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Some Palestinians are choosing to get married in Gaza despite the devastation of 200 days of war, with the mass displacement of people bringing some couples together.
Emad Halawa had been searching for a wife before the war began and is one of many Gazans who has decided to marry despite the circumstances.
"Before the war, I was looking for a suitable girl to marry," he told The National. "My mother visited several houses in search of a match but it wasn't destined for me to get married before the war."
He was working as an electronic programmer when the war broke out in October.
Six of Mr Halawa's family members were subsequently killed, which he said had sapped his will to get married.
But things changed when he met Mona Al Masry, and the couple are soon to get married.
They were brought together amid the mass displacement of about 1.9 million people, more than 85 per cent of the population of Gaza.
200 days of war in Gaza – in pictures
Mr Halawa's mother's friend, who was displaced from Gaza city by the war, visited his family home in Beit Lahia with her 23-year-old daughter Mona, who caught his eye.
"I saw Mona and found her appealing, sparking the thought that she could potentially be a suitable match for me," he said.
Despite the challenging and uncertain situation, Mr Halawa had already made financial preparations for marriage before the war and, after meeting Mona, decided to pursue the goal he had put on hold.
"I asked my mother for permission to propose to Mona," he said. "She was surprised by my request but I explained to her that the war seemed protracted."
Mona accepted his proposal and official documents were arranged to formalise the marriage.
Despite limited resources, they even managed to gather relatives to celebrate their engagement. However, there were no songs, out of respect for the hardships Palestinians are facing.
“Honestly, I never imagined getting married under such circumstances but this is my fate," he said. "Hopefully, our joy will mark the beginning of alleviated burdens."
Mr Halawa and his fiance plan to have their wedding in four months, hoping the war will have ended by then so they can hold a larger ceremony.
Shireen Al Kafarna, 20, had "sky-high" aspirations, with dreams of graduating from university and living independently before the war shattered her plans.
She is one of thousands of displaced people sheltering in schools run by UNRWA, the UN agency working for Palestinian refugees. She is now in Jabalia in Gaza's north, after her home in Beit Hanoun was destroyed.
In an unexpected turn of events, she received a marriage proposal from a displaced man living in the same UN school.
"Initially, I refused because I couldn't picture myself getting engaged under such circumstances," Ms Al Kafarna told The National.
But after talking it through with her family, Ms Kafarna accepted the proposal from Mohammad Qassim, a 26-year-old former schoolteacher from Beit Hanoun who now works as a trader.
Having lost several family members, she said she has been struggling to be happy but is determined to turn this around.
"We held the engagement ceremony inside one of the school classrooms and those around us were delighted with this decision, offering their support and encouragement," she said.
Ms Al Kafarna said she hopes to continue her education after the war ends.
"Mohammad has encouraged me to pursue my dreams," she said. "In the end, the war brought something positive for me and allowed me to meet Mohammad."
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Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
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Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
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Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
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Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The five pillars of Islam
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
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Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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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.
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The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
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Transmission: nine-speed automatic
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