As-salamu alaykum - Roundup: UAE conservation, famine history, film, sports and more
As-salamu alaykum - a quick, casual roundup of things I came across, insha'Allah it's useful.
Sponsored note: this episode is supported by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. They’ve been at the forefront of conservation for decades, from restoring millions of mangroves to bringing coral reefs back and reintroducing endangered species. Recorded at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, there’s an interview with Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, secretary general of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and IUCN Councillor for West Asia. She talks about the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose vision started the UAE’s environmental work over 50 years ago, and how tools like AI can help the country adapt to climate change and encourage regional cooperation - may Allah bless these efforts.
History and charity: estimates say the Ethiopian famine of the 1980s caused between roughly 400,000 and 1 million deaths. Some historians argue government policies at the time made the crisis worse. The crisis became widely known after BBC reports in 1984 showing shocking images, which prompted musicians like Bob Geldof and others to organise charity efforts. They recorded a high-profile charity single in 1984 and later helped put together huge Live Aid concerts broadcast around the world - a reminder of how people across different backgrounds can respond to suffering.
Film note: "Skin" (dir. Guy Nattiv) - starring Jamie Bell, Danielle Macdonald, Bill Camp and Vera Farmiga. I’d give it about 3.5/5 stars.
On discrimination: a widely used 2019 definition from the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims describes islamophobia as a form of racism aimed at expressions or perceptions of Muslimness and includes incitement of hatred or violence against Muslims.
Racing fixtures - Al Ain
5pm: Bolereau
5.30pm: Rich And Famous
6pm: Duc De Faust
6.30pm: Al Thoura
7pm: AF Arrab
7.30pm: Al Jazi
8pm: Futoon
Jebel Ali
1.45pm: AF Kal Noor
2.15pm: Galaxy Road
2.45pm: Dark Thunder
3.15pm: Inverleigh
3.45pm: Bawaasil
4.15pm: Initial
4.45pm: Tafaakhor
Cricket squads
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock (wk), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi.
India: Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
Car bits
Electric motor: 51.5 kW
Range: 400 km
Power: 134 bhp
Torque: 175 Nm
Price: from Dh98,800
Available: now
And another model
Dual motors (front + rear): 180 kW + 300 kW
Power: 480 kW
Torque: 850 Nm
Transmission: single-speed automatic
Price: from Dh359,900 (about $98,000)
On sale: now
Short profile
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah. Eldest of three brothers and two sisters. Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks. Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding.
Middle East notes
The tragedy faced by the Druze in Syria is a stark reminder of their lone struggle for survival. There are arguments that Assad’s supporters may have won certain battles, but now seek outside help, and there’s been talk about the illusion of any grand US–Russia bargain over Syria and Ukraine.
Currency and practical info
UAE coins and notes: Dh5, Dh10, Dh20 mentioned. If you face a workplace incident, document everything immediately - dates, times, locations and witnesses. Seek legal advice if needed. You can report to HR or your supervisor, use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation hotline, and in criminal cases contact the police.
Wrestling results (quick list)
Seth Rollins beat Baron Corbin to retain WWE Universal title
Finn Balor beat Andrade to keep the Intercontinental Championship
Shane McMahon defeated Roman Reigns
Lars Sullivan won by disqualification against Lucha House Party
Randy Orton beat Triple H
Braun Strowman beat Bobby Lashley
Kofi Kingston beat Dolph Ziggler to retain the WWE World Heavyweight title
Mansoor Al Shehail won the 50-man Battle Royal
The Undertaker beat Goldberg
Opinion and features to check out
US VP candidate Kamala Harris and the complexity of racial identity; Beirut blasts: questions about ammonium nitrate; how the pandemic is testing EU solidarity; is the EU a real peace power? Pieces by Dr Nawal Al-Hosany on women in climate action, Shelina Janmohamed on fair compensation for a spouse’s housework, Justin Thomas challenging gender stereotypes, and an editorial asking whether there’s much to celebrate on International Women’s Day 2021.
That’s it for now - insha'Allah I’ll share more when I see it. Peace.
https://www.thenationalnews.co