Stars shine for peace: The 'Artists4Ceasefire' and Palestinian flag at the Oscars 2024

The 96th Annual Academy Awards, held in Hollywood, California, was a night for celebrating cinematic achievements – and a platform for Middle East peace.

Among the glitz and glamour, several of those attending wore the “Artists4Ceasefire” pin, calling attention to the continuing conflict in Gaza and advocating for de-escalation and ceasefire.

The circular red pin, according to the Artists4Ceasefire group, stands for “collective support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all of the hostages and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza”.

The initiative was widely supported by celebrities, indicating their commitment to use their visibility for global causes.

The pins, including the Palestinian flag worn by French actors Milo Machado-Graner and Swann Arlaud, stars of Anatomy of a Fall, conveyed a message of unity and the urgent need for humanitarian aid.

Celebrities advocating for peace

American director Ava DuVernay, actor Mark Ruffalo and British actor and rapper Riz Ahmed, alongside others, arrived at the Oscars with the pin.

Ramy Youssef, who was in the surreal comedy Poor Things, emphasised the campaign's message: “It's about 'stop killing kids'.”

Youssef stressed the importance of halting violence to allow space for healing and justice.

“We're using our voices to speak to people's hearts,” he said. “We want people to have safety and justice.

“It's obviously something a lot of people have a lot of opinions about, and I think there can be a place and time to process feelings.

“The best time to process feelings is when there isn't active violence happening. So, we need to stop the violence, we need to stop the bombing.”

British director Jonathan Glazer also criticised the violence in the Middle East as he accepted an award for The Zone Of Interest, which won the Best International Feature Oscar.

He said: “Our film shows where dehumanisation leads at its worst – it’s shaped all of our past and present.

“Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.

“Whether it’s the victims of October 7 in Israel or of the ongoing attack on Gaza, all are victims of this dehumanisation.”

Sister and brother Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, both nominated for an Oscar, also wore the red pin calling for a ceasefire between Gaza and Israel.

Read the full list of the night's winners here.

Oscars 2024 red carpet – in pictures

How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

Zayed Sustainability Prize

Clean water and solar homes: Zayed prize finalists present sustainability solutions

What is the Zayed Sustainability Prize?

Expert advice

“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”

Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles

“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”

Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”

Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai

Empty Words

By Mario Levrero

(Coffee House Press)

RESULT

Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')

Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”

How to donate

Text the following numbers:

2289 - Dh10

6025 - Dh 20

2252 - Dh 50

2208 - Dh 100

6020 - Dh 200

*numbers work for both Etisalat and du

MATCH INFO

Mumbai Indians 186-6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 183-5 (20 ovs)

Mumbai Indians won by three runs

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

info-box

COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Happy Tenant

Started: January 2019

Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana

Based: Dubai

Sector: Technology, real-estate

Initial investment: Dh2.5 million

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 4,000

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