Alaa' Hleyhel, a Palestinian writer and holder of an Israeli passport, was awarded a literary prize that he was supposed to receive in Beirut. However, he was denied a visa into Lebanon as an anti-normalisation measure. Marzouq al Halabi chose to comment on this event in an article for the pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat. He said that the decision came as a shock, especially since the Israeli Supreme Court had intervened against the legislative authority in Israel and approved Mr Hleyhel's trip to Beirut. It appears that the Arab nations in their tumultuous political conflicts with Israel are overlooking the human dimension.
It is a shame that the Israeli court showed respect for the law of human dignity and freedom while the Arab world still fails to recognise it. "We expected that Beirut wouldn't wait for an Israeli court order and would open its doors to Mr Hleyhel and to us, as Palestinians, thus recognising our right to communicate and belong to the Arab world. We expected a recognition of our rights that transcends the boundaries of politics." It is true that Palestinians under occupations are considered Israeli citizens, but the time has come for the Arab countries to admit that they are not citizens by choice. It is time to admit that between nationality and identity the differences can be great.
In an opinion piece for the London-based newspaper Al Sharq al Awsat, Sami Shawrash, the former minister of culture in Iraq's Kurdish regional government, emphasised the tension in the current Arab-Kurd relationship.
The prevalent political scene in Iraq sees many Arab and Islamic efforts to persuade the winners in the last parliamentary elections to overcome their differences and agree on a national partnership that would culminate in a new Iraqi government in which the Iraqi Kurds would play a vital role. It is a role that the Iraqi Kurds have been serving for more than eight years, proving their importance as a major element in the national composition of the country.
However, Iraqi Kurds are feeling an imbalance in their relationship with the Arabs. Their hardships and the genocide they endured under the former regime are being denied as many consider that the guarantee of Kurdish national rights within the Iraqi social fabric would rupture the country and affect its Arab character. "Is the Arab-Kurd relationship disintegrating?" The Middle East is home to more than 30 million Kurds distributed among four countries. "To ignore this large group and turn a blind eye to their rights and sufferings would pave the way to a destructive dissolution of historical relationship, which should be avoided."
"The US seems to be stuck between two opposing forces: Israel and Iran, and both play their cards subtly. But this does not mean the US is getting weaker or becoming reluctant to take the leading role in international affairs," wrote Youssef al Kuwailet in a lead article in the Saudi Arabia newspaper Al Riyadh. The US is adopting rather a soft power approach as an alternative to military action or psychological pressure.
When dealing with Israel, the US has frequently faced a conflict over Middle East issues, as Arab countries grow less confident in the potential role the Americans can play as peace mediators. As Israel continues to implement its unpopular policies, many across the Muslim world started to look at the US presence in the region as undesirable because of its biased attitude in favour of Israel - a situation that greatly affects its vital interests.
With Iran, the US stance is still unclear because its long-term interests outweigh any rash decision to use force to abort Iranian nuclear ambitions. The Americans seem to be patient, looking forward to any changes affecting the Iranian politics. This is perhaps why the Americans are opposed to the Israeli plan to strike Iran. Both countries are preventing the US president Barack Obama, from focusing on other hot spots like Iraq and Afghanistan. They also put into question the feasibility of his soft diplomacy.
For almost one month to date, one of Arab literature's most prized jewels, One Thousand and One Nights, has been under attack, reported Abdul Hamid al Ansari in an opinion piece for the Emirati daily Al Ittihad. Many Arab and international writers were influenced by this literary work of art that has influenced both the East and the West alike. Nevertheless, the masterpiece is under threat nowadays in Egypt. Lawyers are asking for a ban on the book, claiming that it is offensive to public decency and promotes moral corruption.
This is not the first time that the book has fallen under scrutiny. It was confiscated in 1985 under similar claims. However, the court of appeals at the time dismissed the case, stating that One Thousand and One Nights has captured people's imagination for centuries and it is a treasure of folk literature. Furthermore, it was a valuable source for many magnificent works of art all over the world.
"The court ruling, 24 years ago, should have been upheld and this abhorrent habit of confiscating books must cease in this new age of knowledge which abolishes all barriers and impediments." * Digest compiled by Racha Makarem rmakarem@thenational.ae
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
Results for Stage 2
Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race
Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
More from Armen Sarkissian
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Company%20profile
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Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
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.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars
RESULTS
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
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THURSDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court
Starting at 10am:
Lucrezia Stefanini v Elena Rybakina (6)
Aryna Sabalenka (4) v Polona Hercog
Sofia Kenin (1) v Zhaoxuan Yan
Kristina Mladenovic v Garbine Muguruza (5)
Sorana Cirstea v Karolina Pliskova (3)
Jessica Pegula v Elina Svitolina (2)
Court 1
Starting at 10am:
Sara Sorribes Tormo v Nadia Podoroska
Marketa Vondrousova v Su-Wei Hsieh
Elise Mertens (7) v Alize Cornet
Tamara Zidansek v Jennifer Brady (11)
Heather Watson v Jodie Burrage
Vera Zvonareva v Amandine Hesse
Court 2
Starting at 10am:
Arantxa Rus v Xiyu Wang
Maria Kostyuk v Lucie Hradecka
Karolina Muchova v Danka Kovinic
Cori Gauff v Ulrikke Eikeri
Mona Barthel v Anastasia Gasanova
Court 3
Starting at 10am:
Kateryna Bondarenko v Yafan Wang
Aliaksandra Sasnovich v Anna Bondar
Bianca Turati v Yaroslava Shvedova