Haliotis mariae are a species of snails in the family abalones and are listed as endangered by IUCN. Photo: Public Domain
Haliotis mariae are a species of snails in the family abalones and are listed as endangered by IUCN. Photo: Public Domain
Populations of a vulnerable species of marine mammal, numerous species of abalone and a type of Caribbean coral are now threatened with extinction. AP
Populations of a vulnerable species of marine mammal, numerous species of abalone and a type of Caribbean coral are now threatened with extinction. AP
The dugong is another vulnerable species of marine mammal now threatened with extinction. AP
The dugong is another vulnerable species of marine mammal now threatened with extinction. AP
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, alongside restoring ecosystems, will be essential in addressing the threat to hoverflies. Photo: Frank Vassen
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, alongside restoring ecosystems, will be essential in addressing the threat to hoverflies. Photo: Frank Vassen
Intensive agriculture, pesticides, commercial forestry, urban development and climate change have been identified as the main threats to hoverflies. PA
Intensive agriculture, pesticides, commercial forestry, urban development and climate change have been identified as the main threats to hoverflies. PA
A hoverfly inside a poppy. PA
A hoverfly inside a poppy. PA
The monarch butterfly population has shrunk by between 22 per cent and 72 per cent over the past decade. AP
The monarch butterfly population has shrunk by between 22 per cent and 72 per cent over the past decade. AP
The monarch butterfly is at risk of extinction due to dams and poaching. Reuters
The monarch butterfly is at risk of extinction due to dams and poaching. Reuters
Marine wildlife faces a perfect storm of damaging human activity, conservationists warned. Photo: International Union for the Conservation of Nature
Marine wildlife faces a perfect storm of damaging human activity, conservationists warned. Photo: International Union for the Conservation of Nature
The slow loris is listed as a vulnerable species. Getty
The slow loris is listed as a vulnerable species. Getty
There are thought to be 40 per cent more tigers in the wild since 2015. AFP
There are thought to be 40 per cent more tigers in the wild since 2015. AFP
The agile gibbon is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species due to habitat destruction and the pet trade. AFP
The agile gibbon is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species due to habitat destruction and the pet trade. AFP
A total of 184 deep-sea species are being added to the global Red List of Threatened Species. PA
A total of 184 deep-sea species are being added to the global Red List of Threatened Species. PA
The Arabian oryx is on the UAE's latest Red List for endangered animals. Reuters
The Arabian oryx is on the UAE's latest Red List for endangered animals. Reuters
About 700 Indian Ocean humpback dolphins inhabit Abu Dhabi waters and are classed as endangered. Photo: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
About 700 Indian Ocean humpback dolphins inhabit Abu Dhabi waters and are classed as endangered. Photo: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
The sand gazelle is also on the list of endangered animals. Jaime Puebla / The National
The sand gazelle is also on the list of endangered animals. Jaime Puebla / The National
A female Arabian leopard at Al Ain Zoo, which focuses on conserving wildlife, research and breeding. Photo: Al Ain Zoo
A female Arabian leopard at Al Ain Zoo, which focuses on conserving wildlife, research and breeding. Photo: Al Ain Zoo
The Arabian gazelle is on the list of threatened mammals in the Arabian Peninsula. Pawan Singh / The National
The Arabian gazelle is on the list of threatened mammals in the Arabian Peninsula. Pawan Singh / The National
Researchers believe the Arabian wolf no longer exists in the wild. Photo: Wikicommons
Researchers believe the Arabian wolf no longer exists in the wild. Photo: Wikicommons
The primary threats to coral reefs are climate change, pollution and the effects of unsustainable fishing. AFP
The primary threats to coral reefs are climate change, pollution and the effects of unsustainable fishing. AFP
Between 2016 and 2017, 50 per cent of the Great Barrier Reef died. AP
Between 2016 and 2017, 50 per cent of the Great Barrier Reef died. AP
Delegates at a global summit on trade in November approved the protection of 50 more shark species. AFP
Delegates at a global summit on trade in November approved the protection of 50 more shark species. AFP
Lemon shark populations are threatened by fishing, including being caught as bycatch, and habitat degradation. AFP
Lemon shark populations are threatened by fishing, including being caught as bycatch, and habitat degradation. AFP
Amphibians are declining worldwide and are collectively one of the most at-risk groups for extinction. AFP
Amphibians are declining worldwide and are collectively one of the most at-risk groups for extinction. AFP
Orangutans are known as the gardeners of the forest. AP
Orangutans are known as the gardeners of the forest. AP
Orangutans play a vital role in seed dispersal and in maintaining the health of the forest ecosystem. Photo: World Wildlife Federation
Orangutans play a vital role in seed dispersal and in maintaining the health of the forest ecosystem. Photo: World Wildlife Federation
Sado, Japan's population of wild toki has gone from zero to nearly 500. AFP
Sado, Japan's population of wild toki has gone from zero to nearly 500. AFP
The Bali mynah's habitat is disappearing, but the greatest threat to their survival is the illegal pet trade. AP
The Bali mynah's habitat is disappearing, but the greatest threat to their survival is the illegal pet trade. AP
Bali mynahs are valued for their striking plumage and beautiful songs. AP
Bali mynahs are valued for their striking plumage and beautiful songs. AP
Macaws are an endangered species mainly due to deforestation, hunting and the illegal pet trade. EPA
Macaws are an endangered species mainly due to deforestation, hunting and the illegal pet trade. EPA
Cycads are in danger of becoming extinct due to their endangered habitats and their slow growth and reproduction rate. Jeff Topping / The National
Cycads are in danger of becoming extinct due to their endangered habitats and their slow growth and reproduction rate. Jeff Topping / The National
Today only a handful of cycads still exist, and many are facing possible extinction in the wild. PA
Today only a handful of cycads still exist, and many are facing possible extinction in the wild. PA
Coniferous forests are increasingly threatened by many factors, mostly from humans. AP
Coniferous forests are increasingly threatened by many factors, mostly from humans. AP
One of the biggest threats to conifers is deforestation for land development and building construction. AP
One of the biggest threats to conifers is deforestation for land development and building construction. AP

World

The Americas

Endangered Omani abalone among world’s marine life caught in ‘perfect storm’ of threats

Nations gather in Montreal to discuss protection of nature

The National

December 09, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The International Union for Conservation of Nature on Friday issued an update to its Red List of Threatened Species during the Cop15 environmental summit taking place in Montreal, Canada, with the Omani abalone and other marine life under the greatest threat.

“Today's IUCN Red List update reveals a perfect storm of unsustainable human activity decimating marine life around the globe,” said Bruno Oberle, the organisation's director general.

The updated list comes as delegates from around the world meet in Montreal for a UN biodiversity conference to finalise a new framework for “a peace pact with nature”, with the key goals of preserving Earth's forests, oceans and species.

Environmental leaders have gathered in Montreal to hammer out a framework they hope will help provide much needed protection for the world's biodiversity. AP
Environmental leaders have gathered in Montreal to hammer out a framework they hope will help provide much needed protection for the world's biodiversity. AP

The organisation said agricultural and pollution run-off causes harmful algal blooms, which have eliminated the Omani abalone, a commercial species found in the Arabian Peninsula, from across half of its former range.

Twenty of the world's 54 abalone species are now threatened with extinction.

“Abalones reflect humanity's disastrous guardianship of our oceans in microcosm: overfishing, pollution, disease, habitat loss, algal blooms, warming and acidification, to name but a few threats,” said Howard Peters of the University of York, who led the assessment.

“They really are the canary in the coal mine.”

The union is also sounding the alarm over the dugong — a large and docile marine mammal that lives from the eastern coast of Africa to the western Pacific Ocean.

The dugong is vulnerable throughout its range, and now populations in East Africa have entered the red list as critically endangered, IUCN said in a statement.

Read more

World treating nature like a 'toilet', says UN chief

Global wildlife population 'declines by 70% in five decades' adding to climate catastrophe

The major threats to the animal are unintentional capture in fishing gear in East Africa and poaching in New Caledonia, IUCN said.

It also suffers from boat collisions and loss of the seagrass it eats, said Evan Trotzuk, who led the East Africa assessment.

The US has announced it will help other nations to protect at least 30 per cent of the planet's land and seas by 2030, a key pledge of an anticipated new global nature pact.

Dugong populations in East Africa and New Caledonia have now entered the IUCN Red List as critically endangered and endangered, respectively. AFP
Dugong populations in East Africa and New Caledonia have now entered the IUCN Red List as critically endangered and endangered, respectively. AFP

A draft pledge has gained support from more than 110 nations, including the US.

“We are very interested in seeing the 30 by 30 framework adopted and in supporting other countries in achieving those goals,” Monica Medina, US special envoy for biodiversity and water resources, said in an interview before the Cop15 nature talks.

“We do need to aim for something that we think is achievable — and if we build on that success perhaps we can get even farther,” she added, highlighting a 50 per cent by 2050 protection target put forward by some scientists.

News agencies contributed to this report

Pari

Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment

Director: Prosit Roy

Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani

Three stars

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
The squad traveling to Brazil:

Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.

Whiile you're here
While you're here
While you're here
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

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
Expert advice

“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”

Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles

“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”

Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre 

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”

Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
 

While you're here
Du Football Champions

The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.

How%20I%20connect%20with%20my%20kids%20when%20working%20or%20travelling
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3ELittle%20notes%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMy%20girls%20often%20find%20a%20letter%20from%20me%2C%20with%20a%20joke%2C%20task%20or%20some%20instructions%20for%20the%20afternoon%2C%20and%20saying%20what%20I%E2%80%99m%20excited%20for%20when%20I%20get%20home.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPhone%20call%20check-in%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMy%20kids%20know%20that%20at%203.30pm%20I%E2%80%99ll%20be%20free%20for%20a%20quick%20chat.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHighs%20and%20lows%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EInstead%20of%20a%20%E2%80%9Chow%20was%20your%20day%3F%E2%80%9D%2C%20at%20dinner%20or%20at%20bathtime%20we%20share%20three%20highlights%3B%20one%20thing%20that%20didn%E2%80%99t%20go%20so%20well%3B%20and%20something%20we%E2%80%99re%20looking%20forward%20to.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%20start%2C%20you%20next%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EIn%20the%20morning%2C%20I%20often%20start%20a%20little%20Lego%20project%20or%20drawing%2C%20and%20ask%20them%20to%20work%20on%20it%20while%20I%E2%80%99m%20gone%2C%20then%20we%E2%80%99ll%20finish%20it%20together.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBedtime%20connection%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWake%20up%20and%20sleep%20time%20are%20important%20moments.%20A%20snuggle%2C%20some%20proud%20words%2C%20listening%2C%20a%20story.%20I%20can%E2%80%99t%20be%20there%20every%20night%2C%20but%20I%20can%20start%20the%20day%20with%20them.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUndivided%20attention%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPutting%20the%20phone%20away%20when%20I%20get%20home%20often%20means%20sitting%20in%20the%20car%20to%20send%20a%20last%20email%2C%20but%20leaving%20it%20out%20of%20sight%20between%20home%20time%20and%20bedtime%20means%20you%20can%20connect%20properly.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDemystify%2C%20don%E2%80%99t%20demonise%20your%20job%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHelp%20them%20understand%20what%20you%20do%2C%20where%20and%20why.%20Show%20them%20your%20workplace%20if%20you%20can%2C%20then%20it%E2%80%99s%20not%20so%20abstract%20when%20you%E2%80%99re%20away%20-%20they%E2%80%99ll%20picture%20you%20there.%20Invite%20them%20into%20your%20%E2%80%9Cother%E2%80%9D%20world%20so%20they%20know%20more%20about%20the%20different%20roles%20you%20have.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The view from The National
Saturday's results

Brighton 1-1 Leicester City
Everton 1-0 Cardiff City
Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace
Watford 0-3 Liverpool
West Ham United 0-4 Manchester City

New Zealand squad

Tim Southee (capt), Trent Boult (games 4 and 5), Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson (games 1-3), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner

On Women's Day
While you're here
On Women's Day
The biog

Name: Sari Al Zubaidi

Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati

Age: 42

Marital status: single

Favourite drink: drip coffee V60

Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia 

Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude 

While you're here
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
While you're here
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
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cargoz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Premlal%20Pullisserry%20and%20Lijo%20Antony%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Disturbing%20facts%20and%20figures
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E51%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20in%20the%20UAE%20feel%20like%20they%20are%20failing%20within%20the%20first%20year%20of%20parenthood%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E57%25%20vs%2043%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20is%20the%20number%20of%20mothers%20versus%20the%20number%20of%20fathers%20who%20feel%20they%E2%80%99re%20failing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E28%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20believe%20social%20media%20adds%20to%20the%20pressure%20they%20feel%20to%20be%20perfect%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E55%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20cannot%20relate%20to%20parenting%20images%20on%20social%20media%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E67%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20wish%20there%20were%20more%20honest%20representations%20of%20parenting%20on%20social%20media%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E53%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20admit%20they%20put%20on%20a%20brave%20face%20rather%20than%20being%20honest%20due%20to%20fear%20of%20judgment%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2014px%3B%22%3ESource%3A%20YouGov%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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 
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. 

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELong-range%20dual%20motor%20with%20400V%20battery%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E360kW%20%2F%20483bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E840Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20628km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210kph%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh360%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile

Date started: December 24, 2018

Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer

Based: Dubai Media City

Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)

Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech

Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year

Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020

On Women's Day
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

Updated: December 09, 2022, 8:03 PM`
EnvironmentClimate changeAnimalsOceans

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