A girl in her school uniform pulls a rope attached to a bucket as she draws water after a tanker emptied water into a dried up well at a village in Maharashtra, India. AP
A girl in her school uniform pulls a rope attached to a bucket as she draws water after a tanker emptied water into a dried up well at a village in Maharashtra, India. AP


A global need to address water scarcity



March 24, 2023

I write to you in reference to Adla Massoud's report World faces worsening water crisis, UN says (March 22): this was an informative article that was also alarming, primarily regarding the timeline mentioned, which only emphasises the need to act now. Most people in the developing world know too well what water scarcity looks like and it has become endemic due to overconsumption and pollution. The article clearly states the factors that are worsening the crisis. It is mainly climate change and population growth that need to be looked in to. Another important aspect is water intensive agricultural practices across the world that need reform. I found it interesting that this conference was the first event since 1977 aimed at addressing the global water crisis. With climate change such a hot topic of discussion today, the international community must come together and co-operate on solutions that apply to not just one part of the world. Over all, a shortage of water cannot be sustained for a long period of time. Policymakers and laypeople know this well. Let's hope the numbers improve, otherwise we may well have a dire situation on our hands. As the report says, by 2050, 2.4 billion people will be affected by water scarcity, with India being the most affected.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

Subscribing to Ramadan TV shows

With regard to Razmig Bedirian's piece Sixteen Arabic shows to watch during Ramadan, including Bab Al Hara and Game Show (March 22): Thank you for an extensive list, especially the information on which platforms these shows air on. The content looks great and I'm looking forward to streaming some of the shows. Ramadan Kareem to everyone.

Mehroz Rind, Islamabad, Pakistan

Afghanistan-Pakistan earthquake and a fearless newsreader

With reference to the article Twelve dead as powerful earthquake hits Pakistan and Afghanistan (March 22): The earthquake in Pakistan was severe and struck deep in the Earth at 187kms, enough to trigger landslides. Many people I know felt it and ran for safety. I pray for the families of those who died as a result of it and for those wounded due to collapsed roofs, in Swat Valley, in Pakistan's North-Western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. When the tremors struck, it was remarkable that a TV newsreader who was live on air in the studio at that time kept doing his job and reading the news. Even though everything was shaking, he didn't evacuate with the rest.

Muhammad Zeeshan, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
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The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

What is double taxation?
  • Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
  • Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
  • The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
  • Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

SPECS
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Cry Macho

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam

Rating:**

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ticket prices
  • Golden circle - Dh995
  • Floor Standing - Dh495
  • Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
  • Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
  • Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
  • Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
  • Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
  • Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
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The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 582bhp

Torque: 730Nm

Price: Dh649,000

On sale: now  

Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

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Updated: March 24, 2023, 3:00 AM