Connect with us

World News

In Dubai, temple of luxury, free bread distributors for the poorest

Published

on

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Steph Deschamps / September 27, 2022

In the face of soaring inflation, free bread machines for the poorest have appeared in Dubai, a wealthy Gulf emirate where millionaires, influencers and poor migrant workers live side by side.
 
The city, which imports almost all of its food, has not escaped the soaring prices, a global trend exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.
 
In front of one of the ten vending machines installed this week in supermarkets, Bigandar carefully observes the touch screen allowing him to choose between Arabic bread, sandwich bread or chapatis (Indian pancakes).
 
The credit card reader is not used to pay but to make donations.
 
A friend told me that there was free bread, so I came”, tells AFP this young Nepalese who did not want to give his full name.
 
Like millions of Asian immigrants, he came to try his luck in the city of excess, located in the United Arab Emirates.
 
According to the Dubai Statistics Centre, the food price index rose by 8.75% in July, on an annual basis, while the cost of transport jumped by more than 38%.
 
The initiative on bread machines was initiated by the foundation of the ruler of Dubai, Mohammed ben Rashid al-Maktoum.
 
The idea is to reach out to disadvantaged families and workers before they come to us,” director Zeïnab Joumaa al-Tamimi told AFP.
 
Any person in need can now get a package of four reheated rolls, in less than two minutes, just “by pressing a button”, she said.
 
The United Arab Emirates, a rich oil state, has a population of nearly 10 million people, about 90% of whom are foreigners, middle-class expatriates and mostly poor workers from Asia and Africa.
 
– Aid reserved for Emiratis –
 
Less rich in hydrocarbons than the capital Abu Dhabi, Dubai relies on this army of workers to build skyscrapers or to support the services sector, from real estate to luxury tourism, for which it is known.
 
Employed as a car washer for three years, Bigandar says he is paid three dirhams (0.84 euro cents) per vehicle, and relies on tips from customers to generate 700 to 1,000 dirhams a month (between 195 and 280 euros).
 
“My employer covers housing and transportation, but not food,” he says.
 
In a sign of the growing difficulties of the foreign workforce, a rare strike was held in May by delivery workers demanding better wages in the face of rising fuel prices.
 
In July, the authorities announced a doubling of social assistance, but only for the handful of Emirati families with incomes below 25,000 dirhams per month (about ‘7,000), considered to be disadvantaged households. This aid does not include foreigners.
 
“We are living in a particular economic situation, because of inflation and the rise in interest rates,” Fadi Alrasheed, a Jordanian executive who has been an expatriate in Dubai for 20 years, told AFP.
 
There are many people with low salaries who, with the rising cost of living, can no longer meet all their needs,” he said, welcoming the free bread initiative.
 
According to the latest UN report on the state of migration in the world, the United Arab Emirates is home to nearly 8.72 million migrants, mainly from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
 
Hentley and Partners counted more than 68,000 millionaires and some 13 billionaires in Dubai, ranked the 23rd richest city in the world.

Chris TDL Organizations is a Multinational parent managing company or multiple marketing and brand management entities.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

World News

2024 Report Highlights Major Digital Growth in Yemen

Published

on

2024 Report Highlights Major Digital Growth in Yemen, Magnate Daily

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Datareportal, a leading authority in global digital insights, has released its highly anticipated “Digital 2024: Yemen” report, showcasing remarkable advancements in digital adoption across the country amidst ongoing challenges.

Key findings from the report include:

1. Internet Penetration Growth: Internet penetration in Yemen has surged by 22% from the previous year, with an estimated 10.5 million Yemenis now having access to the internet, representing 36% of the population.

2. Mobile Connectivity: Mobile devices remain the primary means of internet access, with smartphone ownership increasing by 18%, reaching a total of 9.2 million users. This growth is attributed to expanded mobile network coverage and more affordable data plans.

Advertisement




3. Social Media Usage: Social media usage has seen a significant uptick, with platforms like Facebook experiencing a 30% increase in active users, now totaling 7.8 million Yemenis. WhatsApp and YouTube follow closely, each with over 6 million active users.

4. E-Commerce Expansion: E-commerce has boomed, witnessing a 45% rise in online transactions compared to the previous year. The total value of e-commerce transactions in 2024 reached USD 360 million, indicating a growing preference for digital shopping experiences.

5. Digital Payments Surge: Digital payment systems have gained widespread adoption, with mobile money users growing by 55% to reach 4.3 million users. This surge in digital payments has led to a 25% decrease in cash transactions across various sectors.

While Yemen continues to face challenges, the rapid growth in digital adoption is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its people,” said [SIMON KEMP], at Datareportal. “These numbers reflect the transformative potential of digital technologies in driving economic growth and improving access to essential services.

Advertisement




The report also sheds light on ongoing challenges such as intermittent power outages and internet disruptions, which hinder seamless digital integration. Additionally, the cost of digital access remains relatively high for many Yemenis, highlighting the need for continued efforts to enhance affordability and accessibility.

For a detailed analysis and access to the full “Digital 2024: Yemen” report, visit [Website URL].

– About Datareportal

Datareportal is a leading provider of comprehensive digital insights, empowering businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders with data-driven decision-making tools. With a commitment to accuracy and depth, Datareportal remains at the forefront of global digital trends and transformations.

Advertisement




Fuad Al-Qrize ( Arabic: فؤاد الكريزي ) – Yemeni Writer

Continue Reading

World News

Moscow attack: Vladimir Putin promises those responsible will all be “punished”, EI says four of its fighters carried out the attack

Published

on

Moscow attack: Vladimir Putin promises those responsible will all be “punished”, EI says four of its fighters carried out the attack, Magnate Daily
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Eva Deschamps / March 23,

 

At least 133 people were killed on Friday evening in an armed attack followed by a huge fire at a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, which was claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (EI).
 
The four perpetrators” of the attack were arrested “on their way to Ukraine”, said the Russian president on Saturday March 23.
 
The Russian president spoke at a time of terrible tragedy in Russia. “The four perpetrators” of the attack near Moscow were arrested “on their way to Ukraine”, he said in a televised speech broadcast the day after the murderous attack. “According to initial data [from investigators], on the Ukrainian side, a passage had been prepared for them to cross the border”, he continued, notes Le Monde.
 
The attack, which killed at least 133 people near Moscow, was in the eyes of the Kremlin leader a “bloody and barbaric act of terrorism”. “Peaceful, innocent people […] including children, teenagers and women” were killed, he continued, adding, “I express my deepest and most sincere condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.” A national day of mourning will be observed on March 24.
 
“War”. In his speech, Vladimir Putin assured that “those behind these terrorists will be punished” and that they “will have no future”. On Saturday, the Kremlin announced that eleven people had been arrested, including the four suspects who carried out the attack.

 
As a reminder, the Islamic State (EI) claimed responsibility for the attack. Its Afghan branch, the Islamic State in Khorassan, known as “EI-K”, is suspected of being behind the attack. According to EI, the attack is part of a “raging war” between the organization and countries fighting Islam, its Amaq news agency said in a statement.
Continue Reading

World News

Princess Kate announces cancer diagnosis

Published

on

Princess Kate announces cancer diagnosis, Magnate Daily
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Sylvie Claire / March 23,

 

After weeks of silence from the British royal family, cancer-stricken Princess Kate has announced that she has begun chemotherapy.

 
Princess Kate has been diagnosed with cancer, Kensington Palace announced on Friday evening. The wife of the heir to the British throne has begun chemotherapy. “I’m fine,” assured the 42-year-old princess after her cancer diagnosis was announced. In a video, the princess explained, “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding. While I was recovering from surgery, it was an incredibly difficult two months for the whole family. But I had the benefit of a fantastic medical team who took great care of me, for which I am very grateful. In January, I underwent a major domino operation in London and, at the time, my condition was not thought to be cancerous“.
 
She continues: “The operation was successful, but tests carried out after the operation revealed the presence of cancer. My medical team therefore advised me to undergo preventive chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of this treatment. William and I have done everything in our power to manage this situation privately, in the best interests of our young family“.
 

Princess Kate explains that it has taken them some time to explain the situation to their children George, Charlotte and Louis. She concludes her message: “But for now, I need to focus on my full recovery. I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For anyone facing this disease in any form, don’t lose faith or hide. You are not alone.

Advertisement

 

She underwent major abdominal surgery on January 16 at the London Clinic, where she was hospitalized for ten days. For weeks, rumors had been circulating about the princess’s state of health.
Continue Reading

Trending