Although the Syrian president Bashar Assad confirmed during his last visit to Paris that there was no Saudi-Syrian initiative regarding the International Tribunal for Lebanon and that the controversy should be solved among the Lebanese themselves, the issue is still attracting attention, observed Tariq Alhomayed in a commentary for the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al Awsat.
Some Lebanese and Saudi sources said that after the indictment of Hizbollah, the March 14 alliance might announce that justice has been achieved. The Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri's bloc may withdraw from the trial, but without obstructing its course.
According to other sources, Hizbollah needs to meet four conditions: the abolition of the veto power system in the Lebanese government, the withdrawal of weapons, joining the national dialogue, and contributing to the implementation of the Taif agreement decisions.
Yet, many believe that Hizbollah is aware that any initiative is less likely to help it out from its current impasse, which explains why the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has described the tribunal as null and void. His opinion, in fact, was not a surprise for most Lebanese since Mr Khamenei expressed the same stance during Mr Hariri's last visit to Tehran, although it was not made public then.
Extremists have served Israel well
In an opinion piece for the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Jareeda, Saleh al Qallab wrote that Christmas celebrations this year were marred by the recollection of deadly attacks on churches and Christian communities in the Arab world.
But those who sow death and destruction are not Muslims; they are criminals and terrorists. Acting in the name of Islam, extremists have terrorised Christians in Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq. They have grossly distorted the image of Islam and help propagate Islamphobic feelings world-wide.
This has also given reason for Israel to claim it is the frontline defence against the West against rising religious extremism. Extremists thus have served the Israeli claim to have a new role for regional empowerment.
Because of the Christian issue, Israel can also avert international pressure to freeze settlement activities and meet its obligations to the peace process in the Middle East, mainly to grant the Palestinian people full rights to establish their independent state.
It is time now that Muslim scholars as well as Islamic and nationalist leaders should realise the risks posed by extremist crimes against Arab Christians. They should act swiftly to put an end to this.
Escalation in Darfur at a critical time
The latest events in Darfur which, according to Khartoum, led to the death of 40 rebels and soldiers, cannot be incidental, noted the UAE newspaper Al Bayan in its editorial.
They came at a time when South of Sudan is heading towards secession. And although the referendum is the only reference to decide on the issue, preparations are in full swing either in Sudan or internationally to deal with the new situation as if the separation of Sudan is certain and only a matter of time.
There is a symbolic dimension of the escalation in Darfur in the run- up days to the referendum, which may lay the ground for further divisions. The secession of the South might set a precedent that will lure more provinces to follow the same path which, in turn, would spark new hotbeds of violent tension.
In Darfur, there is ongoing support to the leaders of rebellion, either through logistics or media coverage. The ultimate aim is to convert a handful of legitimate rights by local political forces into public demands to seek secession similar to what is expected in the South. This is happening while the central government is submerged with pressing issues ranging from opposition in the North to the arrest warrant against the president Omar al Bashir.
Moving UAE identity registration forward
"Fines on failing to meet the deadline for identity cards have been postponed so many times that there is every reason to doubt whether there was any strategy in place when the project was first launched," observed Amani Mohammed in a commentary for the UAE newspaper Al Ittihad.
"Because identity registration is a vital project, it should have been important to plan well for the capacity of its centres. It should be noted that those who have not yet registered number more than five million people, while the deadlines set each time do not proportionally correspond to the centres' capacity."
The identity card is not only an important identification document, but it has also a security dimension, especially since we receive hundreds of new workers every day.
Frequent delays raise the question: why has identity registration not been linked with residence permit renewal since the launch of the project? This could be to a large extent the right decision, which goes in line with the identity registration's requirements.
* Digest compiled by Racha Makarem
rmakarem@thenational.ae
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
T20 World Cup Qualifier
October 18 – November 2
Opening fixtures
Friday, October 18
ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya
Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan
Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed
Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pickford%20(Everton)%2C%20Pope%20(Newcastle)%2C%20Ramsdale%20(Arsenal)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chilwell%20(Chelsea)%2C%20Dier%20(Tottenham)%2C%20Guehi%20(Crystal%20Palace)%2C%20James%20(Chelsea)%2C%20Maguire%20(Man%20United)%2C%20Shaw%20(Man%20United)%2C%20Stones%20(Man%20City)%2C%20Trippier%20(Newcastle)%2C%20Walker%20(Man%20City)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBellingham%20(Dortmund)%2C%20Gallagher%20(Chelsea)%2C%20Henderson%20(Liverpool)%2C%20Maddison%20(Leicester)%2C%20Mount%20(Chelsea)%2C%20Phillips%20(Man%20City)%2C%20Declan%20Rice%20(West%20Ham)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EForwards%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFoden%20(Man%20City)%2C%20Grealish%20(Man%20City)%2C%20Kane%20(Tottenham)%2C%20Rashford%20(Man%20United)%2C%20Saka%20(Arsenal)%2C%20Toney%20(Brentford)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results:
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1.400m | Winner: AF Mouthirah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Saab, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Majd Al Gharbia, Saif Al Balushi, Ridha ben Attia
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed Dh 180,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Money To Burn, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh 70,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Kafu, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 2,400m | Winner: Brass Ring, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed