Alaa' Hleyhel, a Palestinian writer and holder of an Israeli passport, was awarded a literary prize that he was supposed to receive in Beirut. However, he was denied a visa into Lebanon as an anti-normalisation measure. Marzouq al Halabi chose to comment on this event in an article for the pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat. He said that the decision came as a shock, especially since the Israeli Supreme Court had intervened against the legislative authority in Israel and approved Mr Hleyhel's trip to Beirut. It appears that the Arab nations in their tumultuous political conflicts with Israel are overlooking the human dimension.
It is a shame that the Israeli court showed respect for the law of human dignity and freedom while the Arab world still fails to recognise it. "We expected that Beirut wouldn't wait for an Israeli court order and would open its doors to Mr Hleyhel and to us, as Palestinians, thus recognising our right to communicate and belong to the Arab world. We expected a recognition of our rights that transcends the boundaries of politics." It is true that Palestinians under occupations are considered Israeli citizens, but the time has come for the Arab countries to admit that they are not citizens by choice. It is time to admit that between nationality and identity the differences can be great.
In an opinion piece for the London-based newspaper Al Sharq al Awsat, Sami Shawrash, the former minister of culture in Iraq's Kurdish regional government, emphasised the tension in the current Arab-Kurd relationship.
The prevalent political scene in Iraq sees many Arab and Islamic efforts to persuade the winners in the last parliamentary elections to overcome their differences and agree on a national partnership that would culminate in a new Iraqi government in which the Iraqi Kurds would play a vital role. It is a role that the Iraqi Kurds have been serving for more than eight years, proving their importance as a major element in the national composition of the country.
However, Iraqi Kurds are feeling an imbalance in their relationship with the Arabs. Their hardships and the genocide they endured under the former regime are being denied as many consider that the guarantee of Kurdish national rights within the Iraqi social fabric would rupture the country and affect its Arab character. "Is the Arab-Kurd relationship disintegrating?" The Middle East is home to more than 30 million Kurds distributed among four countries. "To ignore this large group and turn a blind eye to their rights and sufferings would pave the way to a destructive dissolution of historical relationship, which should be avoided."
"The US seems to be stuck between two opposing forces: Israel and Iran, and both play their cards subtly. But this does not mean the US is getting weaker or becoming reluctant to take the leading role in international affairs," wrote Youssef al Kuwailet in a lead article in the Saudi Arabia newspaper Al Riyadh. The US is adopting rather a soft power approach as an alternative to military action or psychological pressure.
When dealing with Israel, the US has frequently faced a conflict over Middle East issues, as Arab countries grow less confident in the potential role the Americans can play as peace mediators. As Israel continues to implement its unpopular policies, many across the Muslim world started to look at the US presence in the region as undesirable because of its biased attitude in favour of Israel - a situation that greatly affects its vital interests.
With Iran, the US stance is still unclear because its long-term interests outweigh any rash decision to use force to abort Iranian nuclear ambitions. The Americans seem to be patient, looking forward to any changes affecting the Iranian politics. This is perhaps why the Americans are opposed to the Israeli plan to strike Iran. Both countries are preventing the US president Barack Obama, from focusing on other hot spots like Iraq and Afghanistan. They also put into question the feasibility of his soft diplomacy.
For almost one month to date, one of Arab literature's most prized jewels, One Thousand and One Nights, has been under attack, reported Abdul Hamid al Ansari in an opinion piece for the Emirati daily Al Ittihad. Many Arab and international writers were influenced by this literary work of art that has influenced both the East and the West alike. Nevertheless, the masterpiece is under threat nowadays in Egypt. Lawyers are asking for a ban on the book, claiming that it is offensive to public decency and promotes moral corruption.
This is not the first time that the book has fallen under scrutiny. It was confiscated in 1985 under similar claims. However, the court of appeals at the time dismissed the case, stating that One Thousand and One Nights has captured people's imagination for centuries and it is a treasure of folk literature. Furthermore, it was a valuable source for many magnificent works of art all over the world.
"The court ruling, 24 years ago, should have been upheld and this abhorrent habit of confiscating books must cease in this new age of knowledge which abolishes all barriers and impediments." * Digest compiled by Racha Makarem rmakarem@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
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Results
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Bharat
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Specs%20
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The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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INDIA%20SQUAD
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Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history
- 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon
- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.
- 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater
- 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.
- 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.
- 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.
-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.
GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
Recent winners
2018 Dubai Hurricanes
2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Wednesday's results
Finland 3-0 Armenia
Faroes Islands 1-0 Malta
Sweden 1-1 Spain
Gibraltar 2-3 Georgia
Romania 1-1 Norway
Greece 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Liechtenstein 0-5 Italy
Switzerland 2-0 Rep of Ireland
Israel 3-1 Latvia
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
More on animal trafficking
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
CHINESE GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID
1st row
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
2nd row
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
3rd row
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing)
4th row
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
Sergio Perez (Force India)
5th row
Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault)
Romain Grosjean (Haas)
6th row
Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Esteban Ocon (Force India)
7th row
Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)
8th row
Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
9th row
Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
Lance Stroll (Williams)
10th row
Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
arcus Ericsson (Sauber)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Stage result
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco
5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team
8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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