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Tunisian militant leader linked to Al Qaeda arrested

Seifallah bin Hussein Mokni, also known as Abu Ayyad, the leader of Ansar Al Sharia, has been arrested, reportedly by United States special forces aided by Libyan troops.

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TUNIS // The head of a Tunisia-based militant group linked to Al Qaeda was arrested on Monday in the Libyan city of Misurata along with several "people accompanying him," according to TAP, the state-run news agency.
Seifallah bin Hussein Mokni, also known as Abu Ayyad, the leader of Ansar Al Sharia, was arrested by United States special forces aided by Libyan troops, according to the agency, citing unidentified security officials.
The US has denied taking part in the operation, with a spokesperson, Colonel Steve Warren, saying that no US military forces have been involved in any operations in Libya.
Mr Mokni had been wanted by Tunisian authorities for attacks on the US Embassy in Tunisia in September 2012 — violence that was triggered after the release of a film made in the US that was widely seen in the Muslim world as insulting the Prophet Mohammad. Libyan state-run Al Nabaa television, citing unidentified security officials, denied the militant had been arrested or that there were US forces operating in Libya.
US forces captured Abu Anas Al Libi, another Al Qaeda suspect in the Libyan capital Tripoli in October.
Ansar Al Sharia has also been blamed by Tunisian authorities for the assassination of two opposition politicians whose killings compounded the unrest in the North African nation.
On Sunday, Tunisian police arrested seven alleged militants in Tunisia's western town of Kasserine, local radio reported, as authorities feared radicals may be planning attacks during New Year celebrations.
The seven arrested on Sunday were distributing leaflets banning New Year celebrations and threatened bakeries selling cakes for the occasion, according to two local radio reports.
*Bloomberg and Reuters

School counsellors on mental well-being

Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.

Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.

Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.

“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.

“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.

“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”

Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.

The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.

At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.

“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.

“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.

"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

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Surianah's top five jazz artists

Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.  

Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.

Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.

Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.

Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.

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5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Al Mobher, Sczcepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

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Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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