Navigating the road of his native village in Jbeil, North Lebanon, on his Harley-Davidson motorbike, with tattooed arms and a Lebanese flag flapping in the wind behind him, William Noun, 28, doesn't look the type of person who gives up easily.
Some say looks can be deceiving but in his case this couldn't be further from the truth.
Three years have passed since the fatal Beirut blast but Mr Noun’s fight for justice and determination is unwavering.
“We will not find peace until we get justice”, he told The National.
As an eternal tribute, a tattoo on his arm depicts the face of his brother Joe, one of numerous firefighters who lost their lives on August 4, 2020, in one of the world's largest non-nuclear blasts that killed more than 220 people and reduced large parts of the capital to ruins.
The disaster resulted from a stockpile of ammonium nitrate fertiliser that had been stored improperly in a port warehouse for more than six years before catching fire and detonating.
I realised I needed to get my head straight to be able to focus on the investigation
Mr Noun is one of the most prominent figures representing the families of the victims, garnering affection and admiration among Lebanese people for his straightforward speeches.
The young man has been an outspoken critic of how authorities have obstructed the port investigation, publicly condemning those involved, regardless of how powerful they are.
In hushed tones in the small chapel the family built after the explosion, he recalls the memories he shared with his brother.
Inside is a display of pictures and items relating to Joe, including his firefighter's uniform and his first communion attire – the Nouns are fervently religious.
Mr Noun said he visits the chapel every morning, where he takes a moment to pray that Joe “is in a good place, that he sees us and that he is happy".
Mr Noun works at the family restaurant in the village. Joe had been a firefighter since 2018. The pair were inseparable.
“We were doing everything together, people thought we were twins", Mr Noun said.
Haunting scenes
Mr Noun describes Joe as a strong and joyful man who knew how to live life to the fullest. Through photos and videos, he relives for a moment those cherished memories of his brother – surprise birthday parties, family bonding. That is, until the very last picture taken of Joe.
The photo shows him attempting to open the door of hangar 12 in a bid to extinguish the fire barely one minute before the explosion.
After the blast, Mr Noun rushed from his village to Beirut's port to provide assistance as a voluntary member of the civil defence. Knowing that his brother was stationed close to the port, he tried desperately to call him, until a friend informed him that Joe had been sent to put out the fire.
The family kept looking for him for days.
"I couldn't process what was happening," Mr Noun said, his eyes shining with emotions.
The harrowing scenes he witnessed at the port, with mutilated bodies and scenes of devastation, haunted him for months.
"I couldn't sleep," he said, and it took a long process of healing to cope with the trauma.
"After a few months, I realised I needed to get my head straight to be able to focus on the investigation,” he said.
A fight for justice
Since then, his determination has never left him.
“The very first day we knew the investigation in Lebanon would take time,” he said.
Judge Tarek Bitar’s domestic investigation into the port explosion has come to a halt due to legal measures taken against him from powerful Lebanese figures, who were sought for questioning.
As it became clear the inquiry would not deliver justice, Mr Noun and victims' families have called for an international UN fact-finding mission.
Despite the obstacles, Mr Noun stays hopeful, stressing that "the details of the investigation are mostly clear", including the name of the "importer company", the officials "responsible for the port" and those "using the ammonium nitrate".
While no senior officials have been held accountable, Mr Noun has been arrested six times, most recently in January after he voiced his frustration on TV over perceived obstruction of the probe, threatening to "blow up the Justice Palace".
"Some people get away with killing others, escaping accountability, while others, including myself, are held accountable for reacting to the injustices done to us," Mr Noun said.
His travel ban has just been lifted but he said there are still charges pending against him.
“That’s what happens in Lebanon when you speak up,” he said.
Mr Noun is not afraid, not even of Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed militia and political party he said was threatening the families of the victims to silence them.
Hezbollah has had a significant influence over the port for a long time and has notably faced accusations of using it for its own interests.
Mr Noun said the pressure was such that families living in Hezbollah-controlled areas had to distance themselves from families of the victims.
"It encourages me to speak up even more," he said.
Finding a way
Mr Noun said praying and therapy have helped him to cope with grief. Throughout his difficult healing process, he found love with a local woman, Maria Fares, whom he met at a therapy session.
Ms Fares's sister, a paramedic who used to work with Joe, was among the firefighters sent to fight the port fire.
"She understands me," Mr Noun said.
"We share the same thoughts and same experiences of what happened."
Mr Noun and Ms Fares are planning to marry next month.
After their wedding, the couple will move to a house that Joe was building, which they are currently renovating, beside the chapel and adorned with small cedars, planted in tribute to Joe after the explosion.
"It's the symbol of Lebanon and of eternal life", Mr Noun said.
New schools in Dubai
RESULT
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 3
Chelsea: Willian (40'), Batshuayi (42', 49')
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
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
What is a calorie?
A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.
One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.
A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.
Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.
Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram.
RESULT
Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 4
Milan: Kessie (14'), Cutrone (25', 43'), Calhanoglu (85')
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Scorebox
Sharjah Wanderers 20-25 Dubai Tigers (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries Gormley, Penalty
Cons Flaherty
Pens Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons Caldwell 2
Pens Caldwell, Cross
DUBAI SEVENS 2018 DRAW
Gulf Men’s League
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Sports City Eagles
Pool B – Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers
Gulf Men’s Open
Pool A – Bahrain Firbolgs, Arabian Knights, Yalla Rugby, Muscat
Pool B – Amman Citadel, APB Dubai Sharks, Jebel Ali Dragons 2, Saudi Rugby
Pool C – Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2, Roberts Construction, Dubai Exiles 2
Pool D – Dubai Tigers, UAE Shaheen, Sharjah Wanderers, Amman Citadel 2
Gulf U19 Boys
Pool A – Deira International School, Dubai Hurricanes, British School Al Khubairat, Jumeirah English Speaking School B
Pool B – Dubai English Speaking College 2, Jumeirah College, Dubai College A, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2
Pool C – Bahrain Colts, Al Yasmina School, DESC, DC B
Pool D – Al Ain Amblers, Repton Royals, Dubai Exiles, Gems World Academy Dubai
Pool E – JESS A, Abu Dhabi Sharks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1, EC
Gulf Women
Pool A – Kuwait Scorpions, Black Ruggers, Dubai Sports City Eagles, Dubai Hurricanes 2
Pool B – Emirates Firebirds, Sharjah Wanderers, RAK Rides, Beirut Aconites
Pool C – Dubai Hurricanes, Emirates Firebirds 2, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Transforma Panthers
Pool D – AUC Wolves, Dubai Hawks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers
Gulf U19 Girls
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, BSAK, DESC, Al Maha
Pool B – Arabian Knights, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Abu Dhabi Harlequins
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
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.
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The%20Mandalorian%20season%203%20episode%201
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