Massive crowds took to the streets of Yemen's capital on Friday calling for the immediate ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, whose loyalists staged a rival demonstration nearby.
Protesters swarmed into the centre of Sanaa on the weekly Muslim day of prayers, which for weeks has become the occasion for rival political rallies.
While anti-Saleh protesters rallied on what they have named "The Last Chance Friday," his loyalists gathered not far away for a "Reconciliation Friday."
Army and police were deployed in force to prevent clashes between the two sides, with several tens of thousands gathered at squares a few kilometres (miles) apart, as on previous Fridays.
Saleh's regime and parliamentary opposition groups are still mulling a Gulf plan that urges Saleh to step down 30 days after the formation of a unity government, but protesters on the street openly rejected it.
"Neighbouring countries; no negotiations, no dialogue," read posters carried by anti-regime demonstrators, apparently referring to the Gulf plan under which Saleh would transfer his powers to his deputy, Yemen's Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi.
According to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative, the president would submit his resignation to parliament within 30 days, with a presidential vote to be held within two months.
"The assailant must be brought to justice," some of the protesters' banners read.
One of the motors of the protests, the "Peaceful Revolt Youth", issued a statement rejecting the GCC initiative, saying "it does not include Saleh's immediate ouster," their main demand, and "provides safeguards to him, his family and aides who are all killers."
In the statement, the group also called for a general strike on Saturday across the country.
Saleh has since January faced anti-regime protests calling for his ouster in which more than 130 people have been killed in clashes with security forces and rival demonstrators.
An emailed statement from the Yemeni embassy in Washington said on Thursday that GCC chief Abdullatif al-Zayani had presented the group's latest proposal to Saleh and to the opposition, and that the ruling party was expected to respond within 24 hours.
Foreign ministers of Yemen's oil-rich Arab Gulf neighbours held talks on Tuesday with envoys of Saleh's regime as part of efforts to hammer out a deal under which the veteran president, who has been in power since 1978, would step down.
The meeting came two days after talks in Riyadh between the foreign ministers and representatives of Yemen's parliamentary opposition, who are adamant Saleh should go without delay.
But a defiant Saleh, who has ruled for 32 years, said on Wednesday he would "resist" calls to resign and abide by the constitution in any transfer of power, the official Saba news agency reported.
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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
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
Company%20Profile
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MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Company%20Profile
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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
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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.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals