Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
At a Yemeni-owned coffee shop in Dearborn, the Michigan city where more than half the population is Arab American, the continuing attacks by Houthi rebels in the southern Red Sea are fuelling fierce debate.
Some of the regulars at the Jabal Coffee House say the attacks on commercial and military vessels are a legitimate response to Israel's war in Gaza, where local authorities say more than 24,600 people have been killed.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim the ships they are attacking are carrying goods destined for Israeli ports.
“This is not about religion, or about who opposes or supports what the Houthis are doing in the Red Sea,” says Abdo Hakami, a retired Yemeni American who came to the US in 2002 after working in Saudi Arabia for decades.
“This is about standing up for the Palestinians. Whether you like or dislike the Houthis is not the question today, it’s about helping the people of Gaza.”
Since the Houthi attacks increased in November, several shipping giants have rerouted vessels around the tip of southern Africa to avoid the risk of being hit by the Iran-backed rebels.
This month, Chinese shipping firm Cosco reportedly suspended trips to Israeli ports, which have reported an 85 per cent drop in activity in recent weeks.
The Bab Al Mandeb strait, which runs along a region of the western Yemeni coast controlled by the Houthi rebels, has about 15 per cent of all global trade pass through its waters.
One of Mr Hakami’s coffee partners shared his views.
“When you see the landings on the ships or the drone strikes, we don’t see them in isolation,” said Ahmad Abu Ali, a former Yemeni diplomat who has been living in Dearborn for two years.
“We know that this is a consequence of what is happening to people in Gaza.”
But others vehemently disagree with the Houthi tactics.
Abdulrahman Batman, a lawyer and activist from the Dhale governorate of central Yemen who moved to Michigan in 2017, says the Houthis are likely to continue to make problems in the Red Sea.
“They are a terrorist group that can only use violence to achieve what they want," Mr Batman tells The National.
"They are happy to get [bombardments] from America and Britain because it makes them more popular with regular Yemeni people.
“Nor have the bombs affected the Houthis. They were told by Britain and the US when and where they were coming.”
He was reflecting a widely held view that the US and UK are informing the Houthis of imminent strikes.
A Yemeni shop owner blamed the Houthis for the country's food crisis and condemned their actions in the Red Sea.
“Some people are supporting what the Houthis are doing now in the Red Sea in support of Palestine but they are evil,” he said.
The fallout from the attacks on consumers and businesses around the world could be significant.
Ukraine, which had recently re-emerged as a key supplier of foodstuffs to many African and Asian countries, could see a major part of its export income harmed by events in the Red Sea.
That could result in a knock-on effect for agricultural and other food supply markets, from the US to China to Brazil, as global supplies fall.
Local economies are set to suffer, too. Egypt, which earns about $7 billion a year in transit fees from the Suez Canal and is in a major economic crisis, could be set to lose millions of dollars.
In recent years, thousands of Yemenis have fled the unrest that has destroyed much of their country’s infrastructure to set up new lives in Michigan, where the community is at the forefront of a booming new cafe culture.
Today, tables at cafes such as Jabal Coffee House are filled with young Arab Americans working and studying from their laptops, and older generations gathering to discuss events in the Middle East.
Some say a long-term solution to the wider Arab-Israeli conflict is the only way to prevent problems such as shipping woes from continuing to re-emerge in the months and years ahead.
“The wider threat to shipping will continue,” says Mr Abu Ali, “until there is a two-state solution in the Middle East.”
He said the Houthi attacks may be a form of geopolitical flexing by opponents of Israel and the West.
“Iran is gambling on winning the hearts and minds of people in the Arab world, that it is trying to help the Palestinians," Mr Abu Ali says.
"They want to show that they are stepping forward for the Palestinians in their dire need."
A popular uprising in 2011 and 2012 that unseated president Ali Abdullah Saleh was followed by a civil war and the emergence of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in 2014.
Tehran has supported the rebels, who have fired hundreds of rockets on Saudi Arabia for almost a decade.
“Iran is trying to cultivate spheres of influence in the region. Its ties with the Houthis and what they are doing in the Red Sea is a part of that,” Mr Abu Ali said.
Yemenis protest in Sanaa after US and UK hit Houthi sites – in pictures
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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
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Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
F1 The Movie
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
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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The specs
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Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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More from Armen Sarkissian
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
FIXTURES
All games 6pm UAE on Sunday:
Arsenal v Watford
Burnley v Brighton
Chelsea v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
Everton v Bournemouth
Leicester v Man United
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Sheffield United
West Ham v Aston Villa
Top goalscorers in Europe
34 goals - Robert Lewandowski (68 points)
34 - Ciro Immobile (68)
31 - Cristiano Ronaldo (62)
28 - Timo Werner (56)
25 - Lionel Messi (50)
*29 - Erling Haaland (50)
23 - Romelu Lukaku (46)
23 - Jamie Vardy (46)
*NOTE: Haaland's goals for Salzburg count for 1.5 points per goal. Goals for Dortmund count for two points per goal.
The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Race card
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
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
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
LOS ANGELES GALAXY 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 5
Galaxy: Dos Santos (79', 88')
United: Rashford (2', 20'), Fellaini (26'), Mkhitaryan (67'), Martial (72')
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
