Ever since Will Eisner's A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories was published in 1978, graphic novels have become a captivating and entertaining way to tell stories.
Unfortunately, though, like in many other narratives popularised in the West, Arabs have found themselves depicted negatively in these works. However, as the tide slowly turns on Arab representation in the media, there has been a surge over the years in authentic stories set in the Arab world in graphic novels in particular — stories that describe the Arab experience or that are written or illustrated by Arabs.
From Egypt to Algeria, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq and even fictional Arab countries, here are 19 graphic novels, across genres, set in the Middle East that grapple with nuanced experiences through authentic storytelling.
'Habibi' by Craig Thompson
In a fictional, unspecified Arab country, two refugee child slaves, Dodola and Zam, find each other by chance. In a bid for their freedom they escape their captors to make a life for themselves in the desert, but are once again separated and struggle to find a way to reunite.
Craig Thompson’s Habibi blends traditional and timeless themes and story tropes from the Arab world, such as sprawling deserts, harems and contemporary aspects or city life, to create a rich, believable world, beautifully illustrated and captivatingly told.
'The Rabbi’s Cat' by Joann Sfar
Set in 1930s Algeria, The Rabbi's Cat is a comical tale about a cat belonging to a widowed rabbi and his daughter, Zlabya, who gobbles up the family parrot and gains the ability to speak.
What follows is an entertaining series that sees the rabbi educate the cat, who has a keen interest in philosophy and Judaism.
When Zlabya falls in love and decides to marry, the talking cat and the rabbi have to grapple with this new reality while discussing the mundane and essential details of life.
'Hasib & the Queen of Serpents' by David B
An engrossing story with original ideas and immersive artwork, David B's work is influenced by the structural frame of the classic One Thousand and One Nights.
Filled with stories within stories and unexpected plot twists, the main character Hasib is in fact Hasib Karim al-Din, a character from the famous tales.
In David B’s reimagining, Hasib is a young woodcutter who is abandoned by his friends in a forest. There he meets the Queen of Serpents who weaves a story of adventures spanning across the Middle East, from Kabul to Cairo, filled with princes, prophets, magic and demons.
'Pride of Baghdad' by Brian K Vaughan
Inspired by true events, award-winning writer Vaughan teams up with illustrator Niko Henrichon to create a compelling story.
Set in Iraq in 2003, a pride of lions, Zill, Safa, Noor and Ali, escape from the Baghdad Zoo after the city is bombed by American forces. Alone and lost but free, the lions roam the streets of the city, each sharing their perspective on the American invasion.
The story explores the true meaning of freedom through stunning visuals filled with allegory and a powerful story.
'River Jordan' by Merik Tadros
Set in Chicago and Amman, this story is about Rami, 9, who, while coming to terms with his father’s murder, starts to create art.
The therapeutic process takes him on a journey of discovery in which he meets with his father’s old friend Nabil, who began losing his eyesight the moment Rami’s father died.
Together, Rami and Nabil create art bonding them as artists while Rami discovers a way to spiritually connect with his father and deal with his loss.
'Palestine' by Joe Sacco
First published in 1996, Palestine is an innovative piece of graphic journalism by Sacco who has been called the first comic book journalist.
Featuring an introduction from renowned author, critic and historian Edward Said, Palestine documents Sacco’s experiences in the West Bank and Gaza in the early 1990s where he conducted more than 100 interviews.
Through illustrations and written dialogue, Sacco explores the Palestinian revolution and the Gulf War, detailing many of the difficulties faced by the Palestinian people.
'Baddawi' by Leila Abdelrazaq
Through powerful imagery and a compelling story, Abdelrazaq explores her father Ahmed’s harrowing childhood in Baddawi.
Raised in a refugee camp called Baddawi in northern Lebanon, Ahmad is one of the thousands of Palestinians who fled their homeland after the 1948 war.
Readers see Ahmed struggle to find his place in the world and attempt to forge his own path in life in the 1960s and '70s, while attempting to maintain an identity and his relationship to his country and culture as an exiled Palestinian.
'The Arab of the Future' by Riad Sattouf
Award winning French-Syrian cartoonist Sattouf’s autobiographical graphic novel is depicted from the perspective of a child.
Set in rural France, Libya and Syria in the 1970s and ’80s, the reader is taken on a journey through Sattouf’s childhood featuring three dictators that altered the course of his life — Gaddafi, Assad, and his father.
Produced in five volumes full of sensory symbolism, the first volume of the graphic memoir won the 2015 Fauve d’Or prize for Best Graphic Novel at the Angouleme International Comics Festival.
'A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return' by Zeina Abirached
Set in 1984, in East Beirut, during the Lebanese Civil War, this novel by Abirached is a sensitive and heart-warming story on the impact of war.
The graphic memoir is filled with stylised figures and clearly designed pages that tell the story of Zeina, 6, and her brother who must endure a night of bombings when their parents don’t return one day from a visit to the other side of the city.
Zeina’s neighbours band together to create a safe, fun and distracting indoor world for the brother and sister to make it through the evening until their parents return home.
'I Remember Beirut' by Zeina Abirached
While not an official sequel to A Game for Swallows, Abirached’s I Remember Beirut is a collection of stories based on Abirached’s childhood.
The story takes an apolitical outlook of post-war Lebanon and is filled with poignant and powerful details on the impact of war. There is no linear structure to the story but is instead a series of anecdotes on the aftermath of violence and civil unrest
The graphic novel is a collection of Abirached’s wartime memories where she recounts some poignant and beautiful details of Lebanon at a specific time and place.
'Metro: A Story of Cairo' by Magdy El Shafee
Set in busy, dynamic Cairo and translated by Chip Rossetti, this novel tells the story of Shihab, who, in an attempt to pay back a loan, decides to rob a bank. But things don’t go according to plan.
Shihab and his friend Mustafa come across evidence of vile actions taken by a corrupt government on their excursion. They find themselves as targets of the regime and set off to execute a complicated plan while running for their lives through Cairo’s metro system.
Fast-paced and edgy, Metro paints a detailed portrait of a city and country and its oppressive government at a particular time in recent history.
'Cairo' by G Willow Wilson
An urban fantasy set in Cairo, Wilson’s graphic novel is a unique tale full of an unlikely cast of characters.
An Egyptian drug dealer, a journalist, a troubled student, a girl from California, an Israeli soldier — five strangers whose lives are changed forever as they race through present-day Cairo in search of an artefact of formidable power — a jinn trapped in a stolen shisha.
From travelling to the spiritual underworld and dealing with a gangster magician, Cairo is filled with humour, adventure, action and the fight between good and evil.
'Squire' by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas
An exciting fantasy adventure and illustrated by Nadia Shammas, Alfageeh's novel is a story about swords, knights and squires.
It follows Aiza who has always dreamt of becoming a knight. As part of the conquered Ornu people, Aiza's only way to be a full citizen of the Bayt-Sajji Empire, which finds itself on the brink of war once again, is through knighthood.
But when Aiza enlists into one of the most competitive squire training programmes she has to navigate through new friendships, rivalries and an intense training all while hiding her true identity.
'Lissa: A Story about Medical Promise, Friendship, and Revolution' by Sherine Hamdy
The story of an unlikely friendship, Hamdy brings anthropological research to life with scholarly insights through beautiful images and storytelling.
The story follows Anna and Layla, two young girls who come from different classes, cultural backgrounds and religions as they form a friendship despite their differences.
But years later, when Anna learns that she may carry the hereditary cancer gene responsible for her mother's death and Layla's family are faced with a decision about kidney transplantation, their friendship is put to the test when the stark realities of their lives are laid out in front of them — especially when Egypt’s revolution changes everything.
Through a wonderfully illustrated story, Hamdy sheds light on issues around global politics, inequalities and friendship.
'I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir' by Malaka Gharib
A graphic memoir about heritage, self-discovery and family, Gharib's novel is a beautiful and thoughtful insight into the lives of modern immigrants.
Identity and culture are explored through illustrations that describe her life as a teenage girl living in a pre-internet world trying to please her parents’ high expectations while navigating the customs of her Egyptian-Filipino family within a very white, American culture.
'It Won't Always Be Like This: A Graphic Memoir' by Malaka Gharib
Over 15 years of annual summer holidays, readers see how Gharib navigates through awkward adolescence and figuring out boys in a country whose language, culture and religion seem completely foreign.
While discovering more about Arab culture from Nancy Ajram to melon-mint shisha and trips to the desert, G also reconnects with her father and forges new bonds with her stepmother whom she realises might be more like her than she first assumed.
While discovering more about Arab culture from Nancy Ajram to melon-mint hookah and trips to the deseraribt, Gh also reconnects with her father and forges news bonds with her stepmother whom she realises might be more like her than she first assumed.
'Shubiek Lubiek' by Deena Mohamed
An incredibly original and imaginative graphic novel set in a version of Cairo where wishes from genies are not only real, but for sale. The story was originally written and illustrated by Mohamed in Arabic, but will be available in English in January next year.
The book, whose title translates to "Your Wish is My Command" in Arabic, tells the story of three characters, Aziza, Nour and Shokry, from three different backgrounds in Cairo.
In a world where different tiers of wishes are for sale, each character finds themselves in a position of a first-class top-tier wish that could potentially change their lives for the better.
Mohamed tells a fantastical story through humour, irony, wit and drama weaving together feminist and sociopolitical realities in modern-day Egypt with magic.
'Zahra's Paradise' by Amir Soltani and Khalil Bendib
Set in modern Iran after the 2009 election, this story follows a chain of events after the disappearance of a young protester and activist Mehdi.
Most likely abducted by the government’s secret police, a search is conducted by Mehdi’s mother and his brother, a blogger, who uses technology for clues to help them on their search.
While fictional, Zahra's Paradise is based on actual events and was inspired by the very real experiences of protesters who vanished and journalists who investigated their disappearances.
'The Carpet Merchant of Konstantiniyya' by Reimena Yee
A magic realist, historical epic with elements of Gothic fiction and literary themes, this one is a story of love and loss in the Ottoman era.
The two-volume graphic novel tells the story of a carpet merchant, Zeynel, and his wife, Ayse, whose lives we see from the start of their teenage romance to them navigating life in 17th century Istanbul.
But after helping a stranger who turns out to be a vampire, Zeynel is turned into a vampire himself and is forced to return home to Ayse with his new identity. He’s also burdened with the knowledge that he will eventually outlive the love of his life.
The Carpet Merchant of Konstantiniyya is a fascinating and engrossing tale of how Zeynel reconnects to faith, love and home after his “death” by a vampire.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PROFILE BOX:
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Rami Salman, Rishav Jalan, Ayush Chordia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Technology, Sales, Voice, Artificial Intelligence
Size: (employees/revenue) 10/ 100,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($800,000)
Investors: Eight first-round investors including, Beco Capital, 500 Startups, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Hala Fadel, Odin Financial Services, Dubai Angel Investors, Womena, Arzan VC
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How will Gen Alpha invest?
Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Golden Shoe top five (as of March 1):
Harry Kane, Tottenham, Premier League, 24 goals, 48 points
Edinson Cavani, PSG, Ligue 1, 24 goals, 48 points
Ciro Immobile, Lazio, Serie A, 23 goals, 46 points
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, 23 goals, 46 points
Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, 22 goals, 44 points
'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness'
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg and Rachel McAdams
Rating: 3/5
More from Armen Sarkissian
SHADOWS%20AND%20LIGHT%3A%20THE%20EXTRAORDINARY%20LIFE%20OF%20JAMES%20MCBEY
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Alasdair%20Soussi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20300%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublisher%3A%20Scotland%20Street%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAvailable%3A%20December%201%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Recycle Reuse Repurpose
New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors
Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site
Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area
Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent organic waste and 13 per cent general waste.
About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor
Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:
Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled
Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays
Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters
Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Hani%20Abu%20Ghazaleh%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20with%20an%20office%20in%20Montreal%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%202018%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Virtual%20Reality%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%241.2%20million%2C%20and%20nearing%20close%20of%20%245%20million%20new%20funding%20round%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Europa League group stage draw
Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar
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.”
Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
----
Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
----
Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20UAE%20men%E2%80%99s%20cricketer%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EWhen%20he%20debuted%20against%20Bangladesh%20aged%2016%20years%20and%20314%20days%2C%20he%20became%20the%20youngest%20ever%20to%20play%20for%20the%20men%E2%80%99s%20senior%20team.%20He%20broke%20the%20record%20set%20by%20his%20World%20Cup%20squad-mate%2C%20Alishan%20Sharafu%2C%20of%2017%20years%20and%2044%20days.%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20wicket-taker%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAfter%20taking%20the%20wicket%20of%20Bangladesh%E2%80%99s%20Litton%20Das%20on%20debut%20in%20Dubai%2C%20Aayan%20became%20the%20youngest%20male%20cricketer%20to%20take%20a%20wicket%20against%20a%20Full%20Member%20nation%20in%20a%20T20%20international.%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20in%20T20%20World%20Cup%20history%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAayan%20does%20not%20turn%2017%20until%20November%2015%20%E2%80%93%20which%20is%20two%20days%20after%20the%20T20%20World%20Cup%20final%20at%20the%20MCG.%20If%20he%20does%20play%20in%20the%20competition%2C%20he%20will%20be%20its%20youngest%20ever%20player.%20Pakistan%E2%80%99s%20Mohammed%20Amir%2C%20who%20was%2017%20years%20and%2055%20days%20when%20he%20played%20in%202009%2C%20currently%20holds%20the%20record.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
%3Cp%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%201.9km%20King%20Salman%20Boulevard%2C%20a%20Parisian%20Champs-Elysees-inspired%20avenue%2C%20is%20scheduled%20for%20completion%20in%202028%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20Royal%20Diriyah%20Opera%20House%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20completed%20in%20four%20years%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%20first%20of%2042%20hotels%2C%20the%20Bab%20Samhan%20hotel%2C%20will%20open%20in%20the%20first%20quarter%20of%202024%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20On%20completion%20in%202030%2C%20the%20Diriyah%20project%20is%20forecast%20to%20accommodate%20more%20than%20100%2C000%20people%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20%2463.2%20billion%20Diriyah%20project%20will%20contribute%20%247.2%20billion%20to%20the%20kingdom%E2%80%99s%20GDP%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20It%20will%20create%20more%20than%20178%2C000%20jobs%20and%20aims%20to%20attract%20more%20than%2050%20million%20visits%20a%20year%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20About%202%2C000%20people%20work%20for%20the%20Diriyah%20Company%2C%20with%20more%20than%2086%20per%20cent%20being%20Saudi%20citizens%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Match info:
Leicester City 1
Ghezzal (63')
Liverpool 2
Mane (10'), Firmino (45')
