TEL AVIV: Yellow ribbons of solidarity with Israel’s Gaza hostages featured alongside colorful performances at Tel Aviv’s drag festival that opened this week, days after a ceasefire brought hope of the captives’ return.
The ceasefire between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas militant group came into effect on Sunday, with the first three hostages released in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. Some 30 more of the 94 hostages who remain in the enclave are meant to be freed over the next five weeks.
“I think we can continue our lives, we can continue celebrating,” said the show’s host, Kimberly Swan. “But the most important thing right now in our country is to bring our hostages back home.”
The Gaza war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. It was the country’s deadliest day and the pain it inflicted on Israelis still endures.
“It always feels like something is missing,” said performer Joanna Russ. “Like our brothers and sisters are not next to us.”
Israel’s 15-month offensive in Gaza has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, health authorities there say, and laid waste to the enclave. Israel has faced fierce international criticism, including among artists around the world, for its campaign.
Some performers at the festival in freewheeling Tel Aviv said they hoped to rekindle ties with drag performers abroad. “We are here to say we miss the queens and we hope they don’t have a stigma about us,” performer Nona Chalant said.
Israeli hostages get heartfelt tribute at Tel Aviv drag festival
https://arab.news/4u4p8
Israeli hostages get heartfelt tribute at Tel Aviv drag festival
- “I think we can continue our lives, we can continue celebrating,” said the show’s host, Kimberly Swan
- “But the most important thing right now in our country is to bring our hostages back home“
Pit Boost to debut at inaugural Jeddah E-Prix on Feb. 14-15
- Feature will showcase EV ultra-fast charging technology, add thrilling new dimension to select Formula E races
- Formula E co-founder says Pit Boost will challenge teams, drivers to make high-stakes decisions under intense pressure
JEDDAH: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is set to revolutionize the race-day experience with the launch of Pit Boost, a new feature debuting at the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Feb. 14-15.
Designed to enhance strategy, unpredictability and fan engagement, Pit Boost will showcase EV ultra-fast charging technology while adding a thrilling new dimension to select Formula E races across Season 11.
Alberto Longo, co-founder and chief championship officer, Formula E, said: “After an extensive testing and simulation process, we’re pleased to finally present this game-changing technology to the world. It marks one of the most ambitious and impactful additions not just to our series, but also to modern-day motorsport.”
Pit Boost will challenge teams and drivers alike to make high-stakes decisions under intense pressure, he added.
“The potential for dramatic overtakes, unexpected twists and human ingenuity will elevate the excitement for our fans, and showcase Formula E and the FIA’s relentless commitment to innovation,” Longo said in a statement on Thursday.
Marek Nawarecki, senior circuit sport director, FIA, said: “This pioneering new feature will add another strategic element to the sport.”
What is Pit Boost?
Pit Boost is an innovative mid-race feature that provides a 10 percent energy increase (3.85 kilowatt-hours) to race cars through a 30-second, 600kW rapid recharge in the pitlane. The mandatory sporting feature — deploying more than double the power of current consumer superchargers — adds another strategic element during select races, with the potential to dramatically alter race outcomes and tactics.
Strategic racing impact
Pit Boost is set to redefine race strategies in Formula E. Drivers and teams will have to weigh the benefits of an energy boost against the risk of losing track position during the pit stop. Choosing the optimal moment for their Pit Boost will be pivotal, introducing heightened stakes and an extra layer of drama to every race.
As the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship continues to lead the charge in advancing electric mobility, Pit Boost highlights the rapid progress in EV charging technology. The innovation addresses one of the key challenges in EV adoption — charging speed and time — and demonstrates Formula E’s unique position as a “race-to-road” technology platform.
LeBron James announces new team for UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF
- Team AlUla named after the ancient city in Saudi Arabia
- ‘E1 is a new type of global competition that’s revolutionizing water racing and I’m proud to be at the forefront of its expansion,’ says professional NBA star
RIYADH: Professional NBA star LeBron James announced on Thursday that his team, Team AlUla, are set to join the fleet for the 2025 E1 season that begins with the E1 Jeddah GP on Saturday.
James’ team have been named after the ancient city in Saudi Arabia, and will be piloted by Rusty Wyatt and Catie Munnings.
The LA Lakers star, 40, said: “As a lifelong fan of sports and competition, the opportunity to own an E1 team that represents such a high level of innovation in sports is incredibly exciting.
“E1 is a new type of global competition that’s revolutionizing water racing and I’m proud to be at the forefront of its expansion in season two.”
The UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF sees teams go head-to-head in high-energy racing in iconic global cities, including Doha, Monaco, and Miami, in a bid to be crowned champions of the water.
Wyatt, a Canadian powerboat star, is one of the sport’s promising talents after being recognized as Rookie of the Year at the prestigious F1H20 UIM World Championship in 2024.
Alongside Wyatt is Munnings, the UK’s first-ever female Red Bull motorsports athlete and a previous FIA European Rally Championship Ladies’ Trophy winner. The British racer joins from Team Brazil after securing an impressive three podium places in E1’s debut season.
James joins a roster of team owners in the championship that includes NFL Hall of Famer Tom Brady, tennis legend Rafael Nadal, Hollywood actor Will Smith, international DJ Steve Aoki, footballing superstar Didier Drogba, philanthropist and businessman Marcelo Claure, cricketer Virat Kohli, and Grammy Award-winning musician Marc Anthony.
Team AlUla are led by co-team principals John Marlow and Barny Whitwham, who have a combined 30 years’ experience working in commercial and technical roles across blue chip organizations, FIA Formula One and World Rally Championship motorsport teams.
They are joined by a crew with equally strong sporting, technical and partnerships prowess across global motorsport and sports categories.
Alejandro Agag, chairman and co-founder of E1, said: “We are thrilled to welcome James and Team AlUla to the UIM E1 World Championship.
“With LeBron’s championship pedigree and history of excellence in globally celebrated sports, his entry into E1 sets the stage for an incredibly competitive and high-energy season on the water.”
With new teams, innovative technology, and iconic race destinations, Agag says the 2025 season will represent an exciting evolution for E1.
Rodi Basso, CEO and co-founder of E1, said: “As E1 prepares for a second season that will deliver new teams, more iconic race locations, and more thrilling on-water action, it’s with immense pride and excitement that I welcome Team AlUla and LeBron to the Championship.”
Saudi Arabia optimistic about Lebanon’s future, FM says after meeting President Aoun
- Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia was “optimistic about Lebanon’s future, in light of the reformist approach outlined in the president’s inaugural address”
BEIRUT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has congratulated Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on his election as president on behalf of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Following his meeting with Aoun at the Presidential Palace, which lasted about half an hour, Prince Faisal said that they discussed “developments in the region; I conveyed to him the Kingdom’s support for Lebanon and its brotherly people in all fields.”
He emphasized “the importance of adhering to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon and the importance of implementing Resolution 1701.”
Prince Faisal said that Saudi Arabia was “optimistic about Lebanon’s future, in light of the reformist approach outlined in the president’s inaugural address.”
He added: “We have great confidence in the president and the prime minister-designate to implement the required reforms in Lebanon, which will enhance the world’s confidence in Lebanon and contribute to stabilizing the political and economic situation in the country.
“We are optimistic that Lebanese leaders will seize the opportunity and work earnestly for Lebanon.”
The Kingdom, Prince Faisal said, “will continue to provide full support to Lebanon to achieve stability and development in various fields.”
He stressed the “necessity of continuous coordination between the two countries to achieve their shared goals.”
His visit marked a turning point in years of strained relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
The tension was caused by Hezbollah’s dominance over Lebanon’s political decisions over the past years, and the use of illegal crossings for drug smuggling, particularly Captagon, to Gulf states.
The Saudi minister emphasized from Davos that the election of Aoun as Lebanon’s president was a “very positive development.”
Prince Faisal welcomed the “formation of the government,” but emphasized the need for “real reforms and a forward-looking approach to ensure sustainable progress.”
He also reiterated that “the future of Lebanon rests in the hands of its people to make decisions that steer the country in a new direction.”
Meanwhile, Qatar’s ambassador to Lebanon, Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, expressed hope for “the formation of the new government in Lebanon, allowing it to focus on accomplishing its awaited tasks, which would foster stability and ensure the flow of aid for Lebanon’s reconstruction.”
He highlighted “the Gulf’s interest in Lebanon, illustrated by the visits of the Saudi and Kuwaiti ministers of foreign affairs, along with the Gulf Cooperation Council’s secretary-general, to Beirut.
“I believe Israel will withdraw from the territories it recently occupied in southern Lebanon. The international ceasefire monitoring committee is fulfilling its role, with the US and France supporting this outcome.”
The ambassador also said that “Gulf nationals, including Qataris, are expected to return to Lebanon for the summer season.”
Meanwhile, Emirati businessman Khalaf Al-Habtoor said that he plans to invest in a “large and ambitious project in Lebanon once the new government is formed. The project has a vision to contribute to the economic renaissance and provide thousands of jobs, to be a real addition to support the Lebanese economy and restore confidence in it.”
However, Al-Habtoor stressed that any new investment would be contingent on the formation of a properly constituted government.
“The new government must be free of subordination and quotas, and it must not include those who ruined Lebanon, caused the collapse of the economy and instigated its wars,” he said.
“This phase requires trustworthy leaders and a Cabinet of experienced and qualified individuals who are committed to prioritizing Lebanon’s interests. Security and stability are the foundation of any recovery, and these can only be achieved through a strong and independent government capable of restoring the confidence of Lebanese, Arab and international investors.”
Al-Habtoor also cautioned that “any leniency in the formation process or acceptance of subordination will only lead to the continuation of the crisis and will close the doors of investment and renaissance to Lebanon and its people.”
Diriyah Gate chief highlights city’s vision as a global blueprint for urban and social development
- Talal Kansara said Davos presence focused on showcasing Diriyah’s role in urban development intertwined with authenticity and tradition
DAVOS: Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s Chief Strategic Management Officer Talal Kansara has outlined the city’s ambition to become a model for urban and social transformation, offering a new way of living while preserving Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage.
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Kansara emphasized Diriyah’s role in showcasing urban development intertwined with authenticity and tradition.
“I think we have a unique story when it comes to urban transformation, to share with the world and (also) to learn from the rest of the world,” he said. “The area 20 years from now would be one of the best gathering places in the world, something where people can come and be immersed in a different experience, an experience that touches their souls, touches their heart, by providing them something that is authentic.”
Located on the northwestern outskirts of Riyadh, Diriyah has undergone significant redevelopment, carefully restoring its mud-brick structures that reflect the Najdi architectural style. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, Diriyah is seen as the birthplace of the Kingdom and a living example of the region’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Marking its WEF debut, Kansara said that Diriyah’s participation at Davos aims to showcase the project’s holistic approach, spanning tourism, hospitality, culture and real estate.
“People would see beyond Diriyah as one of the Kingdom’s giga project, they would see elements of Diriyah that that is part of its DNA,” Kansara said.
With a $50 billion development plan in motion, the project seeks to transform Diriyah into a global hub for history, culture and lifestyle while setting new standards for urban planning.
“We have a case that we want to present to the world when it comes to urban transformation,” Kansara said, “and we (want to) foster the dialog between us and people who have urban transformation and urban economy as one of their priorities.”
He added that Diriyah’s practices can serve as a guide for other cities to design spaces catering to human needs, including both locals and visitors.
“People need to walk, they need to interact, they need to socialize,” Kansara said, “also building an infrastructure and building cities where they are welcoming visitors. The infrastructure is not only meant for the (local) community, (but) also for the visitors, because you don’t want the visitors and the tourists to overrun the infrastructure.”
He said that the world is full of examples “where overtourism is somehow jeopardizing and decreasing the quality of the city, and you can see the community bothered from that in different places.”
Central to Saudi Arabia’s national tourism strategy, Diriyah is projected to attract 15 million visitors by 2030 and create more than 250,000 jobs. Kansara said that sustainability is integral to the development plan, ensuring the project meets the needs of a growing population and an influx of visitors.
“Sustainability is not an afterthought. Sustainability has been in the (project) DNA since the master plan,” he said.
Kansara also stressed the importance of preserving both the tangible and intangible elements of Saudi heritage, creating a living, organic space rather than a static museum.
“Diriyah is a place where people can live, walk, dine, play, have fun and learn. You would come in a place that’s not a theme park. This is more of an organic place. You’ll see people living as a visitor. You would interact with people who are living, you would interact with people who are studying, interact with people who are working. And that’s a great opportunity for the visitors to have a real touch, the real exposure to the history of the country of Saudi Arabia.”
Visitors to Diriyah’s pavilion at the Saudi House in Davos have been captivated by its unconventional real-estate approach.
“The thing that people admired and that captured their attention is that usually with a conventional real-estate project, you would see skyscrapers, you would see big buildings, you would see metal and glass. And when they came here, they say, ‘OK, we are not seeing this,’” Kansara said.
“We’re using mud bricks for the entire city, the way that we preserve our architectural language, the way we preserve different social and cultural practices and bring it back to life. So it’s not a museum where you see things, but that’s part of the past. No, this is really bringing things from the past and making something that people really engage with for now and in the future.”
Iraqi amnesty law could free prisoners convicted of attacking US troops
- Judicial sources and lawmakers confirmed that those convicted of attacks against American forces in Iraq could benefit from the law
- Sunni blocs in the Iraqi parliament have been pushing for the law
BAGHDAD: The Iraqi parliament has passed an amnesty law that could lead to the release of thousands of prisoners, including Iraqis convicted of attacks on US soldiers and people who fought for Islamic State, lawmakers said on Thursday.
A copy of the law seen by Reuters shows that those found guilty of terrorism leading to murder or disability, manslaughter, vandalising government institutions, and recruiting for or joining terrorist organizations can request a retrial if they allege a confession was extracted under duress.
Judicial sources and lawmakers confirmed that those convicted of attacks against American forces in Iraq could benefit from the law.
Sunni blocs in the Iraqi parliament have been pushing for the law as many of those in prison on such charges are Sunni Muslims, with most convicted of membership of Al Qaeda and Islamic State and carrying out attacks against Iraqi forces and civilians, mostly between 2004 and 2018.
Sunni lawmakers estimate that at least 30,000 Sunni prisoners will have the chance for a retrial.
Judicial sources say around 700 members of Shiite militias are also in prison convicted of terrorism, having been arrested by US forces between 2004 and 2008, for attacks on US soldiers.
Abul Karim Al-Mohammedawi, the Shiite head of parliament’s security and defense committee, said the top priority of the law should be releasing detainees who fought American forces in Iraq because “they are heroes and should be rewarded for their sacrifices, not left behind bars for the crime of defending their country.”
Sunni lawmaker Raad Al-Dahlaki said: “This law will not lead to the immediate release of prisoners. We, the Sunni bloc in parliament, demanded the retrial and review of all the prisoners’ investigations, and the courts will decide their fate.”
The law applies to all convicted Iraqis and those accused of crimes still under investigation or on trial. It also allows for the review of death sentences.
Government officials and judicial sources say the new law will alleviate pressure on overcrowded prisons, which currently house around 67,000 prisoners, far exceeding their capacity of 25,000.
Tuesday’s session also passed an amendment to the Iraqi personal status law, which was submitted by the majority Shiite blocs in parliament, that would allow Iraqi Muslims to choose either Sunni or Shi’ite sharia laws for personal status matters, instead of one standard regardless of sect or religion.
Critics say amendments that allow sect-based jurisprudence to govern personal matters, such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance, could institutionalize legal divisions between Sunni and Shiite Iraqis, further entrenching sectarian divides.
“This amendment could change the social fabric of the country at a time when sectarian tensions run high and stability remains precarious”, said Sarah Sanbar, Iraq researcher at Human Rights Watch.
The parliament also approved a law, which was pressed by the Kurds, allowing the return of farmlands confiscated before 2003 to their original owners, mainly Kurds.
