Impoverished Tunisians protest against general confinement and to claim the financial aid promised by the government. AFP
Impoverished Tunisians protest against general confinement and to claim the financial aid promised by the government. AFP
Impoverished Tunisians protest against general confinement and to claim the financial aid promised by the government. AFP
Impoverished Tunisians protest against general confinement and to claim the financial aid promised by the government. AFP

Covid-19 hits the world's most vulnerable the hardest, and we must protect them


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The world has reached the grim milestone of its millionth officially recorded case of coronavirus, but global health officials and policymakers are warning that it is still the early stage of a longer, arduous journey. Experts believe that there remains a very large number of undetected cases all over the world, especially in poorer countries and isolated areas. Our shared challenge in the months to come will be to address the trials faced by the world’s poor and vulnerable, as well as to provide assistance to less developed nations, where the virus is likely to wreak havoc.

In Iraq, for instance, where nearly 700 people have tested positive thus far, the World Health Organisation said that cases of coronavirus are expected to rise significantly. Baghdad’s biggest challenges are its crumbling healthcare infrastructure and scarce number of testing kits, compounded by a lack of funds. Although authorities have established a nationwide curfew and restricted travel, many Iraqis have blatantly disregarded these measures. Militia leaders have encouraged reckless behaviour, with populist cleric Moqtada Al Sadr initially urging his followers to go about their business as usual and spreading conspiracy theories about coronavirus.

But even in places where such rhetoric is less of an issue, it is difficult to convince the poor, many of whom rely on daily wages to make ends meet, to stop working without providing any compensation. In Tunisia, hundreds of protesters have gathered in working class neighbourhoods to demonstrate against stay-at-home measures. "Never mind coronavirus, we're going to die anyway. Let us work," one bricklayer shouted. "Let me at least bring bread home for my children." Social safety nets are needed to allow working people to afford staying in. Low-income earners, those without savings and those who rely on daily wages face tough times ahead. Stimulus packages are also important to keep the economy afloat and to save millions of jobs.

In times of pandemic, nations can only be as healthy as their most vulnerable people. Coronavirus is especially dangerous for those over the age of 60, patients with underlying medical conditions, and the health workers who care for them day and night. In Spain and Italy, thousands of medical staff have contracted Covid-19. A shortage of personal protective equipment in the US and Europe has made it difficult for doctors and nurses in these places to stay safe.

In times of pandemic, nations can only be as healthy as their most vulnerable people

But staying at home and having access to financial aid and protective gear is sometimes not enough. For victims of domestic abuse, staying in can mean being trapped in a confined space with their aggressors for an indefinite amount of time. This is all the more dangerous as police, charities and hospitals are now overwhelmed with coronavirus cases, with their resources and attention stretched. Women and children trapped in abusive homes must not become the collateral victims of Covid-19. Authorities have to work on identifying those who require help, and offer them alternative shelter away from their aggressors.

Everywhere in the world, Covid-19 has not erased existing problems, such as domestic abuse, poverty and under-resourced healthcare services. On the contrary, it has put additional strain on issues that have not previously been dealt with. To truly keep as many people as possible safe during this pandemic, we must also address these underlying causes.

Dhadak

Director: Shashank Khaitan

Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana

Stars: 3

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Day 3 stumps

New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)

Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

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Asia Cup Qualifier

Final
UAE v Hong Kong

TV:
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am

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Despacito's dominance in numbers

Released: 2017

Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon

Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube

Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification

Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.

Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

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How to keep control of your emotions

If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.

Greed

Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.

Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.

Fear

The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.

Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.

Hope

While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.

Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.

Frustration

Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.

Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.

Boredom

Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.

Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.

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Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams