A reader calls for help for mothers and babies in Jordan’s refugee camps. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
A reader calls for help for mothers and babies in Jordan’s refugee camps. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters

Women and children refugees need urgent help



It is heart-breaking to read of the plight of the Syrian refugees who have been displaced as a result of war in their home country (Obada is 3,000th baby to be born in Jordan refugee camp, April 20).

Women and children are the most vulnerable. It is difficult to imagine the hardships they have to go through.

It is a constant struggle for women to protect their unborn children while living in harsh conditions and not having enough to eat. Developed nations should extend more support to these women in desperate need of medical aid and other assistance.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

House shortage is hitting home

The rises forecast in Shortage of new homes to push Abu Dhabi rents higher (April 21) are already happening.

I just rented a one-bedroom, hall and kitchen flat at Mussaffa for Dh75,000 per year.

That’s a really high price for the area, but I had no choice.

H Hazim, Abu Dhabi

This may be the perfect time to bring the rental cap back.

Bridgette Whisenand, Abu Dhabi

What shortage of stock? From my observations, there are definitely more empty flats than renters. Name withheld by request

Don’t put trust in ‘miracle’ diets

I was pleased to read your editorial, No pain, no gain (April 22), about the proper way to lose weight and gain fitness.

There is no easy way to losing the extra kilograms that take years to pile on.

“Miracle” weight-loss products and remedies are nothing but a myth. Their effects are short-term and some of them can do more harm than good.

People should instead adapt to a healthy lifestyle rather than rely on pills, surgery and other methods.

Name withheld by request

Your editorial says “the real solution lies in common sense”. That is absolutely spot on.

Dave Pryce, Abu Dhabi

The image you used on your website of a woman working out on an exercise bike really highlights the message of the editorial.

The picture shows the results that intensive exercise can bring to the body.

M Van Den Hoven, Abu Dhabi

There is one great way to lose weight – dance it off. Find a joyous dance class where you can have fun.

Lexie Mac, UK

Thanks for taking care of animals

Thank you for publishing Abused puppies prosper at Dubai home three months on (April 23), about the animal welfare work by Hank and Lynn Harrington.

Great strides are also being made by the SOS for Emirates Dogs organisation.

They are three women relying on donations and their own money to keep animals safe, rehabilitate wounded animals and find them homes.

Jen Bishop, Abu Dhabi

Rodgers is not in the same league

I refer to Richard Jolly's English Premier League story, Looking like a nearly man: Brendan Rodgers's Liverpool too often left at 'almost' (April 21).

Maybe in 20 years or so, Rodgers will be a big enough manager for a club like Liverpool but, right now, he’s playing catch up with managers like Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.

Ian Lowe, UK

Pupils inspired by leaders’ walk

Our names are Solenne and Elsa. We are both 10 years old and in grade 5 at Greenfield Community School, Dubai.

We are doing a big project about children's health and we were really inspired by your article, UAE leadership takes part in healthy living walk in Abu Dhabi (March 30).

We have decided to hold an event where the whole school will walk around the football pitch together to show that they are passionate about children’s health.

Solenne and Elsa, Dubai

Many in Europe are struggling

Rashmee Roshan Lall's column, The rich world cannot live in an anti-migrant fortress (April 22), doesn't account for the fact that many Europeans are also jobless.

About 50 per cent of Spanish youth are out of work, and even many Germans are doing low-paid jobs just to survive.

Dani SH, Dubai

Manchester City 4
Otamendi (52) Sterling (59) Stones (67) Brahim Diaz (81)

Real Madrid 1
Oscar (90)

At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Another way to earn air miles

In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.

An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.

“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.