Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American correspondent for the Washington Post, smiles as he attends a presidential campaign of president Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Iran. Vahid Salemi / AP Photo
Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American correspondent for the Washington Post, smiles as he attends a presidential campaign of president Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Iran. Vahid Salemi / AP Photo
Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American correspondent for the Washington Post, smiles as he attends a presidential campaign of president Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Iran. Vahid Salemi / AP Photo
Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American correspondent for the Washington Post, smiles as he attends a presidential campaign of president Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Iran. Vahid Salemi / AP Photo

Will Iran come in from the cold?


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Since Washington Post Tehran bureau chief Jason Rezaian, a US-born Iranian-American, was detained in July 2014, the charges against him and the entire court proceedings have been generally shrouded in secrecy. Last month, the journalist was convicted on espionage charges in an indictment widely understood to be part of a political show trial designed to apply pressure on Washington to release 19 Iranian agents held in the United States. This week, Rezaian has been sentenced to prison, but the court hasn’t specified the length of his incarceration.

Rezaian’s track record as an impeccable journalist is unchallenged. That he has become entangled in the same Kafkaesque world that once filled his reports demonstrates how far Iran still needs to go to be properly welcomed back into the international community.

Rezaian's wife, The National's Iran correspondent Yeganeh Salehi, was arrested with her husband but released to house arrest. She has since been subject to bizarre and confusing restrictions despite being free on bail. The charges against her are also opaque and baffling.

Rezaian’s saga has played out against the backdrop of the landmark agreement between Iran and six world powers, including the US, over the country’s nuclear weapons programme. In exchange for curbs on that programme, the powers have agreed to sanctions relief in a move viewed as a thawing of relations between the US and Iran. This trial has cast serious doubts on arguments that Iran is ready to come in from the cold and embrace the responsibilities that come with being a member in good standing of the global community.

Whatever the ayatollahs in Tehran are holding out for in continuing to detain Rezaian is not worth the damage they are doing to their country’s reputation. The international community is ready for a new chapter in relations with Tehran. The question is whether Iran is too. The Rezaian case doesn’t inspire much confidence.

How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

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Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

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1921

1888

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

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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

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile

Started: 2016

Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel 

Based: Ramallah, Palestine

Sector: Technology, Security

# of staff: 13

Investment: $745,000

Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

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Transmission: 10-speed auto

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Expert input

If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?

“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett

“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche

“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox

“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite

 “I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy

“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra

War and the virus