The Israeli settlement of Efrata, built on Palestinian land in Al Khader, Bethlehem governorate, in the occupied West Bank. AFP
The Israeli settlement of Efrata, built on Palestinian land in Al Khader, Bethlehem governorate, in the occupied West Bank. AFP
The Israeli settlement of Efrata, built on Palestinian land in Al Khader, Bethlehem governorate, in the occupied West Bank. AFP
The Israeli settlement of Efrata, built on Palestinian land in Al Khader, Bethlehem governorate, in the occupied West Bank. AFP

UAE condemns Israel's approval for 3,500 new settler homes


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The UAE has strongly condemned the Israeli government’s approval to build 3,500 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

In a statement on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry expressed the UAE's rejection of all measures aimed at changing the historical and legal status of the occupied Palestinian territory.

It also expressed the UAE’s categorical rejection of all practices in contradiction to resolutions on international legitimacy, "which threaten further escalation and instability in the region, and impede endeavours to achieve peace and stability".

The ministry stressed the need to support all regional and international efforts to advance the peace process in the Middle East, as well as end illegal practices that jeopardise any two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

It reaffirmed the UAE’s steadfast commitment to fostering peace, justice and the realisation of the rights of the Palestinian people.

The ministry called on the international community to intensify efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to avoid further loss of life, prevent fuelling the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and advance all attempts to achieve comprehensive and just peace.

The Israeli government has supported construction plans for 3,500 homes for illegal settlers in the occupied West Bank, a hardline minister said Wednesday.

The move comes after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich last month vowed to expand settlements, in response to Palestinian gunmen killing an Israeli civilian and wounding several others near the Maale Adumim settlement near Jerusalem.

"Nearly 3,500 settlement units," Israeli Minister of Settlements Orit Struck wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday.

"We promised – we are delivering. Together we will continue to advance the settlements."

The local planning and housing committee of the city of Jerusalem, consisting of elected municipal officials, backed the construction of the units, officials and NGOs said.

The move comes as Israel is engaged in a war with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip after the militant group's deadly attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7.

Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now said the committee had advanced plans for 3,426 homes across Maale Adumim and Kedar, east of Jerusalem, and Efrat, south of the city.

Israel captured East Jerusalem, including the Old City, in 1967 and annexed it in a move not recognised by most of the international community.

It claims the whole of Jerusalem as its indivisible capital.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

SHAITTAN
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
The specs

Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder

Power: 220 and 280 horsepower

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Transmission: eight-speed automatic

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Married Malala

Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.

The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.

Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.

TWISTERS

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos

Rating: 2.5/5

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
Who was Alfred Nobel?

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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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

Company%20profile
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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Dhadak

Director: Shashank Khaitan

Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana

Stars: 3

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Updated: March 08, 2024, 4:46 AM