"Is it possible to imagine that Israeli leaders would resolve to establish a regional alliance between Sunni Arab countries and Israel against Iran? This is actually what the Israeli deputy prime minister, Daniel Ayalon, called for in his speech addressed to the Arab world," wrote Abdul Rauf al Raydi in an opinion piece for the London-based newspaper Al Sharq al Awsat.
Mr Daylon contended that there were some common interests that link Israel with Arab Sunni neighbouring countries, mainly a desire to counter Iran which seeks to impose its dominion in the region. To achieve this, he would like to deal with moderate Arab leaders.
To promote his ideals, Mr Ayalon welcomed the Arab peace plan, but he said it would be more convenient for Israel if it did not include the condition of full withdrawal from the Occupied Arab Territories to enter into normal relations.
The Israeli official urged the Sunni Arab countries to unite together against the Iranian regime and to protect the region from Shiite radicalism. His initiative was to crown a "conflict" raging among three regional powers - Iran, Israel and Turkey - over an influential role in the Middle East. Each of these powers uses a different approach to achieve this goal, but all of them seek greater influence in the oil-rich Arab world.
The desire of the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) to expand the geographic area of the South at the expense of the North ignited a new crisis between the SPLM and its partner in government, the National Congress, wrote Ahmad Amrabi in an opinion piece for the Qatari newspaper Al Watan.
"The boundary line between the North and South of Sudan was approved at the declaration of independence in January 1956, but the SPLM would like now to push this line further north in order to annex three regions prior to the self-determination referendum. This explains why the movement entered into an alliance with the opposition parties from the North. The SPLM wants to strengthen its position in order to counter the resistance of the ruling National Congress party." It is alleged that the SPLM, in return, would support the northern opposition leaders in their efforts to introduce democratic reform.
But it is still unclear whether the opposition parties in the north will agree to the SPLM's project. "We understand the demands of northern leaders for democratic change, but how can we explain their attitude to compromise their own land for some temporary gains?" So far there is no clear-cut evidence that northern opposition leaders are involved in such a pact, yet their national responsibility is to declare their political stance.
The GCC summit in Kuwait has captured wide attention as it addressed a heavy agenda of concurrent crises: the Houthis conflict, piracy off the Somali coast, the Iranian nuclear programme, the situation in Iraq, climate change and Dubai's financial status, wrote Reem Khalifa in an opinion piece in the Bahraini newspaper Al Wasat.
It is the first time for a GCC summit to be held while one of its member states - Saudi Arabia - is engaged in a military conflict. "The gulf countries' stance towards the Saudi-Yemeni border conflict was confirmed by the Emir of Kuwait during the opening ceremony when he stated that any breach of Saudi security implied a breach of the security of the GCC countries."
Crises this time are multiple, but the Iranian nuclear programme remains a crucial source of concern for all and it constitutes a strategic challenge for the Gulf states. This will even take on an even greater scale if international sanctions are imposed on Iran. This is why Bahrain demanded that the GCC to be part of the negotiations among the Group 5+1 and Iran in order to ensure pluralism in the security system that is taking shape globally with the arrival of the US president Barack Obama.
There is also need for decisions that take into consideration the opinion of GCC citizens as they call for being involved in decision-making and accountability.
The vast expanses of the Greater Sahara in North Africa and the western coast of Africa are becoming the choice territories for the so-called "al Qa'eda in the Islamic Maghreb" after it lost much ground in confrontations with the Algerian army and security services, noted Tawfik al Madini, in a commnet piece for the UAE daily Al Bayan.
"This relocation was prompted by other causes as well: first, the countries lying along the west coast of Africa and those that comprise the Greater Sahara - Mali, Niger, Chad and Mauritania - do not have armies with the necessary equipment and experience that their Algerian counterpart has in confronting terrorist organisations."
Second, al Qa'eda had entrusted an already established Salafi Group for Da'awa and Fighting with the special mission of establishing al Qa'eda bases.
Third, counter-terrorism experts have expected since November 2, 2006, when the Salafi Group formally announced its affiliation with al Qa'eda, that the Sahara region was in for an uncertain future.
Indeed, the region is becoming a major intersection for globalised trade deals and a strategic territory for international competition. And that is part of its appeal for Qa'eda.
* Digest compiled by Mostapha Elmouloudi
@Email:melmouloudi@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
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Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
Company%20Profile
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Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
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