Hello and welcome to Weekender – the newsletter that guides you through all the highlights of our Weekend edition.
COVER STORY

No sheep, no flour, no ceasefire: Gaza struggles to celebrate Eid in the shadow of war.
WEEKEND READS

How Saudi Arabia’s first competitive female skier is blazing a trail.
Lebanon’s new government wins praise for first 100 days - but a long road lies ahead.
Two Alexandrias, one councilman: Abdel Rahman Elnoubi's journey from his ancestral home to US politics.
THE ESSAY
CULTURE

Why Ammar 808 is moving Tunisia's mezoued folk music to the dance floor.
Timeframe: When Paris Hilton came to Dubai to find a new best friend.
How I regrew my confidence after losing my hair.
MONEY

Money & Me: ‘Seeing our business break even has been a milestone.’
Future Beat newsletter: The stories shaping tomorrow's world.
PLUS

How snail shells are shedding light on the Gulf's nomadic traditions and fishing heritage.
Find out how well you've kept up with the news of the last seven days in our Quiz of the Week.
Plus much, much more in our latest Weekend edition.
And in case you missed it last week: Rebuilding Lebanon after the war with Israel - the vast costs and vexed political challenges.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS
- UAE Today: The latest news and analysis from the Emirates
- Checking In: Travel updates from the past week
- Energy This Week: Robin Mills on oil & gas, renewables and innovation in clean energy
- Future Beat: A weekly round-up of the stories shaping tomorrow’s world
- The Middle East Today: The must-read newsletter for the region
- View From London: What matters this week in the UK and around Europe
- The Arts Edit: Your guide to arts and culture, from a Middle Eastern perspective
- Beshara: Your weekly dose of good news
- View from DC: The inside scoop from The National’s Washington bureau
- The Climate Edit: Chart our changing world with the latest climate and environment news
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial:Â Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi:Â Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore:Â Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt:Â Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial:Â Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi:Â Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore:Â Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt:Â Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: AÂ CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
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How a groundbreaking soil-less farming inititiave is empowering rural communities across Jordan
Essay: Venice's floods should serve as a wake-up call for the world
UAE ready for innovation in area of water management – this is not a pipe dream
Saudi artist Manal AlDowayan unveils new piece of land art addressing water scarcity in Al Ula
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
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Our commentary on Brexit
- Alistair Burt:Â Despite Brexit, Britain can remain a world power
- Con Coughlin:Â Choice of the British people will be vindicated
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
While you're here
Aya Iskandarani: Why Hezbollah’s man in Iraq is now worth $10 million to the US
Khaled Yacoub Oweis: Hezbollah bids to control Lebanon’s financial system
National Editorial:Â Hezbollah's murky dealings in Iraq have been unveiled
Transgender report
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched:Â 2014
Employees:Â 60
Based:Â Abu Dhabi
Sector:Â EdTech
Funding to date:Â $15 million
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Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces
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- Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
- Lighting can help define areas. Try pendant lighting over dining tables, and side and floor lamps in living areas.
- Keep the colour palette the same in a room, but combine different tones and textures in different zone. A common accent colour dotted throughout the space brings it together.
- Don’t be afraid to use furniture to break up the space. For example, if you have a sofa placed in the middle of the room, a console unit behind it will give good punctuation.
- Use a considered collection of prints and artworks that work together to form a cohesive journey.
Our legal consultant
Name:Â Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position:Â legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
On Women's Day
Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action
Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?
Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality
Justin Thomas:Â Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
EA Sports FC 25
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m. Winner: Rio Angie, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Trenchard, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Mulfit, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 1,200m. Winner: Waady, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 2,000m. Winner: Tried And True, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm:Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m. Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
While you're here
Sulaiman Hakemy:Â It only took 2 days for Biden to create a political mess for Trudeau
Bryant Harris:Â What Biden did during his first week as President of the United States
Mina Al-Oraibi:Â Women should be at the heart of the global post-pandemic recovery
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000
Available: Now
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Tomorrow 2021
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
While you're here
Mina Aldroubi: Al Kadhimi must move fast or risk public resentment
Mina Al-Oraibi:Â As violence spirals, Iraq is headed for real trouble
Aya Iskandarani:Â Debate on sovereignty is held in Iraq and Lebanon