Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
If there is one thing that will forever be a source of regret for Salama Al Bayyaa, it is that the last video call with his mother did not happen.
Just before the call was scheduled to take place, his family’s house in central Gaza was hit. The strike killed his eight brothers and sisters, his parents and his siblings’ families – between 50 to 60 people.
Mr Al-Bayyaa, who has lived in Istanbul since 2021, is now among the many Gazans mourning from afar as the death toll from Israel's war on the Palestinian enclave continues to increase.
“I told my mum, 'I’ll video call you tonight because I’m at work right now,'” Mr Al-Bayyaa, 25, told The National. His mother warned him the call could be their last.
“I couldn’t do a video call because I was at work,” he explained from a co-working space in the western Istanbul district of Basaksehir. “I will regret that for the rest of my life.”
Thousands of Palestinians whose families have been killed in Israel’s air strikes and ground incursion in Gaza cannot return home to say farewell to their relatives, who are often buried in mass graves in farms, back gardens and stadiums, because cemeteries are full.
More than 11,500 Gazans, including at least 4,500 children, have been killed in the besieged strip since Israel launched strikes in response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
In Istanbul, Mr Al-Bayyaa is grieving alone. Turks across the political spectrum largely support Palestine, analysts say, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and senior politicians have attended rallies condemning Israel’s actions.
Mr Al-Bayyaa prefers to hide how he feels. “I am lost,” he said, his slim frame sinking into the sofa. “It’s my grief, so I don’t show people. When I want to be depressed, it’s at night.”
Turkey has diplomatic ties with the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Ankara renewed relations with the country last year to improve co-ordination across the Eastern Mediterranean.
Mr Erdogan initially appeared keen to act as a mediator in the conflict, echoing his position as an intermediary between Moscow and Kyiv since the start of the war in Ukraine.
Turkey’s ties to Hamas and connections with Israel positioned it as one of the few nations able to talk to both parties.
But the Turkish government’s position regarding the conflict has changed noticeably in recent weeks. It has become increasingly critical of Israel as the civilian death toll in Gaza rises. Israel and Turkey have withdrawn their respective ambassadors, although they have not officially downgraded relations.
Mr Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently swapped bitter statements, in the latest round of sharp exchanges between their countries since the Hamas attacks that killed 1,200.
“Rather than standing against the wave of social reaction, I suppose the Turkish government is trying to surf on it because there are so many competitors in the conservative realm,” said Hasan Selim Ozertem, a political analyst in Ankara.
Other experts say this does not bode well for Turkey’s future relations with Israel. The two countries downgraded diplomatic ties in 2011 over a deadly Israeli raid on a ship carrying Turkish citizens attempting to reach Gaza. Ankara’s current stance could make efforts to repair ties more difficult.
“As Israel was already hesitant in entering this normalisation process in the first place, and the fact that this is the second normalisation process with Turkey this past decade that encountered a crisis after less than two years, will make it very difficult for Israel to trust Turkey again,” said Gallia Lindenstrauss, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.
But while Mr Erdogan’s rhetoric against Israel has grown fiercer, and diplomatic relations have been strained, trade continues.
“There are many private actors on both sides interested in ensuring that trade relations remain intact,” Ms Lindenstrauss explained.
Turkish exports to Israel were worth $7 billion in 2022, representing nearly 3 per cent of all outward sales, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute. The country is also a transit country for tens of thousands of barrels a day of Azerbaijani crude oil shipped to Israel.
Meanwhile, Palestinians in Istanbul feel that Turkey, like some Arab Muslim nations, could be doing more to condemn Israel.
One of those is Yousef Almqayyed, 31, who moved to the Turkish city in 2021, following a period of severe depression after the conflict between Israel and Hamas in May that year.
Eight members of his immediate family and 21 other relatives were killed in Israeli air strikes on October 14.
“They did not have traditional burials,” Mr Almqayyed said. “Turkey's position is blah blah blah – there are no actions. I'm disappointed.”
For his part, Mr Al-Bayyaa plans to go back to Gaza as soon as the war is over, to tile his family’s graves and search for a surviving niece and nephew.
A few days after the deadly strike on his family's house, a brother-in-law told him that his sister Amnah’s four children were killed in another bombing.
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
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
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
UAE%20ILT20
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
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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
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