Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The UK's Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, has said the UN and its partners must be allowed to operate in occupied Palestine, after the Israeli parliament passed laws banning the agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) from working in areas under Israel's control.
Speaking in the UK Parliament at a Middle East Association event, sponsored by The National, Mr Falconer raised the UK's demands that Israel must allow “unfettered aid” into Gaza through its land crossings. He also emphasised Britain's concerns over the Israeli ban on UNRWA, which comes into effect this month.
“[Israel] must ensure that the UN and its humanitarian partners can operate effectively,” he said. “We are gravely concerned that the UNRWA bills that the Israeli Knesset has passed risk jeopardising the international humanitarian response and the delivery of essential services in West Bank.”
In October, the Knesset voted in favour of measures aimed at curbing UNRWA’s operations in Gaza after a 90-day grace period, which ends on January 28.
British MPs, including another speaker at the event, Layla Moran, have urged the UK government to press for continued aid access in Gaza. Ms Moran, who has relatives trapped in the enclave, welcomed the event as part of efforts to ensure greater awareness of the issues and dangers facing the Middle East.
“We can't get to the situation where a crisis erupts in the Middle East and parliamentarians find themselves in a position where they don't engage because they don't have the confidence, because it's just too complicated,” Ms Moran said.
Mr Falconer also sought to provide a commitment to the new era in Syria after the regime of Bashar Al Assad was toppled last month. Diplomatic moves to engage with the country's interim government have involved missions to Damascus by UK diplomats, followed by a trip to the region by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who was in Riyadh at the weekend to push for a peace deal.
Mr Falconer said he met Syrian civil society activists who were grateful for the support of the British government over the years.
“We will do all we can to support a Syrian-led political transition, which must involve an inclusive, nonsectarian and representative government,” he told the event.
Dozens of representatives, officials, Arab ambassadors and business representatives at the gathering exchanged views on the effects the second Donald Trump administration would have on the UK and wider policies towards the Middle East.
Paul Salem, a regional expert, told a panel on Monday that US moves on sanctions after president-elect Trump is inaugurated this month would be key to how Europe relaxed its measures against Syria.
“What the [Syrian] regime needs most is a lifting of sanctions and economic aid. And hence, the incoming Trump administration has huge leverage that affects how Europe can engage,” Mr Salem said.
“The sanctions hit everybody. I hope that the Trump administration will pick up some pieces in a positive way and to engage in a way that is productive and proactive, and that encourages the current very temporary government.”
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
'Laal Kaptaan'
Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
HAJJAN
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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
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
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