• Iranian protesters tried to break ​into a local government building in the southern Fars province yesterday, state media said, on the fourth ‌day of demonstrations over the cost of living that have prompted an unusual offer of dialogue from the government.
  • Gulf countries have called for calm and restraint following the escalation in Yemen in recent days. Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait said they were monitoring the situation closely, highlighting the important role played by Saudi Arabia and the UAE in supporting “stability and security” in the country.
  • Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi was in Riyadh yesterday for talks with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan on developments in Yemen.
  • The Southern Transitional Council yesterday said it did not "harbour any hostility" towards countries in the region, particularly Saudi Arabia.
  • Yemen needs a new counter-terrorism strategy to confront the growing threats of Al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood following the withdrawal of UAE operatives, experts have told The National.
  • Other experts have warned that divisions within Yemen's ruling council could hand an advantage to the Iran-backed Houthis.
  • A Syrian security force member was killed and two others were wounded when a suicide bomber suspected of having ties to ISIS tried to attack a church in Aleppo, the interior ministry said. Syria has been increasing cooperation with US forces against the group.
  • Turkish authorities detained another 125 suspected ISIS militants in the latest nationwide sweep.
  • A ship from the UAE carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza arrived in Egypt's Al Arish.

More goings-on

  • President Sheikh Mohamed and other UAE leaders shared their greetings with countries across the world and wished everyone a prosperous new year. "Let us welcome the year ahead with renewed hope and determination in efforts to foster unity, progress and prosperity for all,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X.
  • Zohran Mamdani has been sworn in as New York City's first Muslim mayor.
  • Deadline for first phase of disarming Lebanon’s Hezbollah expires

This newsletter was compiled by Aveen Karim, Deputy Foreign Editor.

The National produces a variety of newsletters across an array of subjects. To get the best of our coverage straight to your inbox, sign up to them here.

Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare

Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.

Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.

For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae

 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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