Kurds living in Lebanon took to the streets of Beirut on Sunday to celebrate Nowruz, an ancient tradition that marks the first day of spring.
Nowruz, which means new day in Farsi, marks the first day of spring and is celebrated by Kurds around the world. This year's celebrations in Beirut were delayed by the coronavirus lockdown, so Sunday's celebration was a week late – but Beirut's Kurds were unperturbed.
Historically, Lebanon has been home to only a small number of Kurds The figure increased to the tens of thousands in the 20th century, thanks to waves of migration. More recently, thousands of Syrian Kurds have settled in Lebanon as a result of the civil war in Syria.
The celebration created a surreal juxtaposition of imagery, with flags bearing the face of YPG leader Abdullah Ocalan waving in the wind along the corniche.
Mr Ocalan is one of the most revered political leaders among Syrian and Turkish Kurds. In addition to his high status in the Kurdish nationalist movement, many of his supporters saw him as an inspirational figure during the struggle against ISIS in Syria.
Hiba Rammi is one of those who came to Syria as a refugee.
“We are from Kobane, we left because ISIS came into our village, so we fled the war and came here,” she said.
“Turkey keeps threatening us, and people are living in fear. That’s why we aren’t going back home.”
It wasn't just the Kurds celebrating. Haider Zaiter, a Lebanese musician with a large following on the app TikTok, said he had come along to enjoy the celebrations and show solidarity, despite not being Kurdish.
"Nowruz is becoming part of our culture," he told The National.
“We want to share this joy with them [the Kurds] and share their struggle that everyone knows about.”
The celebration is seen as more than a holiday. It is also used by many to express Kurdish aspirations for independence. Sarhan Hussein, head of the Kurdish Future Movement in Lebanon, said: "All the minorities in the world have countries.
“The Kurds haven’t been allowed to come together and form a nation.”
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if you go
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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Uruguay 3 Russia 0
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Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')
Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)
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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
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
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Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:
August 5:
Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.
August 11-13:
Asian Championship in Vietnam.
September 8-9:
Ajman International.
September 16-17
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.
September 22-24:
IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.
September 23-24:
Grand Slam Los Angeles.
September 29:
Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.
October 13-14:
Al Ain U18 International.
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Al Ain International.
November 3:
Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.
November 4:
Round-2 President’s Cup.
November 10-12:
Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.
November 24-26:
World Championship, Columbia.
November 30:
World Beach Championship, Columbia.
December 8-9:
Dubai International.
December 23:
Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.
January 12-13:
Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
January 26-27:
Fujairah International.
February 3:
Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.
February 16-17:
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February 23-24:
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March 17:
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
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The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
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- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies - The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
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RESULTS
Players Selected for La Liga Trials
U18 Age Group
Name: Ahmed Salam (Malaga)
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Jordanian
Name: Yahia Iraqi (Malaga)
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Morocco
Name: Mohammed Bouherrafa (Almeria)
Position: Centre-Midfield
Nationality: French
Name: Mohammed Rajeh (Cadiz)
Position: Striker
Nationality: Jordanian
U16 Age Group
Name: Mehdi Elkhamlichi (Malaga)
Position: Lead Striker
Nationality: Morocco
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Rating: 4/5
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MO
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
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Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
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Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
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Monday
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
