
action will. Congress, please do your job and protect Americans from senseless
gun violence,” she tweeted. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Such arguments do make
sense and deserve serious consideration.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Protect civilians in </b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Syria’s East Ghouta</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Nothing can justify the
merciless killing of innocent civilians anywhere. Unfortunately, that’s
precisely what is happening in <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Syria's
Eastern Ghouta</span>. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Air strikes hit the area for a third straight day on Tuesday, bringing
the civilian death toll to nearly 200 and the situation is undoubtedly
spiralling out of control.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">To add to the agony, 57 children were among those killed, as per the
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Hundreds of civilians have lost their lives or been injured in
airstrikes and shelling since November. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">There have been daily reports about civilians being killed and others
being severely wounded, in addition to markets, hospitals and schools being
damaged or destroyed. </span>There
have also been several allegations of chlorine attacks.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Media images of the situation on the ground are too disturbing to
watch as most children being rushed for medical aid are seen covered in mud and
blood. Doctors have been battling to save precious lives under precarious
conditions. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Videos have surfaced showing paramedics pulling out the injured from
under the rubble while others are seen frantically digging through the debris
in the dark, in search for survivors.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The mindless bloodshed has even prompted the UN children's agency,
Unicef, to issue a largely blank statement to express its anger.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">"We no longer have the words to describe children's suffering and
our outrage," the agency said in a brief postscript beneath the empty
space on the page. "Do those inflicting the suffering still have words to
justify their barbaric acts?"</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The International Committee of the Red Cross too issued a statement
saying that "this cannot go on."</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">As UN officials point out,
the recent escalation of violence compounds an already precarious humanitarian
situation for the 393,000 residents of East Ghouta, many of them internally
displaced, and which account for 94 per cent of all Syrians living under
besiegement.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The lack of access to
besieged areas has led to severe food shortages and a sharp rise in food
prices. Malnutrition rates have reached unprecedented levels and the number of
people requiring medical evacuations continues to surge.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The months-long isolation
has already left the local population totally exhausted.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Aid agencies should be
given unrestricted access to close to 3 million people in besieged and
hard-to-reach locations across Syria, including East Ghouta.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">All parties involved in
the conflict should strictly adhere to their obligations under international
humanitarian law to protect civilians from any harm.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><u>Children bearing </u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><u>brunt of conflicts</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Children hold a special
place in any society. They are to be protected. All children have the right to
live free from violence, which harms their physical and mental growth.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Unfortunately, more children
than ever before—at least 357 million globally—are now living in areas affected
by conflict, and are at risk of death and violence, as per the global charity,
Save The Children. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">A report by the group,
entitled “The War on Children: Time to End Violations Against Children in Armed
Conflict” shows this number has increased by as much as 75 per cent since the
early 1990s, with one in six children globally now living in impacted areas.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Alarmingly, nearly half of
these children are in areas affected by high-intensity conflict where they
could be vulnerable to the UN’s six grave violations—killing and maiming,
recruitment and use of children, sexual violence, abduction, attacks on schools
and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian assistance.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Among the major reasons
for the worsening situation are the increasing urbanisation of war, the growing
use of explosive weapons in populated areas, as well as the protracted and more
complex nature of modern conflict that has put children and civilians on the
front lines.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Syria, Afghanistan and
Somalia have turned out to be the worst countries for young people.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Since 2010, the number of
UN-verified cases of children being killed and maimed has gone up by almost 300
per cent. But the true figure is likely to be far higher given the difficulties
of verifying accounts in conflict zones.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">What adds to the shock is
that children are being targeted with more brutal tactics, such as the
deployment of youth as suicide bombers and the widespread use of weapons such
as barrel bombs. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Problems come in varied
forms for children. For example, this year 4.7 million children are at risk of
dropping out of school across South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya —
displaced from homes and schools because of the dual drivers of hunger: drought
and conflict. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">That’s 12,000 children a
day leaving school before gaining their qualifications — the consequences of
which could be grave.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">What should never be
forgotten is that every child deserves a future. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The global community
should act unitedly to prevent all forms of violence and exploitation against
all children. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Excuses just won’t work.
Any lapse on the part of the present generation to offer children the best
protection and care would prove to be a blot on entire humanity. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>UAE shows effective way</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>in pursuit of happiness</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The UAE is known as a land
of opportunities, enterprise and wisdom, where the happiness of the people tops
the list of priorities for the leadership. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The launch of "The
Global Happiness Coalition," comprising ministers of six countries
including UAE, Portugal, Costa Rica, Mexico, Kazakhstan and Slovenia, by
Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a splendid step that reflects the UAE’s
noble aim to spread cheer across the globe. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The UAE envisions the
importance of happiness as the ultimate goal for any government. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The world definitely needs
new form of coalitions that works for the wellbeing and happiness of people. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">As Sheikh Mohammed
outlined, "The Global Happiness Coalition reflects message where the UAE
aspirations meet with ambitions of different nations around the world, towards
creating a better future for everyone. It is time to join efforts as
governments to come up with new approaches and mechanisms to achieve people’s
happiness and improve their quality of life." </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Promoting happiness and
positivity in the community is also at the heart of all the Dubai government’s
plans and strategies, as Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Director-General of the
Smart Dubai Office, points out. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">This perfectly aligns with
the vision of Sheikh Mohammed, which seeks to build a fully-fledged smart city
that prioritises people’s happiness and offers the world a unique success
story.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Besides, it’s not all mere
aspiration sans effort. Dubai is actually leading from the front. The second
Global Dialogue for Happiness in Dubai reviewed on Saturday the 170 best
international experiences in happiness and wellbeing in the presence of
international organisations and institutions, and more than 500 government
officials, leading scientists, experts, and entrepreneurs from around the
world.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">The dialogue included 24
specialised sessions focusing on six main themes: global experiences, policies,
technology, education, human values, the latest trends in happiness science,
inspiring stories from the world and stories of hope.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Dubai Now, which offers
smart services via a single, fast, seamless and paperless platform, where users
can complete their transactions through their smartphones without having to
visit service centres is one magnificent example of how the Emirate strives to
promote happiness among the community.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;">Sheikh Mohammed once well
stated, "Countries can only be built with happy and satisfied people.
Happiness of individuals is only the start for a stable, productive and safe
society.”</span></span></span></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-90902914360698438972018-02-06T21:52:00.000+04:002018-02-06T21:52:51.040+04:00Recent Editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Here
are some recent editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today (Posted for my records):</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sea of
woes</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>for
migrants</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">More migrants have drowned off the coast of Libya
after a smuggler's boat capsized and this raises serious questions about
whether the world is doing enough to help people whose only desire is to reach
safer shores. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Several factors like </span>climate change, instability and
growing inequalities are forcing millions of people to look out for greener
pastures and many of them resort to risky methods to reach safer places. Is it
their fault? </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is
tragic that such hapless people are forced to pay with their life when they
actually seek better lives. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sadly,
migrants have been ignoring warnings about the extreme dangers facing them
while trying to reach Europe via the so-called central Mediterranean route,
which connects Libya to Italy.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drownings
in the Mediterranean began surging in 2013 as Europe's worst migration crisis
since World War II began picking up speed, with hundreds of thousands of people
fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and elsewhere.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the
past five years, more than 16,000 people have died trying to make the perilous
crossing to Europe, according to <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">International
Organisation for Migration (IOM) </span>numbers.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Excluding
Friday's tragedy, 246 migrants and refugees have already died trying to cross
the Mediterranean since the beginning of the year, compared to 254 casualties
during the first month of 2017.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">As per IOM spokesperson Olivia Headon, the latest
tragedy happened off the coast of Zuwara in the early hours on Friday.
Survivors told aid workers that most of the migrants on board were Pakistanis,
who form a growing group heading to Italy from North Africa.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Libya is the main gateway for migrants trying to
cross to Europe by sea, though numbers have dropped sharply since July as
Libyan factions and authorities — under pressure from Italy and the European
Union — have begun to block departures.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Migrants often face extreme hardship and abuse in
Libya, including forced labour, according to Human Rights Watch and other
rights groups. Such instances need to be taken seriously and addressed by the
international community. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The Global Compact for Migration that is expected
to be adopted by the end of this year, once negotiations by UN Member States
conclude, may go a long way in alleviating the problems faced by genuine migrants.
</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Director-General
of<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"> the International Organisation of
Migration, William Lacy Swing, recently made an ardent appeal to make migration
safe in a world on the move. Hope that well-meaning appeal does not fall on
deaf ears. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Global
unemployment</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>a
huge challenge</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While the
global economy has kept up modest growth, the total number of unemployed people
will likely remain high in 2018 – at above 192 million – and it will be harder
to find a decent job, the United Nations labour agency has warned. The world
cannot afford to take this issue lightly. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According
to International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder, decent
work deficits remain widespread: the global economy is still not creating
enough jobs. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">A key problem is the abundance of "vulnerable
employment," a category that includes informal work arrangements with
little or no social and contractual protections.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Incidentally, the problem is most acute in the
developing world, where three out of every four workers have a
"vulnerable" employment status.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The charity group Oxfam earlier reported that 82
per cent of the wealth created in 2017 was controlled by the world's richest
one per cent.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
wealth of the world’s poorest 3.6 billion people is the equivalent to the
combined net worth of six American businessmen, one from Spain and another from
Mexico.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oxfam
pointed to a link between the vast gap between rich and poor and growing
discontent with mainstream politics around the world.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More than
200 million people were estimated out of work around the world last year.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
question that is commonly asked all around is: Are t<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">he robots taking our jobs?</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Adding to
the worry is the caution by <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">experts at the
Davos summit that intelligent robots and all-knowing online networks threaten
to drag humanity into a "totalitarian" nightmare of mind control and
mass unemployment.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">The World Economic Forum</span> <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">estimates that new technology could affect 1.4
million jobs in the United States alone by 2026.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A study
of 46 countries and 800 occupations by the McKinsey Global Institute earlier
guesstimated that up to 800 million global workers would lose their jobs by
2030 and be replaced by robotic automation.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
impact is already perceptible.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just to
cite a couple of instances, c<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">ar makers are
fast developing driverless vehicles. Online retail giant Amazon this week
opened a 1,800 square-foot cashier-less convenience store with cameras and
artificial intelligence scanning the items remotely.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is
imperative that countries intensify job-generation efforts across the globe. As
ILO officials point out, additional efforts need to be put in place to improve
the quality of work for jobholders and to ensure that the gains of growth are
shared equitably.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><b>Palestinian anger over</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><b>US moves justified</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">A true peace mediator does not take sides. But in
the case of the Middle East peace process, Washington has </span>unabashedly taken a pro-Israeli
stance. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not
content with angering the entire world <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">by
recognising occupied Jerusalem as Israel's capital, US President Donald Trump
has gone a step further by issuing a threat to hold back aid unless
Palestinians resume negotiations with Israel. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">This simply is not acceptable. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">It is good that </span>leaders of 21 humanitarian aid
groups have written to the Trump administration objecting in the strongest
terms to the decision to withhold $65 million in US contributions to the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">UNRWA).</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
humanitarian consequences of such a decision on life-sustaining assistance to
children, women and men in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank and Gaza
Strip are unimaginable. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Adding to
the concern, the State Department has stated that the United States would not
provide a separate $45 million in food aid for Palestinians that it pledged
last month as part of the West Bank/Gaza Emergency Appeal led by UNRWA.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Eric
Schwartz, president of Refugees International, points out, it is wrong to
punish political leaders by denying life-sustaining aid to civilians. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is
certainly a dangerous and striking departure from US policy on international
humanitarian assistance which conflicts starkly with values that US
administrations and the American people have embraced.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Basic education for 525,000 boys and girls at over
700 </span>United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">UNRWA) schools; emergency food and cash assistance
to 1.7 million Palestine refugees; access to primary health care for 3 million
refugees, including pre-natal care; and dignity and human security for 5.3
million refugees, have all been endangered as a result of the limited funding.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trump
said in a Twitter post on Jan.2 that the United States gives the Palestinians
hundreds of millions of dollars a year, “but get no appreciation or respect.”
Such allegations do not hold water as the Palestinians have <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">always engaged in sincere negotiations.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">Instead of piling pressure on Palestinians, Trump
should backtrack on major anti-Palestinian decisions like the Jerusalem declaration
and aid cut threats. That’s the only way Washington would regain its status as
an impartial mediator. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
two-State solution remains the only viable option for a just and sustainable
end to the conflict. Neither the United States nor Israel should be allowed to
scuttle this through questionable actions. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Endless
anguish of</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Syrian
civilians</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There
seems to be no end to the suffering of civilians in Syria.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hostilities
in the country continue to drive hundreds of thousands from their homes and the
number of displaced in the seemingly unending conflict continues to rise along
with the suffering of affected communities, according to the United Nations.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
matter needs to be addressed by the international community more assertively as
the civilian distress needs to be mitigated at the earliest. Rapid global
humanitarian action to help the victims may be the best way forward. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As per
Ursula Mueller, Deputy UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, the situation is most
concerning in north-west Syria where recent fighting has claimed many lives and
forced over 270,000 civilians to flee for safety.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Camps for
the displaced are overstretched, forcing most of those displaced to seek
shelter in some 160 makeshift settlements. During these cold and wet winter
months, many families have nothing else but improvised tents which they share
with others.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
situation in the Afrin area of Aleppo governorate remains complicated and
worrisome. Some 16,000 people have been displaced, while local authorities have
also reportedly restricted civilian movement, particularly for those wishing to
leave the area.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
situation is equally concerning in eastern Ghouta and in areas of Damascus
where at least 81 civilians – including 25 women and 30 children – were killed
in the first ten days of January.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">According
to estimates, altogether as many as 13.1 million people are in dire need of
protection and humanitarian assistance, including 6.1 million people who are
displaced within the country and a further 5.5 million people who have become
refugees in neighbouring countries.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Compounding
the problems, relief workers delivering life-saving assistance to civilians
continue to face considerable challenges, including access to those in need of
assistance. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last
month, none of the UN cross-line convoys could reach besieged locations and
only two convoys reached hard-to-reach areas. This month, UN and partners are
reported to have had no access to any such locations at all.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most
distressing is also the fact that children remain the hardest hit by
unprecedented destruction, displacement and death. They have lost lives, homes
and their precious childhood.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Families
that managed to flee violence in some places are living under extremely
difficult conditions and exposed to the harsh winter conditions.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is
imperative that all parties ensure the safety and protection of civilians
caught up in the violence.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-58939366752399327532018-01-22T21:45:00.002+04:002018-01-22T21:45:52.192+04:00Recent editorials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3685673590686008849"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some recent editorials I wrote for The Gulf Today (Posted
for my records): <span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>Warming
planet<span> </span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>is not
cozy news </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
situation on the climate front is not pleasant. The trend is actually
disturbing. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)</span></span><span> has cited c<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">onsolidated data from five leading international
weather agencies to confirm that 2015, 2016 and 2017 have been the three
warmest years on record.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Last year was the second or third warmest on record
behind 2016, and the hottest without an extra dose of heat caused by an El Niño
event in the Pacific Ocean.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Climate
has a naturally occurring variability due to phenomena such as El Niño, which
has a warming influence, and La Niña, which has a cooling influence.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Average surface temperatures in 2017 were
1.1°Celsius above pre-industrial times, creeping towards 1.5°C, the most
ambitious limit for global warming set by almost 200 nations under the 2015
Paris climate agreement.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The agreement has been weakened by a plan by US
President Donald Trump, who doubts mainstream scientific findings that warming
is driven by man-made greenhouse gases, to pull out.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>What Trump forgets is that in the United States
alone, weather and climate-related disasters cost a record 306 billion in 2017,
especially western wildfires and hurricanes Harvey, Maria and Irma.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Trump’s attempt to promote US fossil fuel
industries are unambiguously at odds with the Paris accord's goals of phasing
out emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas between 2050 and 2100.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The fresh global data essentially underscores the
dramatic warming of the planet and highlights the need for naysayers on climate
change to wake up and accept the scale and urgency of the risks that people
around the world face from climate change.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Climate
change, combined with poverty, eco-systems destruction and inappropriate land
use are pushing more and more people to leave home.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Since industrialisation gathered steam in the early
19th century, CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere have increased by nearly
half, from 280 parts per million to 407 parts per million.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>The best way forward is to initiate effective
collective action to slash CO2 and methane emissions, improve energy efficiency
and develop technologies to remove CO2 from the air.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The WMO
Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Robert
Glasser, emphasises that a three-year streak of record hot years, each above 1°
Celsius, combined with record-breaking economic losses from disasters in 2017
should tell us all that we are facing an existential threat to the planet which
requires a drastic response. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>One can
only say that he has hit the nail on the head. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>No end to
plight</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>of Syrian
civilians </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Intensification
in hostilities across Syria is having a devastating impact on hapless civilians
and this is a dangerous trend. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>What is
worrisome is also that the fighting is severely limiting life-saving
humanitarian operations.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>According
to UN officials, increasing indiscriminate bombing, shelling and fighting in
the last few weeks have forced tens of thousands of people to be uprooted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
deadly violence has severely affected almost all life-saving and economic sectors.
Medical and healthcare facilities throughout the country are operating at a
fraction of the pre-crisis level.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
reality on the ground is that hundreds of thousands of people have been killed
in seven years of bloody conflict, countless more are missing or detained, and
five million have fled to other countries.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Adding to
the worry is the fact that the little resources that internally displaced
persons and affected communities had have been exhausted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In Idlib,
armed clashes between government forces, their allies and opposition armed
groups have further intensified, with insecurity also spreading to parts of
northeast Hama, western rural Aleppo and southern Idlib – forcing 100,000
people to abandon their homes near the frontline and move towards safer areas. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Conditions
especially in Idlib are terrible, with many displaced people forced to stay out
in the open during the winter period.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In the
besieged enclave of Eastern Ghouta, nearly 400,000 people are said to be living
in dire conditions suffering severe food, fuel and drinking water shortages.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>As per
Unicef officials, the first 14 days of the year alone witnessed more than 30
children killed in escalating violence in East Ghouta, where an estimated
200,000 children have been trapped under siege since 2013.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Distressingly,
millions of children across Syria and in neighbouring countries have suffered
the consequences of unabated levels of violence in the country.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
fighting does not spare even hospitals. The maternity and paediatric hospital
in Ma'arrat An Nu'man was attacked three times taking it out of service.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
seven-year conflict continues to push more and more people into the abyss of
hunger and despair.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The only
way forward is to prevent further violence and enable humanitarian
organisations to assist people in need. Every minute matters, as any delay in
reaching those in distress, especially those in besieged and hard-to-reach
areas, could prove disastrous. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Protecting
civilians and allowing delivery of food to families in need is a basic humanitarian
duty to which all parties involved in the conflict should adhere. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>End
brutality</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>against
children</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="tgc"><span>There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in
which it treats its children, once mentioned Nelson Mandela.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="tgc"><span>However, the brutality faced by many children in the modern world,
especially in the conflict zones, could rattle the heart of any good-hearted
individual. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Manuel
Fontaine, the Director of Emergency Programmes at Unicef, has highlighted the
fact that children are being targeted and exposed to attacks and brutal
violence in their homes, schools and playgrounds.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>According
to Unicef, children have become frontline targets, used as human shields,
killed, maimed and recruited to fight in conflicts around the world.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Sexual
violence, forced marriage, abduction and enslavement have become standard
tactics in conflict areas like Syria, Nigeria, South Sudan and Myanmar.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In
addition to the physical trauma children have had to suffer, far too many
children have been subjected to the psychosocial trauma in having to witnesses
shocking and widespread violence.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Hundreds
of thousands have been displaced and many children have died as a result of
lack of health care, medicines or access to food and water, because these
services were damaged or destroyed in fighting.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>At a time
when they are supposed to be busy studying in schools, an estimated 152 million
children around the world are busy working to earn for their families. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
International Labour Organisation has indicated that more than half of all
children – some 73 million – work in jobs that directly endanger their health,
safety and moral development.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In
Eastern Ukraine, places where children could safely play less than four years
ago are now riddled with deadly explosives.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>UN
officials say that landmines, unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants
of war threaten the lives of over 220,000 children in eastern Ukraine.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>A child
has become a conflict-related casualty every week, on average, between January
and November this year along eastern Ukraine's contact line, where fighting is
most severe.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Landmines,
explosive remnants of war and unexploded ordnance were stated as the leading
cause of these tragedies, accounting for approximately two-thirds of all
recorded injuries and deaths during the period. In most cases the casualties
occurred when children picked up explosives such as hand grenades and fuses.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Brutality
against children, wherever it happens, cannot be allowed to continue. All
parties in conflict zones need to abide by their obligations under
international law and end violations and attacks against children.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>Treat
migrants </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>with
dignity </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In less
than a fortnight into the New Year, close to 200 migrants or refugees have
reportedly died or gone missing in the Mediterranean Sea and this is certainly
is not a positive beginning for such hapless people. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>While
January 2017 had witnessed some 254 deaths, this week's reports suggest that
the start of 2018 may be even deadlier.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has reported that 81
Mediterranean Sea deaths of migrants or refugees were recorded in the first
eight days of the year – five in Western Mediterranean waters off Spain and
Morocco, the rest between Italy and Libya.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In the
latest, and third deadliest, shipwreck in the Mediterranean, the Libyan Coast
Guard rescued three rubber boats with 279 migrants – 19 women, 243 men, 13 boys
and four girls – in an operation lasting at least 12 hours. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Small
dinghies and poor vessels used by the smugglers are often responsible for the
high death rate among the migrants.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The IOM
estimates that over 171,300 migrants entered Europe in 2017, compared to a
little over 363,500 in 2016.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Sadly,
hostility towards migrants is growing around the world. Adding to the endless
problems is also the bluntly vulgar language used against them by some of the
world leaders.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>US
President Donald Trump on Thursday questioned why the US would accept more
immigrants from Haiti and "shithole countries" in Africa rather than
places like Norway in rejecting a bipartisan immigration deal.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Austria’s
new far-right interior minister Herbert Kickl had also sparked an outcry this
week by saying that his government wants to “concentrate” asylum-seekers,
employing a word widely associated with Nazi camps.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>What is
totally forgotten is that migration is a positive global phenomenon.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>As United
Nations Secretary-General António Guterres points out, it powers economic
growth, reduces inequalities, connects diverse societies and helps us ride the
demographic waves of population growth and decline.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Leaders
like Trump and Herbert Kickl tend to ignore the fact that globally, migrants
make a major contribution to international development – both by their work as
well as through remittances back to their home countries. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Last year
alone, migrants remitted nearly $600 billion, three times all development aid,
as per UN statistics.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
importance of treating migrants with dignity and respect should never ever be
underestimated. Migration is not a crime. Fair migration laws will benefit all
and that’s precisely what the international community should strive for. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>Afghan
violence </span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>hits
civilians most</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Security in Kabul has been ramped up since May 31
when a massive truck bomb killed some 150 people and wounded 400, mostly
civilians. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Unfortunately, even such heightened security has
not been able to deter multiple deadly attacks, as the latest </span></span><span class="taglinetextl11colorc1taglineen"><span>12-hour Taliban siege at a luxury hotel in Kabul that claimed several
lives has proved. </span></span><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
violence came at a time when the hotel was scheduled to hold a technology
conference organised by Afghanistan's Ministry of Communications and
Information Technology. Also at the hotel, guests had gathered for a wedding
ceremony.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
situation was so scary that <span class="detailinfodetailinfoen">people trapped
at the top of the building tied bedsheets together and climbed over balconies
to escape the assault.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Kabul has become one of the deadliest places for
civilians, with the Taliban and the Daesh group both stepping up attacks.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
attack on the hotel is just one of several bloody assaults.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In a
village in the northern province of Balkh, Taliban militants went from house to
house in the middle of the night, pulling police from their homes and shooting
them dead. At least 18 officers were killed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In Heart,
at least eight civilians were killed when a car hit a Taliban-planted roadside
mine.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>As per
the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the number of civilians killed in the
war in Afghanistan reached a new high during the first six months of 2017. A
total of 1,662 civilian deaths were reported between Jan.1 and June 30, marking
a two per cent increase since the previous year’s record high.<span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Afghan forces have struggled to combat terror since
the US and NATO formally concluded their combat mission at the end of 2014.</span></span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoen"><span>Morale has been further eroded by long-running
fears that the militants have insider help — everything from infiltrators in
the ranks to corrupt afghan forces selling equipment to the Taliban.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="detailinfodetailinfoar"><span>The continued violence resulting in a number of
deaths and casualties of civilians indicates that measures against terrorism in
the country need to be intensified. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The
long-suffering people of Afghanistan deserve peace and prosperity and the world
community needs to help them achieve that. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Terrorism
in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats
to international peace and security.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>All
parties involved in the conflict in Afghanistan should uphold their obligations
under international humanitarian law. Such heinous attacks that target innocent
civilians may amount to a war crime.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843634179092873431.post-2300642791125183622018-01-01T21:05:00.000+04:002018-01-01T21:06:21.476+04:00Happy 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sMjQjjLrHCmFdwqGHUAD3-kvPTLCOqC5fDx4dWmFwhq3jenajB77darpRPQbGoN2kwefit8JYzgeRdHIIz5d7hB2Dd5568qa1ZRu9U0wk-5jeIEUjR_dPSHgJFJLnEY-jUmGsFzXdGfO/s1600/rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="784" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sMjQjjLrHCmFdwqGHUAD3-kvPTLCOqC5fDx4dWmFwhq3jenajB77darpRPQbGoN2kwefit8JYzgeRdHIIz5d7hB2Dd5568qa1ZRu9U0wk-5jeIEUjR_dPSHgJFJLnEY-jUmGsFzXdGfO/s200/rose.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Smile on your face, dollars in your pocket, peace in your
heart, charity in your mind, fulfillment in job and company of adorable friends
- wishing you all that and more in 2018..because you are very dear to me:):)</div>
</div>
R. Rameshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00314470449340373184noreply@blogger.com4