• A Palestinian craftsman prepares Advent-themed souvenir figurines ahead of Christmas at a workshop in the biblical city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on December 13, 2022. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
    A Palestinian craftsman prepares Advent-themed souvenir figurines ahead of Christmas at a workshop in the biblical city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on December 13, 2022. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
  • Business in Bethlehem is recovering from a two-year coronavirus-induced slowdown, lifting spirits before the start of the Christmas holiday
    Business in Bethlehem is recovering from a two-year coronavirus-induced slowdown, lifting spirits before the start of the Christmas holiday
  • Christmas is normally peak season for tourism in Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus
    Christmas is normally peak season for tourism in Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus
  • Before the onset of the pandemic, thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world came to celebrate in the West Bank town
    Before the onset of the pandemic, thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world came to celebrate in the West Bank town
  • Tourist numbers plummeted during the pandemic but the recent rise in the number of people visiting the town is an encouraging sign
    Tourist numbers plummeted during the pandemic but the recent rise in the number of people visiting the town is an encouraging sign
  • Since the Palestinians don’t have their own airport, most international visitors come via Israel, which is expecting about 120,000 Christian tourists during the Christmas week
    Since the Palestinians don’t have their own airport, most international visitors come via Israel, which is expecting about 120,000 Christian tourists during the Christmas week

MENA

Palestinian craftsman makes Advent-themed souvenirs for Christmas — in pictures

The workshop is located in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem

The National

December 15, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

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How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
  • The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
  • The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
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  • The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

Points to remember
  • Debate the issue, don't attack the person
  • Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
  • Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
  • Listen actively without interrupting
  • Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
While you're here
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Tuesday's fixtures
Group A
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Iran v Uzbekistan, 8pm
N Korea v UAE, 10.15pm
While you're here
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Rating: 3/5

Fitness problems in men's tennis

Andy Murray - hip

Novak Djokovic - elbow

Roger Federer - back

Stan Wawrinka - knee

Kei Nishikori - wrist

Marin Cilic - adductor

Updated: December 15, 2022, 8:48 AM
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