ISIS terror attack victims' relatives welcome news of 'evil' Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi's death


Nicky Harley
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Relatives of victims killed in ISIS atrocities across Europe have welcomed the death of terrorist chief Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi but are calling for authorities to continue to bring perpetrators to justice.

On Monday the UN's ISIS investigative head Karim Khan said terrorists should be confronted with the evidence of their crimes in a court of law similar to the Nuremberg Nazi trials as he revealed evidence discovered with Al Baghdadi will help his investigation.

US President Donald Trump warned European allies that the US would release thousands of the group’s fighters back into Europe if their nations did not take them back.

Mike Haines, the brother of aid worker David Haines who was murdered by the terror group in 2014, described Al Baghdadi as evil but warned the poison of ISIS would continue unless action is taken.

“Al Baghdadi was responsible for countless disgusting and despicable acts," Mr Haines said.

"His evil and cowardly beliefs and actions lack any humanity and caused the death of many innocent people including my brother, thousands of Muslims throughout Syria and Iraq, and even his own three children who he dragged with him into a closed tunnel in his final moments.

“The confirmed death of Al Baghdadi is an important step in the continued downfall of Daesh. However, the poisonous ideology of Daesh has not died with Al Baghdadi.

"We must continue to work together to identify and stamp out the threat.”

Arthur Denouveaux, who survived the Paris Bataclan attack that killed more than 130 people in 2015, is now president of the association Life for Paris, which represents the victims of the attacks.

Mr Denouveaux said relatives were not seeking revenge but want to see justice served.

“The search for justice is very different from sending an air raid from US special forces,” he said.

“However, the death of the Daesh leader is symbolically a major blow to the terrorist group's operational capabilities and is part of its military defeat, no doubt announced too soon.

“It is reassuring to see the group continues to lose leaders and territories. It is fundamental to continue the fight for the security of the region.

“It is clear that Al Baghdadi had a very symbolic role within Daesh. It was he who galvanised the troops. He concentrated a power of fascination and recruitment.

"However, in my opinion, it is still too early to know what impact his death will have on the endogenous threat.”

Mr Khan said US troops found valuable information and evidence, which he says will definitely help to bring those responsible for atrocities to justice.

On Al Baghdadi’s suicide, he said: “Very often, as we have seen with Hitler, people who have clear cases to answer for their terrible crimes do not want to face accusations and choose instead to take the coward’s way out rather than defend the policies they were advocating.”

During Al Baghdadi’s leadership, ISIS claimed responsibility for attacks in dozens of cities including Paris, Nice, Manchester and London.

In the 2017 Manchester Arena attack at an Ariana Grande concert, suicide bomber Salman Abedi murdered 22 people.

Charlotte Coleman, whose daughter Olivia died in the attack, said: “If they've killed him, good on them. No one will ever forget what they've done.”

Footage has since emerged of associates of Abedi and of the London Bridge attackers swearing allegiance to Al Baghdadi.

UK radical preacher Anjem Choudary, who is believed to be responsible for inspiring thousands of ISIS followers across Europe, was found to have sworn allegiance to Al Baghdadi three days after he declared his caliphate in Iraq and Syria.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Al Baghdadi’s death was “an important moment in our fight against terror” but warned: “The battle against the evil of Daesh is not yet over.

“We will work with our coalition partners to bring an end to the murderous, barbaric activities of Daesh once and for all.”

After his announcement on Al Baghdadi’s death, Mr Trump warned he would drop captured fighters at the borders of their homelands if European allies failed to take responsibility for them.

“They came from France, they came from Germany, they came from the UK. They came from a lot of countries,” he said.

“And I actually said to them, 'If you don’t take them, I’m going to drop them right on your border and you can have fun capturing them again'.”

About 800 ISIS fighters of European origin are being detained in northern Syria by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, along with thousands of women and children.

In August, former defence minister Tobias Ellwood warned that the detention of thousands of fighters and their families in Syria could fuel an ISIS rsurgeance.

On Sunday it was revealed the UK government is considering plans to repatriate up to 60 youngsters, including orphans, who are the children of British ISIS fighters stranded in Syrian camps.

A minister told The Sunday Times newspaper that Mr Johnson had made the decision and that each child was being considered "on a case by case basis".

Politician David Davis has warned that the UK needs to repatriate the youngsters to prevent them becoming enemies of the state in the future.

“The 60 British children caught in the violence in north-east Syria must be repatriated," Mr Davis tweeted.

"If we to do nothing, we will see these children again. But it will not be as functioning members of society. It will be as our enemy on the battlefields of the future.”

The Charity Save the Children revealed that many of the youngsters are aged under five and are enduring “dire conditions” in the camps.

Human rights campaigner Bahia Mardini, founder of Syrian House, went to the UK after fleeing violence in Syria and was pleased with the news of Al Baghdadi's death.

“The news represents an important chapter in the struggle against terrorism in Syria," Ms Mardini said.

"As Syrians reflect on the devastation and destruction that Daesh has caused, we celebrate this important step towards the end of the organisation more fully.

“However, we must not forget the struggle Syrians face today and the work which still needs to be done.

"There is still a need to end all terrorist organisations, end the Assad regime, establish a just government and bring peace to my homeland.”

But Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned: “This is a many-headed monster. As you cut one off, another one inevitably arises.”

Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

ICC Academy, November 22-28

UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal

ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan 

UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

Singham Again

Director: Rohit Shetty

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone

Rating: 3/5

Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20loss%20of%20sodium%20chloride%20in%20our%20sweat%20can%20lead%20to%20confusion%20and%20an%20altered%20mental%20status%20and%20slurred%20speech%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBody%20temperature%20above%2039%C2%B0C%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHot%2C%20dry%20and%20red%20or%20damp%20skin%20can%20indicate%20heatstroke%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20faster%20pulse%20than%20usual%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20headaches%20are%20also%20signs%20of%20overheating%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIn%20extreme%20cases%2C%20victims%20can%20lose%20consciousness%20and%20require%20immediate%20medical%20attention%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
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The biog

Favourite Emirati dish: Fish machboos

Favourite spice: Cumin

Family: mother, three sisters, three brothers and a two-year-old daughter

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

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Other ways to buy used products in the UAE

UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.

Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.

Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.

For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.

Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.

At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.

The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

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Rating: 3/5

Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 

The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press

SUE%20GRAY'S%20FINDINGS
%3Cp%3E%22Whatever%20the%20initial%20intent%2C%20what%20took%20place%20at%20many%20of%20these%20gatherings%20and%20the%3Cbr%3Eway%20in%20which%20they%20developed%20was%20not%20in%20line%20with%20Covid%20guidance%20at%20the%20time.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22Many%20of%20these%20events%20should%20not%20have%20been%20allowed%20to%20happen.%20It%20is%20also%20the%20case%20that%20some%20of%20the%3Cbr%3Emore%20junior%20civil%20servants%20believed%20that%20their%20involvement%20in%20some%20of%20these%20events%20was%20permitted%20given%20the%20attendance%20of%20senior%20leaders.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22The%20senior%20leadership%20at%20the%20centre%2C%20both%20political%20and%20official%2C%20must%20bear%20responsibility%20for%20this%20culture.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20found%20that%20some%20staff%20had%20witnessed%20or%20been%20subjected%20to%20behaviours%20at%20work%20which%20they%20had%20felt%20concerned%20about%20but%20at%20times%20felt%20unable%20to%20raise%20properly.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20was%20made%20aware%20of%20multiple%20examples%20of%20a%20lack%20of%20respect%20and%20poor%20treatment%20of%20security%20and%20cleaning%20staff.%20This%20was%20unacceptable.%22%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.

The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.

“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.

“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”

Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.

Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.

“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

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The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

'Munich: The Edge of War'

Director: Christian Schwochow

Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons

Rating: 3/5

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THREE
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Ibrahim's play list

Completed an electrical diploma at the Adnoc Technical Institute

Works as a public relations officer with Adnoc

Apart from the piano, he plays the accordion, oud and guitar

His favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach

Also enjoys listening to Mozart

Likes all genres of music including Arabic music and jazz

Enjoys rock groups Scorpions and Metallica 

Other musicians he likes are Syrian-American pianist Malek Jandali and Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou Khalil

Cry Macho

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam

Rating:**

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

The biog

Name: Samar Frost

Born: Abu Dhabi

Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends

Favourite singer: Adele

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet