The appointment of long-serving Palestinian politician Hussein Al Sheikh as vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organisation makes him the front-runner to succeed 89-year-old Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
It brings some clarity to the pressing uncertainty around the succession, but does far less to ease a massive crisis of confidence among Palestinians in men like Mr Abbas and Mr Al Sheikh.
Many fear that could eventually lead to the collapse of the Palestinian Authority, which would have major implications for security in the occupied West Bank, already buckling under a massive economic crisis.
It would also be a major challenge for Israel, which in part relies on the organisation to maintain security in the West Bank where hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers illegally reside.
A point man for liaising directly with Israel, Mr Al Sheikh is widely disliked and distrusted by Palestinians who view him as corrupt, out of touch and complicit in Israel’s occupation. He is a close confidant of Mr Abbas, who has held uncontested power for two decades.
In March, at a summit in Cairo, Mr Abbas announced that he would create a vice presidency within the PLO. He since argued that the new role would strengthen international support for a Palestinian state.
The PA, which relies on international donations and diplomatic support, has faced a great deal of frustration in recent years due to a perception of inactivity and corruption.
Who is Hussein Al Sheikh?
Born in Ramallah, Mr Al Sheikh spent 11 years in Israeli prisons in his youth, in which time he learnt Hebrew.
During a long political career, his most recent position was Secretary General of the PLO executive committee, giving him control of civilian affairs in areas of the West Bank where the PA is supposed to have control.
The close co-operation with Israeli officials that that role entailed led to accusations of him selling out the Palestinian cause, particularly as Israel launches massive attacks on the West Bank, including in cities fully controlled by the PA, and as settlers increase attacks.
What the new role means
Being vice president does not guarantee that Mr Al Sheikh will one day lead the PLO, which oversees the PA and is recognised internationally as the legitimate representative of Palestinians in occupied territories and abroad.
He has nonetheless proved himself to be politically adept and has important connections within Palestinian politics, the international community and Israel.
A leader with this favourable position could prove helpful to the PA taking on a major role in the reconstruction of Gaza, which, despite Israel’s government being vocally opposed, is viewed by many in the international community as the most realistic way of successfully rebuilding the strip. A PA leader with close security ties to Israel could go some way to assuaging Israeli reticence.
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1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
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Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
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Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
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23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
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Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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