Welcome to The National's weekly newsletter Beshara, where we share the most positive stories of the week
Rawahel Charity Association's Under-14 boys in Paris. Photo: Rawahel Charity Association
Dear reader,
A group of Palestinian teenagers from the occupied West Bank are representing their homeland loud and proud at the world’s largest youth football tournament.
Fourteen footballers from Tulkarm are in Paris for a training camp to prepare for more than 25 matches across three Scandinavian tournaments. Their ambition on the pitch is to win. Their mission off it is to deliver a message of hope and peace to the world.
“Representing Palestine in international tournaments is both an honour and a source of great pride,” Ahmad Naalweh, the coach and club chairman leading the trip, told The National.
The young athletes come from a place where checkpoints and occupation shape daily life, but they have not allowed their circumstances to dim their dreams.
“We have tried our best to prepare, despite the limited resources and the difficult circumstances we are living through. Our goal is to win titles and achieve outstanding results,” said Naalweh.
To the world, a football trip might seem insignificant. But to these boys, the opportunity to trade rubble and restrictions for open fields and skies is “unforgettable”.
“We want to send a clear and heartfelt message to the world,” said Naalweh. “There are children in Palestine with talent, dreams and a love for life and football. They want to live in peace, far from the horrors of war. Just like children everywhere else.”
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station. Photo: Axiom Space
India’s first astronaut on the International Space Station is carrying out a farming experiment that could help feed astronauts on future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Shubhanshu Shukla, a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force, will attempt to grow mung beans and fenugreek in microgravity as part of a mission to help prepare for future crewed long flights. The venture also marks significant progress for India’s plans for human space flight.
“Space farming will be a game-changer,” said Dr Dimitra Atri of New York University Abu Dhabi’s Space Exploration Laboratory.
QUOTED
'I can’t say enough about everything that Abu Dhabi lends to this film. It really left an indelible mark on all of us'
– Actor Brad Pitt on filming his blockbuster F1 The Movie in the UAE capital
Syria is hoping to attract filmmakers as it seeks to rebuild its economy. Getty Images
Syria hopes to attract artists and filmmakers under a $1.5 billion deal with Qatari investors to build a creative quarter known as Damascus Gate.
The deal between Syria's new rulers and Qatari company Al Maha International is the latest in a series of foreign investments since US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions last month in a move to help the war-torn country rebuild.
The project aims to become a global production site for the media, film and tourism industries, including for Syrian and Arab TV channels. It is tipped to create more than 4,000 direct jobs and 9,000 seasonal positions.
SNAPSHOT
Joby Aviation carried out the region's first electric air taxi test flight in Dubai to prepare for commercial operations in 2026. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Pots for the Asian Qualifiers
Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Six things you need to know about UAE Women’s Special Olympics football team
Several girls started playing football at age four
They describe sport as their passion
The girls don’t dwell on their condition
They just say they may need to work a little harder than others
When not in training, they play football with their brothers and sisters
The girls want to inspire others to join the UAE Special Olympics teams
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
