"There are no logical or objective reason to justify the Sudan's People's Liberation Movement's resentment of the Arabic language," wrote Ahmed Amrabi in the Emirati daily Al Bayan in response to a statement by SPLM's representative, Ezekiel Gatkuoth, that English would be the official language of Southe Sudan in case the upcoming referendum leads to its separation.
In the mid 1920s, the British administration enacted the "closed regions law" as a starting point to wage a strategic cultural war against the propagation of Arabic and Islam in the south. The ultimate target was to separate South and North after eradication of the Arabic language in the South and converting its people to Christianity. This system was continued for twenty years.
English was the official language in the civil service and the army. Despite the fierce religious and cultural crusade, the experiment failed and Arabic remained the language of social communication among southerners and less than one per cent of the people converted to Christianity.
Arabic remains the popular popular tongue of most African countries. Its influences can be heard in the biggest two African dialects, Swahili and Hausa.
The SPLM's attack on the Arabic language is but a prelude to what is envisaged for the future of the separatist South: a primary western ally in Africa.
"While the Palestinian Authority welcomed the resumption of direct negotiations based on the statement of the international Quartet committee, the Israeli government adopted the US declaration without reference to the Quartet," wrote Areeb al Rantawi in a comment piece for the Jordanian newspaper Addustour.
This conflicting situation reflects a desperate move by the international community and especially the US to get the two parties to engage in negotiations on the eve of the midterm elections for Congress.
The Quartet statement praised by the Pastinians was less "meaty" this time as the call for halting settlments was simply replaced by "cessation of provocations". And since Israel views the settlemt expansion as "the right of settlers" and not as acts of provocation, there is noting to prevent the Israelis from pursuing further their occupation policies.
An address by the US secretary of state called for resumption of negotiations without conditions, a statement charaterised as a "warrant" against the Palestinians. More than that, by insisting on meeting in Washington, US diplomacy tended to obscure the Egyptian role, which has helped to ensure an Arab cover for the Palestinians though the Arab League follow-up committee. This leads us to predict that any future agreement would likely favour the Isralis and serve their prime interests.
With the arrival of Russian fuel, Iran began loading the Bushehr nuclear power plant on Saturday. Government officials hailed the event as a historic victory over Iran's enemies and a symbol of the nation's determination to reach its goals against all odds.
The operation of the country's first nuclear power plant does warrant such jubilation from Teheran as it would meet citizens' needs and decrease its dependence on oil. But to qualify the event as a victory over foes is doubtful, wrote Abdallah Iskandar, managing editor of London-based Al Hayat.
The same event happened before in various countries and did not hold the symbolism that Teheran insists on loading it with.
Iranian officials are aware that international resolutions related to Iran's nuclear programme stated the country's entitlement to peaceful nuclear energy. It is in that framework that Russia continued work on the Bushehr reactor.
This means that the reactor was put into operation with complete international approval. Boasting victory over the West is nothing but empty political propaganda.
In fact, if there is any symbolism in the activation of Bushehr plant, it can be read as a message from the international community to Iran confirming its right to produce peaceful nuclear energy as opposed to its mysterious nuclear programme in other nuclear plants.
With the withdrwal of the last combat batalion from Iraq by the end of last week, the US forces have dropped by about a third of their original size and ended their combat missions, while the remaining troops will train and provide support to Iraqi forces, wrote Jaber Habib Jaber in an opinion article for the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al Awsat.
However, the question on everybody's mind in the US and Iraq is what kind of country are the US troops leaving behind?
Pessimists predict political and social instability in the coming years. Many fear a resurgence of sectarian violence due to unsuccessful efforts in creating an institutional state that guarantees the rights of all Iraqis. Another danger would be the renunciation of democracy and the emergence of totalitarian tendencies.
On the other hand, many optimistic scenarios counter-balance these predictions. In fact, the US withdrawal isn't final and definitive. The US involvement in Iraq will remain a strong opposition to any external and internal threats. Furthermore, the political system has become stronger and democracy will always be the unique option for power management. Iraqi forces are gaining in strength and resilience, which will allow them to protect the government and the political system.
* Digest compiled by Racha Makarem
@Email:rmakarem@thenational.ae
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Race card:
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m
7.40pm: Conditions; Dh240,000; 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 2,000m
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed; Dh265,000; 1,200m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; 1,600m
10pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 1,400m
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The Specs
Engine 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp (542bhp in GTS model)
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000 (Dh549,000 for GTS)
Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
If you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.
The hotels
Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes.
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
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McIlroy's recent struggles
Last six stroke-play events (First round score in brackets)
Arnold Palmer Invitational Tied for 4th (74)
The US Masters Tied for 7th (72)
The Players Championship Tied for 35th (73)
US Open Missed the cut (78)
Travellers Championship Tied for 17th (67)
Irish Open Missed the cut (72)
The%20pillars%20of%20the%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Strategy
%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.
Stat of the day - 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.
The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227 for four at the close.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5