Smoke rises following an Israeli strike, in Rafah, on March 27. Reuters
Smoke rises following an Israeli strike, in Rafah, on March 27. Reuters
Smoke rises following an Israeli strike, in Rafah, on March 27. Reuters
Smoke rises following an Israeli strike, in Rafah, on March 27. Reuters


What it will take to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza?


The National
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March 29, 2024

The urgency of an arms embargo

With regard to Tim Stickings's report UN investigator calls for sanctions and arms embargo against Israel (March 27): Full support to Francesca Albanese. We must raise higher and higher our voices against Israel and this injustice until the world starts listening and a ceasefire is finally agreed on.

Franco Campoli, Turin, Italy

Such steps must be implemented. Sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel as soon as possible is absolutely the right thing to do. It should be the essence of a ceasefire and a long-term peace agreement.

Nura Adrio, Munich, Germany

It's been almost half a year of the war. An arms embargo is the sensible thing to do. Everyone knows it but western powers, especially the US, won't do it no matter what the human cost. There is a chance to make a real change and move towards peace but that opportunity must be seized. No state, no matter how powerful, should get away with potential war crimes. If there are international laws, then they should apply to everyone. Otherwise they're just there for superpowers to twist the arms of other countries as they see fit.

Hamid S, Muscat, Oman

Safety concerns over a bridge collapse

With reference to Ellie Sennett and Holly Johnston's report Baltimore bridge collapse: Search suspended for six missing workers (March 26): The coverage of the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge was extensive and well-detailed. It was tragic to read about the deaths and see the images of smoke from the ship conveying the magnitude of the accident. Calamities of such scale tend to stick in the memory for a longer period of time. The cause of the collapse should be established quickly and safety protocols examined so that the fear in people's minds is erased.

It was good of US President Joe Biden to praise the crew of the Dali, notably all Indians, after they promptly sent out a mayday call minutes before the crash, which then saved many lives.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

The principles of a beauty empire

In reference to William Mullally's article Why beauty entrepreneurs Simi and Haze will never stop talking about Palestine (March 28): It just goes to show that values and integrity will always have a place in life as much as in business. As a strategy it works and people take notice. I wish them all the best.

Alia Al K, Dubai

THE BIO

Favourite author - Paulo Coelho 

Favourite holiday destination - Cuba 

New York Times or Jordan Times? NYT is a school and JT was my practice field

Role model - My Grandfather 

Dream interviewee - Che Guevara

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

WHEN TO GO:

September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.

WHERE TO STAY:

Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.

The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50

Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Profile

Company: Libra Project

Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware

Launch year: 2017

Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time

Sector: Renewable energy

Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Updated: March 29, 2024, 5:08 AM