Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire west of Jerusalem on August 17. Getty
Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire west of Jerusalem on August 17. Getty
Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire west of Jerusalem on August 17. Getty
Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire west of Jerusalem on August 17. Getty

MENA

Palestinian firefighters join Israelis to tackle blaze near Jerusalem

115 Israeli teams have been brought in to extinguish the wildfire

Rosie Scammell
Rosie Scammell

August 17, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Palestinian firefighters joined their Israeli counterparts on Tuesday to battle a blaze raging near Jerusalem, one of the latest wildfires to hit the Mediterranean.

“I would like to thank PA Chairman [Mahmoud] Abbas for … his initiative to send the firefighters who came to assist Israel today,” Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz wrote on Twitter.

The wildfire west of Jerusalem ignited on Sunday and has destroyed swathes of forest, sending smoke drifting across the city.

Roads have been closed and urban areas evacuated, although no serious injuries have been reported.

A total of 115 Israeli firefighting teams have been brought in to tackle the blaze, the country’s fire and rescue service said, as well as 10 aircraft.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it was in discussions with Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy and other nations about possible international support. Foreign Minister Yair Lapid subsequently said such assistance was no longer needed.

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The Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, did not immediately comment on sending firefighters from the occupied West Bank.

Despite their fractious relationship, the PA and Israel co-operate on a number of areas including security.

The Jerusalem area is the latest to be hit by devastating wildfires which have raged across the Mediterranean in recent weeks, hitting countries including Algeria, Greece and Turkey.

Wildfires continue across Northern Africa, Europe and Northern America and Canada - in pictures

A firefighter battles the Dixie Fire along Highway 89 in Lassen National Forest, California, the US.
A firefighter battles the Dixie Fire along Highway 89 in Lassen National Forest, California, the US.
A wildfire in northeastern Minnesota, in the Superior National Forest, prompted several evacuations.
A wildfire in northeastern Minnesota, in the Superior National Forest, prompted several evacuations.
Firefighters and volunteers try to extinguish a blaze in the village of Markati, near Athens, Greece.
Firefighters and volunteers try to extinguish a blaze in the village of Markati, near Athens, Greece.
A helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in the village of Navalmoral, Spain.
A helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in the village of Navalmoral, Spain.
An Israeli mother and son watch as firefighters battle wildfires for the second day near Shoresh, on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
An Israeli mother and son watch as firefighters battle wildfires for the second day near Shoresh, on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
A volunteer helps tackle a wildfire in the village of Siderina, south of Athens.
A volunteer helps tackle a wildfire in the village of Siderina, south of Athens.
A man carries water containers as he helps to douse hotspots in an area hit by a wildfire in El Bir village, Bejaia province, Algeria.
A man carries water containers as he helps to douse hotspots in an area hit by a wildfire in El Bir village, Bejaia province, Algeria.
Volunteers try to extinguish a wildfire burning in the village of Markati, near Athens, Greece.
Volunteers try to extinguish a wildfire burning in the village of Markati, near Athens, Greece.
A local tries to extinguish a fire in Markati
A local tries to extinguish a fire in Markati
A resident walks along a charred forest area following a wildfire in the region of Chefchaouen in northern Morocco.
A resident walks along a charred forest area following a wildfire in the region of Chefchaouen in northern Morocco.
A volunteer helps to extinquish a wildfire in the village of Navalmoral, Spain.
A volunteer helps to extinquish a wildfire in the village of Navalmoral, Spain.
An Israeli firefighting plane drops flame retardant above Kiryat Ye'arim near Jerusalem, Israel.
An Israeli firefighting plane drops flame retardant above Kiryat Ye'arim near Jerusalem, Israel.
An Israeli firefighter combats the fire near Kibbutz Tzuba, Israel.
An Israeli firefighter combats the fire near Kibbutz Tzuba, Israel.
As a huge wildfire spread in Jerusalem, emergency teams evacuated residents.
As a huge wildfire spread in Jerusalem, emergency teams evacuated residents.
Charred trees remain following a wildfire in the region of Chefchaouen, northern Morocco.
Charred trees remain following a wildfire in the region of Chefchaouen, northern Morocco.
A Royal Moroccan Air Force Canadair plane douses a wildfire in the region of Chefchaouen, northern Morocco.
A Royal Moroccan Air Force Canadair plane douses a wildfire in the region of Chefchaouen, northern Morocco.
Smoke rises as wildfires continue for a second day in Jerusalem.
Smoke rises as wildfires continue for a second day in Jerusalem.
Cattle grazes in an open field covered by wildfire smoke along Arlington Road during the Dixie Fire near Taylorsville, California, US.
Cattle grazes in an open field covered by wildfire smoke along Arlington Road during the Dixie Fire near Taylorsville, California, US.
A burnt area is seen following a wildfire near the Israeli Kibbutz of Tzuba on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
A burnt area is seen following a wildfire near the Israeli Kibbutz of Tzuba on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
Vehicles leave Kibbutz Tzuba as fire spreads in Jerusalem, Israel.
Vehicles leave Kibbutz Tzuba as fire spreads in Jerusalem, Israel.
Volunteers try to extinguish a wildfire in the village of Markati, near Athens, Greece.
Volunteers try to extinguish a wildfire in the village of Markati, near Athens, Greece.
Blazes rage around houses during a wildfire that broke out in the area of Keratea, Greece.
Blazes rage around houses during a wildfire that broke out in the area of Keratea, Greece.
Police officers attend to a wildfire in the village of Markati, near Athens, Greece.
Police officers attend to a wildfire in the village of Markati, near Athens, Greece.
Volunteers help firefighters in Markati.
Volunteers help firefighters in Markati.
A man takes a photo of the newly ignited Mount Law wildfire in Canada.
A man takes a photo of the newly ignited Mount Law wildfire in Canada.
Smoke bellows from wildfire in the mountains near the Piva lake, northwest Montenegro.
Smoke bellows from wildfire in the mountains near the Piva lake, northwest Montenegro.
Crews arrive at the scene where a Be-200 firefighting plane linked to Turkey's General Directorate of Forestry crashed in Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
Crews arrive at the scene where a Be-200 firefighting plane linked to Turkey's General Directorate of Forestry crashed in Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
A firefighting helicopter flies in front of the sun which is shrouded in thick wildfire smoke near Lakeview, Oregon.
A firefighting helicopter flies in front of the sun which is shrouded in thick wildfire smoke near Lakeview, Oregon.
Rescue teams rush to the scene of wildfires sweeping through forests in the region of Chefchaouen in northern Morocco.
Rescue teams rush to the scene of wildfires sweeping through forests in the region of Chefchaouen in northern Morocco.
A woman stands on a mountainous side road with her belongings as wildfires spread across Morocco.
A woman stands on a mountainous side road with her belongings as wildfires spread across Morocco.
Morocco joins several other Mediterranean countries that have seen forest fires in recent weeks, including neighbouring Algeria.
Morocco joins several other Mediterranean countries that have seen forest fires in recent weeks, including neighbouring Algeria.
Moroccans have been sweltering in temperatures of up to 49 degrees Celsius, according to weather authorities.
Moroccans have been sweltering in temperatures of up to 49 degrees Celsius, according to weather authorities.
People run away as smoke billows from fires that destroyed some 200 hectares of forest in Chefchaouen, northern Morocco.
People run away as smoke billows from fires that destroyed some 200 hectares of forest in Chefchaouen, northern Morocco.
A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, rises in the mountains above Lytton, British Columbia, Canada.
A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, rises in the mountains above Lytton, British Columbia, Canada.
The remains of a large structure and vehicles destroyed by the Lytton Creek wildfire are seen on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway near Lytton, British Columbia.
The remains of a large structure and vehicles destroyed by the Lytton Creek wildfire are seen on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway near Lytton, British Columbia.
Firefighters operate at the site of a wildfire between Navalacruz and Riofrio near Avila, central Spain.
Firefighters operate at the site of a wildfire between Navalacruz and Riofrio near Avila, central Spain.
Goats wander through the abandoned, unburned streets looking for food after all residents were evacuated in Greenville, California.
Goats wander through the abandoned, unburned streets looking for food after all residents were evacuated in Greenville, California.
A couple view the newly ignited Mount Law wildfire, near Peachland and Glenrosa on the west side of Okanagan Lake, from the waterfront in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
A couple view the newly ignited Mount Law wildfire, near Peachland and Glenrosa on the west side of Okanagan Lake, from the waterfront in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
A wildfire between Navalacruz and Riofrio in Spain is extinguished.
A wildfire between Navalacruz and Riofrio in Spain is extinguished.
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.
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do

Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.

“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”

Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.

Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.

“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”

For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.

“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”

 

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Director: Jay Roach

Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie 

Four out of five stars 

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The Details

Kabir Singh

Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series

Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5 

The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5

Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books 

Transgender report
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

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Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

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What went into the film

25 visual effects (VFX) studios

2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots

1,000 VFX artists

3,000 technicians

10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers

New sound technology, named 4D SRL

 

Brief scores:

​​​​​​Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field

​Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55

Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out

Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets

Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings 
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10

Updated: August 17, 2021, 3:52 PM`
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