The accession to power of the Justice and Development Party has taken Turkey into a new direction that signals a change of strategy, wrote Fayez Rashid in an opinion article published by the Qatari daily Al Sharq.
The main themes of this new strategy are independence and distance from the West, a balanced regional policy and more rapprochement with the Arab world in general and neighbouring countries in particular. The aim is to restore the historic image of Turkey as a central actor in the Arab region and the Caucasus.
This new strategy has been implemented progressively and translated into practical steps, including the country's reaction to Israel's war on Gaza and cancellation of previously scheduled military exercises with Israel.
Ankara has signed more than 30 agreements and 10 protocols of understanding with Damascus in all fields: defence, security, health, agriculture, environment, energy and transport, in addition to the requirement for entrance visas for citizens of the two countries. With Baghdad, dozens of bilateral agreements have been signed, but most significant was the Turkish mediation in the conflict between Syria and Iraq.
The new strategy is aimed at obtaining international recognition of the regional role of Turkey. Arab countries should, at this point, seek closer relations with their historic neighbour.
The Afghan presidential elections runoff, scheduled for next November 7, is not expected to yield significantly better results than the first round in the absence of conditions for regular poll management, stated the Saudi Arabic daily Al Watan in its main editorial.
Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, agreed to a runoff after UN investigators found a quarter of the votes were fraudulent, but the electoral crisis in Afghanistan goes beyond fraud. The security situation and low voter participation will remain two main factors.
In the continuing absence of security and development, the electoral process in Afghanistan will remain the natural result of international and regional conflicting interests, particularly since that country is still unable to produce a strong political internal front.
The international community, which provides "on the surface" support for the democratic transition, is still unable to achieve any progress on the ground.
The low participation rate in the poll should be analysed in terms of regional vote rates, as the trend is evident in Pashtun areas which are the most security-sensitive nationwide. Thus, the priority for the international community should be to support a government of national unity by bringing together Afghan political groups, rather that seeking to produce an electoral process that will ultimately not meet the needs on the ground.
The mounting controversy between Palestinian groups after the announcement by Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, of his decision to call legislative and presidential elections amid the blockage of the national reconciliation process is proof that Palestinians are more than ever in need of engaging in a real dialogue, noted the Jordanian daily Al Rai in an editorial.
Reconciliation is becoming an urgent imperative or the Palestinian people and their just cause will pay the highest price.
The current Israeli government is conducting an aggressive, well-co-ordinated attack against the legitimate rights of Palestinians, rejecting the two-state plan and refusing to halt settlements. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is setting unacceptable conditions for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The current controversy weakens the Palestinians' positions and averts international attention from the settlements in Jerusalem and the West Bank. It is also undermining all Palestinian efforts to exert pressure on Israel to fulfil its commitments as stated by the road map agreements.
There is still a chance to rise above conflicts that should not prevail over the higher interests of the Palestinian people who have made every sacrifice to recover their legitimate rights and resist the Israeli military machine.
Somalia is the only country in the world that has, as unbelievable as it may seem, managed to solve the problem of unemployment, wrote Mohammed Zine al Aidarous in an opinion column in the Kuwaiti daily Al Seyassah.
"After thorough investigation, we have discovered that there is not a single Somali without a job." All are working and all are paid, daily and in US dollars.
Everyone holds a machine gun and a grenade. They are not doing so to defend their country, but for a daily wage that runs from $5 to $10. Even women have been recruited for the ugly job. Children receive $3 daily to serve as human shields for warlords.
A few days ago, a warlord invented a new game, with a lucky draw on a machine gun, two grenades and an anti-tank mine. An exceptional child refused to receive his prize. He was too brilliant for a grenade: he claimed an atom bomb.
Everyone is working and paid daily in Somalia. No one is jobless. Warlords are currently thinking of bringing expatriate workers from neighbouring countries to hold machine guns and a grenades.
* Digest compiled by Mohamed Naji
mnaji@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
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.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Tu%20Jhoothi%20Main%20Makkaar%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELuv%20Ranjan%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERanbir%20Kapoor%2C%20Shraddha%20Kapoor%2C%20Anubhav%20Singh%20Bassi%20and%20Dimple%20Kapadia%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Lost in Space'
Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen
Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins
Rating: 4/5
Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
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.
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5