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Road to Net Zero

Music & On-stage

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Weekend edition

Lebanon heritage sites Shorthand gif

Special reportWar on culture: Lebanon's heritage sites destroyed in Israeli strikes

Quiz of the week

Find out how well you’ve kept up with the news of the past seven days

Nick Donaldson / PA

Weekend EssayThe Syrian conflict was never as stagnant as it seemed

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin pictured beside the foot of the Lunar Module during the Apollo 11 mission. Getty Images

Blast off, log on: The race to connect space with the internet

Ras Desta Damtew just before his execution, left, and the medal up for auction, right. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Fight to recover Ethiopian prince's gold medal from Swiss auction block

From left, Mohammad Alsurafa, Aram Sabbah and Mahmood Bakri star in To a Land Unknown. Photo: Film Clinic

Palestinian crime film lays bare desperate plight of refugees

Dar Al Islam, the adobe mosque and Islamic centre built by Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy. Photo: Avirook Sen

The Egyptian-designed mosque that sprang up in the New Mexico desert

The T-Rex race during half time at the Emirates Dubai Sevens. Lifestyle benefits are an attraction for relocating non-doms. Victor Besa / The National

Driven to Dubai? The exodus of rich non-doms from the UK under new inheritance tax rules

Opposition fighters stand on a damaged tank of the Syrian government after they entered the city of Hama, Syria, 06 December 2024. Syrian opposition forces, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched an offensive on 27 November, triggering counterattacks by the Syrian regime forces as well as Russian and Syrian airstrikes on opposition-controlled areas. According to Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham leader Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani, there will be 'no revenge' after opposition groups entered the strategically important Syrian city of Hama on 05 December. EPA / BILAL AL HAMMOUD

Syrian rebels eye Damascus after gains in north and south

Syrians in Damascus struggle for essentials as rebel offensive cuts off supplies
Iraq grapples with the fallout from Syria’s escalating war
Who are the rebels trying to topple Assad?

Latest updatesQatar says 'momentum is coming back' for Gaza ceasefire talks

The interior of the restored Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris. AFP

Trump to attend reopening of Notre Dame cathedral five years after fire

Committee overseeing Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire takes aerial tour

Taylor Swift fans in Vienna. Three teenagers, all groomed on the internet, were arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack at a Swift concert in Austria, in August. AP

Warning of 'globalised extremism' after children radicalised online

US TikTok ban can take effect in January, federal appeals court rules

Abu Dhabi F1 liveFinal qualifying session of 2024 at Yas Marina Circuit

Syria war

Freelance journalist Austin Tice went missing in Syria in 2012 and has not been heard from since. Getty Images

US journalist's family says they have new evidence he is alive

Christians attend a Syriac Orthodox Easter service in the mainly Kurdish city of Qamishli, in Syria's north-eastern Hasakah province, in 2022. AFP

Renewed Islamist insurgency leaves Syria’s Christians on edge

Rebels led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham on patrol in Aleppo province, Syria. Reuters

PodcastHow will the power balance in Syria shift?

Displaced people return to the city of Hama, Syria. EPA

At least 370,000 displaced by Syria war escalation, UN says

A Syrian opposition flag is flown after rebels captured Hama. Reuters

Rebels look to Damascus as Assad's hold on Syria loosens

A bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad in Hama. Fears are growing that the Islamist offensive could result in a failed state in Syria. AFP

Syria failed state fears in West as rebel offensive grows

Freelance journalist Austin Tice went missing in Syria in 2012 and has not been heard from since. Getty Images

US journalist's family says they have new evidence he is alive

Christians attend a Syriac Orthodox Easter service in the mainly Kurdish city of Qamishli, in Syria's north-eastern Hasakah province, in 2022. AFP

Renewed Islamist insurgency leaves Syria’s Christians on edge

Rebels led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham on patrol in Aleppo province, Syria. Reuters

PodcastHow will the power balance in Syria shift?

Displaced people return to the city of Hama, Syria. EPA

At least 370,000 displaced by Syria war escalation, UN says

A Syrian opposition flag is flown after rebels captured Hama. Reuters

Rebels look to Damascus as Assad's hold on Syria loosens

A bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad in Hama. Fears are growing that the Islamist offensive could result in a failed state in Syria. AFP

Syria failed state fears in West as rebel offensive grows

Freelance journalist Austin Tice went missing in Syria in 2012 and has not been heard from since. Getty Images

US journalist's family says they have new evidence he is alive

Christians attend a Syriac Orthodox Easter service in the mainly Kurdish city of Qamishli, in Syria's north-eastern Hasakah province, in 2022. AFP

Renewed Islamist insurgency leaves Syria’s Christians on edge

Rebels led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham on patrol in Aleppo province, Syria. Reuters

PodcastHow will the power balance in Syria shift?

Displaced people return to the city of Hama, Syria. EPA

At least 370,000 displaced by Syria war escalation, UN says

Video

Syria's civil war explained

Over the past week, Syria's civil war has been reignited in a way no one saw coming.

Iran to support Syria with 'whatever is needed'

Iran to support Syria with 'whatever is needed'

Jill Biden visits Qatar during final trip as US first lady

Jill Biden visits Qatar during final trip as US first lady

F1 fans look forward to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

F1 fans look forward to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Israeli soldiers 'shot bullets into corpse' and fired at mourners at Lebanon funeral

Israeli soldiers 'shot bullets into corpse' and fired at mourners at Lebanon funeral

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Bradd Pitt, left, and Damson Idris shooting the F1 film at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. AFP

ExclusiveBrad Pitt film shot in Abu Dhabi will be 'most accurate racing movie ever'

Charles Leclerc and his brother Arthur, left, will drive for Ferrari on Friday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Reuters

Leclerc brothers set to create history at Abu Dhabi F1 practice

Al Fursan aerial display team will form part of the celebrations of an action-packed Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. Victor Besa / The National

2024 Abu Dhabi F1: Full schedule for race weekend and concerts

Brad Pitt during a filming break at Yas Marina Circuit. AFP

Brad Pitt on track at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for coming F1 film

Dr Ian Roberts next to the Aston Martin DBX medical car. LAT Images

Abu Dhabi F1: Keeping a track of health and safety of drivers

Brad Pitt and F1 movie co-star Damson Idris at the Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Celebrities in town for Abu Dhabi F1, from Brad Pitt to Jake Paul

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner at the Yas Marina Circuit. Chris Whiteoak / The National

'Rather be a terrier than a wolf': Red Bull boss Horner hits back at Mercedes chief

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc during the second practice session for the Abu Dhabi GP at the Yas Marina Circuit. Chris Whiteoak / The National

McLaren surge ahead as Leclerc grid penalty dents Ferrari hopes

Bradd Pitt, left, and Damson Idris shooting the F1 film at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. AFP

ExclusiveBrad Pitt film shot in Abu Dhabi will be 'most accurate racing movie ever'

Charles Leclerc and his brother Arthur, left, will drive for Ferrari on Friday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Reuters

Leclerc brothers set to create history at Abu Dhabi F1 practice

Al Fursan aerial display team will form part of the celebrations of an action-packed Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. Victor Besa / The National

2024 Abu Dhabi F1: Full schedule for race weekend and concerts

Brad Pitt during a filming break at Yas Marina Circuit. AFP

Brad Pitt on track at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for coming F1 film

Dr Ian Roberts next to the Aston Martin DBX medical car. LAT Images

Abu Dhabi F1: Keeping a track of health and safety of drivers

Brad Pitt and F1 movie co-star Damson Idris at the Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images

Celebrities in town for Abu Dhabi F1, from Brad Pitt to Jake Paul

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner at the Yas Marina Circuit. Chris Whiteoak / The National

'Rather be a terrier than a wolf': Red Bull boss Horner hits back at Mercedes chief

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc during the second practice session for the Abu Dhabi GP at the Yas Marina Circuit. Chris Whiteoak / The National

McLaren surge ahead as Leclerc grid penalty dents Ferrari hopes

Bradd Pitt, left, and Damson Idris shooting the F1 film at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. AFP

ExclusiveBrad Pitt film shot in Abu Dhabi will be 'most accurate racing movie ever'

Charles Leclerc and his brother Arthur, left, will drive for Ferrari on Friday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Reuters

Leclerc brothers set to create history at Abu Dhabi F1 practice

Al Fursan aerial display team will form part of the celebrations of an action-packed Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. Victor Besa / The National

2024 Abu Dhabi F1: Full schedule for race weekend and concerts

Brad Pitt during a filming break at Yas Marina Circuit. AFP

Brad Pitt on track at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for coming F1 film

Crop yields could decline by up to 50 per cent by 2050 due to land degradation. Getty Images

Cop16 strategy to tackle over-cultivation to bolster global food security

Crop yields could decline by up to 50 per cent by 2050 due to land degradation

US senator seeks to eliminate 'West Bank' from all government documents

French President Emmanuel Macron is seen on monitors in a control room at AFP headquarters as he addresses the nation during a televised broadcast from the presidential Elysee Palace on December 5, 2024. AFP

Macron says a new French prime minister will be nominated in days

Suspect in New York killing of health insurance chief Brian Thompson remains at large

Fifa president Gianni Infantino presents the trophy during the Club World Cup 2025 draw ceremony in Miami, USA, 5 December 2024. EPA

Bayern Munich hail 'unique opportunity' in revamped Club World Cup

Tax plan making UK airports 'uninvestable', bosses say

Test for 'zombie' cells could detect first signs of lung cancer

US judge rejects Boeing plea deal over fatal 737 Max crashes

Earthquake strikes off California with short-lived tsunami warning

In focus

Egyptian actress Yousra with Hollywood stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas at the opening ceremony of the Red Sea International Film Festival. Photo: Red Sea Film Festival

Hollywood comes to town as Red Sea Film Festival opens in Jeddah

White Desert Base Camp Echo in Antarctica. Orbite will offer immersive space travel experiences designed to replicate life on the Moon or Mars. Photo: Orbite

Luxury space travel company Orbite plans international expansion

Abbas Tanoukhi, nephew of Amira Tanoukhi. The National

'They shot at her dead body': Lebanese family recount Israeli breach of ceasefire

Teddy Swims performs at the F1 concert at Etihad Park in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Teddy Swims and Peggy Gou fire up first night of Abu Dhabi F1 concerts

139 Piccadilly, overlooking London's Green Park, is priced at £29.95 million. Casa E Progetti / Tony Murray Photography

Middle East and US buyers dominate top of London's property market

From left: An aureus, lot 1032 of auction 20, minted in the name of Marcus Junius Brutus; a dinar from 92 AH, minted in the name of Medina, lot number 35 of auction 19. Photo: Numismatica Genevensis SA

Gold Madinah coin dating back 1,000 years goes under the hammer

Muhammad has overtaken Noah as the top boy baby name in England and Wales. Getty Images

Muhammad overtakes Noah as England's most popular baby boy name

MOTN Festival is split into several zones, which include a cinema in the park and a theatre. Pawan Singh / The National

MOTN Festival returns to Abu Dhabi with food pop-ups, rides and more

Egyptian actress Yousra with Hollywood stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas at the opening ceremony of the Red Sea International Film Festival. Photo: Red Sea Film Festival

Hollywood comes to town as Red Sea Film Festival opens in Jeddah

White Desert Base Camp Echo in Antarctica. Orbite will offer immersive space travel experiences designed to replicate life on the Moon or Mars. Photo: Orbite

Luxury space travel company Orbite plans international expansion

Abbas Tanoukhi, nephew of Amira Tanoukhi. The National

'They shot at her dead body': Lebanese family recount Israeli breach of ceasefire

Teddy Swims performs at the F1 concert at Etihad Park in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Teddy Swims and Peggy Gou fire up first night of Abu Dhabi F1 concerts

139 Piccadilly, overlooking London's Green Park, is priced at £29.95 million. Casa E Progetti / Tony Murray Photography

Middle East and US buyers dominate top of London's property market

From left: An aureus, lot 1032 of auction 20, minted in the name of Marcus Junius Brutus; a dinar from 92 AH, minted in the name of Medina, lot number 35 of auction 19. Photo: Numismatica Genevensis SA

Gold Madinah coin dating back 1,000 years goes under the hammer

Muhammad has overtaken Noah as the top boy baby name in England and Wales. Getty Images

Muhammad overtakes Noah as England's most popular baby boy name

MOTN Festival is split into several zones, which include a cinema in the park and a theatre. Pawan Singh / The National

MOTN Festival returns to Abu Dhabi with food pop-ups, rides and more

Egyptian actress Yousra with Hollywood stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas at the opening ceremony of the Red Sea International Film Festival. Photo: Red Sea Film Festival

Hollywood comes to town as Red Sea Film Festival opens in Jeddah

White Desert Base Camp Echo in Antarctica. Orbite will offer immersive space travel experiences designed to replicate life on the Moon or Mars. Photo: Orbite

Luxury space travel company Orbite plans international expansion

Abbas Tanoukhi, nephew of Amira Tanoukhi. The National

'They shot at her dead body': Lebanese family recount Israeli breach of ceasefire

Teddy Swims performs at the F1 concert at Etihad Park in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Teddy Swims and Peggy Gou fire up first night of Abu Dhabi F1 concerts

Business

Culture

A slower global economy probably means fewer narrow-body aircraft will be needed over the next few years, easing possible shortages due to supply-chain problems and strikes, a report says. AFP

Aircraft shortage worries 'overdone' as slowing global economy curbs jet demand

Oil posts weekly loss despite Opec+ extending voluntary output cuts

December US interest rate cut likely as focus turns to next year

Culture

Weekly UAE museum and gallery guide: Digital art and Dubai in Manga

Turner Prize winner calls for Gaza ceasefire in acceptance speech

Maroon 5's frontman Adam Levine. They played some of their best-known hits including Sunday Morning and Animals. Victor Besa / The National

Maroon 5 review: Effortless Levine hits high gear without breaking sweat

Music & On-stage

Beyond the Headlines

Beyond the Headlines

Delve deeper into the biggest stories from the Middle East and around the world

Culture Bites

Culture Bites

Your guide to the arts and culture scene in the UAE

Business Extra

Business Extra

The stories, companies, trends, tech, Innovation and leaders shaping your world

Trending Middle East

Trending Middle East

What’s trending today? We bring you the latest social media trends from the Middle East and around the world

Pictures of the Day

A McLaren P1 covered with Lego technic parts on display at the Motor Show in Essen, Germany. The world fair for car tuning and racing is taking place from November 30 to December 8. EPA

Workers install a piece by artist Osmany Betancourt as part of the Havana Biennial, in Cuba. AP

A child plays with a giant inflatable red ball at Salisbury Garden in Hong Kong. AFP

A voter marks her ballot at a school in Accra during the Ghana presidential and parliamentary elections. AFP

Part of a haul of 9.5 tonnes of suspected cocaine seized by authorities in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. AFP

Police use a water cannon to disperse supporters of Georgia's opposition parties, during protests against the government's decision to suspend talks on joining the EU, in Tbilisi. Reuters

A polluted mangrove area in the Panama Bay, in Panama City. Countries negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic pollution failed to reach agreement. Reuters

People walk along Plaza de Espana illuminated with Christmas lights in Madrid, Spain. REUTERS

A man rows his boat in the waters of Dal Lake amid foggy conditions in Srinagar. AFP

A McLaren P1 covered with Lego technic parts on display at the Motor Show in Essen, Germany. The world fair for car tuning and racing is taking place from November 30 to December 8. EPA

Workers install a piece by artist Osmany Betancourt as part of the Havana Biennial, in Cuba. AP

A child plays with a giant inflatable red ball at Salisbury Garden in Hong Kong. AFP

A voter marks her ballot at a school in Accra during the Ghana presidential and parliamentary elections. AFP

Part of a haul of 9.5 tonnes of suspected cocaine seized by authorities in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. AFP

Police use a water cannon to disperse supporters of Georgia's opposition parties, during protests against the government's decision to suspend talks on joining the EU, in Tbilisi. Reuters

A polluted mangrove area in the Panama Bay, in Panama City. Countries negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic pollution failed to reach agreement. Reuters

People walk along Plaza de Espana illuminated with Christmas lights in Madrid, Spain. REUTERS

A man rows his boat in the waters of Dal Lake amid foggy conditions in Srinagar. AFP

A McLaren P1 covered with Lego technic parts on display at the Motor Show in Essen, Germany. The world fair for car tuning and racing is taking place from November 30 to December 8. EPA

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Jill Biden visits Abu Dhabi and highlights campaign against cancer