Best photos of August 11: From an earthquake in Turkey to Miss Universe in the Dominican Republic
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
GASTAT: Nearly 70% of Saudis under age of 35
RIYADH — Saudis under the age of 35 comprised 69.4 percent of the total Saudi population. This data was revealed by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) on the occasion of the International Youth Day, which falls on August 12. The GASTAT data from 2024 showed that the age group between 15 and 34 accounted for 35.9 percent of the population, with a nearly equal gender distribution of 50.3 percent male and 49.7 percent female. Regarding Saudis and non-Saudis, individuals under 35 made up 61.4 percent of the total population. In the report, the GASTAT emphasized the vital role of youth in shaping Saudi Arabia's development and future. These figures highlight that Saudi Arabia has a young and dynamic population, positioning its youth as a key driver of the country's future prosperity and national development. The GASTAT provides accurate and reliable data essential for informing economic and social policies, helping decision-makers create effective development plans, and measuring the performance of government agencies. By maintaining a precise statistical database, Saudi Arabia can make informed decisions to empower its young population. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
UAE Moments
6 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Madonna Urges Pope Leo to Visit Gaza 'Before It's Too Late'
Global pop superstar Madonna has publicly appealed to Pope Leo to travel to Gaza on a humanitarian mission, urging him to help Palestinian children facing starvation as the war nears its second year. Posting on Instagram Monday, the singer—who was raised Roman Catholic—wrote: 'Most Holy Father. Please go to Gaza and bring your light to the children before it's too late. As a mother, I cannot bear to watch their suffering. The children of the world belong to everyone. You are the only one of us who cannot be denied entry.' Madonna stressed her belief that 'politics cannot affect change' but 'consciousness can,' adding that her request coincided with her son Rocco's birthday. 'The best gift I could give him is to ask everyone to do what they can to help save the innocent children caught in the crossfire in Gaza,' she said. Pope's stance on Gaza conflict Since his papacy began in May, Pope Leo has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, repeatedly calling for the protection of civilians. In July, he said: 'I am following with great concern the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the civilian population is suffering from severe hunger and remains exposed to violence and death.' The pontiff has urged an immediate ceasefire, echoing calls from global humanitarian agencies. Mounting child death toll According to UNICEF, more than 18,000 children have been killed in Gaza since October 2023—an average of 28 deaths per day. An Israeli blockade on aid has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to describe the situation as 'man-made mass starvation.' The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that at least 222 people, including 101 children, have died from malnutrition since the war began. 'This is no longer a looming hunger crisis – this is starvation, pure and simple,' said Ramesh Rajasingham, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at a UN Security Council meeting on Sunday. Madonna: 'Not pointing fingers' Madonna emphasized that her appeal was humanitarian, not political: 'I am not pointing fingers, placing blame or taking sides. Everyone is suffering. Including the mothers of the hostages. I pray that they are released as well.' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus thanked the singer for her 'compassion, solidarity and commitment to care for everyone caught in the Gaza crisis, especially the children.' Uncertain access for pope It is unclear whether Israel's government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would permit Pope Leo to enter Gaza. In a rare exception last July, two church leaders were allowed in after Israel struck Gaza's sole Catholic church, killing three people and wounding others. The church had been sheltering members of Gaza's small Christian community. Since then, the starvation crisis has worsened, with haunting images of severely malnourished children drawing global alarm. Madonna closed her appeal with a final plea: 'We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children. There is no more time. Please say you will go.' The singer's call underscores a growing wave of condemnation of the 22-month war and its devastating humanitarian toll, straining Israel's relations with some of its closest allies.
Khaleej Times
9 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Some UAE schools consider offering higher pay to attract more male teachers
In classrooms across the UAE, female teachers continue to far outnumber their male counterparts, especially in primary education — a trend that mirrors global patterns and has long-term implications for student development. Education experts explained that the feminisation of certain professions can have drawbacks for both men and women. In the average school district worldwide, boys are about a grade level behind girls in literacy. Educators say that having more male teachers could help bridge this gap, offering boys relatable role models while enriching the classroom environment with diverse perspectives. Yet, men remain underrepresented in teaching roles. In the United States, for instance, men now account for just 23 per cent of elementary and secondary school teachers — down from about 30 per cent in 1988. In the UAE, the numbers tell a similar story. Why men stay away from teaching Mentors underscore low pay and status have been the primary barriers to entry. Noufal Ahmed, Managing Director, Woodlem Education, said, 'The teaching profession is often female-dominated across the globe and in the UAE, this trend continues, primarily due to lower salary brackets that discourage many male candidates." While male teachers are equally capable and bring valuable perspectives, the male-to-female ratio remains imbalanced even in our schools. At Woodlem, around 20 per cent of our faculty is male. However, we are actively working to improve this by offering competitive salaries and encouraging male educators to join. Personally, I don't view the absence of male teachers as a disadvantage — our female educators are nurturing and deeply impactful. However, more male representation is always welcome.' He emphasised in a gender-equal community, having more male teachers creates a balanced environment where both boys and girls feel comfortable seeking guidance. 'It promotes healthy representation, encourages diverse perspectives, and ensures students have relatable role models of all genders, fostering mutual respect and equal opportunities in learning and development.' Other educators agreed that balanced gender representation benefits all students, offering varied teaching styles, perspectives, and role models — key ingredients for a more inclusive and impactful learning environment. Dr Arogya Reddy, Principal of Ambassador School Sharjah, highlighted the nature of early years' teaching roles. 'Women are often celebrated for their love, care, and support…qualities that make them naturally well-suited to nurturing young minds. While this might sound like a generalisation, in my opinion, women also tend to be more patient and accommodating, which is why primary schools often prefer hiring female teachers.' He pointed out in the early years, classroom activities are largely indoor-based…reading, crafts, and group discussions — environments where many women thrive. Men, on the other hand, often gravitate towards more active, hands-on roles and enjoy outdoor learning activities, which become more common in secondary years. 'This difference in preference is one reason why primary teaching roles are still dominated by women. At our school, for instance, the ratio of women to men is about 70:30.' The salary barrier Another factor is financial. 'Salaries in teaching are not always competitive, and since men are still often expected to be the primary earners in their families, many shy away from the profession. While pay scales are equal for male and female teachers, the overall packages need to be more attractive if we want to draw more men into education." He explained having more male teachers isn't just about balance — it's about giving boys relatable role models. 'When students can see themselves reflected in their teachers, it can inspire them in powerful ways.' Sangita Chima, Former Principal, Amity School Dubai, agreed that pay scales play a decisive role. 'It is always desirable to have a balance of both genders in the primary section with equal proficiency in pedagogy. Male teachers do impact students of both genders as role models much in the same way as female teachers. However, the factor responsible for a declining number of male teachers is the relative low salary compared to other professions, that becomes a challenge for a family's basic livelihood. Generally, women are not the sole earning member. But clearly, the salary for both the genders must be equal." She added, 'Both male and female teachers must be given equal pay. Generally, women are in a majority. Men make up 20 per cent of the total strength. Therefore, it's time for governments and education institutions to review the salary of the Kindergarten and the primary teachers and work around a substantial increase. Successful countries with outstanding education systems have good salaries for all K-12 educators.'
