The recent drowning of an estimated 170 migrants off the coast of Libya is the starkest and most tragic consequence of populist sentiment triumphing over humanity. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, by far the loudest voice shouting to prevent migrants from crossing the Mediterranean, has even blocked search-and-rescue vessels from docking in Italy's ports and compared the voyage of the starving and desperate to a cruise ship. But he is not the only one to turn his back on those who are willing to risk what little they have by embarking on a perilous journey.
Europe's callous disregard for those in danger off its shores is no more logical than it is humane. No one sets out to risk their life, or the lives of their children, without good cause. All those who embark on this dreadful ordeal fall into a single, indivisible category: desperate human beings. To treat them as anything less is a betrayal of common decency. To sabotage those who would seek to save them is nothing less a crime against humanity. To the toll of 2,297 lives lost at sea last year, we must now add the 170 men, women and children who drowned last Friday. Many share the blame, from those who create the conditions that continue to drive people from their homes, to the traffickers cynically exploiting their desperation. That no one was on hand to rescue them, however, can be laid at Europe's door.
Led by Italy, which in defiance of maritime law has closed its ports to ships carrying those rescued at sea, European politicians have been undermining the work of charities in the Mediterranean. Snared in red tape or with their operators facing trumped-up charges, ships responsible for saving thousands of lives have been left idle in port. One such ship is the Aquarius, operated by Medecins Sans Frontieres. Until it was impounded in Marseille in October at the request of Italy, in two years it had saved 30,000 people. Last month MSF formally ceased operations, blaming a campaign by Europe "to delegitimise, slander and obstruct aid organisations trying to save the lives of vulnerable people".
On Sunday Pope Francis, who next month visits the UAE to promote harmony between all people, led prayers on behalf of the drowned and, in the spirit of forgiveness, for "those who have the responsibility for what happened". In the silence of Europe's politicians in the wake of the latest tragedies, the Pope's words ring out as a shaming rebuke of those who, in their desperation to cling to power, have abandoned the basic principles of human kindness and compassion.
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (rated 72-87) Dh 165,000 1,600m.
Winner: Syncopation, George Buckell, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Big Brown Bear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,200m.
Winner: Stunned, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap (85-105) Dh 210,000 2,000m.
Winner: New Trails, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
9.25pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,600m.
Winner: Pillar Of Society, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
RESULTS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
