Latest news with #JihanAbdalla
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
The world shouldn't spiral into an era of conflicts
The UN must act more decisively to end wars I write in reference to Jihan Abdalla's article US envoy optimistic latest Gaza ceasefire deal will be agreed (May 28): with military conflicts raging in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, the future is frightening. The world had pinned its hopes on US President Donald Trump to end these wars. However, neither America nor an international body like the UN has been able to restore peace. I sometimes fear that another world war could begin, perhaps even by sheer accident. The problem is that, even though people and leaders of various nations are weary of these protracted wars, none of their efforts are restoring peace in any of the theatres. Nonetheless, the international community needs to keep trying. The UN was formed in part to prevent another world war. It must seize the initiative and show leadership. It should act. Now. Rajendra Aneja, Dubai Good call from Turkey I write in reference to Sarah Maisey's article Turkey plans to fine impatient plane passengers who stand up too early or block aisles (May 29): this is a very good decision. I have often seen passengers opening overhead cabins to get their bags out even before the plane has landed, with bags falling on top of the poor passengers who are seated in some unfortunate cases. Manori Rimona, Emerald, Canada I don't understand where passengers who stand up early want to go. We all have to get on the same bus to get to the terminal, to wait for our suitcases, to maybe get checked by customs officers. Victor Raphael, Kielce, Poland The solution is to organise disembarking in the same way as boarding, section by section. Duncan Lamont, Langbank, Scotland Taqa is well positioned I write in reference to Alvin R Cabral's article Abu Dhabi's Taqa keeping tabs on tariffs as it considers international expansion (May 29): Taqa's strategic positioning in Abu Dhabi is key to its resilience. With nearly half of its power generation capacity unaffected by tariffs, the company continues to drive energy innovation and stability. Jeff Excell, Sandhurst, South Africa Trump's university move will damage America's brand I write in reference to Ahmed S Almansoori and Shireena Al Nowais's article Emirati Harvard alumni criticise Trump plan to block overseas students (May 28): the Trump administration's recent plan to bar foreign students from attending Ivy League universities was unexpected and may have significant negative consequences. Experts suggest that it could adversely affect the US economy, particularly in sectors that benefit from international talent, such as technology, research and academia. Moreover, critics argue that the policy sends a discouraging message to global students, undermines the US's long-standing reputation for educational excellence, and potentially drives international talent to other countries like Canada, the UK and Australia. Emirati Harvard alumni, among others, voiced concern over the decision, stressing that such measures could harm not only international relations but also the academic and cultural diversity that fuels innovation in US institutions.
The National
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Trump heads to the Gulf and flights resume in South Asia
US President Donald Trump arrives in the Gulf today. Flights between the UAE and Pakistan resumed at the weekend. There has been a sharp increase in settler violence across the occupied West Bank since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: White House says Trump's Gulf trip to usher in 'golden age' in US-Middle East relations Trump returns to a changed Gulf: How the region has evolved since 2017 India and Pakistan trade accusations of breaking ceasefire India-Pakistan ceasefire: Passengers hopeful flights will operate as Islamabad reopens air space Palestinians and Israeli activists hit by increasing settler attacks in Jordan Valley This episode features Jihan Abdalla, Senior Correspondent and Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent.
The National
30-01-2025
- Politics
- The National
Trump says Egypt and Jordan will agree to take displaced Palestinians from Gaza
News US The two Arab nations have so far categorically rejected taking Palestinians displaced by the months-long war Jihan Abdalla Washington January 31, 2025 Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza President Donald Trump on Thursday insisted that Egypt and Jordan would take Palestinians from Gaza - a plan Arab leaders have so far flatly rejected. 'They will do it. They are going to do it, OK?' he told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House. 'We do a lot for them and they are going to do it." Mr Trump last week suggested that Egypt and Jordan should take in displaced and homeless Palestinians from Gaza so that 'we clean out that whole thing'. The latest comments came as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, enacted about two weeks ago, appears to be holding. The deal, brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar, ended 15 month of war that turned Gaza into what Mr Trump has called "a demolition site". Relentless bombing by Israel's army, in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people, has turned much of the coastal enclave into rubble. More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed. The suggestion that Egypt and Jordan take Palestinians has struck a nerve in the region. More than two million Palestinians live in Gaza, the majority have been displaced and now have little access to housing, food and medical care. But for Palestinians, plans to move them out of Gaza are reminiscent of the Nakba of 1948, when Palestinians were expelled en mass by Israeli forces. Jordanian and Egyptians leaders have also categorically rejected the suggestion. In a statement, Jordan's royal palace said that the nation has a "firm position on the need to keep the Palestinians on their land and to guarantee their legitimate rights, in accordance with the Israeli and Palestinian two-state solution". Jordan hosts about 2.3 million Palestinian refugees, according to the UN. And on Wednesday, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said that Mr Trump's suggestion amounted to ' an act of oppression '. Mr Trump, who took office on January 20, does wield considerable leverage over Jordan and Egypt, two important Washington allies that are also recipients US aid.
