Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
A leading civil rights organisation that advocates racial justice and the rights of black Americans has called on US President Joe Biden to “indefinitely” halt the shipment of weapons to Israel.
The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), the nation's oldest and largest civil rights group, took a rare stance on a foreign policy issue on Thursday to say that the US must use its influence on Israel to secure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
“The NAACP calls on President Biden to draw the red line and indefinitely end the shipment of weapons and artillery to the state of Israel and other states that supply weapons to Hamas and other terrorist organisations,” the group said.
“It is imperative that the violence that has claimed so many civilian lives, immediately stop.”
The NAACP's position shows that Mr Biden's continued support for Israel in the eight-month-old war could cost him popularity among black Americans, a key voting bloc, as he seeks re-election.
More than 36,600 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its retaliatory war following the Hamas attacks of October 7.
Much of the coastal enclave has been reduced to rubble, hunger is widespread and the majority of Palestinian residents have been displaced.
“As the nation's leading civil rights organisation, it is our responsibility to speak out in the face of injustice and work to hold our elected officials accountable for the promises they've made,” the NAACP said.
“Over the past months, we have been forced to bear witness to unspeakable violence, affecting innocent civilians, which is unacceptable.”
Black Americans have historically supported the Democratic Party. In 2020, black voters helped secure Mr Biden's win against Donald Trump, his presumed Republican rival this year.
An overwhelming majority – 92 per cent – of black people voted for Mr Biden that year.
Mr Biden, who was vice president to Barack Obama, the nation's first black president, ran on a promise to do more to address racism and discrimination in the US, and to address injustice everywhere.
His campaign stood in sharp contrast to that of Trump, who as president passed legislation to restrict immigration to the US and who has denigrated people of colour.
But recent polls show black voters as less enthusiastic about Mr Biden this time around.
In an Ipsos poll published in May, 62 per cent of black Americans said they were “absolutely certain to vote”, down from 74 per cent in 2020.
Another poll conducted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in April found that 68 per cent of black Americans want the US to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and 59 per cent believe that conditions should be placed on American military aid to Israel.
In January, a coalition of more than 1,000 black religious leaders representing hundreds of thousands of congregants across the country called on Mr Biden to do more to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
Black Americans are joined by progressives, Muslim and Arab Americans, who have been angry with Mr Biden's near full support for Israel, even as the Palestinian death toll continues to climb and as Israel continues military operations in Rafah – which the President had previously called a “red line”.
Last week, a survey conducted by the Arab American Institute found that 88 per cent of Arab Americans disapprove of Mr Biden's handling of the war.
The development comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to the Middle East next week in an effort to push through a ceasefire deal that Mr Biden announced late last month.
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
FORSPOKEN
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Assassin's%20Creed%20Mirage
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Starfield
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The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The biog
Favourite pet: cats. She has two: Eva and Bito
Favourite city: Cape Town, South Africa
Hobby: Running. "I like to think I’m artsy but I’m not".
Favourite move: Romantic comedies, specifically Return to me. "I cry every time".
Favourite spot in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat beach
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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