Egypt prevents travel of Hamas officials



In a lead article, the London-based newspaper Al Quds al Arabi noted that relations between Egypt and Hamas had always been tense because of ideological differences and also because of Cairo's failure to convince the Islamic movement to accept the Palestinian reconciliation plan.

On Friday, Egypt's intelligence services notified Hamas that three of its leaders would be banned from leaving the Gaza Strip, and would not be allowed to perform Haj this year. They also will not be able to take part in an official delegation leaving for Cairo or Damascus as part of any future reconciliation efforts.

Egypt's decision came as a form of retaliation against some senior members, who vehemently criticised Cairo when it closed the checkpoint of Rafah and prevented entry of aid to the besieged population inside the strip.

"The Egyptian government is wrong to take the use of passage rights through checkpoints as a pressing issue, especially since the goal to leave Gaza is for the religious purpose of Haj."

The way Cairo treats Gaza's population in general is "inhumane", as it is generally forced to endure a long transit procedure both through the Rafah checkpoint and in the airport. "This needs to be reviewed because travel is a human, legitimate right, and there are considerations that should outweigh grudges and political differences."

Ahmadinejad has new role in Lebanon

"The hype that surrounded the visit of the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has at last subsided," noted Tareq Alhomayed in an opinion article for the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al Awsat.

"Finally we have not seen him throwing a stone at Israel, or visiting the Fatima Gate. In fact, he did not say anything new, except that he hinted at Iranian support for Hizbollah before the Special Tribunal for Lebanon."

The rationale behind the visit is thus to affirm the Iranian position in Lebanon following the visit made jointly by the Syrian president Bashar al Assad and the Saudi monarch King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. Similarly, it aims to rescue Hizbollah from any eventual indictment by the Tribunal.

As a sign of gratitude, the party welcomed Mr Ahmadinejad with grandeur, as if Hizbollah would like to say that "Iran has wide popular support in Lebanon". Perhaps Mr Ahmadinejad had never been treated in similar way in his own country.

Yet what can be taken from the visit is that a new equation emerges: Lebanon's situation might involve more than the two external parties of Syria and Saudi Arabia. The third strong candidate, Iran, is implicitly present by way of Hassan Nasrallah as a strong sponsor for his party; particularly during forthcoming judicial challenges.

Pakistan's double-game foreign policy

In an opinion piece in the UAE newspaper Al Ittihad, Abdullah al Haj wrote that although Pakistani intelligence services announced several months ago that they arrested the Afghan Taliban's second-in-command, western troops operating in Afghanistan still believe Pakistan maintains good relations with the group.

"Although Pakistan captured Abdul Ghani Baradar along with other members, it released at the same time many Afghan Taliban figures it had arrested earlier."

This led western officials to think that freeing important Taliban members was an indication that Pakistani intelligence had played a double game.

Official sources said that Pakistan has a complex foreign policy, as it strives to keep good relations with both the West and the Afghan government. Meanwhile, it maintains a good rapport with Afghan resistance organisations such as the Taliban, with the aim of controlling the course of war.

The Pakistani government did not deny having direct contact with the Afghan Taliban, yet it described these as "not dangerous", and were only meant to control the armed groups in Pakistan.

Moreover, and even though the West has exerted pressure on Pakistan to cut its relations with armed Afghan movements since the September 11 attacks, Islamabad has not seriously complied as this contradicts its over-arching interests.

US supports a divided Sudan for its interests

"What made the US president Barack Obama say in an assured manner that failing to hold the referendum in southern Sudan could lead to the death of millions of people?" This question was asked by Areeb al Rantawi in a commentary for the Jordanian newspaper Addustoor.

Talking about post-poll era scenarios, or putting forward false claims to justify a hasty referendum, shows the extent to which the US is biased towards the Sudan Popular Liberation Movement (SPLM). With such an attitude, it tries to depict the chronic crisis of the South as apocalyptic.

The US has no right to interfere and encourage a premature resolutions of the crisis. Nor should it provide support to the southern leaders Salva Kiir, when he called on the UN to deploy international troops along the borders between the North and the South of Sudan.

The American position towards the Sudan crisis has the far-reaching aim of ensuring separation and ultimately establishing a "Christian state". "Washington would like to create a new Israel in the south of Sudan to be a base for its war on terror as well as a security, military and intelligence bridge for Israel into Africa."

In that regard, the US could care less whether the referendum is free and fair - as long as it leads to separation.

* Digest compiled by Mostapha Elmouloudi

The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

On sale: Now

5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809 
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052 
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210 

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629 
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770 
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152 

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: from Dh155,000

On sale: now

How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019

December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'

JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.

“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”

November 26:  ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’

SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue. 

SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."

October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'

MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.

“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December." 

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Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

FIXTURES

All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Brackets denote aggregate score

Tuesday:
Roma (1) v Shakhtar Donetsk (2), 11.45pm
Manchester United (0) v Sevilla (0), 11.45pm

Wednesday:
Besiktas (0) v Bayern Munich (5), 9pm
Barcelona (1) v Chelsea (1), 11.45pm

Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners

Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta​​​​​​​
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

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