With reference to Adla Massoud's report Trump threatens Harvard after it defied government demands for overhaul (April 15): This was a thoughtful article on the latest developments at Harvard University that has shocked the global academic community. Harvard's defiance of government pressure has raised serious concerns, particularly among international students who have long considered the US to be a top destination for higher education.
The global image and reputation of US universities must not be tarnished through political interference. It is crucial that student safety is prioritised throughout their academic tenure. Educational institutions deserve respect and protection, not threats or political attacks. The integrity of academia should never be compromised for political gain.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
I agree with the views of Alan Garber, the Harvard president when he says no government, regardless of which party is in power, should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.
Susan K, Orlando, Florida
Perhaps universities then should not expect the federal money. The federal government sets conditions for funding. Not allowing rampant, radical anti-Semitic propaganda is one of them and seems like a logical condition to my mind.
Robert Jeffries, San Antonio, Texas
The distraction of tariffs
With regard to Alvin Cabral's report Tariff chaos under Trump spells diverging fortunes for gold and oil (April 14): What is this obsession the US administration has with a trade balance? It's beginning to seem to me that a lot of this is a distraction from bigger things happening in the background.
David Otieno, Agadir, Morocco
In these tariff wars, we must not forget the tears and anguish of the orphans and widows in the Ukraine and Gaza wars, otherwise history will not forgive us.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
A year of car troubles
In reference to Nick Webster's article Car industry feels aftermath of historic UAE floods one year on (April 15): My car is still in the garage for the recovery process. It's been a year of waiting and waiting. I have full coverage it's been a year of the car being parked in the garage for this never-ending fixing.
Fernanada Troy, Dubai
The relentless assault on Gaza
Regarding Nagham Mohanna's piece Civil defence blames Gaza strike death toll on Israel blockading rescue gear (April 10): In a sense, there is no more Gaza. Just grief, rubble and little shoes buried in dust.
Sophia Martinez, San Francisco, US
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Four-day collections of TOH
Day       Indian Rs (Dh)     Â
Thursday  500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday     280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday   220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday    170.25m (8.58m)
Total      1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.Â
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
