Though the big-name international authors appearing at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, such as Jeffery Archer and crime novelist Kathy Reichs, often get the most attention, it is worth remembering there are 140 writers attending the event.
Among them are some of the biggest names in the Arab literary world. All Arabic sessions will be translated into English, so everyone can share their ideas on literature, writing and translation to as wide an audience as possible. Here are a few of the most notable regional names to look out for.
Badriah Al Bishr
A novelist, columnist and journalist from Saudi Arabia, Al Bishr published three collections of short stories in the 1990s, followed by several novels. One of these – Love Stories on Al Asha Street – was longlisted for the 2014 International Prize for Arabic Fiction.
Her latest work, Thursday’s Visitors, addresses the issues facing modern women in conservative Arab society. She will talk about the novel on March 9, and will also take part in a discussion on Monday, about how best to speak up for gender equality. Both sessions are in Arabic, with English translation.
Izzeldin Abuelaish
Hailed as the "the Martin Luther King of the Middle East", Abuelaish is a Palestinian-Canadian doctor. His award-winning book I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity, is an autobiography inspired by the loss of his three daughters and their cousin to Israeli tank fire.
Abuelaish will host a discussion on March 9, during which he will speak (in English, with Arabic translation) about the peacemaking mission that has taken him all over the world. He will also take part in a discussion on identity and nationalism on March 10.
Ibrahim Farghali
An Egyptian writer and journalist, Farghali's latest work, Ma'bad Anamel Al-Harir (The Temple of Silk Fingertips), was longlisted for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction last year and he recently won the Sawiris Cultural Award for best novel in the established-writers category.
Although best known for his fiction, Farghali is also the author of two travel books, including an account of his adventures in Africa, Asia and Europe.
On March 11, he will take part in a panel discussion about documenting memories during a journey. The day before, Farghali will be part of a workshop for young adults and teenagers exploring how to write fantasy fiction.
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
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MATCH INFO
Delhi Daredevils 174-4 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians 163 (19.3 ovs)
Delhi won the match by 11 runs
A general guide to how active you are:
Less than 5,000 steps - sedentary
5,000 - 9,999 steps - lightly active
10,000 - 12,500 steps - active
12,500 - highly active
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg
Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
