Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Thousands took to the streets in Brussels on Sunday to call on European leaders to support an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which has been under intense Israeli shelling in the past weeks after an unprecedented Hamas attack.
“Palestinians need to be re-humanised. Nobody listens to those who defend Palestinian rights,” one of the organisers, Nathalie Janne, told The National.
The death toll in Gaza rose to over 4,700 on Sunday, most of them women, children and the elderly, the enclave’s Health Ministry said.
Following a Hamas incursion on October 7 that left over 1,400 Israelis dead, mostly civilians, Israel announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and said it was preparing for a ground invasion.
Belgian police said that 12,000 people attended the protest, while organisers said the figure was as high as 40,000.
The rally took place in front of EU institutions at Brussels’ Schuman roundabout and is the first major pro-Palestine protest in the Belgian capital since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Ms Janne, who is in charge of advocacy for the Middle East and North Africa region at Belgian non-profit organisation CNCD 11.11.11, said the demonstration was organised by around 50 civil society groups, including the Belgium-Palestine association, the General Union and the Christian Labour Movement.
Participants chanted slogans such as “free, free Palestine” and “boycott Israel” while waving Palestinian flags.
“What Hamas did is horrible, but what Israel has done for years is equally horrible. I think that Palestinians aren’t getting enough attention,” said Anselm Eeckeloo, 29.
“Every day, I see images that I wish I didn’t see,” said Rachida, who declined to give her surname. “What is happening to Palestinians is inhuman. I want to die with them, it hurts me so much.”
The European Commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, has come under fire for her response to the war, which has been widely seen as pro-Israeli.
European leaders have so far refused to call for a ceasefire, and have invoked Israel’s right to defend itself.
“We want a ceasefire as fast as possible, but also an end to the structural causes of violence, which are the occupation, colonisation, and Israel’s apartheid policy,” said Ms Janne.
Human rights organisations have accused Israel of apartheid for its systematic oppression of Palestinians, a claim which is rejected by Israel.
Pro-Palestine protests also took place over the weekend in other European capitals, such as Paris, where they had previously been banned.
Officials had said they feared “anti-Jewish attitudes” and the glorification of Hamas’ attacks.
In Brussels, 18-year-old protester Ilyas Daali, who attended with his family and friends, said that banning pro-Palestine protests went against free speech. “It’s shocking,” he said. “It’s important to support Palestine.”
Organisers said they had clearly warned participants against anti-Semitic acts or hate speech, which have increased across Europe since October 7. They said they would refer any such incidents to the police.
For protester Rasha Omar, viewing the images of devastation coming out of Palestine is like reopening an “open wound”.
Both of her parents were displaced in what Palestinians call the “Nakba” – meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic – the 1948 Arab-Israeli war during which around 700,000 Palestinian Arabs fled.
“To see the people in Gaza going through the same thing that both my parents are going through – it’s just insane. I don’t accept that,” said Ms Omar.
“My name is Rasha Hamdan,” continued Ms Omar. “But I have changed my name to Omar because this is the name of my father. He was buried in the UAE because he could not be buried in Palestine.”
There are widespread fears among Palestinians that Israel’s aim in the continuing war is to permanently displace them from the Gaza Strip. Some protesters in Brussels held signs that read “second Nakba”.
Ms Omar said she feared an erasure of Palestinian identity.
“You don’t hear the word Palestine any more. You hear it’s a war against Hamas or Gaza. There is a fragmentation, an erasing of the identity of Palestine and Palestinians.”
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
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Price: from Dh850,000
On sale: now
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
RESULT
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia: Rebic (53'), Modric (80'), Rakitic (90' 1)
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
SPECS
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Last five meetings
2013: South Korea 0-2 Brazil
2002: South Korea 2-3 Brazil
1999: South Korea 1-0 Brazil
1997: South Korea 1-2 Brazil
1995: South Korea 0-1 Brazil
Note: All friendlies
The National selections
Al Ain
5pm: Bolereau
5.30pm: Rich And Famous
6pm: Duc De Faust
6.30pm: Al Thoura
7pm: AF Arrab
7.30pm: Al Jazi
8pm: Futoon
Jebel Ali
1.45pm: AF Kal Noor
2.15pm: Galaxy Road
2.45pm: Dark Thunder
3.15pm: Inverleigh
3.45pm: Bawaasil
4.15pm: Initial
4.45pm: Tafaakhor
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.
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
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Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
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