India cannot be a superpower if it fails to protect its girls

In reference to the article with horrific implications by Rashmee Roshan Lall, (The case of an eight-year-old rape victim says justice in India is meted out according to religion and class, April 18), there have been protests and anger expressed across the country but it has been agonising to observe the muted condemnation of these hideous acts of rape by those in power in the state and central governments. In my humble opinion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have come down hard to the perpetrators of these inhumane acts.

In the last 10 days, there have been four such instances of girls below the age of 11 being raped and killed in different parts of India, including Jammu and Kashmir, two incidences in Uttar Pradesh and one in Gujarat. India must cure itself of this serious malady and crime. Otherwise all attempts to be a great superpower will count for nothing.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Keep helping us understand the complexities of the Middle East

On the completion of a decade of The National on April 17, I would like to congratulate the entire team. I am an avid reader of your newspaper as well as a regular letter writer from its early days, when I was based in the UAE, and have continued to this day.

The depth of your coverage, photos, editorial and articles are all impressive. Your articles across the board are very informative and meaningful. The newspaper has been a great achievement and has proven one of the leading newspapers in the Middle East at its very heart. Here's wishing The National every success in the coming days

K Ragavan, Bangalore, India

We moved to the UAE in 1978, back when newspapers were mimeographed pieces of paper stapled together. We were so excited when Abu Dhabi got its own newspaper. Congratulations to The National on reaching 10 years

Josie Gonzalez Nabti, Florida, US

I'm happy to say my UAE golden age started before 2008. This brings back great memories of a great country.

Jasmin Haas

Let's all do our bit to help nature overcome pollution

In reference to your story Researchers accidentally create plastic-eating enzyme (April 17), one way to deal with this problem is to start charging for each plastic bag in supermarkets and to ban all single-use plastic cutlery which comes with delivery food, disposable cups and straws.

Armen Kostanyan, Dubai

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme

Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.

- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law

The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

Killing of Qassem Suleimani

Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead

Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble

Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks

Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence

Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground

Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile

While you're here

Kareem Shaheen: Even a pandemic could not unite today's America

Michele Wucker: The difference between a black swan and a grey rhino

Robert Matthews: Has flawed science and rushed research failed us?

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.