Syria's downing of Turkish fighter sends a signal and regional conflict is now closer than ever
Turkish-Syrian relationships have known their ups and downs throughout the past four decades, but not once have they reached the point of shooting down planes, said Abdel Bari Atwan, editor-in-chief of the pan-Arab newspaper Al Quds Al Arabi.
On Friday, a Turkish Phantom F-4 jet was directly hit by Syrian anti-air defences on the claim that it had violated air space over Syrian territorial waters. The jet's pilots are still missing.
"This means, we may be on the verge of a regional war," commented the writer.
The Syrian command may have used the incident to address strong messages to more than one party and demonstrate its power and preparedness for war.
The targeting of the jet serves indeed as a warning to the Turkish authorities, and indeed any other countries that champion the revolution, against offering further support to the Syrian opposition and especially against allowing extremist Islamic militants to cross into Syria territories.
The attack, from Syria's point of view, could also be used as a deterrent for Nato and especially the US. It confirms that Syria isn't weak and that any use of force against it would be risky.
The incident came at an opportune time for Damascus, which has been searching for a development to downplay the momentum the opposition gained last week when a pilot defected to Jordan with his MiG 21 jet.
"Surely, the Syrian command didn't commit such an escalatory action without prior consultation with its Russian allies," said Atwan. "Less than a week before the decisive Friends of Syria meeting in Paris, the Syrian regime is purposefully pestering Turkey, the former ally that would spearhead any foreign military intervention to bring down the regime."
But will Damascus succeed in pulling Ankara, and consequently Washington, into a pre-emptive war at this critical time? That remains to be seen.
The Turkish response to the affront was blurred, just as it was to the intensified Syrian support for the Kurdish Labour Party that has been increasing its attacks on Turkish forces recently.
"The Syrian regime is currently behaving like a cornered cat. By downing the Turkish jet, it may have intended to export its mounting crises as a way to relieve pressure internally," opined the writer.
Mr Assad's grip on security in his country is gradually waning as the uprising continues to spread and has reached the heart of Damascus, the political capital, and Aleppo, the commercial capital.
In light of the collapse of Kofi Annan's plan that failed to put a stop to military operations, and the disintegration of the international monitors' mission, regional conflict is closer than ever. In fact, it may have already begun. Syria is witnessing a proxy war between the US and its allies on one hand and Russia and its allies on the other.
United front in Egypt is light at end of tunnel
Finally, there is some light at the end of the tunnel in Egypt, with a united front formed against the ruling military council's power grab, wrote Fahmi Huwaidi in the Cairo-based daily Al Shorouk.
For the front of national forces to recognise the importance of unity at this critical time, to face the counter-revolution, is of paramount importance.
"Egypt can never get off the ground, nor can the revolution achieve its objectives, unless all honourable citizens join forces … to save the country from militarisation," the writer noted.
No faction had to cede its political platform, but all parties agreed on postponing their issues and found a common ground on combating the old regime's return "in disguise".
Now the confusion is cleared up, and no one will be excused to stand on the fence. This is "not about a power struggle between the military council and the Brotherhood … but about a pitched battle between the revolution and the counter-revolution".
"If you sill doubt that it is literally about a pitched battle, then keep track of the remnants-run media, and of how fiercely and wickedly they fought the battle to achieve their goals of morally assassinating the general staff of the revolutionary camp."
The national front has succeeded in rising above mistakes and differences, and rally around a goal, but it has to step up efforts to accomplish its ambitions.
Sudan, too, is moving into an 'Arab Autumn'
What is unfolding these days in Sudan means that another country is en route to an "Arab Autumn", wrote columnist Hashim Abduh Hashim in yesterday's edition of Saudi newspaper Okaz.
"The problem of the Sudanese can be summed up in poverty," the writer said.
But this plague finds its sources in several other issues. Parties and political alliances have failed, since independence in 1956, to work for the people.
Successive governments have taken advantage of the people, and failed to use the country's resources and strategic location to seal good transactions with other countries.
Also detrimental is the plague of infighting that is still on the rise, not only between governments but also among political parties and ideological alliances.
For their part, the Arab states did little to help Sudan get out of trouble and use its resources.
"I recall my meeting with former president Gaafar Nimeiry in 1982. 'You are sitting on a treasure chest while the Sudanese suffer,' I said. 'Arabs are right there,' he guffawed.
"Today, I hope that the situation which has already reached a tipping point won't get worse," the writer continued. "Political forces have no choice other than to join efforts to serve the interests of the Sudanese people."
* Digest compiled by The Translation Desk
translation@thenational.ae
RESULT
RS Leipzig 3
Marcel Sabitzer 10', 21'
Emil Forsberg 87'
Tottenham 0
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
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 Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
THE BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
Fight card
1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)
9. Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
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 to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
RIVER%20SPIRIT
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeila%20Aboulela%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Saqi%20Books%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
Friday’s fixture
6.15pm: Al Wahda v Hatta
6.15pm: Al Dhafra v Ajman
9pm: Al Wasl v Baniyas
9pm: Fujairah v Sharjah
.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.