There is no doubt that plastic has transformed our world. In the 112 years since it was invented, it has been used in almost every aspect of our daily lives, from transporting food and water to providing a cheap, durable material for the manufacture of everything from planes and cars to carpets. However, the 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic pollution produced globally since 1950 – particularly the single-use kind – have ravaged our planet. On average, each plastic bag is used for just 12 minutes and yet takes up to 1,000 years to decompose. Every year, 1.1 million birds and animals are killed by pollution from plastic. It is time for nations, companies and consumers to recognise the impact their plastic use is having on our environment. Dubai Airports is one of those organisations stepping up to the challenge. From next year, the world’s busiest airport will ban single-use plastics, including knives, forks, bags and straws. The importance of this move cannot be overstated. It takes a significant world player to set an example for others to follow.
Dubai International Airport, which welcomes more than 89m travellers per year, is already putting good sustainability practice into use. The airport recycles 43,000 tonnes of paper, glass and other waste each year to limit its environmental impact. But this is the next great stride, making it a role model for airports across the globe and hopefully encouraging millions of passengers to reconsider their own habits. “By banning single-use plastics at the airport, the UAE is able to send a strong message to the 89 million-plus people who pass through our airports annually and act as leaders in the global fight against plastic pollution,” said Habiba Al Marashi, chairwoman of the Emirates Environmental Group. In the short term, this might not make good business sense but at its heart is genuine ecological concern. In the long term, there could be considerable savings in terms of costs and plastic waste.
Awareness of plastic pollution is growing across the UAE, with supermarkets, restaurants and businesses considering their own policies and plastic usage. Some have already banned straws and started charging for plastic bags. Other nations such as Canada – which has just banned single-use plastic altogether – have been more aggressive in enforcing those policies. A YouGov survey last year found two-thirds of UAE residents are concerned about plastic waste. It will greatly encourage them that big international institutions like Dubai Airports are confronting this problem – not just in word but deed.
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
