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Human Rights Watch's (HRW) latest report<\/strong><\/a> alleging mass killings of migrants at the Yemen-Saudi border by Saudi border guards. The investigation suggests that systematic abuses against Ethiopians may amount to crimes against humanity.<\/p>\n<p>Hundreds of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers crossing the border were killed between March 2022 and June 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Hamdiya can now tell her story from the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, where she arrived with the help of other migrants. Although she survived the attack, she says she is psychologically scarred.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can\u2019t sleep now. During the night I am so scared. I prefer people to stay awake and talk to me.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//83//13//18//808x539_cmsv2_a3e405af-1afe-5816-bf93-c2a9dc979c22-7831318.jpg/" alt=\"Nariman El-Mofty/Copyright 2019 The AP. All rights reserved.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/384x256_cmsv2_a3e405af-1afe-5816-bf93-c2a9dc979c22-7831318.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/640x427_cmsv2_a3e405af-1afe-5816-bf93-c2a9dc979c22-7831318.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/750x500_cmsv2_a3e405af-1afe-5816-bf93-c2a9dc979c22-7831318.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/828x552_cmsv2_a3e405af-1afe-5816-bf93-c2a9dc979c22-7831318.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/1080x720_cmsv2_a3e405af-1afe-5816-bf93-c2a9dc979c22-7831318.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/1200x800_cmsv2_a3e405af-1afe-5816-bf93-c2a9dc979c22-7831318.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/1920x1281_cmsv2_a3e405af-1afe-5816-bf93-c2a9dc979c22-7831318.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">In this July 26, 2019 file photo, Ethiopian migrants disembark from a boat onto the shores of Ras al-Ara, Lahj, Yemen, determined to reach Saudi Arabia.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Nariman El-Mofty/Copyright 2019 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Migrants targeted with explosives<\/h2><p>Other ten people interviewed by HRW estimated that from 11 attempted crossings with a total of 1,278 migrants, they had seen at least 655 deaths.<\/p>\n<p>\"There are definitely many more deaths because it's impossible to get an accurate figure. It's an inaccessible area and we are interviewing people who have just fled a scene of absolute horror, they're devastated,\" <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.hrw.org//about//people//nadia-hardman/">Nadia Hardman<\/strong><\/a>, a researcher in the refugee and migrant rights division at HRW, told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>One of the survivors explained that from his group of more than170 people, 90 were killed: \u201cSome returned to that place to pick up the dead bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The report states that Saudi border guards have used \u201cexplosive weapons\u201d to kill many migrants at close range, including women and children.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHRW has been documenting killings since 2014, but they were irregular and infrequent. When we started investigating, we didn\u2019t expect this to be so gore,\u201d Hardman said.<\/p>\n<p>\"We didn't expect to say that (the killings) are widespread and systematic and could amount to a crime against humanity because the scale is incredible,\" she added.<\/p>\n<p>According to HRW\u2019s findings, in a number of situations, Saudi border guards asked migrants which part of their body to shoot, and then shot them at a close range. They also fired explosive weapons at migrants trying to flee back to Yemen.<\/p>\n<p>All this while Saudi Arabia has \u201cinvested heavily in deflecting attention from its abysmal human rights record at home and abroad\u201d, spending billions of dollars on major entertainment, cultural, and sporting events.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6647264260768335\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//83//13//18//808x539_cmsv2_ef551b4f-52b0-579c-a004-db2217c46a2a-7831318.jpg/" alt=\"Graphic Human Rights Watch\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/384x255_cmsv2_ef551b4f-52b0-579c-a004-db2217c46a2a-7831318.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/640x425_cmsv2_ef551b4f-52b0-579c-a004-db2217c46a2a-7831318.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/750x499_cmsv2_ef551b4f-52b0-579c-a004-db2217c46a2a-7831318.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/828x550_cmsv2_ef551b4f-52b0-579c-a004-db2217c46a2a-7831318.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/1080x718_cmsv2_ef551b4f-52b0-579c-a004-db2217c46a2a-7831318.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/1200x798_cmsv2_ef551b4f-52b0-579c-a004-db2217c46a2a-7831318.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/1920x1276_cmsv2_ef551b4f-52b0-579c-a004-db2217c46a2a-7831318.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Map of the migration route from Ethiopia to Saudi Arabia through Yemen.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Graphic Human Rights Watch<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>A lethal route<\/h2><p>The Somalia-Yemen-Saudi Arabia route is one of the most dangerous in the world. Many Ethiopians try to cross the Somali border and then set sail for Yemen. From there, they cross into Saudi Arabia in search of a better life.<\/p>\n<p>The devastating war in Ethiopia's Tigray region, coupled with socio-economic reasons, drive hundreds of thousands of people to take this route, where 90% of migrants are Ethiopian.<\/p>\n<p>It is estimated that approximately 750,000 of them live and work in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEthiopians don\u2019t have much choice. There\u2019s a smuggling and trafficking network that is quite polished and there\u2019s the promise of job opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Those job opportunities do exist,\u201d said Hardman.<\/p>\n<p>\"It's always been understood that this is an extremely dangerous route, but I don't think people are aware of the level of brutality and the extent of the deaths,\" she added.<\/p>\n<p>According to the International Organisation for Migration, only 30% of those trying to find work in Saudi Arabia are aware that Yemen - the country they must cross - is in its sixth year of conflict.<\/p>\n<p>This leads to abuses not only by the Saudi border police, but also by the Houthi armed group in Yemen, who have detained migrants in poor conditions and subjected them to torture.<\/p>\n<p>Houthi forces would often \u201cextort bribes\u201d from the migrants \"abusing people until they could pay an exit fee\u201d.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//83//13//18//808x539_cmsv2_432ec564-46cc-598b-8931-9515650aeb9e-7831318.jpg/" alt=\"Hani Mohammed/AP\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/384x256_cmsv2_432ec564-46cc-598b-8931-9515650aeb9e-7831318.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/640x427_cmsv2_432ec564-46cc-598b-8931-9515650aeb9e-7831318.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/750x500_cmsv2_432ec564-46cc-598b-8931-9515650aeb9e-7831318.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/828x552_cmsv2_432ec564-46cc-598b-8931-9515650aeb9e-7831318.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/1080x720_cmsv2_432ec564-46cc-598b-8931-9515650aeb9e-7831318.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/1200x800_cmsv2_432ec564-46cc-598b-8931-9515650aeb9e-7831318.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/1920x1281_cmsv2_432ec564-46cc-598b-8931-9515650aeb9e-7831318.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Ethiopian migrants wait to be evacuated at departure center in the western Yemeni town of Haradh, on the border with Saudi Arabia and Yemen.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Hani Mohammed/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>\u2018Voices pleading not to leave them\u2019<\/h2><p>Of the 42 people interviewed by HRW who tried to cross the Yemen-Saudi border, all described scenes of horror.<\/p>\n<p>Seriously injured, mutilated or already dead women, men and children littered the mountainous landscape.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFirst I was eating with people and then they were dying,\u201d said one of the testimonies collected by HWR. \u201cThere are some people who you cannot identify because their bodies are thrown everywhere. Some people were torn in half.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The organisation has gathered visual evidence, which it has cross-checked with members of the Independent Forensic Expert Group of the International Rehabilitation Council for Victims of Torture, to corroborate the migrants' accounts.<\/p>\n<p>One of the things Hardman will not forget is the migrants' sense of guilt.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf they survived the attack, they fled. But there were people dying and they knew they couldn\u2019t save them. Many migrants told me they could still remember all of the voices of the people pleading them not to leave them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Euronews contacted the Saudi Arabian government for comment.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692363828,"publishedAt":1692590501,"updatedAt":1692607011,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/21\/scenes-of-absolute-horror-saudi-border-guards-guilty-of-mass-killings-of-migrants-says-hrw","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_01288bf4-71bc-5bfd-ab56-35ecd69e242d-7831318.jpg","altText":"FILE - In this Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 file photo, Ethiopian Zeynu Abebe, 19, sits in between two others after being deported from Saudi Arabia, at the in airport Addis Ababa","caption":"FILE - In this Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 file photo, Ethiopian Zeynu Abebe, 19, sits in between two others after being deported from Saudi Arabia, at the in airport Addis Ababa","captionCredit":"AP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_432ec564-46cc-598b-8931-9515650aeb9e-7831318.jpg","altText":"Ethiopian migrants wait to be evacuated at departure center in the western Yemeni town of Haradh, on the border with Saudi Arabia and Yemen.","caption":"Ethiopian migrants wait to be evacuated at departure center in the western Yemeni town of Haradh, on the border with Saudi Arabia and Yemen.","captionCredit":"Hani Mohammed\/AP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ef551b4f-52b0-579c-a004-db2217c46a2a-7831318.jpg","altText":"Map of the migration route from Ethiopia to Saudi Arabia through Yemen.","caption":"Map of the migration route from Ethiopia to Saudi Arabia through Yemen.","captionCredit":"Graphic Human Rights Watch ","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1718,"height":1142},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a3e405af-1afe-5816-bf93-c2a9dc979c22-7831318.jpg","altText":"In this July 26, 2019 file photo, Ethiopian migrants disembark from a boat onto the shores of Ras al-Ara, Lahj, Yemen, determined to reach oil-rich Saudi Arabia. ","caption":"In this July 26, 2019 file photo, Ethiopian migrants disembark from a boat onto the shores of Ras al-Ara, Lahj, Yemen, determined to reach oil-rich Saudi Arabia. ","captionCredit":"Nariman El-Mofty\/Copyright 2019 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/13\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4f8f5954-17c7-5b62-a284-71c58a31e0ac-7831318.jpg","altText":"In this July 15, 2019 file photo, Ethiopian migrants line up to board a small boat determined to reach oil-rich S","caption":"In this July 15, 2019 file photo, Ethiopian migrants line up to board a small boat determined to reach oil-rich S","captionCredit":"Nariman El-Mofty\/Copyright 2019 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":243,"slug":"saudi-arabia","urlSafeValue":"saudi-arabia","title":"Saudi Arabia","titleRaw":"Saudi Arabia"},{"id":13190,"slug":"migrants","urlSafeValue":"migrants","title":"Migrants","titleRaw":"Migrants"},{"id":88,"slug":"ethiopia","urlSafeValue":"ethiopia","title":"Ethiopia","titleRaw":"Ethiopia"},{"id":12345,"slug":"human-rights-watch","urlSafeValue":"human-rights-watch","title":"Human Rights Watch","titleRaw":"Human Rights Watch"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":3}],"related":[{"id":2344210},{"id":2348526},{"id":2349824}],"technicalTags":[{"path":"euronews.byenglishwebteam"},{"path":"euronews"}],"video":0,"videos":[],"externalPartners":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world 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Arabia","url":"\/news\/asia\/saudi-arabia"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'neg_mobkoi_castrol','castrol_negative_uk','neg_facebook_2021','neg_facebook','gv_death_injury','neg_nespresso','gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gb_sensitive_high','gb_sensitive_high_med','gb_sensitive_high_med_low','gb_sensitive_serious','neg_saudiaramco','neg_intel_en','neg_facebook_q4','gt_negative','gb_crime_edu','gb_crime_high_med_low','neg_mobkoi_feb2021','neg_bucherer','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gb_death_injury_high','gb_death_injury_serious','gv_crime','gs_politics','gs_genres','gs_society_misc','gb_sensitive_news-ent','gv_military','gt_negative_fear','gs_tech_compute','gb_arms_high_med','gb_arms_high_med_low','gb_arms_news-ent','gt_negative_anger'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/21\/scenes-of-absolute-horror-saudi-border-guards-guilty-of-mass-killings-of-migrants-says-hrw","lastModified":1692607011},{"id":2349862,"cid":7833306,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230819_NWSU_52807461","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Suspected Palestinians kill two Israelis in a gun attack at a car wash ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Suspected Palestinians kill two Israelis in car wash gun attack","titleListing2":"Suspected Palestinians kill two Israelis in a gun attack at a car wash as the cycle of violence goes on","leadin":"Israeli soldiers are searching for the attackers who shot two Israeli civilians dead at a car wash in the West Bank as the cycle of violence continues.","summary":"Israeli soldiers are searching for the attackers who shot two Israeli civilians dead at a car wash in the West Bank as the cycle of violence continues.","url":"suspected-palestinians-kill-two-israelis-in-a-gun-attack-at-a-car-wash","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Israeli military is searching for the attackers and setting up roadblocks near Hawara, a flashpoint area in the northern West Bank. \n\nThe town has seen repeated gun attacks as well as a rampage by Jewish settlers who torched Palestinian property. \n\nThe official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, reported that the army had closed key entrances to the main northern West Bank city of Nablus and that soldiers were forcing businesses to close as they searched for the suspected attackers. \n\n\nHamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou said the attack was the \"result of the resistance's continuous promise to defend our people and respond to the crimes of the occupation.\" \n\nThe West Bank has seen a surge in violence since early last year, with a string of attacks by Palestinians on Israeli targets, repeated Israeli army raids and violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinian communities. \n\nThis latest incident comes after a 19-year-old Palestinian died of his wounds following an Israeli military raid in the West Bank on Wednesday. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The Israeli military is searching for the attackers and setting up roadblocks near Hawara, a flashpoint area in the northern West Bank. <\/p>\n<p>The town has seen repeated gun attacks as well as a rampage by Jewish settlers who torched Palestinian property. <\/p>\n<p>The official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, reported that the army had closed key entrances to the main northern West Bank city of Nablus and that soldiers were forcing businesses to close as they searched for the suspected attackers. <\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7724876,7819508,7776534\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//03//israeli-strikes-in-the-occupied-west-bank-kill-at-least-eight/">Israeli strikes in the occupied West Bank kill at least eight<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//08//13//watch-israelis-protest-for-32nd-week-against-the-governments-judicial-overhaul-plan/">WATCH: Israelis protest for 32nd week against the government's judicial overhaul plan<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//25//watch-three-people-injured-as-car-ploughs-through-a-protest-in-israel/">WATCH: Three people injured as car ploughs through a protest in Israel<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou said the attack was the \"result of the resistance's continuous promise to defend our people and respond to the crimes of the occupation.\"<\/p>\n<p>The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since early last year, with a string of attacks by Palestinians on Israeli targets, repeated Israeli army raids and violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinian communities.<\/p>\n<p>This latest incident comes after a 19-year-old Palestinian died of his wounds following an Israeli military raid in the West Bank on Wednesday.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692458350,"publishedAt":1692463041,"updatedAt":1692463505,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/19\/suspected-palestinians-kill-two-israelis-in-a-gun-attack-at-a-car-wash","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/83\/33\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b305add4-6af5-5721-88d6-14fb45c050a4-7833314.jpg","altText":"Israeli soldiers check a Palestinian car at the Hawara check point in the West Bank, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023","caption":"Israeli soldiers check a Palestinian car at the Hawara check point in the West Bank, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023","captionCredit":"Nasser Nasser\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":318,"slug":"west-bank","urlSafeValue":"west-bank","title":"West Bank","titleRaw":"West Bank"},{"id":157,"slug":"israel","urlSafeValue":"israel","title":"Israel","titleRaw":"Israel"},{"id":13122,"slug":"palestine","urlSafeValue":"palestine","title":"Palestine","titleRaw":"Palestine"},{"id":192,"slug":"mideast","urlSafeValue":"mideast","title":"Mideast","titleRaw":"Mideast"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":35000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":4540256,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/19\/en\/230819_NWSU_52807461_52807495_35000_182603_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":35000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":6793568,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/19\/en\/230819_NWSU_52807461_52807495_35000_182603_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8ncdp1","youtubeId":"uyI2CoFXrhk"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":161,"urlSafeValue":"jordan","title":"Jordan","url":"\/news\/asia\/jordan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_death_injury','gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gv_arms','gb_death_injury_high','gb_death_injury_serious','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gs_politics_civicaffairs','gs_politics'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/19\/suspected-palestinians-kill-two-israelis-in-a-gun-attack-at-a-car-wash","lastModified":1692463505},{"id":2347200,"cid":7825616,"versionId":8,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230817_FTWB_52770301","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup 2023: Who are the finalists?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup 2023: Who are the finalists?","titleListing2":"FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup 2023: Who are the finalists?","leadin":"In partnership with Media City Qatar.\n\nJust two matches remain and the two finalists are about to go head-to-head in a bid to lift the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.","summary":"In partnership with Media City Qatar.\n\nJust two matches remain and the two finalists are about to go head-to-head in a bid to lift the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.","url":"fifa-womens-world-cup-2023-who-are-the-finalists","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"After almost four weeks of football and 62 games, Spain and England will go head to head to win the 2023 FIFA Womens World Cup. \n\nThe traditional third-place playoff will take place in Brisbane on Saturday before Sunday's showpiece final match. \n\nRegardless of what happens, there will be a new name on the trophy as both nations have never won the competition. \n\nWe've witnessed some of the most dramatic moments the sport has ever seen. Viewing figures are at an all-time high as interest in the women's game has gained tremendous momentum. Fans inside the stadiums have also loved every second. Australia and New Zealand have done their best to host a tournament to remember. \n\n\"Australia isn't known for being a football nation. In fact, most of our Matildas play overseas,\" explained Maddie Date, producer for ABC Illawarra, \"so to now have this level of growth and so many eyes on us across the world, it's just been incredible. There'll be so many more football fans now in Australia for years to come, and I guess that's been the main aim of having the entire tournament here in the first place.\" \n\nSpain has defied the odds and made it to the World Cup final for the first time. The La Roja had plenty of disruptions to deal with along the way, including a breakdown between 15 senior players and the manager, Jorge Vilda. The players accused Vilda of being too authoritarian, and his standard of training and tactics were not the same as at their clubs. \n\nOnly three out of the 15 players in this dispute made it into the WWC squad, and their importance during the tournament has been outstanding. Centre-back Irene Paredes, along with midfielders Aintana Bonmat\u00ed and Alexia Putellas, have been essential to their route to the final. Bonmat\u00ed, in particular, has been called the player of the tournament so far. \n\nSpain has been defensively strong throughout the tournament. Despite the strong start, they lost to Japan's counter-attacking playing style. England will no doubt look at Japan's performance to assess how they can exploit Spain's fragility against fast-transitioning football. \n\nSpain's opponents, England, are the current European champions. The Lionesses have never played in a final and have been knocked out in the semi-finals twice. Under manager Sarina Wiegman, their form has been electric, and they will be looking to add a World Cup to that European crown. \n\nEngland had a composed start to the tournament this summer, with a 1-0 win over Haiti, who are ranked 53rd in the world. But doubts were quickly quashed as convincing wins over Denmark and China. England looked like they were on their way to winning the group with maximum points.\u00a0 \n\nUntil they met with Nigeria and what proved to be the most challenging game of their tournament so far. Nigeria dominated the Lionesses for 120 minutes. Frustrations grew, and star forward Lauren James was sent off for violent conduct after a moment of madness. England pushed through to keep the scoreline at 0-0 and secure passage to the quarter-finals on penalties. Wins over Colombia and co-hosts Australia earned them a place in Sunday's final. \n\nEngland met Spain last summer in the quarter-finals of that Euros triumph, helped by a brilliant strike from midfielder Georgia Stanway. They had the home fans behind them in 2022. It might be a different prospect in Sydney, with many Spain fans having made the journey to cheer on their team. However, the Lionesses have a fully fit squad, and Lauren James will make a return to action after serving a suspension. \n\nEngland and Spain have never made it this far. Despite all the injury setbacks and disruptions to Spain's preparations in the lead-up to the tournament, La Roja have proved they deserve a place in the final. England, for their part, has experience consistency and chemistry on their side but, as a nation, has yet to play in a World Cup Final since 1966. The pressure is truly on their shoulders.\u00a0 \n\nThe tournament's final game will be played at Stadium Australia in front of a record number of fans. History will be made as a first-time FIFA Women's World Cup winner is guaranteed. \n\n","htmlText":"<h2>After almost four weeks of football and 62 games, Spain and England will go head to head to win the 2023 FIFA Womens World Cup.<\/h2><p>The traditional third-place playoff will take place in Brisbane on Saturday before Sunday's showpiece final match.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of what happens, there will be a new name on the trophy as both nations have never won the competition.<\/p>\n<p>We've witnessed some of the most dramatic moments the sport has ever seen. Viewing figures are at an all-time high as interest in the women's game has gained tremendous momentum. Fans inside the stadiums have also loved every second. Australia and New Zealand have done their best to host a tournament to remember.<\/p>\n<p>\"Australia isn't known for being a football nation. In fact, most of our Matildas play overseas,\" explained Maddie Date, producer for ABC Illawarra, \"so to now have this level of growth and so many eyes on us across the world, it's just been incredible. There'll be so many more football fans now in Australia for years to come, and I guess that's been the main aim of having the entire tournament here in the first place.\"<\/p>\n<p>Spain has defied the odds and made it to the World Cup final for the first time. The La Roja had plenty of disruptions to deal with along the way, including a breakdown between 15 senior players and the manager, Jorge Vilda. The players accused Vilda of being too authoritarian, and his standard of training and tactics were not the same as at their clubs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//82//56//16//808x539_cmsv2_07ba9a64-4efa-5313-874e-f10f8ec3a60a-7825616.jpg/" alt=\"Abbie Parr/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/384x256_cmsv2_07ba9a64-4efa-5313-874e-f10f8ec3a60a-7825616.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/640x427_cmsv2_07ba9a64-4efa-5313-874e-f10f8ec3a60a-7825616.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/750x500_cmsv2_07ba9a64-4efa-5313-874e-f10f8ec3a60a-7825616.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/828x552_cmsv2_07ba9a64-4efa-5313-874e-f10f8ec3a60a-7825616.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/1080x720_cmsv2_07ba9a64-4efa-5313-874e-f10f8ec3a60a-7825616.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/1200x800_cmsv2_07ba9a64-4efa-5313-874e-f10f8ec3a60a-7825616.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/1920x1281_cmsv2_07ba9a64-4efa-5313-874e-f10f8ec3a60a-7825616.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Spain made the final after beating Sweden<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Abbie Parr/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Only three out of the 15 players in this dispute made it into the WWC squad, and their importance during the tournament has been outstanding. Centre-back Irene Paredes, along with midfielders Aintana Bonmat\u00ed and Alexia Putellas, have been essential to their route to the final. Bonmat\u00ed, in particular, has been called the player of the tournament so far.<\/p>\n<p>Spain has been defensively strong throughout the tournament. Despite the strong start, they lost to Japan's counter-attacking playing style. England will no doubt look at Japan's performance to assess how they can exploit Spain's fragility against fast-transitioning football.<\/p>\n<p>Spain's opponents, England, are the current European champions. The Lionesses have never played in a final and have been knocked out in the semi-finals twice. Under manager Sarina Wiegman, their form has been electric, and they will be looking to add a World Cup to that European crown.<\/p>\n<p>England had a composed start to the tournament this summer, with a 1-0 win over Haiti, who are ranked 53rd in the world. But doubts were quickly quashed as convincing wins over Denmark and China. England looked like they were on their way to winning the group with maximum points.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Until they met with Nigeria and what proved to be the most challenging game of their tournament so far. Nigeria dominated the Lionesses for 120 minutes. Frustrations grew, and star forward Lauren James was sent off for violent conduct after a moment of madness. England pushed through to keep the scoreline at 0-0 and secure passage to the quarter-finals on penalties. Wins over Colombia and co-hosts Australia earned them a place in Sunday's final.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//82//56//16//808x539_cmsv2_e5133ceb-eeb2-5d82-b756-a5c96da7894a-7825616.jpg/" alt=\"Alessandra Tarantino/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/384x256_cmsv2_e5133ceb-eeb2-5d82-b756-a5c96da7894a-7825616.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/640x427_cmsv2_e5133ceb-eeb2-5d82-b756-a5c96da7894a-7825616.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/750x500_cmsv2_e5133ceb-eeb2-5d82-b756-a5c96da7894a-7825616.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/828x552_cmsv2_e5133ceb-eeb2-5d82-b756-a5c96da7894a-7825616.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/1080x720_cmsv2_e5133ceb-eeb2-5d82-b756-a5c96da7894a-7825616.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/1200x800_cmsv2_e5133ceb-eeb2-5d82-b756-a5c96da7894a-7825616.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/1920x1281_cmsv2_e5133ceb-eeb2-5d82-b756-a5c96da7894a-7825616.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">England celebrate after reaching their first World Cup final<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Alessandra Tarantino/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>England met Spain last summer in the quarter-finals of that Euros triumph, helped by a brilliant strike from midfielder Georgia Stanway. They had the home fans behind them in 2022. It might be a different prospect in Sydney, with many Spain fans having made the journey to cheer on their team. However, the Lionesses have a fully fit squad, and Lauren James will make a return to action after serving a suspension.<\/p>\n<p>England and Spain have never made it this far. Despite all the injury setbacks and disruptions to Spain's preparations in the lead-up to the tournament, La Roja have proved they deserve a place in the final. England, for their part, has experience consistency and chemistry on their side but, as a nation, has yet to play in a World Cup Final since 1966. The pressure is truly on their shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The tournament's final game will be played at Stadium Australia in front of a record number of fans. History will be made as a first-time FIFA Women's World Cup winner is guaranteed.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692173807,"publishedAt":1692293426,"updatedAt":1692513980,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/17\/fifa-womens-world-cup-2023-who-are-the-finalists","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f69c450b-67d6-5bbe-a1c0-635b97472200-7825616.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1280,"height":720},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e5133ceb-eeb2-5d82-b756-a5c96da7894a-7825616.jpg","altText":"England celebrate after reaching their first World Cup final","caption":"England celebrate after reaching their first World Cup final","captionCredit":"Alessandra Tarantino\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/56\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_07ba9a64-4efa-5313-874e-f10f8ec3a60a-7825616.jpg","altText":"Spain made the final after beating Sweden","caption":"Spain made the final after beating Sweden","captionCredit":"Abbie Parr\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28892,"slug":"womens-world-cup-2023","urlSafeValue":"womens-world-cup-2023","title":"Women's World Cup 2023","titleRaw":"Women's World Cup 2023"},{"id":9097,"slug":"england","urlSafeValue":"england","title":"England","titleRaw":"England"},{"id":7809,"slug":"spain","urlSafeValue":"spain","title":"Spain","titleRaw":"Spain"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2318082},{"id":2320224},{"id":2334458}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/FT\/WB\/23\/08\/17\/en\/230817_FTWB_52770301_52770303_362680_151534_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":362680,"filesizeBytes":45846117,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/FT\/WB\/23\/08\/17\/en\/230817_FTWB_52770301_52770303_362680_151534_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":362680,"filesizeBytes":71192165,"expiresAt":0}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8navdw","youtubeId":"Q0VrnAZ37xA"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"football-now","urlSafeValue":"football-now","title":"Football Now","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/football-now"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"sport","urlSafeValue":"sport","title":"Sport","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/sport"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":8,"urlSafeValue":"sport","title":"Sport"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1630511520,"endDate":2114355123,"type":"sponsored","isDfp":null,"slug":"Scenes","title":"Media City - Qatar","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Media City","sponsorName":"Scenes","sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/410\/300x114_cmsv2_34d67838-9191-52a0-9a53-1c81081387b0-410.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":234,"urlSafeValue":"qatar","title":"Qatar","url":"\/news\/asia\/qatar"},"town":{"id":3937,"urlSafeValue":"doha","title":"Doha"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_science','gs_science_geography','neg_facebook_2021','gs_sport','gs_sport_soccer','gt_mixed','neg_facebook_neg11','castrol_negative_uk','neg_mobkoi_castrol','neg_bucherer'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-web","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/17\/fifa-womens-world-cup-2023-who-are-the-finalists","lastModified":1692513980},{"id":2347416,"cid":7826200,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230817_NWSU_52773798","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Was the blast at the Turkish port of Derince caused by a shipment of weapons meant for Ukraine?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Was the blast in a port in Turkey caused by arms meant for Ukraine?","titleListing2":"Was the blast at the Turkish port of Derince caused by a shipment of weapons meant for Ukraine?","leadin":"Kremlin propagandists were quick to jump on the accident claiming the explosion was caused by weapons destined for Ukraine. But neither the local authorities nor the media reported any presence of military equipment on site. ","summary":"Kremlin propagandists were quick to jump on the accident claiming the explosion was caused by weapons destined for Ukraine. But neither the local authorities nor the media reported any presence of military equipment on site. ","url":"was-the-blast-at-the-turkish-port-of-derince-caused-by-a-shipment-of-weapons-meant-for-ukr","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"On 7 August, a blast rocked grain silos near the port of Derince in western Turkey.\u00a0The explosion killed one person and injured at least 12 more.\u00a0 \n\nA few days later, Russian propagandists started spreading allegations that the explosion was caused by a shipment of weapons meant to be transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. \n\n\"Very strange - after all, no explosive fuels or fertilizers were loaded on this ship. Or maybe there was not only grain but also deadly \"toys\" for the Armed Forces of Ukraine?,\" implied one pro-Moscow Telegram account. \n\nThe explosion occurred in the area where ships are loaded with grain in elevators controlled by the Turkish Grain Council. \n\nExcept that neither the Turkish authorities nor the media had found any presence of military equipment on the site of the explosion.\u00a0 \n\nThe governor of Kocaeli, where the port is located announced: \u201cInitial evaluations show that an explosion occurred due to wheat dust compression during the transfer of wheat from a ship to the silo\u2026 But we are investigating every possible reason.\" \n\nThe Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakl\u0131 also commented on the incident, stating: \u201cAt the moment, we assess that the explosion occurred due to technical consequences caused by dust compression [...] The prosecutor's office and other units are conducting the necessary investigations. After everything is done, we will share the results with the public.\u201d \n\nThis chemical reaction is nothing out of the ordinary. According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration: \u201cAny combustible material can burn rapidly when in a finely divided form. If such dust is suspended in the air in the right concentration, under certain conditions, it can become explosible. Such as for example sugar and grain.\" \n\nIn the pages of the Turkish daily Hurriyet , a chemical engineer explains this phenomenon in more detail: \"When the wheat is transported from the silo to the ship, it is compressed. However, any organic substance is highly flammable and becomes explosive when it turns to dust.\"\u00a0 \n\nThat means that if the dust is in \"suspension, in a closed place, such as a container or a silo and it encounters a source of ignition, in particular a spark of mechanical origin,\" that\u2019s enough to cause a big blast.\u00a0 \n\nSimilar incidents due to grain dust have been documented before including one in 1998 in Kansas, US. \n\nMultiple explosions occurred in what is considered the world's largest grain elevator, killing seven\u00a0people.\u00a0 \n\nIn Europe, the last major grain dust explosion happened in Blaye, France in 1997, killing 11 people. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>On 7 August, a blast rocked grain silos near the port of Derince in western Turkey.\u00a0The explosion killed one person and injured at least 12 more.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A few days later, Russian propagandists started spreading allegations that the explosion was caused by a shipment of weapons meant to be transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.<\/p>\n<p>\"Very strange - after all, no explosive fuels or fertilizers were loaded on this ship. Or maybe there was not only grain but also deadly \"toys\" for the Armed Forces of Ukraine?,\" implied <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////t.me//svyatogorsk20222023//5968/">one pro-Moscow Telegram account.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The explosion occurred in the area where ships are loaded with grain in elevators controlled by the Turkish Grain Council.<\/p>\n<p>Except that neither the Turkish authorities nor the media had found any presence of military equipment on the site of the explosion.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The governor of Kocaeli, where the port is located <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.cnnturk.com//video//turkiye//son-dakika-kocaelinin-derince-ilcesinde-patlama/">announced: \u201cInitial evaluations show that an explosion occurred due to wheat dust compression during the transfer of wheat from a ship to the silo\u2026 But we are investigating every possible reason.\"<\/p>\n<p>The Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakl\u0131 also commented on the incident, stating: \u201cAt the moment, we assess that the explosion occurred due to technical consequences caused by dust compression [...] The prosecutor's office and other units are conducting the necessary investigations. After everything is done, we will share the results with the public.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This chemical reaction is nothing out of the ordinary. According to the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.osha.gov//combustible-dust/">US Occupational Safety and Health Administration:<\/strong><\/a> \u201cAny combustible material can burn rapidly when in a finely divided form. If such dust is suspended in the air in the right concentration, under certain conditions, it can become explosible. Such as for example sugar and grain.\"<\/p>\n<p>In the pages of the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.hurriyet.com.tr//gundem//tmo-silolarinda-tahil-iste-boyle-patladi-42311878/">Turkish daily Hurriyet<\/strong><\/a>, a chemical engineer explains this phenomenon in more detail: \"When the wheat is transported from the silo to the ship, it is compressed. However, any organic substance is highly flammable and becomes explosive when it turns to dust.\"\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That means that if the dust is in \"suspension, in a closed place, such as a container or a silo and it encounters a source of ignition, in particular a spark of mechanical origin,\" that\u2019s enough to cause a big blast.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Similar incidents due to grain dust have been documented before <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.kansas.com//news//article986253.html/">including one in 1998 in Kansas, US.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Multiple explosions occurred in what is considered the world's largest grain elevator, killing seven\u00a0people.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In Europe, the last <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.sudouest.fr//gironde//blaye//20-aout-1997-les-silos-de-la-semabla-explosent-comme-un-bombardement-a-blaye-3332251.php/">major grain dust explosion<\/strong><\/a> happened in Blaye, France in 1997, killing 11 people.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1692188987,"publishedAt":1692249409,"updatedAt":1692250025,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/17\/was-the-blast-at-the-turkish-port-of-derince-caused-by-a-shipment-of-weapons-meant-for-ukr","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/62\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_32fb32a7-0028-51bd-821b-f6f7a51d3d8d-7826200.jpg","altText":"FILE - The cargo ship Polarnet, arrives to Derince port in the Gulf of Izmit, Turkey, on Aug. 8, 2022","caption":"FILE - The cargo ship Polarnet, arrives to Derince port in the Gulf of Izmit, Turkey, on Aug. 8, 2022","captionCredit":"Khalil Hamra\/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/82\/61\/98\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_dbf7f4c9-b951-5629-84e1-093be8514623-7826198.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"khatsenkova","title":"Sophia Khatsenkova","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28330,"slug":"disinformation","urlSafeValue":"disinformation","title":"disinformation","titleRaw":"disinformation"},{"id":27176,"slug":"grain-deal","urlSafeValue":"grain-deal","title":"grain deal","titleRaw":"grain deal"},{"id":26692,"slug":"war-in-ukraine","urlSafeValue":"war-in-ukraine","title":"Ukraine war","titleRaw":"Ukraine war"},{"id":9357,"slug":"turkish-politics","urlSafeValue":"turkish-politics","title":"Turkish politics","titleRaw":"Turkish politics"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2320316},{"id":2327926},{"id":2340822}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":143640,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":17729879,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/17\/en\/230817_NWSU_52773798_52773819_143640_160737_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":143640,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":26208599,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/08\/17\/en\/230817_NWSU_52773798_52773819_143640_160737_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8na34z","youtubeId":"Yu46GUq1qPU"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":284,"urlSafeValue":"turkey","title":"Turkey","url":"\/news\/europe\/turkey"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gs_politics','gs_war_conflict','castrol_negative_es','gv_death_injury','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gv_military','gs_busfin_indus'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/17\/was-the-blast-at-the-turkish-port-of-derince-caused-by-a-shipment-of-weapons-meant-for-ukr","lastModified":1692250025},{"id":2317660,"cid":7738960,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230816_TXSU_52355251","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"How are tech companies changing the way we consume and interact?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"How are tech companies changing the way we consume and interact?","titleListing2":"In this episode of the Exchange, we speak to TikTok and Google to find out what technological advances mean for businesses and consumers, beyond making entertaining videos.","leadin":"With companies and governments pledging billions of dollars per annum to be the kings of the new tech empire, we explore what this new era of innovation means for consumers, and the way we do business.","summary":"With companies and governments pledging billions of dollars per annum to be the kings of the new tech empire, we explore what this new era of innovation means for consumers, and the way we do business.","url":"how-are-tech-companies-changing-the-way-we-consume-and-interact","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"In a rapidly changing world, there's no industry that's evolving quicker than tech. The tech sector is at the forefront of the innovation of new ideas, different means of how we go about our day-to-day business and new ways in which governments coordinate world affairs. \n\nThe growth in this sector is staggering, and it's showing no signs of slowing down.\u00a0The tech industry is a vast category, currently growing at 5 to 6% per annum , and this is only expected to rise as AI is rolled out to the masses in the coming years. \n\nRevolutionary technology is advancing on a daily basis, and the cost of that advancement is also rising - a total of $3.45 trillion being spent in the sector in 2022. \n\nAnd as technology advances, we also buy and consume products differently. Last year, $300 billion was spent on mobile advertising. \n\nCompanies are now influencing the way we consume and interact more than ever before. TikTok is one of the biggest names in the world of social media and a brand at the forefront of these changes.\u00a0 \n\nKris Boger is the UK general manager of TikTok, and he told us just how much technology is changing advertising and consumer habits. \n\n\"We think that there's been a major shift in the entertainment and the marketing industry towards longer-form storytelling that puts creativity at its heart. On TikTok, you can play videos that are sound on and full-screen, and we've seen that with the likes of the creators on our platform who are the lifeblood of our community, they enable brands to be authentic and to tell stories in ways that weren't necessarily possible before.\u00a0 \n\n\"We've seen that, also, this new form of entertainment drives action offline, too. And probably the best example of this is what we call community commerce, which is the meeting point of shopping, people being in a shopping mindset, but also the entertaining content that's on TikTok and also our community too. And we've seen hashtags like #TikTok made me buy\u00a0it , have 57 billion hashtag views and all of these videos that are on TikTok are people discovering products, they're reviewing them, they're engaging with these different products and then having real-world impact,\" Kris Boger revealed. \n\nHow do big businesses use your data? \n\nIt's not just consumption which is changing due to technological advancements. The way we do business is also going through a major reshuffle. \n\nTo find out more, we sent our reporter Ryan Capperauld to the launch of Google's new cloud service at the Qatar National Convention Center in Doha where top Google bosses met to discuss the launch of a new cloud service in the region. \n\n\"We are here today in Qatar, launching our first region in the Middle East. That's part of our expansion plan globally,\" explained\u00a0Tarik Khalil, Google Cloud Manager for the Middle East and North Africa.\u00a0 \n\n\"Demand coming from our customers and partners in the region has been growing. And usually in investing in countries where demand growth is, that demand is to stay close to our customers, to help them solve and reach their customers in a better way.\" \n\nWhen asked if this was part of a wider project for Google in the middle east,\u00a0Tarik Khalil told the Exchange that\u00a0\"Part of our investment in Qatar, it's the infrastructure.\" \n\n\"Second is our people and our workforce and the market with our ecosystem. We're bringing a huge ecosystem to the country in order to help our clients, our customers and prospects evolve and grow on achieving their goals.\" \n\nBut how does this actually help businesses in regard to the data? \n\n\"We all know it's a data era [...] Data is growing fast and fast and fast. So that's the angle I think every organisation, every business has to address in a very efficient way. Eventually, they have to make faster decisions. They have to reach precise decisions, leveraging the power of tech as an enabler to get to these insights.\u00a0 \n\n\"So how we're helping them is by providing our unique unified data platform supported or actually being integrated now with AI capabilities into that platform just to make the process much more efficient, to be able to reach the data insights in a faster way.\" \n\nWhere is the tech sector heading? \n\nA promising era for the region then, entering new realms of interconnectivity. But what about the future of the sector overall?\u00a0 \n\nWe caught up with Mario Aquino, who is the CEO of Future Labs Ventures in Singapore, a firm which invests in technological advancements. \n\n\"Every few minutes, hours and days, there are new discoveries,\"\u00a0Mario Aquino said.\u00a0\"We live in an unprecedented era of technology-enabled innovation. We focused mostly on addressing scalable market pain points that benefit your local force economies, but mostly also people and societies.\" \n\nTikTok and Google tell us that the opportunities for business extend far beyond making entertaining videos. Despite obvious concerns about data security, it appears that consumers, by and large, have welcomed tech giants into almost every part of our lives.\u00a0 \n\nTraditional lines are blurring. CEOs, citizens and governments though are still trying to predict both the potential and the pitfalls of this very new and very intimate relationship. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>In a rapidly changing world, there's no industry that's evolving quicker than tech. The tech sector is at the forefront of the innovation of new ideas, different means of how we go about our day-to-day business and new ways in which governments coordinate world affairs.<\/p>\n<p>The growth in this sector is staggering, and it's showing no signs of slowing down.\u00a0The tech industry is a vast category, currently growing at <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////mediapeanut.com//how-fast-is-technology-growing-statistics-facts///">5 to 6% per annum<\/a>, and this is only expected to rise as AI is rolled out to the masses in the coming years.<\/p>\n<p>Revolutionary technology is advancing on a daily basis, and the cost of that advancement is also rising - a total of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////mediapeanut.com//how-fast-is-technology-growing-statistics-facts///">$3.45 trillion<\/a> being spent in the sector in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>And as technology advances, we also buy and consume products differently. Last year, $300 billion was spent on mobile advertising.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">We live in an unprecedented era of technology-enabled innovation<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Mario Aquino\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n CEO of Future Labs Ventures\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Companies are now influencing the way we consume and interact more than ever before. TikTok is one of the biggest names in the world of social media and a brand at the forefront of these changes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Kris Boger is the UK general manager of TikTok, and he told us just how much technology is changing advertising and consumer habits.<\/p>\n<p>\"We think that there's been a major shift in the entertainment and the marketing industry towards longer-form storytelling that puts creativity at its heart. On TikTok, you can play videos that are sound on and full-screen, and we've seen that with the likes of the creators on our platform who are the lifeblood of our community, they enable brands to be authentic and to tell stories in ways that weren't necessarily possible before.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//73//89//60//808x454_cmsv2_1d619bb8-dce9-5bf6-9530-be9ef38181bd-7738960.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/384x216_cmsv2_1d619bb8-dce9-5bf6-9530-be9ef38181bd-7738960.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/640x360_cmsv2_1d619bb8-dce9-5bf6-9530-be9ef38181bd-7738960.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/750x422_cmsv2_1d619bb8-dce9-5bf6-9530-be9ef38181bd-7738960.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/828x466_cmsv2_1d619bb8-dce9-5bf6-9530-be9ef38181bd-7738960.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/1080x608_cmsv2_1d619bb8-dce9-5bf6-9530-be9ef38181bd-7738960.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/1200x675_cmsv2_1d619bb8-dce9-5bf6-9530-be9ef38181bd-7738960.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/1920x1080_cmsv2_1d619bb8-dce9-5bf6-9530-be9ef38181bd-7738960.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Kris Boger, UK general manager of TikTok<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"We've seen that, also, this new form of entertainment drives action offline, too. And probably the best example of this is what we call community commerce, which is the meeting point of shopping, people being in a shopping mindset, but also the entertaining content that's on TikTok and also our community too. And we've seen hashtags like <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.tiktok.com//discover//tiktok-made-me-buy-it?lang=en\%22>#TikTok made me buy\u00a0it<\/a>, have 57 billion hashtag views and all of these videos that are on TikTok are people discovering products, they're reviewing them, they're engaging with these different products and then having real-world impact,\" Kris Boger revealed.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How do big businesses use your data?<\/strong><\/h2><p>It's not just consumption which is changing due to technological advancements. The way we do business is also going through a major reshuffle.<\/p>\n<p>To find out more, we sent our reporter Ryan Capperauld to the launch of Google's new cloud service at the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.qncc.qa///">Qatar National Convention Center<\/a> in Doha where top Google bosses met to discuss the launch of a new cloud service in the region.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1660633064270094337\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"We are here today in Qatar, launching our first region in the Middle East. That's part of our expansion plan globally,\" explained\u00a0Tarik Khalil, Google Cloud Manager for the Middle East and North Africa.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"Demand coming from our customers and partners in the region has been growing. And usually in investing in countries where demand growth is, that demand is to stay close to our customers, to help them solve and reach their customers in a better way.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//73//89//60//808x454_cmsv2_476db052-6d2d-5bfa-b29e-52b3efcf93b3-7738960.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/384x216_cmsv2_476db052-6d2d-5bfa-b29e-52b3efcf93b3-7738960.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/640x360_cmsv2_476db052-6d2d-5bfa-b29e-52b3efcf93b3-7738960.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/750x422_cmsv2_476db052-6d2d-5bfa-b29e-52b3efcf93b3-7738960.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/828x466_cmsv2_476db052-6d2d-5bfa-b29e-52b3efcf93b3-7738960.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/1080x608_cmsv2_476db052-6d2d-5bfa-b29e-52b3efcf93b3-7738960.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/1200x675_cmsv2_476db052-6d2d-5bfa-b29e-52b3efcf93b3-7738960.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/1920x1080_cmsv2_476db052-6d2d-5bfa-b29e-52b3efcf93b3-7738960.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Tarik Khalil, Google Cloud Manager, Middle East & North Africa<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>When asked if this was part of a wider project for Google in the middle east,\u00a0Tarik Khalil told the Exchange that\u00a0\"Part of our investment in Qatar, it's the infrastructure.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"Second is our people and our workforce and the market with our ecosystem. We're bringing a huge ecosystem to the country in order to help our clients, our customers and prospects evolve and grow on achieving their goals.\"<\/p>\n<p>But how does this actually help businesses in regard to the data?<\/p>\n<p>\"We all know it's a data era [...] Data is growing fast and fast and fast. So that's the angle I think every organisation, every business has to address in a very efficient way. Eventually, they have to make faster decisions. They have to reach precise decisions, leveraging the power of tech as an enabler to get to these insights.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"So how we're helping them is by providing our unique unified data platform supported or actually being integrated now with AI capabilities into that platform just to make the process much more efficient, to be able to reach the data insights in a faster way.\"<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Where is the tech sector heading?<\/strong><\/h2><p>A promising era for the region then, entering new realms of interconnectivity. But what about the future of the sector overall?\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We caught up with Mario Aquino, who is the CEO of Future Labs Ventures in Singapore, a firm which invests in technological advancements.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//73//89//60//808x454_cmsv2_f56073b8-cb87-5efe-bb13-93527c03e7e5-7738960.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/384x216_cmsv2_f56073b8-cb87-5efe-bb13-93527c03e7e5-7738960.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/640x360_cmsv2_f56073b8-cb87-5efe-bb13-93527c03e7e5-7738960.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/750x422_cmsv2_f56073b8-cb87-5efe-bb13-93527c03e7e5-7738960.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/828x466_cmsv2_f56073b8-cb87-5efe-bb13-93527c03e7e5-7738960.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/1080x608_cmsv2_f56073b8-cb87-5efe-bb13-93527c03e7e5-7738960.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/1200x675_cmsv2_f56073b8-cb87-5efe-bb13-93527c03e7e5-7738960.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/1920x1080_cmsv2_f56073b8-cb87-5efe-bb13-93527c03e7e5-7738960.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Mario Aquino, CEO of Future Labs Ventures in Singapore<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"Every few minutes, hours and days, there are new discoveries,\"\u00a0Mario Aquino said.\u00a0\"We live in an unprecedented era of technology-enabled innovation. We focused mostly on addressing scalable market pain points that benefit your local force economies, but mostly also people and societies.\"<\/p>\n<p>TikTok and Google tell us that the opportunities for business extend far beyond making entertaining videos. Despite obvious concerns about data security, it appears that consumers, by and large, have welcomed tech giants into almost every part of our lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Traditional lines are blurring. CEOs, citizens and governments though are still trying to predict both the potential and the pitfalls of this very new and very intimate relationship.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1688903688,"publishedAt":1692198046,"updatedAt":1692251748,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/2023\/08\/16\/how-are-tech-companies-changing-the-way-we-consume-and-interact","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/62\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_46e2e37e-ef2c-55a0-8e1e-87908209165d-7738962.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f56073b8-cb87-5efe-bb13-93527c03e7e5-7738960.jpg","altText":"Mario Aquino, CEO of Future Labs Ventures in Singapore","caption":"Mario Aquino, CEO of Future Labs Ventures in Singapore","captionCredit":"Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_476db052-6d2d-5bfa-b29e-52b3efcf93b3-7738960.jpg","altText":"Tarik Khalil, Google Cloud Manager, Middle East & North Africa","caption":"Tarik Khalil, Google Cloud Manager, Middle East & North Africa","captionCredit":"Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/73\/89\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1d619bb8-dce9-5bf6-9530-be9ef38181bd-7738960.jpg","altText":"Kris Bodger, UK general manager of TikTok","caption":"Kris Bodger, UK general manager of TikTok","captionCredit":"Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":9505,"slug":"new-technologies","urlSafeValue":"new-technologies","title":"New technologies","titleRaw":"New technologies"},{"id":389,"slug":"technology","urlSafeValue":"technology","title":"Technology","titleRaw":"Technology"},{"id":4595,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business","titleRaw":"Business"},{"id":234,"slug":"qatar","urlSafeValue":"qatar","title":"Qatar","titleRaw":"Qatar"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":3},{"slug":"twitter","count":1},{"slug":"quotation","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2242554},{"id":2297222},{"id":2308214}],"technicalTags":[{"path":"editorial.media-city"},{"path":"editorial"},{"path":"sponsor.qfc2021"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/TX\/SU\/23\/08\/16\/en\/230816_TXSU_52355251_52355252_480000_142145_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":61554510,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/TX\/SU\/23\/08\/16\/en\/230816_TXSU_52355251_52355252_480000_142145_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":93746510,"expiresAt":0}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8n9dxc","youtubeId":"HyKq4parl9s"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"the-exchange","urlSafeValue":"the-exchange","title":"The exchange","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/next-series\/the-exchange"},"vertical":"next","verticals":[{"id":9,"slug":"next","urlSafeValue":"next","title":"Next"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":9,"slug":"next","urlSafeValue":"next","title":"Next"},"themes":[{"id":"next-series","urlSafeValue":"next-series","title":"Next Series","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/next-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":47,"urlSafeValue":"next-series","title":"Next-series"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1630511520,"endDate":2114355123,"type":"sponsored","isDfp":null,"slug":"Scenes","title":"Media City - Qatar","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Media City","sponsorName":"Scenes","sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/410\/300x114_cmsv2_34d67838-9191-52a0-9a53-1c81081387b0-410.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":234,"urlSafeValue":"qatar","title":"Qatar","url":"\/news\/asia\/qatar"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gs_busfin_business','gs_busfin','gt_positive','gt_positive_curiosity','gs_tech'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/next\/2023\/08\/16\/how-are-tech-companies-changing-the-way-we-consume-and-interact","lastModified":1692251748},{"id":2342126,"cid":7811172,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230810_FTWB_52702803","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup: New favourites and shock exits","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup: New favourites and shock exits","titleListing2":"The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup: New favourites and shock exits","leadin":"Few could have predicted the eight teams still standing when the Women's World Cup kicked off three weeks ago in Australia and New Zealand. In partnership with Media City Qatar.\n","summary":"Few could have predicted the eight teams still standing when the Women's World Cup kicked off three weeks ago in Australia and New Zealand. In partnership with Media City Qatar.\n","url":"the-2023-fifa-womens-world-cup-new-favourites-and-shock-exits","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"It's been hailed as the tournament of surprises, as few could have predicted the eight teams still standing when the Women's World Cup kicked off three weeks ago in Australia and New Zealand. \n\nThe two nations are hosting the FIFA World Cup, men's or women's, for the first time, and they have lived up to expectations. \n\nThere have been over 2 million tickets sold to date. And international viewing figures are hitting record numbers. In New Zealand, almost 40% of the general population tuned in to watch their team in the very first game. \n\nAfter a mesmerising opening ceremony in Auckland, co-hosts New Zealand kicked off the tournament with a historic 1-0 win over Norway. At the same time, Australia completed a dream opening day for Oceania as they beat Ireland by the same scoreline. \n\nThe group stage was full of twists and turns. Previous cup winners Germany's elimination was a shock to many. As were favourites Brazil and Canada, who were also both knocked out. The biggest surprise of all was four-time champions and cup holders, the USA, who were beaten on penalties by Sweden in the first knockout round. \n\nWith Brazil and the USA gone, we bid farewell to two footballing icons. 2023 will likely be the last major tournament for Brazilian legend Marta Vieira da Silva and the USA's Meghan Rapinoe. \n\n\"They're giants of women's football,\" explained BBC Sport journalist Emma Sanders, \"not just women's football, but football in general.\" \n\n\"Meghan Rapinoe is a former Ballon d'Or winner. She's won a World Cup title. She's won almost everything there is to win. So yes, she's been a phenomenal player and person on and off the pitch. She's left US soccer in a much better position than when she first started her career.\" \n\n\"Marta, on the other hand, has had an even bigger impact on global football. She may not have the same celebrity status as Rapinoe, but she's inspired so many girls and boys in Brazil and is one of the best players ever to play the game, and probably ever will.\" \n\nThe goalkeepers have got everyone talking this tournament. Multiple saves have paved the way for more clean sheets to be kept in the group stage, proving just how influential the keeper position has become. \n\n\"Certainly, some of the goalkeepers that I've watched have proven that the standard has risen to a very high level,\" Channel 10 commentator Simon Hill explained to Football Now. \n\n\"I also think that as the teams are now playing more professionally, the defences are better organised, so the goalkeepers are better protected.\" Simon continued. \n\nNext up is the quarter-finals. Remaining co-hosts Australia will play France, while the Netherlands, runners-up in 2019, will face Spain. \n\nAfter an impressive group stage, England and Japan are the new favourites to reach the final. \n\nJapan, with their exciting counter-attacking style, helped them score plenty of goals. Spain couldn't deal with their attacking threat as they were beaten 4-0 by the East-Asians. Meanwhile, European champions England breezed through the groups. Still, they found it hard to push past Nigeria, who sit 36 places below them in FIFA's world team rankings\u00a0 and claim their spot in the quarter-finals. \n\n\"I think the competition has been blown wide open with some of the big hitters going out early. England are right up there as one of the heavy favourites, but Japan were absolutely the best team in the group stage. I would back them to go all the way to the final.\" said Emma Sanders \n\nIt's been a fascinating tournament that will go down in history as one of the most iconic of all time. Who will win is anyone's guess, because the Women's World Cup is wide-open. \u00a0 \n\n","htmlText":"<h2>It's been hailed as the tournament of surprises, as few could have predicted the eight teams still standing when the Women's World Cup kicked off three weeks ago in Australia and New Zealand.<\/h2><p>The two nations are hosting the FIFA World Cup, men's or women's, for the first time, and they have lived up to expectations.<\/p>\n<p>There have been over 2 million tickets sold to date. And international viewing figures are hitting record numbers. In New Zealand, almost 40% of the general population tuned in to watch their team in the very first game.<\/p>\n<p>After a mesmerising opening ceremony in Auckland, co-hosts New Zealand kicked off the tournament with a historic 1-0 win over Norway. At the same time, Australia completed a dream opening day for Oceania as they beat Ireland by the same scoreline.<\/p>\n<p>The group stage was full of twists and turns. Previous cup winners Germany's elimination was a shock to many. As were favourites Brazil and Canada, who were also both knocked out. The biggest surprise of all was four-time champions and cup holders, the USA, who were beaten on penalties by Sweden in the first knockout round.<\/p>\n<p>With Brazil and the USA gone, we bid farewell to two footballing icons. 2023 will likely be the last major tournament for Brazilian legend Marta Vieira da Silva and the USA's Meghan Rapinoe.<\/p>\n<p>\"They're giants of women's football,\" explained BBC Sport journalist Emma Sanders, \"not just women's football, but football in general.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"Meghan Rapinoe is a former Ballon d'Or winner. She's won a World Cup title. She's won almost everything there is to win. So yes, she's been a phenomenal player and person on and off the pitch. She's left US soccer in a much better position than when she first started her career.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669244650683166\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//81//11//72//808x539_cmsv2_6f47e930-7372-5d66-9a70-a943d946e824-7811172.jpg/" alt=\"Scott Barbour/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/384x256_cmsv2_6f47e930-7372-5d66-9a70-a943d946e824-7811172.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/640x427_cmsv2_6f47e930-7372-5d66-9a70-a943d946e824-7811172.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/750x500_cmsv2_6f47e930-7372-5d66-9a70-a943d946e824-7811172.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/828x552_cmsv2_6f47e930-7372-5d66-9a70-a943d946e824-7811172.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/1080x720_cmsv2_6f47e930-7372-5d66-9a70-a943d946e824-7811172.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/1200x800_cmsv2_6f47e930-7372-5d66-9a70-a943d946e824-7811172.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/1920x1280_cmsv2_6f47e930-7372-5d66-9a70-a943d946e824-7811172.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Meghan Rapinoe's career ended with a missed spot kick<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Scott Barbour/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"Marta, on the other hand, has had an even bigger impact on global football. She may not have the same celebrity status as Rapinoe, but she's inspired so many girls and boys in Brazil and is one of the best players ever to play the game, and probably ever will.\"<\/p>\n<p>The goalkeepers have got everyone talking this tournament. Multiple saves have paved the way for more clean sheets to be kept in the group stage, proving just how influential the keeper position has become.<\/p>\n<p>\"Certainly, some of the goalkeepers that I've watched have proven that the standard has risen to a very high level,\" Channel 10 commentator Simon Hill explained to Football Now.<\/p>\n<p>\"I also think that as the teams are now playing more professionally, the defences are better organised, so the goalkeepers are better protected.\" Simon continued.<\/p>\n<p>Next up is the quarter-finals. Remaining co-hosts Australia will play France, while the Netherlands, runners-up in 2019, will face Spain.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665993129925237\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//81//11//72//808x539_cmsv2_6f30719e-ecd3-5339-9948-2fb1477ca003-7811172.jpg/" alt=\"Mark Baker/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/384x256_cmsv2_6f30719e-ecd3-5339-9948-2fb1477ca003-7811172.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/640x427_cmsv2_6f30719e-ecd3-5339-9948-2fb1477ca003-7811172.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/750x500_cmsv2_6f30719e-ecd3-5339-9948-2fb1477ca003-7811172.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/828x552_cmsv2_6f30719e-ecd3-5339-9948-2fb1477ca003-7811172.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/1080x720_cmsv2_6f30719e-ecd3-5339-9948-2fb1477ca003-7811172.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/1200x800_cmsv2_6f30719e-ecd3-5339-9948-2fb1477ca003-7811172.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/1920x1280_cmsv2_6f30719e-ecd3-5339-9948-2fb1477ca003-7811172.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The co-hosts have done themselves proud<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Mark Baker/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>After an impressive group stage, England and Japan are the new favourites to reach the final.<\/p>\n<p>Japan, with their exciting counter-attacking style, helped them score plenty of goals. Spain couldn't deal with their attacking threat as they were beaten 4-0 by the East-Asians. Meanwhile, European champions England breezed through the groups. Still, they found it hard to push past Nigeria, who sit 36 places below them in FIFA's world team rankings\u00a0and claim their spot in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n<p>\"I think the competition has been blown wide open with some of the big hitters going out early. England are right up there as one of the heavy favourites, but Japan were absolutely the best team in the group stage. I would back them to go all the way to the final.\" said Emma Sanders<\/p>\n<p>It's been a fascinating tournament that will go down in history as one of the most iconic of all time. Who will win is anyone's guess, because the Women's World Cup is wide-open.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691563821,"publishedAt":1691688634,"updatedAt":1691689161,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/10\/the-2023-fifa-womens-world-cup-new-favourites-and-shock-exits","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c4533d42-7fee-5193-90ae-33ba70f1062a-7811172.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1280,"height":720},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6f30719e-ecd3-5339-9948-2fb1477ca003-7811172.jpg","altText":"The co-hosts have done themselves proud","caption":"The co-hosts have done themselves proud","captionCredit":"Mark Baker\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":4949,"height":3299},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/11\/72\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_6f47e930-7372-5d66-9a70-a943d946e824-7811172.jpg","altText":"Meghan Rapinoe's career ended with a missed spot kick","caption":"Meghan Rapinoe's career ended with a missed spot kick","captionCredit":"Scott Barbour\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":3879,"height":2587}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":8257,"slug":"football","urlSafeValue":"football","title":"Football","titleRaw":"Football"},{"id":28892,"slug":"womens-world-cup-2023","urlSafeValue":"womens-world-cup-2023","title":"Women's World Cup 2023","titleRaw":"Women's World Cup 2023"},{"id":9097,"slug":"england","urlSafeValue":"england","title":"England","titleRaw":"England"},{"id":447,"slug":"usa","urlSafeValue":"usa","title":"USA","titleRaw":"USA"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2318082},{"id":2320224},{"id":2334458}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":360840,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":44482048,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/FT\/WB\/23\/08\/10\/en\/230810_FTWB_52702803_52702804_360840_164922_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":360840,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":68051968,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/FT\/WB\/23\/08\/10\/en\/230810_FTWB_52702803_52702804_360840_164922_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8n4xpu","youtubeId":"yPGYLN0buoU"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"football-now","urlSafeValue":"football-now","title":"Football Now","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/football-now"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"sport","urlSafeValue":"sport","title":"Sport","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/sport"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":8,"urlSafeValue":"sport","title":"Sport"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1630511520,"endDate":2114355123,"type":"sponsored","isDfp":null,"slug":"Scenes","title":"Media City - Qatar","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Media City","sponsorName":"Scenes","sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/410\/300x114_cmsv2_34d67838-9191-52a0-9a53-1c81081387b0-410.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":234,"urlSafeValue":"qatar","title":"Qatar","url":"\/news\/asia\/qatar"},"town":{"id":3937,"urlSafeValue":"doha","title":"Doha"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gs_sport','gs_sport_soccer','neg_facebook_2021','gt_negative','gs_busfin','neg_facebook','neg_facebook_neg11','neg_saudiaramco','castrol_negative_uk'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-web","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/10\/the-2023-fifa-womens-world-cup-new-favourites-and-shock-exits","lastModified":1691689161},{"id":2314522,"cid":7729958,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230809_QUSU_52309810","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12}],"status":2,"title":"Food, music, and pop culture: Qatar's 'Years of Culture' celebrates the beauty of places and people","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Qatar's 'Years of Culture' celebrates the beauty of places and people","titleListing2":"In this episode of Qatar 365, we look at how Qatar is welcoming diverse cultures and subcultures - from exploring the cultural ties between Qatar and Indonesia to taking a glimpse into the world of geekdom.","leadin":"In this episode of Qatar 365, we look at how Qatar is welcoming diverse cultures and subcultures - from exploring the cultural ties between Qatar and Indonesia to taking a glimpse into the world of geekdom.","summary":"In this episode of Qatar 365, we look at how Qatar is welcoming diverse cultures and subcultures - from exploring the cultural ties between Qatar and Indonesia to taking a glimpse into the world of geekdom.","url":"food-music-and-pop-culture-qatars-years-of-culture-celebrates-the-beauty-of-places-and-peo","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Flag Plaza in Qatar is a public space that was launched to mark the 10th year of the country\u2019s annual \u2018 Years of Culture \u2019 exchange programme. \n\nThe project aims to foster partnerships with a different nation each year by sharing and enjoying \"each country\u2019s creative, cultural and artistic offerings.\" \n\nThis year\u2019s chosen country is Indonesia, and the Southeast Asian nation has pulled out all the stops to showcase its vibrant culture. \n\nExperiencing culture through food, music, and fashion \n\nWhen it comes to introducing people to different cultures and cuisine, there\u2019s no better way than through a food festival. \n\nFor this year's\u00a0 Qatar International Food Festival , thousands of visitors gathered at Lusail Boulevard, all wanting a bite of what\u2019s on offer.\u00a0Among nearly 100 stalls offering a variety of international food and snacks, the spotlight this year was on Indonesian cuisine.\u00a0 \n\nThe dinner capped off another successful edition of the food festival, but it\u2019s one of many events in the \u2018Years of Culture\u2019 calendar. \n\n\"We enjoy a very good relationship between Indonesia and Qatar. But it is also good to have a better understanding among the people through the culture,\" revealed His Excellency Ridwan Hassan, the Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar. \"Qatar-Indonesia Year of Culture is contributing a lot to these things.\" \n\nIt\u2019s not just food that brings cultures together. Music, theatre and the arts are also universal languages that can portray a country\u2019s culture, diversity and values. At the Katara Cultural Village , a special musical performance was staged to give a glimpse into the colourful world of Indonesian theatre. \n\nAt the Katara Opera House , a troupe of actors and actresses was flown in from different parts of Indonesia to perform \u2018Hayati\u2019 - a musical interpretation of some of the oldest and most treasured Indonesian epics.\u00a0 \n\nWith gold headpieces, traditional theatre masks, and colourful, flowy \u2018batik', the costumes for Hayati were specially put together by one of Indonesia\u2019s acclaimed fashion designers, Era Soekamto. \n\n\"Batik is a profound art. It\u2019s not only the way to put the wax and the colouring techniques into a cloth, but it's also a visual communication. So, it's a very profound way to present all the philosophies, all the wisdoms into one cloth,\" Era Soekamto explained. \n\nAnd what\u2019s a performance without music?\u00a0In addition to \u2018gamelan\u2019, an Indonesian ensemble made up of tuned gongs, Hayati mixes old and new sounds by marrying traditional and modern techniques.\u00a0 \n\n\"The colour of sound in traditional Indonesian music is diverse. We tried to combine the colour of the sound that exists in the archipelago. I took some Javanese melody and traditional melody that we created as new, with the elements of strings and swiping methods,\" said Music Director, Gunarto Bahasa. \n\n'Feel the city' on two wheels \n\nTo say Ali Bin Towar Al Kuwari loves to travel, would be an understatement. The Qatari entrepreneur and athlete has visited more than 80 countries.\u00a0 \n\nSo, it\u2019s only right he was named the Years of Culture initiative\u2019s CultuRide Ambassador \u2013 a cycling tour of historical sites in Yogyakarta, Indonesia,\u00a0home of the\u00a0Borobudur Temple, the\u00a0largest Buddhist temple in the world.\u00a0 \n\n\"It was absolutely magnificent to see the biggest temple in the world and to witness a piece of history that goes very deep,\" he told Qatar 365. \n\n\"When you go low on transportation, you start seeing and feeling the city itself. So, when you cycle, you see the small kids, you see the chickens, you see the rocks. You see, you feel every place, the trees, every single place you visit and you go. This is why I always insist [on using] my bike to feel the city more.\" \n\nTalking about the Year of Culture Indonesia-Qatar 2023, Ali Bin Towar Al Kuwari told Qatar 365 that his latest trip to the Southeast Asian country \"taught me a lot of stuff on a personal level.\" \n\n\"We were talking to locals about what their daily life is and what they face in life. I was leading a group of 17 people, so when we went to Indonesia, everybody was going and exploring the culture to its roots.\u00a0 \n\n\"They have a magnificent discovery in Indonesia and then they have a lot of differences and religion. And I noticed I tried to understand how they live with peace, with all this diversity,\" he added. \n\n'Geekend': Celebrating international pop culture in Qatar \n\nCosplaying as a Japanese anime character is not something you\u2019d expect to see in Qatar. But for one weekend a year, \u2018 Geekend \u2019 is the place to be for cosplay enthusiasts, gamers and adventure seekers. \n\nLast year, Simran Kadam came to \u2018Geekend\u2019 as a fan. This year, she\u2019s back\u2026 to cosplay as \u2018Kamisato Ayaka\u2019, a Japanese video game character. \n\n\"She\u2019s basically a person who has [...] a burden on her shoulders because she needs to look like a princess in front of everyone. But then she is really alone because she doesn't have her parents and she's supposed to look perfect all the time,\" Simran explained. \n\nBut when she\u2019s at \u2018Geekend\u2019, Kadam is far from alone. In fact, her character\u2019s costume is a great ice-breaker. \n\n\"Today, I could just walk up to people and they'd be like \u2018Oh my God, is that Kamisato Ayaka?\u2019 And then we become instant friends,\" she explained. \n\n\u2018Geekend\u2019 is a safe space to \u2018geek out\u2019 and embrace your inner nerd. Organisers hope it\u2019s also a place to be engaged and inspired where visitors can comfortably celebrate all things nerdy, without judgement. \n\n\"Here, we celebrate pop culture. We celebrate people who [...] want to showcase their love for anime, for video games, for board games, and overall [we celebrate] talented young people,\" said Abdulla Jassim Al-Mosallam, CAO of the Doha Film Institute . \n\nMohamed Alansi has fun with video games. But he doesn\u2019t just play them, he creates them.\u00a0The Qatari video game developer appreciates \u2018Geekend\u2019 gives him the opportunity to spend time with fellow gamers. \n\n\"'Geekend\u2019 is important to us game developers so that people know that there is a segment here that loves to develop games and has this trend, and so people also know that we are here and encourage us,\" he admitted. \n\nFrom gamers to adventure-seekers to cosplayers, there\u2019s a subculture for everyone. \n\n\"When you just look around, people are bonding. They're bonding over their favourite game, their favourite characters, their favourite films. You're not going to find this anywhere else in Qatar. You'll find it here,\" said Simran Santosh Kadam. \n\nAnd that's music to the ears of the organisers. \n\n\"Being a geek wasn\u2019t always something that people were proud to call themselves,\"\u00a0Abdulla Jassim Al-Mosallam revealed.\u00a0\"But now we're taking ownership of the name and we're being proud of what we love and enjoy.\" \n\n","htmlText":"<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////mia.org.qa//en//visit//flag-plaza///">Flag Plaza<\/a> in Qatar is a public space that was launched to mark the 10th year of the country\u2019s annual \u2018<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////qm.org.qa//en//about-us//education//years-of-culture-education///">Years of Culture<\/a>\u2019 exchange programme.<\/p>\n<p>The project aims to foster partnerships with a different nation each year by sharing and enjoying \"each country\u2019s creative, cultural and artistic offerings.\"<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s chosen country is Indonesia, and the Southeast Asian nation has pulled out all the stops to showcase its vibrant culture.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Experiencing culture through food, music, and fashion<\/strong><\/h2><p>When it comes to introducing people to different cultures and cuisine, there\u2019s no better way than through a food festival.<\/p>\n<p>For this year's\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////visitqatar.com//intl-en//events-calendar//qatar-international-food-festival/">Qatar International Food Festival<\/a>, thousands of visitors gathered at Lusail Boulevard, all wanting a bite of what\u2019s on offer.\u00a0Among nearly 100 stalls offering a variety of international food and snacks, the spotlight this year was on Indonesian cuisine.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The dinner capped off another successful edition of the food festival, but it\u2019s one of many events in the \u2018Years of Culture\u2019 calendar.<\/p>\n<p>\"We enjoy a very good relationship between Indonesia and Qatar. But it is also good to have a better understanding among the people through the culture,\" revealed His Excellency Ridwan Hassan, the Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar. \"Qatar-Indonesia Year of Culture is contributing a lot to these things.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//72//99//58//808x454_cmsv2_85f3bc5d-d16a-591e-b545-51f9f2f8b454-7729958.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/384x216_cmsv2_85f3bc5d-d16a-591e-b545-51f9f2f8b454-7729958.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/640x360_cmsv2_85f3bc5d-d16a-591e-b545-51f9f2f8b454-7729958.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/750x422_cmsv2_85f3bc5d-d16a-591e-b545-51f9f2f8b454-7729958.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/828x466_cmsv2_85f3bc5d-d16a-591e-b545-51f9f2f8b454-7729958.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1080x608_cmsv2_85f3bc5d-d16a-591e-b545-51f9f2f8b454-7729958.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1200x675_cmsv2_85f3bc5d-d16a-591e-b545-51f9f2f8b454-7729958.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1920x1080_cmsv2_85f3bc5d-d16a-591e-b545-51f9f2f8b454-7729958.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">His Excellency Ridwan Hassan, the Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not just food that brings cultures together. Music, theatre and the arts are also universal languages that can portray a country\u2019s culture, diversity and values. At the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.katara.net///">Katara Cultural Village<\/a>, a special musical performance was staged to give a glimpse into the colourful world of Indonesian theatre.<\/p>\n<p>At the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.katara.net//en//visiting//venues-landmarks//the-opera-house/">Katara Opera House<\/a>, a troupe of actors and actresses was flown in from different parts of Indonesia to perform \u2018Hayati\u2019 - a musical interpretation of some of the oldest and most treasured Indonesian epics.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>With gold headpieces, traditional theatre masks, and colourful, flowy \u2018batik', the costumes for Hayati were specially put together by one of Indonesia\u2019s acclaimed fashion designers, Era Soekamto.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//72//99//58//808x454_cmsv2_4e9e8511-74e8-50ba-8b25-bfe62d8aa035-7729958.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/384x216_cmsv2_4e9e8511-74e8-50ba-8b25-bfe62d8aa035-7729958.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/640x360_cmsv2_4e9e8511-74e8-50ba-8b25-bfe62d8aa035-7729958.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/750x422_cmsv2_4e9e8511-74e8-50ba-8b25-bfe62d8aa035-7729958.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/828x466_cmsv2_4e9e8511-74e8-50ba-8b25-bfe62d8aa035-7729958.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1080x608_cmsv2_4e9e8511-74e8-50ba-8b25-bfe62d8aa035-7729958.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1200x675_cmsv2_4e9e8511-74e8-50ba-8b25-bfe62d8aa035-7729958.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1920x1080_cmsv2_4e9e8511-74e8-50ba-8b25-bfe62d8aa035-7729958.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The costumes for Hayati include gold headpieces, traditional theatre masks, and colourful, flowy \u2018batik\u2019.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"Batik is a profound art. It\u2019s not only the way to put the wax and the colouring techniques into a cloth, but it's also a visual communication. So, it's a very profound way to present all the philosophies, all the wisdoms into one cloth,\" Era Soekamto explained.<\/p>\n<p>And what\u2019s a performance without music?\u00a0In addition to \u2018gamelan\u2019, an Indonesian ensemble made up of tuned gongs, Hayati mixes old and new sounds by marrying traditional and modern techniques.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"The colour of sound in traditional Indonesian music is diverse. We tried to combine the colour of the sound that exists in the archipelago. I took some Javanese melody and traditional melody that we created as new, with the elements of strings and swiping methods,\" said Music Director, Gunarto Bahasa.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//72//99//58//808x454_cmsv2_7f345e43-c79a-5755-b8df-9840eabba928-7729958.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/384x216_cmsv2_7f345e43-c79a-5755-b8df-9840eabba928-7729958.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/640x360_cmsv2_7f345e43-c79a-5755-b8df-9840eabba928-7729958.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/750x422_cmsv2_7f345e43-c79a-5755-b8df-9840eabba928-7729958.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/828x466_cmsv2_7f345e43-c79a-5755-b8df-9840eabba928-7729958.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1080x608_cmsv2_7f345e43-c79a-5755-b8df-9840eabba928-7729958.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1200x675_cmsv2_7f345e43-c79a-5755-b8df-9840eabba928-7729958.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1920x1080_cmsv2_7f345e43-c79a-5755-b8df-9840eabba928-7729958.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Gunarto Bahasa, Music Director<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2><strong>'Feel the city' on two wheels<\/strong><\/h2><p>To say Ali Bin Towar Al Kuwari loves to travel, would be an understatement. The Qatari entrepreneur and athlete has visited more than 80 countries.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>So, it\u2019s only right he was named the Years of Culture initiative\u2019s <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////yearsofculture.qa//editions//qatar-indonesia//events//culturide-indonesia-2023/">CultuRide Ambassador \u2013 a cycling tour of historical sites in Yogyakarta, Indonesia,\u00a0home of the\u00a0Borobudur Temple, the\u00a0largest Buddhist temple in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"It was absolutely magnificent to see the biggest temple in the world and to witness a piece of history that goes very deep,\" he told Qatar 365.<\/p>\n<p>\"When you go low on transportation, you start seeing and feeling the city itself. So, when you cycle, you see the small kids, you see the chickens, you see the rocks. You see, you feel every place, the trees, every single place you visit and you go. This is why I always insist [on using] my bike to feel the city more.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//72//99//58//808x454_cmsv2_0f85f1bc-6bde-5af8-b5b7-4a100f70ff8d-7729958.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/384x216_cmsv2_0f85f1bc-6bde-5af8-b5b7-4a100f70ff8d-7729958.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/640x360_cmsv2_0f85f1bc-6bde-5af8-b5b7-4a100f70ff8d-7729958.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/750x422_cmsv2_0f85f1bc-6bde-5af8-b5b7-4a100f70ff8d-7729958.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/828x466_cmsv2_0f85f1bc-6bde-5af8-b5b7-4a100f70ff8d-7729958.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1080x608_cmsv2_0f85f1bc-6bde-5af8-b5b7-4a100f70ff8d-7729958.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1200x675_cmsv2_0f85f1bc-6bde-5af8-b5b7-4a100f70ff8d-7729958.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1920x1080_cmsv2_0f85f1bc-6bde-5af8-b5b7-4a100f70ff8d-7729958.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Ali Bin Towar Al Kuwari, Athlete, CultuRide Ambassador, Year of Culture<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Talking about the Year of Culture Indonesia-Qatar 2023, Ali Bin Towar Al Kuwari told Qatar 365 that his latest trip to the Southeast Asian country \"taught me a lot of stuff on a personal level.\"<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7679164,7545050\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//05//03//qatar-365-discover-the-ancient-traditions-of-sadu-weaving-sword-making-and-falconry/">Qatar 365: Discover the ancient traditions of Sadu weaving, sword making and falconry <\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//12//feast-your-eyes-on-qatars-ample-collection-of-world-cuisines/">Feast your eyes on Qatar\u2019s ample collection of world cuisines<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"We were talking to locals about what their daily life is and what they face in life. I was leading a group of 17 people, so when we went to Indonesia, everybody was going and exploring the culture to its roots.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//72//99//58//808x454_cmsv2_89218b94-7c1c-56d3-8167-1f7e90a48281-7729958.jpg/" alt=\"Ali Bin Towar\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/384x216_cmsv2_89218b94-7c1c-56d3-8167-1f7e90a48281-7729958.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/640x360_cmsv2_89218b94-7c1c-56d3-8167-1f7e90a48281-7729958.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/750x422_cmsv2_89218b94-7c1c-56d3-8167-1f7e90a48281-7729958.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/828x466_cmsv2_89218b94-7c1c-56d3-8167-1f7e90a48281-7729958.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1080x608_cmsv2_89218b94-7c1c-56d3-8167-1f7e90a48281-7729958.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1200x675_cmsv2_89218b94-7c1c-56d3-8167-1f7e90a48281-7729958.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1920x1080_cmsv2_89218b94-7c1c-56d3-8167-1f7e90a48281-7729958.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Yogyakarta, Indonesia CultuRide tour<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Ali Bin Towar<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"They have a magnificent discovery in Indonesia and then they have a lot of differences and religion. And I noticed I tried to understand how they live with peace, with all this diversity,\" he added.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>'Geekend': Celebrating international pop culture in Qatar<\/strong><\/h2><p>Cosplaying as a Japanese anime character is not something you\u2019d expect to see in Qatar. But for one weekend a year, \u2018<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.dohafilminstitute.com//nowplaying//geekend/">Geekend/u2019 is the place to be for cosplay enthusiasts, gamers and adventure seekers.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, Simran Kadam came to \u2018Geekend\u2019 as a fan. This year, she\u2019s back\u2026 to cosplay as \u2018Kamisato Ayaka\u2019, a Japanese video game character.<\/p>\n<p>\"She\u2019s basically a person who has [...] a burden on her shoulders because she needs to look like a princess in front of everyone. But then she is really alone because she doesn't have her parents and she's supposed to look perfect all the time,\" Simran explained.<\/p>\n<p>But when she\u2019s at \u2018Geekend\u2019, Kadam is far from alone. In fact, her character\u2019s costume is a great ice-breaker.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//72//99//58//808x454_cmsv2_5936b837-9ebc-5246-a59c-2212dba7f7ac-7729958.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/384x216_cmsv2_5936b837-9ebc-5246-a59c-2212dba7f7ac-7729958.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/640x360_cmsv2_5936b837-9ebc-5246-a59c-2212dba7f7ac-7729958.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/750x422_cmsv2_5936b837-9ebc-5246-a59c-2212dba7f7ac-7729958.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/828x466_cmsv2_5936b837-9ebc-5246-a59c-2212dba7f7ac-7729958.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1080x608_cmsv2_5936b837-9ebc-5246-a59c-2212dba7f7ac-7729958.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1200x675_cmsv2_5936b837-9ebc-5246-a59c-2212dba7f7ac-7729958.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1920x1080_cmsv2_5936b837-9ebc-5246-a59c-2212dba7f7ac-7729958.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Simran Santosh Kadam, Cosplayer, \u2018Kamisato Ayaka\u2019<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"Today, I could just walk up to people and they'd be like \u2018Oh my God, is that Kamisato Ayaka?\u2019 And then we become instant friends,\" she explained.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">When you just look around, people are bonding. They're bonding over their favourite game, their favourite characters, their favourite films. You're not going to find this anywhere else in Qatar. You'll find it here.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Simran Santosh Kadam\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n Cosplayer\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u2018Geekend\u2019 is a safe space to \u2018geek out\u2019 and embrace your inner nerd. Organisers hope it\u2019s also a place to be engaged and inspired where visitors can comfortably celebrate all things nerdy, without judgement.<\/p>\n<p>\"Here, we celebrate pop culture. We celebrate people who [...] want to showcase their love for anime, for video games, for board games, and overall [we celebrate] talented young people,\" said Abdulla Jassim Al-Mosallam, CAO of the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.dohafilminstitute.com///">Doha Film Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Mohamed Alansi has fun with video games. But he doesn\u2019t just play them, he creates them.\u00a0The Qatari video game developer appreciates \u2018Geekend\u2019 gives him the opportunity to spend time with fellow gamers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//72//99//58//808x454_cmsv2_60733971-4010-5c94-88a6-0921be653349-7729958.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/384x216_cmsv2_60733971-4010-5c94-88a6-0921be653349-7729958.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/640x360_cmsv2_60733971-4010-5c94-88a6-0921be653349-7729958.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/750x422_cmsv2_60733971-4010-5c94-88a6-0921be653349-7729958.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/828x466_cmsv2_60733971-4010-5c94-88a6-0921be653349-7729958.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1080x608_cmsv2_60733971-4010-5c94-88a6-0921be653349-7729958.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1200x675_cmsv2_60733971-4010-5c94-88a6-0921be653349-7729958.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/1920x1080_cmsv2_60733971-4010-5c94-88a6-0921be653349-7729958.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Abdulla Jassim Al-Mosallam, CAO of the Doha Film Institute<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"'Geekend\u2019 is important to us game developers so that people know that there is a segment here that loves to develop games and has this trend, and so people also know that we are here and encourage us,\" he admitted.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1671277476570447872\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>From gamers to adventure-seekers to cosplayers, there\u2019s a subculture for everyone.<\/p>\n<p>\"When you just look around, people are bonding. They're bonding over their favourite game, their favourite characters, their favourite films. You're not going to find this anywhere else in Qatar. You'll find it here,\" said Simran Santosh Kadam.<\/p>\n<p>And that's music to the ears of the organisers.<\/p>\n<p>\"Being a geek wasn\u2019t always something that people were proud to call themselves,\"\u00a0Abdulla Jassim Al-Mosallam revealed.\u00a0\"But now we're taking ownership of the name and we're being proud of what we love and enjoy.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1688561942,"publishedAt":1691596816,"updatedAt":1691615540,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/09\/food-music-and-pop-culture-qatars-years-of-culture-celebrates-the-beauty-of-places-and-peo","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a6076cc4-f4c2-5c86-b323-fd8bc0474a6a-7729960.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_60733971-4010-5c94-88a6-0921be653349-7729958.jpg","altText":"Abdulla Jassim Al-Mosallam, CAO of the Doha Film Institute","caption":"Abdulla Jassim Al-Mosallam, CAO of the Doha Film Institute","captionCredit":"Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5936b837-9ebc-5246-a59c-2212dba7f7ac-7729958.jpg","altText":"Simran Santosh Kadam, Cosplayer, \u2018Kamisato Ayaka\u2019","caption":"Simran Santosh Kadam, Cosplayer, \u2018Kamisato Ayaka\u2019","captionCredit":"Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_89218b94-7c1c-56d3-8167-1f7e90a48281-7729958.jpg","altText":"Yogyakarta, Indonesia CultuRide tour","caption":"Yogyakarta, Indonesia CultuRide tour","captionCredit":"Ali Bin Towar","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7401f78f-879b-5cfc-bf95-323efa821790-7729958.jpg","altText":"Yogyakarta, Indonesia CultuRide tour","caption":"Yogyakarta, Indonesia CultuRide tour","captionCredit":"Ali Bin Towar","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0f85f1bc-6bde-5af8-b5b7-4a100f70ff8d-7729958.jpg","altText":"Ali Bin Towar Al Kuwari, Athlete, CultuRide Ambassador, Year of Culture","caption":"Ali Bin Towar Al Kuwari, Athlete, CultuRide Ambassador, Year of Culture","captionCredit":"Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7f345e43-c79a-5755-b8df-9840eabba928-7729958.jpg","altText":"Gunarto Bahasa, Music Director","caption":"Gunarto Bahasa, Music Director","captionCredit":"Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4e9e8511-74e8-50ba-8b25-bfe62d8aa035-7729958.jpg","altText":"The costumes for Hayati include gold headpieces, traditional theatre masks, and colourful, flowy \u2018batik\u2019. ","caption":"The costumes for Hayati include gold headpieces, traditional theatre masks, and colourful, flowy \u2018batik\u2019. ","captionCredit":"Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/99\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_85f3bc5d-d16a-591e-b545-51f9f2f8b454-7729958.jpg","altText":"His Excellency Ridwan Hassan, the Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar","caption":"His Excellency Ridwan Hassan, the Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar","captionCredit":"Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":574,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture","titleRaw":"Culture"},{"id":11678,"slug":"youth","urlSafeValue":"youth","title":"Youth","titleRaw":"Youth"},{"id":234,"slug":"qatar","urlSafeValue":"qatar","title":"Qatar","titleRaw":"Qatar"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":7},{"slug":"twitter","count":1},{"slug":"quotation","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2280602},{"id":2288846},{"id":2332642}],"technicalTags":[{"path":"editorial.media-city"},{"path":"editorial"},{"path":"sponsor.qatar-foundation"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":720000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":70335734,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/QU\/SU\/23\/08\/09\/en\/230809_QUSU_52309810_52309811_720000_150454_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":720000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":117800890,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/QU\/SU\/23\/08\/09\/en\/230809_QUSU_52309810_52309811_720000_150454_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"pgN9Uh2wEL8"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"qatar-365","urlSafeValue":"qatar-365","title":"Qatar 365","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/qatar-365"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1630511520,"endDate":2114355123,"type":"sponsored","isDfp":null,"slug":"Scenes","title":"Media City - Qatar","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Media City","sponsorName":"Scenes","sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/410\/300x114_cmsv2_34d67838-9191-52a0-9a53-1c81081387b0-410.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":234,"urlSafeValue":"qatar","title":"Qatar","url":"\/news\/asia\/qatar"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gs_genres','gs_news','gs_news_and_weather','gs_science_weather'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/09\/food-music-and-pop-culture-qatars-years-of-culture-celebrates-the-beauty-of-places-and-peo","lastModified":1691615540},{"id":2340376,"cid":7806040,"versionId":7,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230807_NWSU_52679703","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Economic turmoil and spiraling prices: Just how bad is poverty in Turkey?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Life on the breadline: Just how bad is poverty in Turkey?","titleListing2":"\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddf7 It now costs more to feed a family in Turkey than they'll make on minimum wage: So just how bad is poverty in Turkey? ","leadin":"The Turkish economy was a success story of the 21st century, but now things aren't so rosy. ","summary":"The Turkish economy was a success story of the 21st century, but now things aren't so rosy. ","url":"economic-mismanagement-and-rising-prices-just-how-bad-is-poverty-in-turkey","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Three months behind on the rent. \n\nWater and electricity cut off. \n\nLandlord hammering on the door. \n\nThis is the dire situation faced by one family with three young children, including a four-month-old baby in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city.\u00a0 \n\n\u201cYou know my son has epilepsy. He has been in the hospital for 2 weeks,\u201d the father of the family told Euronews, wishing to stay anonymous. \u201cI'm dying of sickness too, my cupboard is empty.\u201d \n\n\u201cI feel so victimised. I don't know what to say. I have 100 liras [\u20ac3.4] in my pocket. Should I buy nappies? Milk formula? Or do I get cooking oil,\" he added, alluding to an impossible choice between buying food or other essentials.\u00a0 \n\nBut the struggling family is far from alone.\u00a0 \n\nNearly one-third of Turkey\u2019s population is currently at risk of poverty or social exclusion , according to a recent report published by the Turkish Statistical Insitute.\u00a0 \n\nThis worrying trend risks reversing the\u00a0 significant achievements the country has made in combating poverty since the early 2000s, with the Turkish economy growing rapidly over the last two decades.\u00a0 \n\n\u201cI have been working on poverty for 22 years, but I have never seen such a bad situation,\u201d says\u00a0 Hacer Foggo , a Poverty Solidarity Office Coordinator\u00a0for the Republican People's Party (CHP).\u00a0 \n\nShe lists the troubling symptoms of how this crisis is affecting ordinary Turks:\u00a0Women unable to afford sanitary products, rising obesity as families switch to cheaper, low-quality food, students dropping out of university - the list goes on.\u00a0 \n\n\u201cPeople cannot meet their basic needs,\u201d Foggo told Euronews. \u201cThis in turn is causing\u00a0 anxiety, depression and isolating families.\u201d \n\nAnd these troubled times are taking their toll.\u00a0 \n\nTurkish medical professionals have sounded the alarm over rising levels of mental illness, pointing to a \u201cserious increase\u201d in the use of psychiatric drugs. \n\nMeanwhile, two-thirds of respondents in a 2022 Y\u00f6neylem Social Research Center survey said they were depressed due to financial difficulties.\u00a0 \n\n'No money to eat' \n\nA broad cross-section of Turkish society is currently struggling. But children are bearing the brunt of the poverty problem, according to Foggo. \n\nSome are going to school hungry or dropping out of education entirely to instead work and bring in money for the household, she claims.\u00a0 \n\n\u201cA generation that is both mentally and psychologically unhealthy is coming,\u201d she warned. \n\nAround a third of children in Turkey are living in poor households and experiencing some type of material deprivation, according to data cited by UNICEF in 2020.\u00a0 \n\nGrave economic problems lie behind what is happening inside the country. \n\nTurkey has been battered by years of sky-high inflation, with prices nearly 50% higher in July compared to the year before, as per official data released earlier this month.\u00a0\u00a0 \n\nIndependent economists at the Inflation Research Group say the true figure is far higher at around 70%, however.\u00a0 \n\n\"Once I get money, I am out of pocket,\" the father of three from Istanbul told Euronews, claiming that after paying his rent and bills, he is left with nothing.\u00a0 \n\n\"I am not eating. Sometimes I write off a debt to the grocery store,\" he added.\u00a0 \n\nThe man points out that the 1550 lira (\u20ac52) he receives in state support does not even cover his family's food bill, which he estimated at nearly 2500 lira (\u20ac84) a month.\u00a0 \n\nLast week,\u00a0the Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (T\u00fcrk-\u0130\u015f) reported\u00a0the hunger line \u2013 referring to the minimum amount a family of four has to spend to feed themselves \u2013 is now more than the minimum wage .\u00a0 \n\nThat\u2019s despite the government raising the minimum wage by 34% in July. \n\nMany countries around the world have been ravaged by inflation, fuelled by the Ukraine war and climate change, but some factors are unique to Turkey.\u00a0 \n\nCurrency collapse has helped drive one of the highest rates of inflation in Europe, eroding wages and hammering local businesses. Yet deeper structural issues are also at play.\u00a0 \n\nIn September 2021, 1 US dollar was worth around 8 Turkish lira, yet in July 2023 it was 27. \n\nBehind this lies something else.\u00a0 \n\nSpeaking to Euronews last autumn, Timothy Ash , an emerging markets expert at BlueBay Asset Management, said economic mismanagement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) has fuelled inflation and caused the lira to nose dive. \n\nHe blamed Erdogan\u2019s decision not to increase interest rates - which would cool inflation - due to his \u201cunorthodox\u201d understanding of monetary policy, Islamic beliefs about usury, and how many of his political allies benefit from rock bottom rates. \n\nA centralisation of power is at the heart of this issue, Ash claimed, with the Turkish president widely accused of taking an authoritarian turn.\u00a0 \n\n\u201cErdogan blames everyone else,\u201d he told Euronews. \u201cHe has a team of people around him who are yes men. They don't tell the truth to power. It's like the Emperor's New Clothes.\u201d \n\nFollowing his re-election in May, Erdogan\u2019s government is reportedly forging a new economic path, having signalled he is ready to reverse his unconventional policies by appointing new figures to the central bank and finance ministry. \n\nThe lira\u2019s plunge continues, however. \n\nFor CHP official Foggo, many of Turkey\u2019s poverty problems are far from new, claiming the authorities have failed to act for years. \n\n\u201cAll of these [issues] are actually alarming things in the past. This shows that no action has actually been taken,\" she told Euronews, calling for a solution based on human rights.\u00a0 \n\n\u201cWe need a rights-based social policy that includes students, women, single mothers, the disabled, the elderly, children and every individual living in poverty according to their needs.\u201d \n\n\u201cAs poverty deepens and prolongs, its effects only get worse.\u201d \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Three months behind on the rent.<\/p>\n<p>Water and electricity cut off.<\/p>\n<p>Landlord hammering on the door.<\/p>\n<p>This is the dire situation faced by one family with three young children, including a four-month-old baby in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou know my son has epilepsy. He has been in the hospital for 2 weeks,\u201d the father of the family told Euronews, wishing to stay anonymous. \u201cI'm dying of sickness too, my cupboard is empty.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel so victimised. I don't know what to say. I have 100 liras [\u20ac3.4] in my pocket. Should I buy nappies? Milk formula? Or do I get cooking oil,\" he added, alluding to an impossible choice between buying food or other essentials.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But the struggling family is far from alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Nearly one-third of Turkey\u2019s population is currently at risk of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////data.tuik.gov.tr//Bulten//Index?p=Poverty-and-Living-Conditions-Statistics-2022-49746\%22>poverty or social exclusion<\/strong><\/a>, according to a recent report published by the Turkish Statistical Insitute.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This worrying trend risks reversing the\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////databankfiles.worldbank.org//public//ddpext_download//poverty//33EF03BB-9722-4AE2-ABC7-AA2972D68AFE//Global_POVEQ_TUR.pdf/">significant achievements<\/strong><\/a> the country has made in combating poverty since the early 2000s, with the Turkish economy growing rapidly over the last two decades.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//80//60//40//808x454_cmsv2_9b65b9bd-f67f-5fe2-8d69-135155ac682a-7806040.jpg/" alt=\"AFP\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/384x216_cmsv2_9b65b9bd-f67f-5fe2-8d69-135155ac682a-7806040.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/640x360_cmsv2_9b65b9bd-f67f-5fe2-8d69-135155ac682a-7806040.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/750x422_cmsv2_9b65b9bd-f67f-5fe2-8d69-135155ac682a-7806040.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/828x466_cmsv2_9b65b9bd-f67f-5fe2-8d69-135155ac682a-7806040.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/1080x608_cmsv2_9b65b9bd-f67f-5fe2-8d69-135155ac682a-7806040.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/1200x675_cmsv2_9b65b9bd-f67f-5fe2-8d69-135155ac682a-7806040.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/1920x1080_cmsv2_9b65b9bd-f67f-5fe2-8d69-135155ac682a-7806040.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: A vegetable vendor waits for customers at a bazaar in Istanbul on September 6, 2022<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AFP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cI have been working on poverty for 22 years, but I have never seen such a bad situation,\u201d says\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////twitter.com//hacerfoggo/">Hacer Foggo<\/strong><\/a>, a Poverty Solidarity Office Coordinator\u00a0for the Republican People's Party (CHP).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She lists the troubling symptoms of how this crisis is affecting ordinary Turks:\u00a0Women unable to afford sanitary products, rising obesity as families switch to cheaper, low-quality food, students dropping out of university - the list goes on.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople cannot meet their basic needs,\u201d Foggo told Euronews. \u201cThis in turn is causing\u00a0 anxiety, depression and isolating families.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And these troubled times are taking their toll.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Turkish medical professionals have <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.hurriyetdailynews.com//rising-signs-of-depression-in-turkey-warns-medical-expert-152364/">sounded the alarm<\/strong><\/a> over rising levels of mental illness, pointing to a \u201cserious increase\u201d in the use of psychiatric drugs.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, two-thirds of respondents in a 2022 Y\u00f6neylem Social Research Center survey said they were <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////ahvalnews.com//inflation//70-percent-turkey-struggling-pay-food-survey-finds/">depressed due to financial difficulties.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2><strong>'No money to eat'<\/strong><\/h2><p>A broad cross-section of Turkish society is currently struggling. But children are bearing the brunt of the poverty problem, according to Foggo.<\/p>\n<p>Some are going to school hungry or dropping out of education entirely to instead work and bring in money for the household, she claims.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA generation that is both mentally and psychologically unhealthy is coming,\u201d she warned.<\/p>\n<p>Around a third of children in Turkey are <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.unicef.org//turkiye//en//press-releases//two-thirds-households-children-have-lost-income-during-pandemic#:~:text=According%20to%20TURKSTAT%20(2020)%3A,of%2015.4%25%20to%2024.7%25.\"><strong>living in poor households<\/strong><\/a> and experiencing some type of material deprivation, according to data cited by UNICEF in 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Grave economic problems lie behind what is happening inside the country.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//80//60//40//808x454_cmsv2_2afbf757-69a1-57cb-bd21-7f69278348a3-7806040.jpg/" alt=\"AFP\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/384x216_cmsv2_2afbf757-69a1-57cb-bd21-7f69278348a3-7806040.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/640x360_cmsv2_2afbf757-69a1-57cb-bd21-7f69278348a3-7806040.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/750x422_cmsv2_2afbf757-69a1-57cb-bd21-7f69278348a3-7806040.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/828x466_cmsv2_2afbf757-69a1-57cb-bd21-7f69278348a3-7806040.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/1080x608_cmsv2_2afbf757-69a1-57cb-bd21-7f69278348a3-7806040.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/1200x675_cmsv2_2afbf757-69a1-57cb-bd21-7f69278348a3-7806040.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/1920x1080_cmsv2_2afbf757-69a1-57cb-bd21-7f69278348a3-7806040.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: A fishshop owner waits for customers at historical Karakoy fish bazaar in Istanbul on December 16, 2021<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AFP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Turkey has been battered by years of sky-high inflation, with prices nearly 50% higher in July compared to the year before, as per official data released earlier this month.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Independent economists at the Inflation Research Group say the true figure is far higher at around 70%, however.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"Once I get money, I am out of pocket,\" the father of three from Istanbul told Euronews, claiming that after paying his rent and bills, he is left with nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"I am not eating. Sometimes I write off a debt to the grocery store,\" he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The man points out that the 1550 lira (\u20ac52) he receives in state support does not even cover his family's food bill, which he estimated at nearly 2500 lira (\u20ac84) a month.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Last week,\u00a0the Confederation of Turkish Labour Unions (T\u00fcrk-\u0130\u015f) reported\u00a0the hunger line \u2013 referring to the minimum amount a family of four has to spend to feed themselves \u2013 is now <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.turkishminute.com//2023//07//31//hunger-line-surpassed-turkeys-minimum-wage-july-labor-union///">more than the minimum wage<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s despite the government raising the minimum wage by 34% in July.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1590407352490283012\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Many countries around the world have been ravaged by inflation, fuelled by the Ukraine war and climate change, but some factors are unique to Turkey.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Currency collapse has helped drive one of the highest rates of inflation in Europe, eroding wages and hammering local businesses. Yet deeper structural issues are also at play.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In September 2021, 1 US dollar was worth around 8 Turkish lira, yet in July 2023 it was 27.<\/p>\n<p>Behind this lies something else.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to Euronews last autumn, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////twitter.com//tashecon/">Timothy Ash<\/strong><\/a>, an emerging markets expert at BlueBay Asset Management, said economic mismanagement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) has fuelled inflation and caused the lira to nose dive.<\/p>\n<p>He blamed Erdogan\u2019s decision not to increase interest rates - which would cool inflation - due to his \u201cunorthodox\u201d understanding of monetary policy, Islamic beliefs about usury, and how many of his political allies benefit from rock bottom rates.<\/p>\n<p>A centralisation of power is at the heart of this issue, Ash claimed, with the Turkish president widely accused of taking an authoritarian turn.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cErdogan blames everyone else,\u201d he told Euronews. \u201cHe has a team of people around him who are yes men. They don't tell the truth to power. It's like the Emperor's New Clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Following his re-election in May, Erdogan\u2019s government is reportedly forging a new economic path, having signalled he is ready to reverse his unconventional policies by appointing new figures to the central bank and finance ministry.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1656298417377689602\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The lira\u2019s plunge continues, however.<\/p>\n<p>For CHP official Foggo, many of Turkey\u2019s poverty problems are far from new, claiming the authorities have failed to act for years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll of these [issues] are actually alarming things in the past. This shows that no action has actually been taken,\" she told Euronews, calling for a solution based on human rights.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe need a rights-based social policy that includes students, women, single mothers, the disabled, the elderly, children and every individual living in poverty according to their needs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs poverty deepens and prolongs, its effects only get worse.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691390759,"publishedAt":1691469006,"updatedAt":1691570365,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/08\/economic-mismanagement-and-rising-prices-just-how-bad-is-poverty-in-turkey","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cefb18d6-e9d7-52ce-a5b9-c2999f0eab17-7806040.jpg","altText":"A woman holds her child to beg for money near Taksim Square in, Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. ","caption":"A woman holds her child to beg for money near Taksim Square in, Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. ","captionCredit":"(AP Photo\/Petr David Josek)","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1009,"height":603},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9b65b9bd-f67f-5fe2-8d69-135155ac682a-7806040.jpg","altText":"FILE: A vegetable vendor waits for customers at a bazaar in Istanbul on September 6, 2022","caption":"FILE: A vegetable vendor waits for customers at a bazaar in Istanbul on September 6, 2022","captionCredit":"AFP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2afbf757-69a1-57cb-bd21-7f69278348a3-7806040.jpg","altText":"FILE: A fishshop owner waits for customers at historical Karakoy fish bazaar in Istanbul on December 16, 2021","caption":"FILE: A fishshop owner waits for customers at historical Karakoy fish bazaar in Istanbul on December 16, 2021","captionCredit":"AFP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/60\/40\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_62822e93-4144-5974-a427-7647899f42f7-7806040.jpg","altText":"FILE: A Syrian Refugee woman chooses apples on December 15, 2015 at a supermarket funded by European Union and implemented by the World Food Programme, 2015","caption":"FILE: A Syrian Refugee woman chooses apples on December 15, 2015 at a supermarket funded by European Union and implemented by the World Food Programme, 2015","captionCredit":"AFP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"askew","title":"Joshua Askew","twitter":"@jweaskew"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":284,"slug":"turkey","urlSafeValue":"turkey","title":"Turkiye (Turkey)","titleRaw":"Turkiye (Turkey)"},{"id":232,"slug":"poverty","urlSafeValue":"poverty","title":"Poverty","titleRaw":"Poverty"},{"id":8397,"slug":"recep-tayyip-erdogan","urlSafeValue":"recep-tayyip-erdogan","title":"Recep Tayyip Erdogan","titleRaw":"Recep Tayyip Erdogan"},{"id":15142,"slug":"chp","urlSafeValue":"chp","title":"CHP Turkish Republican People's Party","titleRaw":"CHP Turkish Republican People's Party"},{"id":9835,"slug":"ak-party","urlSafeValue":"ak-party","title":"AK Party","titleRaw":"AK 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the father-and-son duo keeping Qatar fragrant","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Meet the father-and-son team behind Qatar's favourite fragrance","leadin":"In partnership with Media City, Qatar","summary":"In partnership with Media City, Qatar","url":"meet-the-father-and-son-duo-making-qatar-fragrant","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"SCENES shines a spotlight on youth around the world that are breaking down barriers and creating change. The character-driven short films will inspire and amaze, as these young change-makers tell their remarkable stories. \n\nPerfume is one of the most essential fashion accessories of our time. It can represent aspects of one's personality, evoke a memory, or give a subtle insight into one's likes and dislikes. \n\nBut even with its long history, the perfume industry often flies under the radar in many countries, despite the market's size.\u00a0According to strategic market research firm Fortune Business Insights , it was valued at $45.85 billion globally in 2022 and is projected to grow to $69.25 by 2030. \n\nEnter young entrepreneur Mohammed Al Matwi, who co-founded The Perfume Factory\u00a0in Qatar in 2018. \n\nMohammed's mission is to revolutionise and reinvigorate Qatar's start-up industry by selling handcrafted perfumes, customised home fragrances, sanitisers and body care products. \n\nA family business \n\n'The idea actually came from my father,' Mohammed explains. The young entrepreneur graduated from university with a business degree, while his father, Rashid Al Matwi, is an architect and city planner. \n\n\"I was discussing with my dad at our usual Friday lunch. We saw an opportunity to start a family business. And his idea was to initiate a factory that produces \"Made in Qatar\" perfumes,\" Mohammed tells SCENES. \n\nPerfumes and essential oils have always been an integral part of Arabic culture and history. \"Qataris love perfume. They love to put on perfume,\" Rashid says. \n\nFinding success \n\nLocal opinion has been a crucial factor in the business's success. Rashid explains: \"We produce perfume, and we give it for people to test. We take their impression before we decide to make it.\" \n\nTesting the market, though, can come with its challenges. Inevitably, not every scent will be popular. But for Mohammed, this provides a significant learning curve. \n\n\"Negative comments can give you an understanding of what you are going to face in the future,\" he observes. \n\nThe Perfume factory has grown through trial and error. If feedback on a proposed perfume is good, Mohammed and his father begin the complicated process of manufacturing it to be sold. Each scent is different, and they make tiny percentage changes to the ratios of oil used before finally consistently getting the right smell. \n\nCreating sanitising products \n\nIn the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, The Perfume Factory expanded its range to create sanitising products. \n\nMohammed explains it was an easy adjustment: \"Considering that we are a perfume manufacturing facility, we have almost 90% of the raw material required to manufacture sanitising products.\" \n\n\"We were able to create a variety of collections, more than 30 different smells of sanitisers and in different packs and sizes.\" \n\nThe challenge of operating in a pandemic helped the business take a step forward in terms of development. \n\nCustomising perfumes \n\nThe Perfume Factory now has a boutique in Qatar's most famous marketplace: Souq Waqif, as well as smaller stores in key metro stations. Mohammed told SCENES that focusing on customer choice and customisation helped its growth. \n\n\"So we started to add different categories that allow people to enjoy the journey of making perfume products. You can customise your own candle and scents for a diffuser or room spray. \" Mohammed says. \n\nSelling to hypermarkets \n\nMohammed has also teamed up with French hypermarket giant Monoprix, which has stores all over Qatar. Monoprix stocks the entire range of The Perfume Factory's products \u2013 from perfumes to sanitiser spray. \n\n\"It's a really smart brand, and we love it. We exported the brand with us in Kuwait,\" says the hypermarket's Regional General Manager, Sebastian Farhat. \"I believe that they have some other opportunities across the GCC. And why not in Europe?\" he adds. \n\n'A plan for the future' \n\nMohammed and his father have more than 200 items in the \"Made in Qatar\" product range. Despite being confident in their perfumes, even they have been surprised by their success. Mohammed says: \"I think the most astonishing thing is when you meet random people in different places, and they express how much they like the product.\" \n\nBut the duo have bigger ambitions for The Perfume Factory. \"One of my main personal goals is to expand the brand, especially in Europe,\" Mohammed tells SCENES. \n\nRashid adds: \"We have a plan for the future to do a lot of expansion. We are working under our capacity. So I think the success is not yet. Still, we are at the beginning of the road.\" \n\nThe Al Matwis family have shown that there is a significant market for local Arabic scents and sanitising products. With the recent success of their customised offerings, they plan to branch out to other regions and countries and take The Perfume Factory global. \n\n","htmlText":"<p><strong>SCENES shines a spotlight on youth around the world that are breaking down barriers and creating change. The character-driven short films will inspire and amaze, as these young change-makers tell their remarkable stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Perfume is one of the most essential fashion accessories of our time. It can represent aspects of one's personality, evoke a memory, or give a subtle insight into one's likes and dislikes.<\/p>\n<p>But even with its long history, the perfume industry often flies under the radar in many countries, despite the market's size.\u00a0According to strategic market research firm <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.fortunebusinessinsights.com//perfume-market-102273/">Fortune Business Insights<\/a>, it was valued at $45.85 billion globally in 2022 and is projected to grow to $69.25 by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>Enter young entrepreneur Mohammed Al Matwi, who co-founded The Perfume Factory\u00a0in Qatar in 2018.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//40//84//808x454_cmsv2_9f5c818f-4975-5a1f-8ce8-284bec9c86f8-7794084.jpg/" alt=\"Qatari Ministry for Sports and Youth\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/384x216_cmsv2_9f5c818f-4975-5a1f-8ce8-284bec9c86f8-7794084.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/640x360_cmsv2_9f5c818f-4975-5a1f-8ce8-284bec9c86f8-7794084.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/750x422_cmsv2_9f5c818f-4975-5a1f-8ce8-284bec9c86f8-7794084.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/828x466_cmsv2_9f5c818f-4975-5a1f-8ce8-284bec9c86f8-7794084.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1080x608_cmsv2_9f5c818f-4975-5a1f-8ce8-284bec9c86f8-7794084.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1200x675_cmsv2_9f5c818f-4975-5a1f-8ce8-284bec9c86f8-7794084.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1920x1080_cmsv2_9f5c818f-4975-5a1f-8ce8-284bec9c86f8-7794084.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Mohammed Al Matwi co-founded The Perfume Factory in 2018 to revive the country's startup industry<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Qatari Ministry for Sports and Youth<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Mohammed's mission is to revolutionise and reinvigorate Qatar's start-up industry by selling handcrafted perfumes, customised home fragrances, sanitisers and body care products.<\/p>\n<h2>A family business<\/h2><p>'The idea actually came from my father,' Mohammed explains. The young entrepreneur graduated from university with a business degree, while his father, Rashid Al Matwi, is an architect and city planner.<\/p>\n<p>\"I was discussing with my dad at our usual Friday lunch. We saw an opportunity to start a family business. And his idea was to initiate a factory that produces \"Made in Qatar\" perfumes,\" Mohammed tells SCENES.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//40//84//808x454_cmsv2_4ece6491-e6f0-5a70-af52-5e38016ccce2-7794084.jpg/" alt=\"Richard Ballan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/384x216_cmsv2_4ece6491-e6f0-5a70-af52-5e38016ccce2-7794084.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/640x360_cmsv2_4ece6491-e6f0-5a70-af52-5e38016ccce2-7794084.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/750x422_cmsv2_4ece6491-e6f0-5a70-af52-5e38016ccce2-7794084.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/828x466_cmsv2_4ece6491-e6f0-5a70-af52-5e38016ccce2-7794084.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1080x608_cmsv2_4ece6491-e6f0-5a70-af52-5e38016ccce2-7794084.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1200x675_cmsv2_4ece6491-e6f0-5a70-af52-5e38016ccce2-7794084.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1920x1080_cmsv2_4ece6491-e6f0-5a70-af52-5e38016ccce2-7794084.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Aromatherapy and essential oils have long been part of Arabic culture, says co-founder Rashid Al Matwi<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Richard Ballan<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Perfumes and essential oils have always been an integral part of Arabic culture and history. \"Qataris love perfume. They love to put on perfume,\" Rashid says.<\/p>\n<h2>Finding success<\/h2><p>Local opinion has been a crucial factor in the business's success. Rashid explains: \"We produce perfume, and we give it for people to test. We take their impression before we decide to make it.\"<\/p>\n<p>Testing the market, though, can come with its challenges. Inevitably, not every scent will be popular. But for Mohammed, this provides a significant learning curve.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5623911781775972\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//40//84//808x454_cmsv2_87e9d51c-8ab5-5bf0-97e0-27206f451130-7794084.jpg/" alt=\"Richard Ballan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/384x216_cmsv2_87e9d51c-8ab5-5bf0-97e0-27206f451130-7794084.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/640x360_cmsv2_87e9d51c-8ab5-5bf0-97e0-27206f451130-7794084.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/750x422_cmsv2_87e9d51c-8ab5-5bf0-97e0-27206f451130-7794084.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/828x466_cmsv2_87e9d51c-8ab5-5bf0-97e0-27206f451130-7794084.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1080x607_cmsv2_87e9d51c-8ab5-5bf0-97e0-27206f451130-7794084.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1200x675_cmsv2_87e9d51c-8ab5-5bf0-97e0-27206f451130-7794084.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1920x1080_cmsv2_87e9d51c-8ab5-5bf0-97e0-27206f451130-7794084.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Testing the market is difficult since not all odours are popular, but Mohammed suggests negative feedback may help you prepare<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Richard Ballan<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"Negative comments can give you an understanding of what you are going to face in the future,\" he observes.<\/p>\n<p>The Perfume factory has grown through trial and error. If feedback on a proposed perfume is good, Mohammed and his father begin the complicated process of manufacturing it to be sold. Each scent is different, and they make tiny percentage changes to the ratios of oil used before finally consistently getting the right smell.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7655458,7429710,7707378\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//06//12//meet-the-qatari-sportsman-reviving-the-ancient-tradition-of-horse-archery/">Meet the Qatari sportsman reviving the ancient tradition of horse archery<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//03//06//meet-the-qatari-designers-breaking-into-the-global-fashion-scene/">Meet the Qatari designers breaking into the global fashion scene<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//07//03//meet-the-artists-setting-art-scene-ablaze-in-qatar/">Meet the artists setting the art scene ablaze in Qatar<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Creating sanitising products<\/h2><p>In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, The Perfume Factory expanded its range to create sanitising products.<\/p>\n<p>Mohammed explains it was an easy adjustment: \"Considering that we are a perfume manufacturing facility, we have almost 90% of the raw material required to manufacture sanitising products.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//40//84//808x454_cmsv2_b2e33d15-af08-585a-9e1a-f064adda6e26-7794084.jpg/" alt=\"Richard Ballan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/384x216_cmsv2_b2e33d15-af08-585a-9e1a-f064adda6e26-7794084.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/640x360_cmsv2_b2e33d15-af08-585a-9e1a-f064adda6e26-7794084.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/750x422_cmsv2_b2e33d15-af08-585a-9e1a-f064adda6e26-7794084.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/828x466_cmsv2_b2e33d15-af08-585a-9e1a-f064adda6e26-7794084.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1080x608_cmsv2_b2e33d15-af08-585a-9e1a-f064adda6e26-7794084.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1200x675_cmsv2_b2e33d15-af08-585a-9e1a-f064adda6e26-7794084.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1920x1080_cmsv2_b2e33d15-af08-585a-9e1a-f064adda6e26-7794084.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Perfume Factory became famous for adding sanitising items as it possessed over 90% of the raw ingredients<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Richard Ballan<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"We were able to create a variety of collections, more than 30 different smells of sanitisers and in different packs and sizes.\"<\/p>\n<p>The challenge of operating in a pandemic helped the business take a step forward in terms of development.<\/p>\n<h2>Customising perfumes<\/h2><p>The Perfume Factory now has a boutique in Qatar's most famous marketplace: Souq Waqif, as well as smaller stores in key metro stations. Mohammed told SCENES that focusing on customer choice and customisation helped its growth.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//40//84//808x454_cmsv2_d4bb45bd-ae86-5278-8624-0bb6d2f75ab2-7794084.jpg/" alt=\"Richard Ballan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/384x216_cmsv2_d4bb45bd-ae86-5278-8624-0bb6d2f75ab2-7794084.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/640x360_cmsv2_d4bb45bd-ae86-5278-8624-0bb6d2f75ab2-7794084.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/750x422_cmsv2_d4bb45bd-ae86-5278-8624-0bb6d2f75ab2-7794084.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/828x466_cmsv2_d4bb45bd-ae86-5278-8624-0bb6d2f75ab2-7794084.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1080x608_cmsv2_d4bb45bd-ae86-5278-8624-0bb6d2f75ab2-7794084.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1200x675_cmsv2_d4bb45bd-ae86-5278-8624-0bb6d2f75ab2-7794084.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1920x1080_cmsv2_d4bb45bd-ae86-5278-8624-0bb6d2f75ab2-7794084.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Customers may customise perfume smells at The Perfume Factory<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Richard Ballan<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"So we started to add different categories that allow people to enjoy the journey of making perfume products. You can customise your own candle and scents for a diffuser or room spray. \" Mohammed says.<\/p>\n<h2>Selling to hypermarkets<\/h2><p>Mohammed has also teamed up with French hypermarket giant Monoprix, which has stores all over Qatar. Monoprix stocks the entire range of The Perfume Factory's products \u2013 from perfumes to sanitiser spray.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//40//84//808x454_cmsv2_5c6d1493-6c2d-5b7c-88ba-3193a2c3c114-7794084.jpg/" alt=\"Richard Ballan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/384x216_cmsv2_5c6d1493-6c2d-5b7c-88ba-3193a2c3c114-7794084.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/640x360_cmsv2_5c6d1493-6c2d-5b7c-88ba-3193a2c3c114-7794084.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/750x422_cmsv2_5c6d1493-6c2d-5b7c-88ba-3193a2c3c114-7794084.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/828x466_cmsv2_5c6d1493-6c2d-5b7c-88ba-3193a2c3c114-7794084.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1080x608_cmsv2_5c6d1493-6c2d-5b7c-88ba-3193a2c3c114-7794084.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1200x675_cmsv2_5c6d1493-6c2d-5b7c-88ba-3193a2c3c114-7794084.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1920x1080_cmsv2_5c6d1493-6c2d-5b7c-88ba-3193a2c3c114-7794084.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Mohammed has also teamed up with Monoprix, the famous supermarket chain<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Richard Ballan<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"It's a really smart brand, and we love it. We exported the brand with us in Kuwait,\" says the hypermarket's Regional General Manager, Sebastian Farhat. \"I believe that they have some other opportunities across the GCC. And why not in Europe?\" he adds.<\/p>\n<h2>'A plan for the future'<\/h2><p>Mohammed and his father have more than 200 items in the \"Made in Qatar\" product range. Despite being confident in their perfumes, even they have been surprised by their success. Mohammed says: \"I think the most astonishing thing is when you meet random people in different places, and they express how much they like the product.\"<\/p>\n<p>But the duo have bigger ambitions for The Perfume Factory. \"One of my main personal goals is to expand the brand, especially in Europe,\" Mohammed tells SCENES.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//40//84//808x454_cmsv2_78ade691-f877-525a-815d-8ac9758b675d-7794084.jpg/" alt=\"Richard Ballan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/384x216_cmsv2_78ade691-f877-525a-815d-8ac9758b675d-7794084.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/640x360_cmsv2_78ade691-f877-525a-815d-8ac9758b675d-7794084.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/750x422_cmsv2_78ade691-f877-525a-815d-8ac9758b675d-7794084.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/828x466_cmsv2_78ade691-f877-525a-815d-8ac9758b675d-7794084.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1080x608_cmsv2_78ade691-f877-525a-815d-8ac9758b675d-7794084.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1200x675_cmsv2_78ade691-f877-525a-815d-8ac9758b675d-7794084.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/1920x1080_cmsv2_78ade691-f877-525a-815d-8ac9758b675d-7794084.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The Perfume Factory plans to grow a lot in the coming years, with an eye on Europe<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Richard Ballan<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Rashid adds: \"We have a plan for the future to do a lot of expansion. We are working under our capacity. So I think the success is not yet. Still, we are at the beginning of the road.\"<\/p>\n<p>The Al Matwis family have shown that there is a significant market for local Arabic scents and sanitising products. With the recent success of their customised offerings, they plan to branch out to other regions and countries and take The Perfume Factory global.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690895970,"publishedAt":1691425828,"updatedAt":1692000731,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2023\/08\/07\/meet-the-father-and-son-duo-making-qatar-fragrant","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_08a33cb8-4b9c-599e-96b0-fa19c281331f-7794084.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5c6d1493-6c2d-5b7c-88ba-3193a2c3c114-7794084.jpg","altText":"Mohammed has also teamed up with Monoprix, the famous supermarket chain","caption":"Mohammed has also teamed up with Monoprix, the famous supermarket chain","captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cc95aa6d-4675-530d-9dd8-c22fb3644677-7794084.jpg","altText":"Mohammed has also teamed up with Monoprix, the famous supermarket chain","caption":"Mohammed has also teamed up with Monoprix, the famous supermarket chain","captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_78ade691-f877-525a-815d-8ac9758b675d-7794084.jpg","altText":"The Perfume Factory plans to grow a lot in the coming years, with an eye on Europe","caption":"The Perfume Factory plans to grow a lot in the coming years, with an eye on Europe","captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9eeed3cb-2939-51cd-a238-b59e4d107d1d-7794084.jpg","altText":"The Perfume Factory plans to grow a lot in the coming years, with an eye on Europe","caption":"The Perfume Factory plans to grow a lot in the coming years, with an eye on Europe","captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b2e33d15-af08-585a-9e1a-f064adda6e26-7794084.jpg","altText":"During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Perfume Factory became famous for adding sanitising items as it possessed over 90% of the raw ingredients","caption":"During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Perfume Factory became famous for adding sanitising items as it possessed over 90% of the raw ingredients","captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0e3f496c-88e7-51e0-8639-ad200da0de01-7794084.jpg","altText":"Mohammed has also teamed up with Monoprix, the famous supermarket chain","caption":"Mohammed has also teamed up with Monoprix, the famous supermarket chain","captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9f5c818f-4975-5a1f-8ce8-284bec9c86f8-7794084.jpg","altText":"Qatar's Mohammed Al Matwi co-founded The Perfume Factory in 2018 to revitalise a startup sector by offering artisan perfumes, home scents, sanitizers, and body care.","caption":"Qatar's Mohammed Al Matwi co-founded The Perfume Factory in 2018 to revitalise a startup sector by offering artisan perfumes, home scents, sanitizers, and body care.","captionCredit":"Qatari Ministry for Sports and Youth","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d4bb45bd-ae86-5278-8624-0bb6d2f75ab2-7794084.jpg","altText":"Customers may customise perfume smells at The Perfume Factory","caption":"Customers may customise perfume smells at The Perfume Factory","captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1f64d0a6-9968-5f8e-b73c-0c5f30b98fab-7794084.jpg","altText":"The Perfume Factory outlets are at Qatar's most renowned market, Souq Waqif, and various metro stations","caption":"The Perfume Factory outlets are at Qatar's most renowned market, Souq Waqif, and various metro stations","captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0f601b5b-c098-5e96-8e3b-8dc53109109e-7794084.jpg","altText":"The Perfume Factory outlets are at Qatar's most renowned market, Souq Waqif, and various metro stations","caption":"The Perfume Factory outlets are at Qatar's most renowned market, Souq Waqif, and various metro stations","captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c73036bf-0801-5eee-9ce1-01d4faec681d-7794084.jpg","altText":"The Perfume Factory plans to grow a lot in the coming years, with an eye on Europe","caption":"The Perfume Factory plans to grow a lot in the coming years, with an eye on Europe","captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_81da5229-b042-5cfc-b1d8-eeed931fe10a-7794084.jpg","altText":"During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Perfume Factory became famous for adding sanitising items as it possessed over 90% of the raw ingredients","caption":"During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Perfume Factory became famous for adding sanitising items as it possessed over 90% of the raw ingredients","captionCredit":"Richard Ballan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/40\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2f647f87-e081-51ed-a5ba-220dec3fc65d-7794084.jpg","altText":"Qatar's Mohammed Al Matwi co-founded The Perfume Factory in 2018 to revitalise a startup sector by offering artisan perfumes, home scents, sanitizers, and body care.","caption":"Qatar's Mohammed Al Matwi co-founded The Perfume Factory in 2018 to revitalise a startup sector by offering artisan perfumes, home scents, sanitizers, and body care.","captionCredit":"Richard 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escapes from its carrier on plane causing delays at world\u2019s busiest international airport","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Delays at Dubai Airport after bear escapes from its carrier on plane","titleListing2":"Delayed passengers growl after a bear escapes from crate in cargo hold of an Iraqi plane in Dubai","leadin":"Passengers faced delays after the bear escaped from its crate in the cargo hold of a plane.","summary":"Passengers faced delays after the bear escaped from its crate in the cargo hold of a plane.","url":"bear-escapes-from-its-carrier-on-plane-causing-delays-at-worlds-busiest-international-airp","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Passengers at\u00a0Dubai International Airport faced delays on Friday after a bear escaped in the hold of a departing Iraqi aircraft. \n\nThe Iraqi Airways plane was destined for Baghdad but was reportedly delayed by an hour due to the incident. Passengers were asked to disembark while the bear was sedated and removed from the plane. \n\nIraq's prime minister has ordered an investigation into how the animal broke out. \n\nVideo circulating on social media shows escaped bear \n\nIraqi Airways said it wasn't to blame for the bear's escape. The aircraft's crew worked with authorities in the United Arab Emirates, which dispatched specialists to sedate the animal and remove it from the plane. \n\nA video clip circulating on social media showed the plane\u2019s captain apologising to passengers for Friday's takeoff delay because of the bear's escape from its crate in the cargo hold. \n\nIraqi Airways said Saturday that procedures to transport the bear were carried out in accordance with the law and with procedures and standards approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). \n\nThe plane was flying to the Iraqi capital \n\nThe airline said the bear was being flown from Baghdad to Dubai. But a person speaking on the video clip making the social media rounds suggested otherwise, saying the aircraft was an hour late for its trip to Baghdad and that passengers were being asked to disembark until the issue was resolved. \n\nDubai International Airport, the world\u2019s busiest for international travel, declined to comment. \n\nAn Iraqi Airways official confirmed on Sunday that the bear was, in fact, being transported to the Iraqi capital. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he's not authorised to speak about the matter publicly, declined to name the animal's owner. \n\nWhy was there a bear in the hold of a plane? \n\nKeeping predatory animals as pets in Iraq - especially in Baghdad - has become popular among the wealthy. \n\nAuthorities have struggled to enforce legal provisions to protect wild animals . Baghdad\u2019s police has previously called on citizens to assist authorities in preventing such animals from being let loose on the city's streets or ending up as exotic meals in restaurant by reporting such cases. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Passengers at\u00a0Dubai International Airport faced delays on Friday after a bear escaped in the hold of a departing Iraqi aircraft.<\/p>\n<p>The Iraqi Airways plane was destined for Baghdad but was reportedly delayed by an hour due to the incident. Passengers were asked to disembark while the bear was sedated and removed from the plane.<\/p>\n<p>Iraq's prime minister has ordered an investigation into how the animal broke out.<\/p>\n<h2>Video circulating on social media shows escaped bear<\/h2><p>Iraqi Airways said it wasn't to blame for the bear's escape. The aircraft's crew worked with authorities in the United Arab Emirates, which dispatched specialists to sedate the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//06//14//90-million-homes-in-the-eu-have-pets-how-can-we-reduce-their-carbon-footprint/">animal and remove it from the plane.<\/p>\n<p>A video clip circulating on social media showed the plane\u2019s captain apologising to passengers for Friday's takeoff <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2023//08//02//europes-summer-travel-strikes-when-where-and-what-disruption-you-can-expect-in-july/">delay because of the bear's escape from its crate in the cargo hold.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The bear got out of the cage and caused a delay in the Dubai-Baghdad flight. <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////t.co//Z0kzUjgtnh/">pic.twitter.com//Z0kzUjgtnh— Kcee Longest (@KceeLongest) <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////twitter.com//KceeLongest//status//1688164239863689218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\%22>August 6, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////platform.twitter.com//widgets.js/" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2022//04//06//from-a-bunch-of-terrorists-to-tourists-inside-iraq-s-plan-to-tempt-back-travellers/">Iraqi Airways<\/strong><\/a> said Saturday that procedures to transport the bear were carried out in accordance with the law and with procedures and standards approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).<\/p>\n<h2>The plane was flying to the Iraqi capital<\/h2><p>The airline said the bear was being flown from Baghdad to Dubai. But a person speaking on the video clip making the social media rounds suggested otherwise, saying the aircraft was an hour <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//video//2023//06//13//germany-denmark-netherlands-hundreds-of-flights-could-be-delayed-due-to-nato-airspace-clos/">late for its trip to Baghdad and that passengers were being asked to disembark until the issue was resolved.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7793966,7777516\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//08//06//fake-animal-rescue-videos-are-a-money-making-scam-say-campaigners/">Fake animal rescue videos are a money-making scam, say campaigners <\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2023//07//25//flight-etiquette-tiktok-argues-over-correct-way-to-exit-a-plane/">Flight etiquette: TikTok argues over correct way to exit a plane<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Dubai International Airport, the world\u2019s <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2023//03//08//where-are-europes-best-airports-passenger-survey-reveals-some-surprising-results/">busiest for international travel, declined to comment.<\/p>\n<p>An Iraqi Airways official confirmed on Sunday that the bear was, in fact, being transported to the Iraqi capital. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he's not authorised to speak about the matter publicly, declined to name the animal's owner.<\/p>\n<h2>Why was there a bear in the hold of a plane?<\/h2><p>Keeping <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//05//24//pumas-lynx-and-panthers-are-big-cats-really-roaming-the-british-countryside/">predatory animals<\/strong><\/a> as pets in Iraq - especially in Baghdad - has become popular among the wealthy.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities have struggled to enforce legal provisions to protect wild <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//09//12//thousands-of-donkey-penises-seized-in-smuggling-operation-between-nigeria-and-hong-kong/">animals. Baghdad\u2019s police has previously called on citizens to assist authorities in preventing such animals from being let loose on the city's streets or ending up as exotic meals in restaurant by reporting such cases.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691393099,"publishedAt":1691395929,"updatedAt":1691395933,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2023\/08\/07\/bear-escapes-from-its-carrier-on-plane-causing-delays-at-worlds-busiest-international-airp","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/61\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8351b2d7-f694-553b-acd7-3a4940d5d568-7806184.jpg","altText":"The plane was headed to Baghdad, Iraq.","caption":"The plane was headed to Baghdad, Iraq.","captionCredit":"Canva","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":18224,"slug":"beard","urlSafeValue":"beard","title":"bear","titleRaw":"bear"},{"id":10233,"slug":"animals","urlSafeValue":"animals","title":"Animals","titleRaw":"Animals"},{"id":12523,"slug":"airport","urlSafeValue":"airport","title":"Airport","titleRaw":"Airport"},{"id":417,"slug":"dubai-united-arab-emirates","urlSafeValue":"dubai-united-arab-emirates","title":"Dubai United Arab Emirates","titleRaw":"Dubai United Arab Emirates"},{"id":21686,"slug":"delay","urlSafeValue":"delay","title":"delay","titleRaw":"delay"},{"id":4,"slug":"airlines","urlSafeValue":"airlines","title":"Airlines","titleRaw":"Airlines"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"html","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[{"path":"euronews.just-in"},{"path":"euronews"}],"video":0,"videos":[],"externalPartners":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":2,"sources":[],"externalSource":"APTN","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Ruth Wright","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"travel-news","urlSafeValue":"travel-news","title":"Travel News","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-news\/travel-news"},"vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"id":"travel-news","urlSafeValue":"travel-news","title":"Travel News","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":21,"urlSafeValue":"travel-news","title":"Travel-news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":290,"urlSafeValue":"united-arab-emirates","title":"United Arab Emirates","url":"\/news\/asia\/united-arab-emirates"},"town":{"id":417,"urlSafeValue":"dubai-united-arab-emirates","title":"Dubai, United Arab Emirates"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_travel','gs_travel_locations','gs_travel_locations_asia','gs_travel_air','gs_travel_type','gs_travel_type_air','neg_mobkoi_castrol','castrol_negative_uk','gs_science','neg_nespresso','neg_bucherer','gt_negative','neg_facebook','gs_busfin'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/travel\/2023\/08\/07\/bear-escapes-from-its-carrier-on-plane-causing-delays-at-worlds-busiest-international-airp","lastModified":1691395933},{"id":2338700,"cid":7801458,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230804_WBWB_52659908","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"In kleptocrats-riddled Lebanon, it is difficult to know what rock bottom is","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"In Lebanon, it is difficult to know what rock bottom is","titleListing2":"VIEW | It is a humanitarian duty for the Council of the European Union to support the people of Lebanon and issue targeted sanctions against those who continue to promote their own interests to the detriment of the population, Zena Wakim writes.","leadin":"It is a humanitarian duty for the Council of the European Union to support the people of Lebanon and issue targeted sanctions against those who continue to promote their own interests to the detriment of the population, Zena Wakim writes.","summary":"It is a humanitarian duty for the Council of the European Union to support the people of Lebanon and issue targeted sanctions against those who continue to promote their own interests to the detriment of the population, Zena Wakim writes.","url":"in-kleptocrats-riddled-lebanon-it-is-difficult-to-know-what-rock-bottom-is","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Beirut\u2019s celebrated nightlife has long had a rebellious air: a subversive challenge to conservative dogma, an antidote to rotten politics and a hedonistic emancipation from sectarian street battles.\u00a0 \n\nBut now even the night has been stolen, increasingly affordable only to the rich.\u00a0Rolling power outages ensure that the city is bathed in darkness.\u00a0 \n\nMeanwhile, the tourism ministry excitedly predicted 2.2 million visitors this summer.\u00a0Most will be Lebanese who long since fled, briefly seeing family and friends still trapped in a quagmire. \n\nIn Lebanon, it is difficult to know what rock bottom is, perhaps that\u2019s why EU policymakers fail to treat it as a priority.\u00a0 \n\nFifteen years of civil war, an Israeli invasion, a Syrian occupation, over 250 unsolved political assassinations, an unparalleled refugee crisis, the world\u2019s worst economic collapse since the 19th century and one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in history. \n\nThe country is an unaccountable mafia state where over 80% of the citizens now live in multidimensional poverty and where ex-warlords turned politicians turned the state into a host they could feed on.\u00a0 \n\nOr, to quote the World Bank, the government has \u201cconsistently and acutely departed from orderly and disciplined fiscal policy to serve the larger purpose of cementing political economy interests.\u201d \n\nDystopian scenes and parallel realities \n\nYears of financial misconduct by the government culminated in 2019 when Lebanese citizens found their bank accounts effectively frozen, blocked from withdrawing US dollars and only allowed derisory amounts of Lebanese pounds\u00a0\u2014 a currency that has now lost more than 98% of its value in four years.\u00a0 \n\nThe pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine compounded the financial misery prompting more power outages, medicine shortages and mass emigration.\u00a0 \n\nSome took to refugee boats across the Mediterranean. Some scavenged for food in dumpsters.\u00a0 \n\nOthers conducted armed heists on banks to demand their own savings, becoming folk heroes in the process. \n\nBut amid these dystopian scenes, under cover of banking secrecy laws, the country\u2019s politically connected were living in a parallel reality.\u00a0 \n\nWhile ordinary people, those not politically connected, were unable to access their funds, political elites transferred over $10 billion (\u20ac9.06bn) out of the country siphoning the pot of liquidities collectively owned by all depositors.\u00a0 \n\nIt wasn\u2019t too complicated since 18 of the 20 largest Lebanese banks are owned by politically exposed individuals. \n\nA whole country running on cash is a win-win for kleptocrats \n\nIn lieu of a banking system, Lebanon now runs on cash. In lieu of people to form a thriving economy, Lebanon survives on remittances from abroad (accounting for 38% of GDP). \n\nUsing central bank-issued licenses, a few privileged firms in the country are allowed to process these money transfers, conveniently located in areas run by ruling parties.\u00a0 \n\nOne of them is BOB Finance whose chairman is a long-standing ally of the Governor of the Central Bank and the head of the Banking Association.\u00a0 \n\nThe worse the economy, the more urgent the need for remittances. More remittances mean higher profits for the elite\u2019s crony companies. \n\nIt is just one of many schemes in Lebanon\u2019s Ponzi economy, and another example of why the banking sector remains a quagmire.\u00a0 \n\nThe cash economy creates a win-win situation for the kleptocrats. The longer Lebanon goes without an IMF plan, the more cash they make.\u00a0 \n\nAnd when, or if, said plan should come to fruition and the banking sector gets restructured, they will be the first to show up with the cash to acquire what remains of the economy, including its ailing banks.\u00a0 \n\nTheir industrial-scale looting will go unpunished, and the parasitic networks will continue to strangle the country to destitution. \n\nThat is, unless Europe decides to get serious and punish the wrongdoers with travel bans, asset freezes and seizures. \n\nIs there anything left to destabilise? \n\nIt is regularly heard in Brussels circles that Syria and Iran are much more of a priority than Lebanon and that sanctions should focus first on Damascus and Teheran.\u00a0 \n\nThe reality is that handling Lebanon as an unrelated matter is an intellectual construct which can only be entertained by bureaucrats who do not grasp the extent of state capture in Beirut. \n\nIt has also been a long rhetoric that one shouldn\u2019t rock the boat in Lebanon as long as the refugees are \u201cthere\u201d and that any targeted sanctions on the Lebanese political elite might destabilise the country and the region.\u00a0But is there anything left to destabilise? \n\nIn July 2021, the Council of the EU announced a framework for sanctions against Lebanese figures \"undermining democracy or the rule of law in Lebanon\" while assuming that the threat of sanctions would be deterring for the corrupt elite.\u00a0 \n\nThe two years which elapsed since the framework was issued not only proved them wrong since the situation continues to deteriorate but it showed how much they underestimated the genius wit of those in power who was given a perfect window of opportunity to put their assets in safe heavens. \n\nThe cost of this poor bet is borne by the population alone. \n\nIt's time for the party to be over \n\nOn 12 July, the European Parliament adopted a draft resolution calling for sanctions on Lebanese elites obstructing presidential elections and the Beirut port blast investigation and those who have enriched themselves to the detriment of the population.\u00a0 \n\nIt now behooves the Council of the European Union to take action. For those that helped impoverish the country, it is time that the party stopped. \n\nHeading the opposite direction from Lebanese visitors this summer will be the elites, jetting out to European properties bought with money looted from the state, perhaps with bags of cash to deposit in European banks.\u00a0 \n\nThey may drive past Gemmayze, the lively neighbourhood for Beirut\u2019s \"real nightlife\" peppered with bars, galleries, and restaurants that many now struggle to afford.\u00a0 \n\nIt is also the place where the port explosion ripped through three years ago and for which still nobody has been held accountable. Impunity has robbed Beirut of its soul. \n\nWhile civil society tracks corruption and proceeds to have them restituted to Lebanon, while the victims of the Beirut port explosion gather their last resources to push for justice, while courageous journalists and intellectuals risk their lives to seek\u00a0accountability, it is a humanitarian duty for the Council of the European Union to support their fight and issue targeted sanctions against those who continue to promote their own interests to the detriment of the population. \n\nZena Wakim is an international lawyer and President of the Board of the Swiss Foundation Accountability Now, whose mission is to support Lebanese civil society in its desire to put an end to the impunity of corrupt leaders. \n\nAt Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation. \n\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Beirut\u2019s celebrated nightlife has long had a rebellious air: a subversive challenge to conservative dogma, an antidote to rotten politics and a hedonistic emancipation from sectarian street battles.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But now even the night has been stolen, increasingly affordable only to the rich.\u00a0Rolling power outages ensure that the city is bathed in darkness.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the tourism ministry excitedly predicted 2.2 million visitors this summer.\u00a0Most will be Lebanese who long since fled, briefly seeing family and friends still trapped in a quagmire.<\/p>\n<p>In Lebanon, it is difficult to know what rock bottom is, perhaps that\u2019s why EU policymakers fail to treat it as a priority.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Fifteen years of civil war, an Israeli invasion, a Syrian occupation, over 250 unsolved political assassinations, an unparalleled refugee crisis, the world\u2019s worst economic collapse since the 19th century and one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in history.<\/p>\n<p>The country is an unaccountable mafia state where over 80% of the citizens now live in multidimensional poverty and where ex-warlords turned politicians turned the state into a host they could feed on.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Or, to quote the World Bank, the government has \u201cconsistently and acutely departed from orderly and disciplined fiscal policy to serve the larger purpose of cementing political economy interests.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Dystopian scenes and parallel realities<\/h2><p>Years of financial misconduct by the government culminated in 2019 when Lebanese citizens found their bank accounts effectively frozen, blocked from withdrawing US dollars and only allowed derisory amounts of Lebanese pounds\u00a0\u2014 a currency that has now lost more than 98% of its value in four years.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine compounded the financial misery prompting more power outages, medicine shortages and mass emigration.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Some took to refugee boats across the Mediterranean. Some scavenged for food in dumpsters.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">Amid these dystopian scenes, under cover of banking secrecy laws, the country\u2019s politically connected were living in a parallel reality.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//80//14//58//808x539_cmsv2_b4376b24-b026-5cd6-b491-24fc7c25ef04-7801458.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo/Thibault Camus\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/384x256_cmsv2_b4376b24-b026-5cd6-b491-24fc7c25ef04-7801458.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/640x427_cmsv2_b4376b24-b026-5cd6-b491-24fc7c25ef04-7801458.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/750x500_cmsv2_b4376b24-b026-5cd6-b491-24fc7c25ef04-7801458.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/828x552_cmsv2_b4376b24-b026-5cd6-b491-24fc7c25ef04-7801458.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1080x720_cmsv2_b4376b24-b026-5cd6-b491-24fc7c25ef04-7801458.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1200x800_cmsv2_b4376b24-b026-5cd6-b491-24fc7c25ef04-7801458.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1920x1281_cmsv2_b4376b24-b026-5cd6-b491-24fc7c25ef04-7801458.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A rescue team surveys the site of this week's massive explosion in the port of Beirut, 7 August 2020<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo/Thibault Camus<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Others conducted armed heists on banks to demand their own savings, becoming folk heroes in the process.<\/p>\n<p>But amid these dystopian scenes, under cover of banking secrecy laws, the country\u2019s politically connected were living in a parallel reality.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While ordinary people, those not politically connected, were unable to access their funds, political elites transferred over $10 billion (\u20ac9.06bn) out of the country siphoning the pot of liquidities collectively owned by all depositors.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t too complicated since 18 of the 20 largest Lebanese banks are owned by politically exposed individuals.<\/p>\n<h2>A whole country running on cash is a win-win for kleptocrats<\/h2><p>In lieu of a banking system, Lebanon now runs on cash. In lieu of people to form a thriving economy, Lebanon survives on remittances from abroad (accounting for 38% of GDP).<\/p>\n<p>Using central bank-issued licenses, a few privileged firms in the country are allowed to process these money transfers, conveniently located in areas run by ruling parties.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>One of them is BOB Finance whose chairman is a long-standing ally of the Governor of the Central Bank and the head of the Banking Association.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The worse the economy, the more urgent the need for remittances. More remittances mean higher profits for the elite\u2019s crony companies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">The cash economy creates a win-win situation for the kleptocrats. The longer Lebanon goes without an IMF plan, the more cash they make.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.666015625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//80//14//58//808x539_cmsv2_a9795112-1a80-5390-9b07-29327df4e60b-7801458.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo/Hussein Malla\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/384x256_cmsv2_a9795112-1a80-5390-9b07-29327df4e60b-7801458.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/640x426_cmsv2_a9795112-1a80-5390-9b07-29327df4e60b-7801458.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/750x500_cmsv2_a9795112-1a80-5390-9b07-29327df4e60b-7801458.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/828x551_cmsv2_a9795112-1a80-5390-9b07-29327df4e60b-7801458.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1080x719_cmsv2_a9795112-1a80-5390-9b07-29327df4e60b-7801458.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1200x799_cmsv2_a9795112-1a80-5390-9b07-29327df4e60b-7801458.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1920x1279_cmsv2_a9795112-1a80-5390-9b07-29327df4e60b-7801458.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">ATM covered with diesel fuel after it was vandalised by angry depositors who attacked Byblos Bank in Beirut, June 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo/Hussein Malla<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It is just one of many schemes in Lebanon\u2019s Ponzi economy, and another example of why the banking sector remains a quagmire.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The cash economy creates a win-win situation for the kleptocrats. The longer Lebanon goes without an IMF plan, the more cash they make.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And when, or if, said plan should come to fruition and the banking sector gets restructured, they will be the first to show up with the cash to acquire what remains of the economy, including its ailing banks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Their industrial-scale looting will go unpunished, and the parasitic networks will continue to strangle the country to destitution.<\/p>\n<p>That is, unless Europe decides to get serious and punish the wrongdoers with travel bans, asset freezes and seizures.<\/p>\n<h2>Is there anything left to destabilise?<\/h2><p>It is regularly heard in Brussels circles that Syria and Iran are much more of a priority than Lebanon and that sanctions should focus first on Damascus and Teheran.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The reality is that handling Lebanon as an unrelated matter is an intellectual construct which can only be entertained by bureaucrats who do not grasp the extent of state capture in Beirut.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">It has also been a long rhetoric that one shouldn\u2019t rock the boat in Lebanon ... and that any targeted sanctions on the Lebanese political elite might destabilise the country and the region. But is there anything left to destabilise?<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6708984375\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//80//14//58//808x542_cmsv2_15ab56e5-eaa1-5533-b009-f63183fe1b57-7801458.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/384x258_cmsv2_15ab56e5-eaa1-5533-b009-f63183fe1b57-7801458.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/640x429_cmsv2_15ab56e5-eaa1-5533-b009-f63183fe1b57-7801458.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/750x503_cmsv2_15ab56e5-eaa1-5533-b009-f63183fe1b57-7801458.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/828x556_cmsv2_15ab56e5-eaa1-5533-b009-f63183fe1b57-7801458.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1080x725_cmsv2_15ab56e5-eaa1-5533-b009-f63183fe1b57-7801458.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1200x805_cmsv2_15ab56e5-eaa1-5533-b009-f63183fe1b57-7801458.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1920x1288_cmsv2_15ab56e5-eaa1-5533-b009-f63183fe1b57-7801458.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A Lebanese street vendor who sells and repairs clocks, sits next of two clocks that show different times in Lebanon, in the southern port city of Sidon, March 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It has also been a long rhetoric that one shouldn\u2019t rock the boat in Lebanon as long as the refugees are \u201cthere\u201d and that any targeted sanctions on the Lebanese political elite might destabilise the country and the region.\u00a0But is there anything left to destabilise?<\/p>\n<p>In July 2021, the Council of the EU announced a framework for sanctions against Lebanese figures \"undermining democracy or the rule of law in Lebanon\" while assuming that the threat of sanctions would be deterring for the corrupt elite.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The two years which elapsed since the framework was issued not only proved them wrong since the situation continues to deteriorate but it showed how much they underestimated the genius wit of those in power who was given a perfect window of opportunity to put their assets in safe heavens.<\/p>\n<p>The cost of this poor bet is borne by the population alone.<\/p>\n<h2>It's time for the party to be over<\/h2><p>On 12 July, the European Parliament adopted a draft resolution calling for sanctions on Lebanese elites obstructing presidential elections and the Beirut port blast investigation and those who have enriched themselves to the detriment of the population.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It now behooves the Council of the European Union to take action. For those that helped impoverish the country, it is time that the party stopped.<\/p>\n<p>Heading the opposite direction from Lebanese visitors this summer will be the elites, jetting out to European properties bought with money looted from the state, perhaps with bags of cash to deposit in European banks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">Gemmayze ... is also the place where the port explosion ripped through three years ago for which still nobody has been held accountable. Impunity has robbed Beirut of its soul.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6533203125\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//80//14//58//808x528_cmsv2_ffb2f64c-678a-5904-b4f3-adf4eca8bd5f-7801458.jpg/" alt=\"JOSEPH EID/AFP\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/384x251_cmsv2_ffb2f64c-678a-5904-b4f3-adf4eca8bd5f-7801458.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/640x418_cmsv2_ffb2f64c-678a-5904-b4f3-adf4eca8bd5f-7801458.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/750x490_cmsv2_ffb2f64c-678a-5904-b4f3-adf4eca8bd5f-7801458.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/828x541_cmsv2_ffb2f64c-678a-5904-b4f3-adf4eca8bd5f-7801458.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1080x706_cmsv2_ffb2f64c-678a-5904-b4f3-adf4eca8bd5f-7801458.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1200x784_cmsv2_ffb2f64c-678a-5904-b4f3-adf4eca8bd5f-7801458.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/1920x1254_cmsv2_ffb2f64c-678a-5904-b4f3-adf4eca8bd5f-7801458.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Demonstrators march past a statue symbolising "Beirut rising from destruction" erected in the middle of a street in the Gemmayze neighbourhood, 4 August 2021<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">JOSEPH EID/AFP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>They may drive past Gemmayze, the lively neighbourhood for Beirut\u2019s \"real nightlife\" peppered with bars, galleries, and restaurants that many now struggle to afford.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It is also the place where the port explosion ripped through three years ago and for which still nobody has been held accountable. Impunity has robbed Beirut of its soul.<\/p>\n<p>While civil society tracks corruption and proceeds to have them restituted to Lebanon, while the victims of the Beirut port explosion gather their last resources to push for justice, while courageous journalists and intellectuals risk their lives to seek\u00a0accountability, it is a humanitarian duty for the Council of the European Union to support their fight and issue targeted sanctions against those who continue to promote their own interests to the detriment of the population.<\/p>\n<p><em>Zena Wakim is an international lawyer and President of the Board of the Swiss Foundation Accountability Now, whose mission is to support Lebanese civil society in its desire to put an end to the impunity of corrupt leaders.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at <a href=https://www.euronews.com/news/\"mailto:view@euronews.com\">view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1691147662,"publishedAt":1691160350,"updatedAt":1691400664,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/04\/in-kleptocrats-riddled-lebanon-it-is-difficult-to-know-what-rock-bottom-is","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e35888bd-765b-5925-aa89-c30f12467101-7801458.jpg","altText":"An anti-government protester woman throws a stone towards riot police during a protest near Parliament Square, in Beirut, September 2020","caption":"An anti-government protester woman throws a stone towards riot police during a protest near Parliament Square, in Beirut, September 2020","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b4376b24-b026-5cd6-b491-24fc7c25ef04-7801458.jpg","altText":"A rescue team surveys the site of this week's massive explosion in the port of Beirut, 7 August 2020","caption":"A rescue team surveys the site of this week's massive explosion in the port of Beirut, 7 August 2020","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Thibault Camus","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_15ab56e5-eaa1-5533-b009-f63183fe1b57-7801458.jpg","altText":"A Lebanese street vendor who sells and repairs clocks, sits next of two clocks that show different times in Lebanon, in the southern port city of Sidon, March 2023","caption":"A Lebanese street vendor who sells and repairs clocks, sits next of two clocks that show different times in Lebanon, in the southern port city of Sidon, March 2023","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Mohammad Zaatari","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":687},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a9795112-1a80-5390-9b07-29327df4e60b-7801458.jpg","altText":"ATM covered with diesel fuel after it was vandalised by angry depositors who attacked Byblos Bank in Beirut, June 2023","caption":"ATM covered with diesel fuel after it was vandalised by angry depositors who attacked Byblos Bank in Beirut, June 2023","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Hussein Malla","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":682},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/80\/14\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ffb2f64c-678a-5904-b4f3-adf4eca8bd5f-7801458.jpg","altText":"Demonstrators march past a statue symbolising \"Beirut rising from destruction\" erected in the middle of a street in the Gemmayze neighbourhood, 4 August 2021","caption":"Demonstrators march past a statue symbolising \"Beirut rising from destruction\" erected in the middle of a street in the Gemmayze neighbourhood, 4 August 2021","captionCredit":"JOSEPH EID\/AFP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":669}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":168,"slug":"lebanon","urlSafeValue":"lebanon","title":"Lebanon","titleRaw":"Lebanon"},{"id":21598,"slug":"lebanon-protests","urlSafeValue":"lebanon-protests","title":"Lebanon Protests","titleRaw":"Lebanon Protests"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":12824,"slug":"sanctions","urlSafeValue":"sanctions","title":"Sanctions","titleRaw":"Sanctions"},{"id":9415,"slug":"economic-crisis","urlSafeValue":"economic-crisis","title":"Economic crisis","titleRaw":"Economic crisis"},{"id":4988,"slug":"corruption","urlSafeValue":"corruption","title":"Corruption","titleRaw":"Corruption"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":4},{"slug":"quotation","count":4}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"externalPartners":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Zena Wakim, International lawyer, President of the Board, Accountability Now","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"view","urlSafeValue":"view","title":"View","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/view"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":168,"urlSafeValue":"lebanon","title":"Lebanon","url":"\/news\/asia\/lebanon"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','gs_politics','neg_facebook_2021','sm_politics','castrol_negative_uk','neg_mobkoi_castrol','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc','gs_science_geography','gt_negative','neg_facebook_q4','gv_crime','neg_facebook','neg_saudiaramco','gs_busfin','gs_busfin_economy','gs_economy','gs_economy_misc','gb_crime_edu','gb_crime_high_med_low','gv_death_injury','gt_negative_mistrust'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-web","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/04\/in-kleptocrats-riddled-lebanon-it-is-difficult-to-know-what-rock-bottom-is","lastModified":1691400664},{"id":2337012,"cid":7796262,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230802_GNSU_52635122","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Will protest be allowed at COP28? UAE says yes but campaigners are sceptical","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Activists will be allowed to protest \u2018peacefully\u2019 at COP28, says UAE","titleListing2":"Will protest be allowed at COP28? UAE says yes, despite \u2018abysmal human rights record\u2019","leadin":"Campaigners vow they will resist any attempts to curtail civil society participation at the UN climate summit in Dubai this year.","summary":"Campaigners vow they will resist any attempts to curtail civil society participation at the UN climate summit in Dubai this year.","url":"will-protest-be-allowed-at-cop28-uae-says-yes-despite-abysmal-human-rights-record","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Climate activists will be allowed to protest \u201cpeacefully\u201d at COP28 in Dubai later this year, the UAE has confirmed. \n\nThe oil-rich state typically requires official permission for protests and effectively bans demonstrations it deems disruptive. \n\nBut it is making an exception for the UN climate summit which runs from 30 November to 12 December in the the city's business hub. \n\n\u201cThere will be space for climate activists to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard,\u201d the UAE said in a joining statement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) yesterday. \n\nThe statement was released after COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber and UNFCCC chief Simon Stiell signed a bilateral agreement in Abu Dhabi that provides the legal basis for organising and hosting the climate talks. \n\n\"We are firmly committed to ensuring that UN values are upheld at COPs,\" the statement - broadcast by the country's official news agency WAM - quoted Stiell as saying. \n\nHow have climate activists responded? \n\nTuesday's announcement was welcomed by campaign group Climate Action Network (CAN) International which commended \"the COP28 Presidency for their dedicated efforts towards fostering an inclusive climate summit\". \n\nBut it warned that it would \"resist any attempts to curtail (civil society) participation,\" according to Harjeet Singh, its head of global political strategy. \n\n\"Our unwavering conviction is clear: there can be no climate justice without human rights ,\" Singh told the AFP news agency. \n\nWhat is the UAE\u2019s climate and human rights record? \n\nThe UAE is a major oil producer and one of the world's largest emitters of CO2 per capita. It was ranked the world's fourth biggest polluter per capita in 2019 by the World Bank. \n\nThe choice for it to host COP28 has sparked criticism from environmental groups which warn that the involvement of a major oil exporter could undermine talks to curb climate change. \n\nThis was underscored by the appointment in January of the boss of Adnoc , the national oil company of the Emirates, to chair the event. \n\nA leaked document seen by UK newspaper the Guardian reveals that oil and gas production is on a list of \u201ctouchy and sensitive\u201d topics for the petrostate. \n\nNon-government groups including Human Rights Watch (HRW) have also warned that the Gulf state's restrictions on freedom of expression could hinder the meaningful participation of climate activists. \n\n\"The authorities may be ready to allow limited demonstrations during COP28 because the eyes of the whole world are on the United Arab Emirates ,\" said Joey Shea, researcher on the Emirates at the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW). \n\n\"Observers should see beyond this artificial appearance and understand that the Emirati authorities have zero tolerance for dissent,\" he told AFP. \n\nHRW previously warned in a March report that, \"Civil society actors will struggle to effectively play their role in pushing for ambitious action to address the climate crisis in a country whose government has such an abysmal human rights record.\u201d \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Climate activists will be allowed to protest \u201cpeacefully\u201d at COP28 in Dubai later this year, the UAE has confirmed.<\/p>\n<p>The oil-rich state typically requires official permission for protests and effectively bans demonstrations it deems disruptive.<\/p>\n<p>But it is making an exception for the UN climate summit which runs from 30 November to 12 December in the the city's business hub.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere will be space for <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//24//greta-thunberg-appears-in-swedish-court-to-face-charge-of-disobeying-police-at-a-climate-p/">climate activists<\/strong><\/a> to assemble peacefully and make their voices heard,\u201d the UAE said in a joining statement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) yesterday.<\/p>\n<p>The statement was released after <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//06//06//a-warm-up-to-cop28-un-climate-talks-kick-off-in-germany-with-no-final-agenda/">COP28 president <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//14//fossil-fuel-bosses-controversial-invites-and-mixed-messages-heres-how-cop28-is-shaping-up-/">Sultan al-Jaber<\/strong><\/a> and UNFCCC chief Simon Stiell signed a bilateral agreement in Abu Dhabi that provides the legal basis for organising and hosting the climate talks.<\/p>\n<p>\"We are firmly committed to ensuring that UN values are upheld at COPs,\" the statement - broadcast by the country's official news agency WAM - quoted Stiell as saying.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7795896,7749884\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//08//02//earth-overshoot-day-humanity-burns-through-planets-yearly-resources-by-2-august/">Earth Overshoot Day: Humanity burns through planet's yearly resources by 2 August<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//13//eu-to-push-for-fossil-fuel-phaseout-well-ahead-of-2050-at-cop28-climate-summit/">EU to push for fossil fuel phaseout \u2018well ahead\u2019 of 2050 at COP28 climate summit<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>How have climate activists responded?<\/h2><p>Tuesday's announcement was welcomed by campaign group Climate Action Network (CAN) International which commended \"the COP28 Presidency for their dedicated efforts towards fostering an inclusive climate summit\".<\/p>\n<p>But it warned that it would \"resist any attempts to curtail (civil society) participation,\" according to Harjeet Singh, its head of global political strategy.<\/p>\n<p>\"Our unwavering conviction is clear: there can be no climate justice without <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//11//23//how-activists-used-cop27-to-draw-attention-to-egypts-human-rights-record/">human rights<\/strong><\/a>,\" Singh told the AFP news agency.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7796218\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//08//02//climate-change-made-july-hotter-for-4-out-of-5-humans-on-earth/">Climate change made July hotter for 4 out of 5 humans on Earth<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>What is the UAE\u2019s climate and human rights record?<\/h2><p>The UAE is a major oil producer and one of the world's largest emitters of CO2 per capita. It was ranked the world's fourth biggest polluter per capita in 2019 by the World Bank.<\/p>\n<p>The choice for it to host COP28 has sparked criticism from environmental groups which warn that the involvement of a major oil exporter could undermine talks to curb climate change.<\/p>\n<p>This was underscored by the appointment in January of the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//05//24//us-and-eu-lawmakers-call-for-designated-head-of-cop28-talks-to-be-removed/">boss of Adnoc<\/strong><\/a>, the national oil company of the Emirates, to chair the event.<\/p>\n<p>A leaked document seen by UK newspaper the Guardian reveals that oil and gas production is on a list of \u201ctouchy and sensitive\u201d topics for the petrostate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">The authorities may be ready to allow limited demonstrations during COP28 because the eyes of the whole world are on the United Arab Emirates...<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Joey Shea\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n UAE researcher, Human Rights Watch\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Non-government groups including Human Rights Watch (HRW) have also warned that the Gulf state's restrictions on freedom of expression could hinder the meaningful participation of climate activists.<\/p>\n<p>\"The authorities may be ready to allow limited demonstrations during COP28 because the eyes of the whole world are on the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//01//12//uae-names-oil-boss-as-cop28-president-critics-say-it-could-torpedo-climate-talks/">United Arab Emirates<\/strong><\/a>,\" said Joey Shea, researcher on the Emirates at the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW).<\/p>\n<p>\"Observers should see beyond this artificial appearance and understand that the Emirati authorities have zero tolerance for dissent,\" he told AFP.<\/p>\n<p>HRW previously warned in a March report that, \"Civil society actors will struggle to effectively play their role in pushing for ambitious action to address the climate crisis in a country whose government has such an abysmal human rights record.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690972079,"publishedAt":1690973080,"updatedAt":1691049111,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2023\/08\/02\/will-protest-be-allowed-at-cop28-uae-says-yes-despite-abysmal-human-rights-record","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/62\/62\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cf2b7054-8e64-5781-a5e5-70fce62b76a0-7796262.jpg","altText":"Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive of the UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and president of this year's COP28 climate talks.","caption":"Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive of the UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and president of this year's COP28 climate talks.","captionCredit":"Karim SAHIB \/ AFP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28576,"slug":"cop28","urlSafeValue":"cop28","title":"COP28","titleRaw":"COP28"},{"id":21504,"slug":"climate-protests","urlSafeValue":"climate-protests","title":"climate protests","titleRaw":"climate protests"},{"id":24840,"slug":"united-nations-climate-change-conference","urlSafeValue":"united-nations-climate-change-conference","title":"UN Climate Change Conference","titleRaw":"UN Climate Change Conference"},{"id":24346,"slug":"climate-activst","urlSafeValue":"climate-activst","title":"climate activst","titleRaw":"climate activst"},{"id":12345,"slug":"human-rights-watch","urlSafeValue":"human-rights-watch","title":"Human Rights Watch","titleRaw":"Human Rights Watch"},{"id":21414,"slug":"human-rights-abuse","urlSafeValue":"human-rights-abuse","title":"human rights abuse","titleRaw":"human rights abuse"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"quotation","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"externalPartners":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AFP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews Green","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news\/green-news"},"vertical":"green","verticals":[{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":35,"urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green-news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":290,"urlSafeValue":"united-arab-emirates","title":"United Arab Emirates","url":"\/news\/asia\/united-arab-emirates"},"town":{"id":417,"urlSafeValue":"dubai-united-arab-emirates","title":"Dubai, United Arab Emirates"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_science','progressivemedia','neg_facebook_2021','gt_negative','gs_science_environ','gs_science_environment','gs_business','gs_busfin','gs_politics_issues_policy','sm_politics','gs_politics_misc','gs_science_geography','gb_crime_edu','gb_crime_high_med_low','neg_saudiaramco','castrol_negative_uk','neg_mobkoi_castrol','gt_negative_fear'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/green\/2023\/08\/02\/will-protest-be-allowed-at-cop28-uae-says-yes-despite-abysmal-human-rights-record","lastModified":1691049111},{"id":2336068,"cid":7793508,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230801_WBWB_52621007","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Israel urgently needs checks and balances before it loses its democratic soul","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"As Israel struggles for its democratic soul, this could be a solution","titleListing2":"VIEW | An additional legislative layer with an oversight role made up of ordinary individuals from all walks of life with no political ambition could well be the panacea to Israel\u2019s constitutional conundrum, Joshua Hantman writes.","leadin":"An additional legislative layer with an oversight role made up of ordinary individuals from all walks of life with no political ambition could well be the panacea to Israel\u2019s constitutional conundrum, Joshua Hantman writes.","summary":"An additional legislative layer with an oversight role made up of ordinary individuals from all walks of life with no political ambition could well be the panacea to Israel\u2019s constitutional conundrum, Joshua Hantman writes.","url":"israel-urgently-needs-checks-and-balances-before-it-loses-its-democratic-soul","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Last week was a dark week for Israel\u2019s democracy. The first legislative shot of a battle for Israel\u2019s democratic future was fired officially, as the first piece of legislation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s judicial overhaul passed the Knesset.\u00a0 \n\nThe law removes one of the key tools the Supreme Court has in its arsenal to strike down legislation deemed unreasonable\u00a0 \u2014\u00a0 such as the current government\u2019s attempt to put a convicted financial felon in the position of finance minister. \n\nWith hundreds of thousands taking to the streets to protest for the 30th week in a row, the minister of national security \u2014 who himself was convicted of inciting racism and supporting a terrorist organization in 2008\u00a0\u2014 declared that this was \u201cjust the beginning\u201d. \n\nPolitics of procrastination \n\nIn Israel, large-scale reforms are rare. Political survival in unstable coalitions is often accompanied by legislative bottlenecks, tactical flipflopping and incessant procrastination. \n\nIn fact, procrastination is the name of the game in Israeli politics, dating all the way back to day one.\u00a0 \n\nThe Declaration of Independence stated that the newly formed state must adopt a constitution \u201cnot later than 1 October 1948\u201d. As the country marks its 75th year of independence, there is still no progress\u00a0\u2014 Israel still doesn't have a written constitution\u00a0\u2014 and the legal limbo is quite literally tearing the nation apart. \n\nThe current judicial reform \u2014 or \"regime overhaul\" to its critics\u00a0\u2014 arises from a lack of clearly defined rules regarding the function and powers of Israel\u2019s judiciary and an illiberal government who, unashamedly inspired by \"successes\" in Hungary and Poland, are looking to take advantage of this. \n\nIn Israel\u2019s parliamentary democracy, the executive, or the government, automatically controls the legislature \u2014 the unicameral parliament\u00a0\u2014 with a simple majority.\u00a0 \n\nIf Justice Minister Yariv Levin's\u00a0 declared plans to hamstring the courts and even grant veto power to the government over judicial appointments and judicial review are to succeed, Israel will be in a situation where a simple majority controls all three branches of power.\u00a0 \n\nNo checks. No balances. \n\nOnly one obstacle to the tyranny of the majority \n\nFurthermore, unlike in many European democracies or the US, with no federalism, executive president, bicameral legislature, constituency-based accountability, or any form of binding constitutional bill of rights, Israel\u2019s high court is the only official gatekeeper against the tyranny of the majority. \n\nIsrael, therefore, urgently needs a nationally agreed-upon constitution which lays out the role of the courts, the rights and obligations of the citizens of the state, codifies the balance of powers, and formalises its liberal democratic future. \n\nHowever, the constitution-building process itself has the potential to tear the nation apart further. The \"tribal\" nature of Israel\u2019s society, with such differing world views, requires an extremely careful consensus-building process. \n\nOne way to do this could be to get the politicians out of the way and establish a citizen\u2019s assembly in both the constitution-building process and, indeed, our day-to-day politics.\u00a0 \n\nSuch an assembly could provide a desperately needed additional layer of oversight\u00a0\u2014 not of politicians\u00a0\u2014 but of normal people who want to find common ground. \n\nThe solution: Citizen's assemblies \n\nMartin Wolf, the chief economics commentator at the Financial Times, discusses the concept in his book \"The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism\", as well as in a series of recent podcasts and articles. \n\nHe argues that democratic politics has become a zero-sum game of professional politicians, creating dangerous winners and disgruntled losers.\u00a0 \n\nCreated by lottery, \u201cthese [citizen\u2019s] assemblies would be more representative than professional politicians can ever be.\u201d\u00a0 \n\nHe also notes that \u201cit would temper the impact of political campaigning, nowadays made more distorting by the arts of advertising and the algorithms of social media.\u201d \n\nIndeed, elected representatives around the world are often focused purely on the game of constant campaigning to their base, with no incentive to either govern responsibly or find a compromise. In Israel, in particular, five elections in four years have exacerbated this sentiment. \n\nAnd while in Israel\u2019s one lonely but loud unicameral parliament, a multitude of sectoral parties means representation is relatively high, accountability is extremely low. \n\nWith list-based proportional representation, each \"tribe\" tends to have a voice, but the lack of constituencies or personal answerability on behalf of the members of parliament undermines trust in the democratic process.\u00a0 \n\nGovernments claim that once elected, they have a \"mandate\" to do as they please\u00a0\u2014 a dangerous majoritarianism which, lacking checks and balances, endangers minorities and individual rights. \n\nA checks-and-balances panacea \n\nA citizen\u2019s assembly, while unelected, could act like a jury, or even a House of Lords-style upper house, serving as an additional layer of institutional protection.\u00a0 \n\nIt would have to be both random and representative, perhaps created in conjunction with the President\u2019s Office and the Central Bureau of Statistics. \n\nThis \u201cpeople\u2019s branch of the legislature\u201d, as Wolf calls it, would be advisory in nature but \u201ccould decide to investigate particularly contentious issues or even legislation.\u00a0 \n\nIf it did the latter, it might ask for the legislation to be returned to the legislature for secret votes, thus reducing the control of factional party politics.\u00a0 \n\nThe people\u2019s house might even have oversight of such issues as electoral redistricting or selection of judges and officials.\u201d Another level of much-needed checks and balances. \n\nImportantly for the Israel case, it could even serve as a constituent assembly, working with legal experts from all sides and building on the Declaration of Independence to help finally formulate Israel\u2019s constitution.\u00a0 A constitution which would both clarify and codify the toolbox and authority of a truly independent supreme court. \n\nAn additional legislative layer, with an oversight role, made up of ordinary individuals from all walks of life, with no political ambition, who do not have to raise funds to campaign and therefore are not at the whims of special interests or lobbyists, that neither win nor lose \u2014 this could well be the panacea to Israel\u2019s constitutional conundrum. \n\nJoshua Hantman is a partner at Number 10 Strategies LLP and a former advisor to Israel\u2019s Minister of Defence and Ambassador to Washington. \n\nAt Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Last week was a dark week for Israel\u2019s democracy. The first legislative shot of a battle for Israel\u2019s democratic future was fired officially, as the first piece of legislation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s judicial overhaul passed the Knesset.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The law removes one of the key tools the Supreme Court has in its arsenal to strike down legislation deemed unreasonable\u00a0\u2014\u00a0such as the current government\u2019s attempt to put a convicted financial felon in the position of finance minister.<\/p>\n<p>With hundreds of thousands taking to the streets to protest for the 30th week in a row, the minister of national security \u2014 who himself was convicted of inciting racism and supporting a terrorist organization in 2008\u00a0\u2014 declared that this was \u201cjust the beginning\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2>Politics of procrastination<\/h2><p>In Israel, large-scale reforms are rare. Political survival in unstable coalitions is often accompanied by legislative bottlenecks, tactical flipflopping and incessant procrastination.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, procrastination is the name of the game in Israeli politics, dating all the way back to day one.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Declaration of Independence stated that the newly formed state must adopt a constitution \u201cnot later than 1 October 1948\u201d. As the country marks its 75th year of independence, there is still no progress\u00a0\u2014 Israel still doesn't have a written constitution\u00a0\u2014 and the legal limbo is quite literally tearing the nation apart.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">If Justice Minister Yariv Levin's declared plans to hamstring the courts ... are to succeed, Israel will be in a situation where a simple majority controls all three branches of power.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//35//08//808x539_cmsv2_39089f99-9833-5cdb-9084-1007a70a4735-7793508.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/384x256_cmsv2_39089f99-9833-5cdb-9084-1007a70a4735-7793508.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/640x427_cmsv2_39089f99-9833-5cdb-9084-1007a70a4735-7793508.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/750x500_cmsv2_39089f99-9833-5cdb-9084-1007a70a4735-7793508.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/828x552_cmsv2_39089f99-9833-5cdb-9084-1007a70a4735-7793508.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1080x720_cmsv2_39089f99-9833-5cdb-9084-1007a70a4735-7793508.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1200x800_cmsv2_39089f99-9833-5cdb-9084-1007a70a4735-7793508.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1920x1281_cmsv2_39089f99-9833-5cdb-9084-1007a70a4735-7793508.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Israeli police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a road during a protest in Jerusalem, July 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The current judicial reform \u2014 or \"regime overhaul\" to its critics\u00a0\u2014 arises from a lack of clearly defined rules regarding the function and powers of Israel\u2019s judiciary and an illiberal government who, unashamedly inspired by \"successes\" in Hungary and Poland, are looking to take advantage of this.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7775738,7774300\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//25//israeli-parliament-takes-first-major-step-in-netanyahus-contentious-overhaul-deepening-div/">Israeli parliament takes first major step in Netanyahu's contentious overhaul, deepening divisions<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//24//israels-parliament-greenlights-controversial-judicial-reform-amid-raging-protests/">Israel's parliament greenlights controversial judicial reform amid raging protests<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In Israel\u2019s parliamentary democracy, the executive, or the government, automatically controls the legislature \u2014 the unicameral parliament\u00a0\u2014 with a simple majority.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>If Justice Minister Yariv Levin's\u00a0declared plans to hamstring the courts and even grant veto power to the government over judicial appointments and judicial review are to succeed, Israel will be in a situation where a simple majority controls all three branches of power.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>No checks. No balances.<\/p>\n<h2>Only one obstacle to the tyranny of the majority<\/h2><p>Furthermore, unlike in many European democracies or the US, with no federalism, executive president, bicameral legislature, constituency-based accountability, or any form of binding constitutional bill of rights, Israel\u2019s high court is the only official gatekeeper against the tyranny of the majority.<\/p>\n<p>Israel, therefore, urgently needs a nationally agreed-upon constitution which lays out the role of the courts, the rights and obligations of the citizens of the state, codifies the balance of powers, and formalises its liberal democratic future.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">The 'tribal' nature of Israel\u2019s society, with such differing world views, requires an extremely careful consensus-building process.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//35//08//808x539_cmsv2_e10734e0-cac9-5683-83ac-9604e11a8911-7793508.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo/Abir Sultan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/384x256_cmsv2_e10734e0-cac9-5683-83ac-9604e11a8911-7793508.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/640x427_cmsv2_e10734e0-cac9-5683-83ac-9604e11a8911-7793508.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/750x500_cmsv2_e10734e0-cac9-5683-83ac-9604e11a8911-7793508.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/828x552_cmsv2_e10734e0-cac9-5683-83ac-9604e11a8911-7793508.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1080x720_cmsv2_e10734e0-cac9-5683-83ac-9604e11a8911-7793508.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1200x800_cmsv2_e10734e0-cac9-5683-83ac-9604e11a8911-7793508.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1920x1281_cmsv2_e10734e0-cac9-5683-83ac-9604e11a8911-7793508.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with his Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, July 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo/Abir Sultan<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>However, the constitution-building process itself has the potential to tear the nation apart further. The \"tribal\" nature of Israel\u2019s society, with such differing world views, requires an extremely careful consensus-building process.<\/p>\n<p>One way to do this could be to get the politicians out of the way and establish a citizen\u2019s assembly in both the constitution-building process and, indeed, our day-to-day politics.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Such an assembly could provide a desperately needed additional layer of oversight\u00a0\u2014 not of politicians\u00a0\u2014 but of normal people who want to find common ground.<\/p>\n<h2>The solution: Citizen's assemblies<\/h2><p>Martin Wolf, the chief economics commentator at the Financial Times, discusses the concept in his book \"The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism\", as well as in a series of recent podcasts and articles.<\/p>\n<p>He argues that democratic politics has become a zero-sum game of professional politicians, creating dangerous winners and disgruntled losers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Created by lottery, \u201cthese [citizen\u2019s] assemblies would be more representative than professional politicians can ever be.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He also notes that \u201cit would temper the impact of political campaigning, nowadays made more distorting by the arts of advertising and the algorithms of social media.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">Governments claim that once elected, they have a \"mandate\" to do as they please \u2014 a dangerous majoritarianism which, lacking checks and balances, endangers minorities and individual rights.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//35//08//808x539_cmsv2_fccc1114-222f-52cd-b0cc-4f1e4577be98-7793508.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/384x256_cmsv2_fccc1114-222f-52cd-b0cc-4f1e4577be98-7793508.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/640x427_cmsv2_fccc1114-222f-52cd-b0cc-4f1e4577be98-7793508.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/750x500_cmsv2_fccc1114-222f-52cd-b0cc-4f1e4577be98-7793508.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/828x552_cmsv2_fccc1114-222f-52cd-b0cc-4f1e4577be98-7793508.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1080x720_cmsv2_fccc1114-222f-52cd-b0cc-4f1e4577be98-7793508.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1200x800_cmsv2_fccc1114-222f-52cd-b0cc-4f1e4577be98-7793508.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1920x1281_cmsv2_fccc1114-222f-52cd-b0cc-4f1e4577be98-7793508.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system in Tel Aviv, July 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Indeed, elected representatives around the world are often focused purely on the game of constant campaigning to their base, with no incentive to either govern responsibly or find a compromise. In Israel, in particular, five elections in four years have exacerbated this sentiment.<\/p>\n<p>And while in Israel\u2019s one lonely but loud unicameral parliament, a multitude of sectoral parties means representation is relatively high, accountability is extremely low.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7761902,7745146\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//12//protests-intensify-in-israel-as-anger-grows-over-governments-judicial-reform-plans/">Protests intensify in Israel as anger grows over government's judicial reform plans<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//19//israeli-protesters-block-highways-train-stations-as-netanyahu-moves-ahead-with-judicial-ov/">Israeli protesters block highways, train stations as Netanyahu moves ahead with judicial overhaul<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>With list-based proportional representation, each \"tribe\" tends to have a voice, but the lack of constituencies or personal answerability on behalf of the members of parliament undermines trust in the democratic process.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Governments claim that once elected, they have a \"mandate\" to do as they please\u00a0\u2014 a dangerous majoritarianism which, lacking checks and balances, endangers minorities and individual rights.<\/p>\n<h2>A checks-and-balances panacea<\/h2><p>A citizen\u2019s assembly, while unelected, could act like a jury, or even a House of Lords-style upper house, serving as an additional layer of institutional protection.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It would have to be both random and representative, perhaps created in conjunction with the President\u2019s Office and the Central Bureau of Statistics.<\/p>\n<p>This \u201cpeople\u2019s branch of the legislature\u201d, as Wolf calls it, would be advisory in nature but \u201ccould decide to investigate particularly contentious issues or even legislation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">The people's house ... could even serve as a constituent assembly, working with legal experts from all sides and building on the Declaration of Independence to help finally formulate Israel\u2019s constitution.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//79//35//08//808x539_cmsv2_4d5810c3-6365-5267-b2d4-b18cf0d8d8e1-7793508.jpg/" alt=\"AP Photo/Oded Balilty\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/384x256_cmsv2_4d5810c3-6365-5267-b2d4-b18cf0d8d8e1-7793508.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/640x427_cmsv2_4d5810c3-6365-5267-b2d4-b18cf0d8d8e1-7793508.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/750x500_cmsv2_4d5810c3-6365-5267-b2d4-b18cf0d8d8e1-7793508.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/828x552_cmsv2_4d5810c3-6365-5267-b2d4-b18cf0d8d8e1-7793508.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1080x720_cmsv2_4d5810c3-6365-5267-b2d4-b18cf0d8d8e1-7793508.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1200x800_cmsv2_4d5810c3-6365-5267-b2d4-b18cf0d8d8e1-7793508.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/1920x1281_cmsv2_4d5810c3-6365-5267-b2d4-b18cf0d8d8e1-7793508.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Israeli police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking the freeway during a protest in Tel Aviv, July 2023<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo/Oded Balilty<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If it did the latter, it might ask for the legislation to be returned to the legislature for secret votes, thus reducing the control of factional party politics.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The people\u2019s house might even have oversight of such issues as electoral redistricting or selection of judges and officials.\u201d Another level of much-needed checks and balances.<\/p>\n<p>Importantly for the Israel case, it could even serve as a constituent assembly, working with legal experts from all sides and building on the Declaration of Independence to help finally formulate Israel\u2019s constitution.\u00a0A constitution which would both clarify and codify the toolbox and authority of a truly independent supreme court.<\/p>\n<p>An additional legislative layer, with an oversight role, made up of ordinary individuals from all walks of life, with no political ambition, who do not have to raise funds to campaign and therefore are not at the whims of special interests or lobbyists, that neither win nor lose \u2014 this could well be the panacea to Israel\u2019s constitutional conundrum.<\/p>\n<p><em>Joshua Hantman is a partner at Number 10 Strategies LLP and a former advisor to Israel\u2019s Minister of Defence and Ambassador to Washington.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.<\/em><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690882435,"publishedAt":1690888125,"updatedAt":1690888128,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/08\/01\/israel-urgently-needs-checks-and-balances-before-it-loses-its-democratic-soul","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_942a7c0b-ab3b-5482-83e5-cba01303c04d-7793508.jpg","altText":"Demonstrators wave large Israeli flag during a protest against plans by PM Benjamin Netanyahu to overhaul the judicial system, outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, July 2023","caption":"Demonstrators wave large Israeli flag during a protest against plans by PM Benjamin Netanyahu to overhaul the judicial system, outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, July 2023","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4d5810c3-6365-5267-b2d4-b18cf0d8d8e1-7793508.jpg","altText":"Israeli police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking the freeway during a protest in Tel Aviv, July 2023","caption":"Israeli police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking the freeway during a protest in Tel Aviv, July 2023","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Oded Balilty","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fccc1114-222f-52cd-b0cc-4f1e4577be98-7793508.jpg","altText":"Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system in Tel Aviv, July 2023","caption":"Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system in Tel Aviv, July 2023","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Tsafrir Abayov","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e10734e0-cac9-5683-83ac-9604e11a8911-7793508.jpg","altText":"Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with his Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, July 2023","caption":"Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with his Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, July 2023","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Abir Sultan","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/79\/35\/08\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_39089f99-9833-5cdb-9084-1007a70a4735-7793508.jpg","altText":"Israeli police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a road during a protest in Jerusalem, July 2023","caption":"Israeli police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a road during a protest in Jerusalem, July 2023","captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Ohad Zwigenberg","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28460,"slug":"israel-protests","urlSafeValue":"israel-protests","title":"2023 Israel protests","titleRaw":"2023 Israel protests"},{"id":9353,"slug":"israeli-politics","urlSafeValue":"israeli-politics","title":"Israeli politics","titleRaw":"Israeli politics"},{"id":5412,"slug":"benjamin-netanyahu","urlSafeValue":"benjamin-netanyahu","title":"Benjamin Netanyahu","titleRaw":"Benjamin Netanyahu"},{"id":157,"slug":"israel","urlSafeValue":"israel","title":"Israel","titleRaw":"Israel"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":4},{"slug":"quotation","count":4},{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"externalPartners":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Joshua Hantman, Partner, Number 10 Strategies","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"view","urlSafeValue":"view","title":"View","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/view"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":157,"urlSafeValue":"israel","title":"Israel","url":"\/news\/asia\/israel"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_politics','sm_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc','neg_facebook_2021','gs_law','castrol_negative_uk','neg_mobkoi_castrol','gs_law_misc','neg_nespresso','gt_negative','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gb_sensitive_high_med','gb_sensitive_high_med_low','gb_sensitive_news-ent'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-web","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/08\/01\/israel-urgently-needs-checks-and-balances-before-it-loses-its-democratic-soul","lastModified":1690888128},{"id":2332466,"cid":7782816,"versionId":6,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230731_S4WB_52574006","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Meet the environmentalist teaching natural building techniques in India","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Meet the environmentalist teaching natural building techniques in India","leadin":"In partnership with Media City, Qatar","summary":"In partnership with Media City, Qatar","url":"meet-the-environmentalist-teaching-natural-building-techniques-in-india","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"SCENES shines a spotlight on youth around the world that are breaking down barriers and creating change. The character-driven short films will inspire and amaze, as these young change-makers tell their remarkable stories. \n\nTraditionally, homes in India were built from sustainable materials like mud, bamboo, lime plaster or even animal dung. As populations increased and cities expanded, India's construction industry focused on materials like cement and steel. \n\nAccording to Statista, India is now the second-largest producer of cement in the world, with production amounting to 370 million metric tons in 2022. Globally, concrete comes with a high environmental cost, generating between four and eight per cent of the world's CO2. \n\nSustainable building materials \n\nShagun Singh founded Geeli Mitti in 2016 and is on a mission to reinvigorate India's building industry.\u00a0She wants to see the country return to using more traditional and sustainable materials. \n\n\"I created this place to serve as a centre of excellence for leading a sustainable lifestyle. As a place which serves as a demonstration and research training centre,\" Shagun tells SCENES. \n\n\"We work on all aspects related to sustainable living,\" she explains. \n\nGeeli Mitti workshops \n\nGeeli Mitti is a social enterprise and natural building foundation. The community runs workshops ranging from intensive natural building courses to permaculture design certifications and water management courses. \n\n\"But once people come in, we first tell them that's not all you're going to be learning. While they live here for a week or a month, they experience what sustainable living is all about.\" \n\n\"Whether that is starting to train people about natural construction, different forms of farming or taking up livelihood opportunities or health care,\" Shagun explains. \n\nThe workshops are open to all ages and experience levels. The only requirement is a willingness and a commitment to learn more about living a sustainable life. \n\nGeeli Mitti believes that building with mud offers a fulfilling experience and a chance to have a quality, sustainable home that will last at least one hundred years. She believes that it is only in the recent past that society has veered away from sustainable living. \n\n\"Homesteading, thrifting, recycling are no longer virtues. What became virtuous was an economy of waste.\" She says \n\nDemystifying mud-building \n\nShagun, and other environmentalists like her, say that reviving old building traditions is a vital way to address modern-day challenges like climate change. \n\nTo get more people on board, Geeli Mitti simplifies the process of building with mud. The foundation teaches people about the different kinds of soil present in the ground and shows them various building techniques. Their building's fundamental components are clay, sand, straw, and water. \n\n\"Even a bird, even an insect, knows how to build a shelter for themselves,\" Shagun says. \"Our goal has been to empower people and train them to feel confident building a beautiful, happy, sustainable ecological shelter for themselves and their families.\" \n\nMud buildings are mainly known for their natural ventilation and ability to control high temperatures. It is ideal for preventing a house from getting too hot in a warm climate like India because walls have a high thermal mass that can absorb and store heat slowly. \n\nIn recent years, more and more architects have started returning to natural materials as they seek to create buildings able to withstand extreme weather and rising temperatures. \n\nMud is very resilient, and once constructed, buildings are self-sufficient. Shagun explains, \"When you talk about mud building to people, the first thing they'll say is, \"Oh, but it requires a lot of maintenance. But that's not true.\" \n\nWorking with the community \n\nGeeli Mitti architect Anubha Jain says she's learned a lot working with Shagun and the team. \"I've done everything from digging to carrying and building. And you realise your own strength,\" she explains. \n\n\"For me, it was super transformative.\" \n\nDayal, a local villager who works at the foundation, agrees. \"From Shagun, I have learnt all the techniques that she uses. Constructing homes and everything. I can do it all,\" he says. \n\n\"Almost everyone from our village has worked at Geeli Mitti for a few days at least,\" he adds. \n\nProviding jobs for local people is one of the organisation's key initiatives, from working on the construction side to providing daily lunches. \n\nFuture-proof buildings \n\nShagun says making changes and becoming more sustainable is all about starting small. \n\n\"Segregate your waste into biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Once you've done that, ensure all people around you do it. Make that into a movement. If you start anything new, there's going to be a time period when you'll be learning new skills. You have to stick with it.\" She concludes. \n\nGeeli Mitti wants to leave a permanent legacy, a lasting impact on people's lives. The homes they're constructing are flood, fire, and earthquake-proof, and Shagun hopes they will remain standing for centuries. \n\n","htmlText":"<p><strong>SCENES shines a spotlight on youth around the world that are breaking down barriers and creating change. The character-driven short films will inspire and amaze, as these young change-makers tell their remarkable stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Traditionally, homes in India were built from sustainable materials like mud, bamboo, lime plaster or even animal dung. As populations increased and cities expanded, India's construction industry focused on materials like cement and steel.<\/p>\n<p>According to Statista, India is now the second-largest producer of cement in the world, with production amounting to 370 million metric tons in 2022. Globally, concrete comes with a high environmental cost, generating between four and eight per cent of the world's CO2.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//78//28//16//808x539_cmsv2_86a70922-861e-5696-89a4-2bd02610a163-7782816.jpg/" alt=\"Amar Gurung\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/384x256_cmsv2_86a70922-861e-5696-89a4-2bd02610a163-7782816.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/640x427_cmsv2_86a70922-861e-5696-89a4-2bd02610a163-7782816.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/750x500_cmsv2_86a70922-861e-5696-89a4-2bd02610a163-7782816.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/828x552_cmsv2_86a70922-861e-5696-89a4-2bd02610a163-7782816.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1080x720_cmsv2_86a70922-861e-5696-89a4-2bd02610a163-7782816.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1200x800_cmsv2_86a70922-861e-5696-89a4-2bd02610a163-7782816.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1920x1280_cmsv2_86a70922-861e-5696-89a4-2bd02610a163-7782816.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Shagun Singh, founder of Geeli Mitti, applying mud to the walls of a building in Uttarakhand, India<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Amar Gurung<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Sustainable building materials<\/h2><p>Shagun Singh founded Geeli Mitti in 2016 and is on a mission to reinvigorate India's building industry.\u00a0She wants to see the country return to using more traditional and sustainable materials.<\/p>\n<p>\"I created this place to serve as a centre of excellence for leading a sustainable lifestyle. As a place which serves as a demonstration and research training centre,\" Shagun tells SCENES.<\/p>\n<p>\"We work on all aspects related to sustainable living,\" she explains.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//78//28//16//808x539_cmsv2_78686d28-4261-53b3-8e2e-052b930ca7bc-7782816.jpg/" alt=\"Amar Gurung\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/384x256_cmsv2_78686d28-4261-53b3-8e2e-052b930ca7bc-7782816.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/640x427_cmsv2_78686d28-4261-53b3-8e2e-052b930ca7bc-7782816.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/750x500_cmsv2_78686d28-4261-53b3-8e2e-052b930ca7bc-7782816.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/828x552_cmsv2_78686d28-4261-53b3-8e2e-052b930ca7bc-7782816.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1080x720_cmsv2_78686d28-4261-53b3-8e2e-052b930ca7bc-7782816.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1200x800_cmsv2_78686d28-4261-53b3-8e2e-052b930ca7bc-7782816.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1920x1280_cmsv2_78686d28-4261-53b3-8e2e-052b930ca7bc-7782816.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Geeli Mitti build sustainable homes using natural materials in Uttarakhand, India<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Amar Gurung<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Geeli Mitti workshops<\/h2><p>Geeli Mitti is a social enterprise and natural building foundation. The community runs workshops ranging from intensive natural building courses to permaculture design certifications and water management courses.<\/p>\n<p>\"But once people come in, we first tell them that's not all you're going to be learning. While they live here for a week or a month, they experience what sustainable living is all about.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"Whether that is starting to train people about natural construction, different forms of farming or taking up livelihood opportunities or health care,\" Shagun explains.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//78//28//16//808x539_cmsv2_b53020ef-50cc-53c8-b1bc-7e1aaaf9e005-7782816.jpg/" alt=\"Amar Gurung\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/384x256_cmsv2_b53020ef-50cc-53c8-b1bc-7e1aaaf9e005-7782816.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/640x427_cmsv2_b53020ef-50cc-53c8-b1bc-7e1aaaf9e005-7782816.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/750x500_cmsv2_b53020ef-50cc-53c8-b1bc-7e1aaaf9e005-7782816.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/828x552_cmsv2_b53020ef-50cc-53c8-b1bc-7e1aaaf9e005-7782816.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1080x720_cmsv2_b53020ef-50cc-53c8-b1bc-7e1aaaf9e005-7782816.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1200x800_cmsv2_b53020ef-50cc-53c8-b1bc-7e1aaaf9e005-7782816.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1920x1280_cmsv2_b53020ef-50cc-53c8-b1bc-7e1aaaf9e005-7782816.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Geeli Mitti workshops are lively and participants are encouraged to get their hands dirty<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Amar Gurung<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The workshops are open to all ages and experience levels. The only requirement is a willingness and a commitment to learn more about living a sustainable life.<\/p>\n<p>Geeli Mitti believes that building with mud offers a fulfilling experience and a chance to have a quality, sustainable home that will last at least one hundred years. She believes that it is only in the recent past that society has veered away from sustainable living.<\/p>\n<p>\"Homesteading, thrifting, recycling are no longer virtues. What became virtuous was an economy of waste.\" She says<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//78//28//16//808x539_cmsv2_8ffb5d9c-4ade-5bfd-833d-b95da276cffe-7782816.jpg/" alt=\"Amar Gurung\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/384x256_cmsv2_8ffb5d9c-4ade-5bfd-833d-b95da276cffe-7782816.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/640x427_cmsv2_8ffb5d9c-4ade-5bfd-833d-b95da276cffe-7782816.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/750x500_cmsv2_8ffb5d9c-4ade-5bfd-833d-b95da276cffe-7782816.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/828x552_cmsv2_8ffb5d9c-4ade-5bfd-833d-b95da276cffe-7782816.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1080x720_cmsv2_8ffb5d9c-4ade-5bfd-833d-b95da276cffe-7782816.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1200x800_cmsv2_8ffb5d9c-4ade-5bfd-833d-b95da276cffe-7782816.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1920x1280_cmsv2_8ffb5d9c-4ade-5bfd-833d-b95da276cffe-7782816.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Geeli Mitti teaches everything related to sustainable living in their demonstration centre in Uttarakhand, India<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Amar Gurung<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7759670,7635376,7412818\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//02//20//meet-the-greek-team-studying-and-preserving-traditional-stonemasonry/">Meet the Greek team studying and preserving traditional stonemasonry<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//07//24//meet-the-conservationists-saving-rare-animals-in-uganda/">Meet the conservationists saving rare animals in Uganda<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//06//05//meet-the-sisters-championing-clean-construction-techniques-by-getting-their-hands-dirty/">Meet the sisters championing clean construction techniques by getting their hands dirty <\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Demystifying mud-building<\/h2><p>Shagun, and other environmentalists like her, say that reviving old building traditions is a vital way to address modern-day challenges like climate change.<\/p>\n<p>To get more people on board, Geeli Mitti simplifies the process of building with mud. The foundation teaches people about the different kinds of soil present in the ground and shows them various building techniques. Their building's fundamental components are clay, sand, straw, and water.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//78//28//16//808x539_cmsv2_adcac9ba-4816-5da2-87d7-2c7f642975fe-7782816.jpg/" alt=\"Amar Gurung\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/384x256_cmsv2_adcac9ba-4816-5da2-87d7-2c7f642975fe-7782816.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/640x427_cmsv2_adcac9ba-4816-5da2-87d7-2c7f642975fe-7782816.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/750x500_cmsv2_adcac9ba-4816-5da2-87d7-2c7f642975fe-7782816.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/828x552_cmsv2_adcac9ba-4816-5da2-87d7-2c7f642975fe-7782816.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1080x720_cmsv2_adcac9ba-4816-5da2-87d7-2c7f642975fe-7782816.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1200x800_cmsv2_adcac9ba-4816-5da2-87d7-2c7f642975fe-7782816.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1920x1280_cmsv2_adcac9ba-4816-5da2-87d7-2c7f642975fe-7782816.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Geeli Mitti's building's are made out of clay, sand, straw, and water<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Amar Gurung<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"Even a bird, even an insect, knows how to build a shelter for themselves,\" Shagun says. \"Our goal has been to empower people and train them to feel confident building a beautiful, happy, sustainable ecological shelter for themselves and their families.\"<\/p>\n<p>Mud buildings are mainly known for their natural ventilation and ability to control high temperatures. It is ideal for preventing a house from getting too hot in a warm climate like India because walls have a high thermal mass that can absorb and store heat slowly.<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, more and more architects have started returning to natural materials as they seek to create buildings able to withstand extreme weather and rising temperatures.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//78//28//16//808x539_cmsv2_85a44164-7584-5ff9-a258-b8f260babe04-7782816.jpg/" alt=\"Amar Gurung\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/384x256_cmsv2_85a44164-7584-5ff9-a258-b8f260babe04-7782816.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/640x427_cmsv2_85a44164-7584-5ff9-a258-b8f260babe04-7782816.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/750x500_cmsv2_85a44164-7584-5ff9-a258-b8f260babe04-7782816.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/828x552_cmsv2_85a44164-7584-5ff9-a258-b8f260babe04-7782816.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1080x720_cmsv2_85a44164-7584-5ff9-a258-b8f260babe04-7782816.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1200x800_cmsv2_85a44164-7584-5ff9-a258-b8f260babe04-7782816.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1920x1280_cmsv2_85a44164-7584-5ff9-a258-b8f260babe04-7782816.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Shagun Singh sitting inside one of Geeli Mitti's Mud buildings in Uttarakhand, India<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Amar Gurung<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Mud is very resilient, and once constructed, buildings are self-sufficient. Shagun explains, \"When you talk about mud building to people, the first thing they'll say is, \"Oh, but it requires a lot of maintenance. But that's not true.\"<\/p>\n<h2>Working with the community<\/h2><p>Geeli Mitti architect Anubha Jain says she's learned a lot working with Shagun and the team. \"I've done everything from digging to carrying and building. And you realise your own strength,\" she explains.<\/p>\n<p>\"For me, it was super transformative.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//78//28//16//808x539_cmsv2_9eb27c34-1566-5094-baf7-a8de795faa87-7782816.jpg/" alt=\"Amar Gurung\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/384x256_cmsv2_9eb27c34-1566-5094-baf7-a8de795faa87-7782816.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/640x427_cmsv2_9eb27c34-1566-5094-baf7-a8de795faa87-7782816.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/750x500_cmsv2_9eb27c34-1566-5094-baf7-a8de795faa87-7782816.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/828x552_cmsv2_9eb27c34-1566-5094-baf7-a8de795faa87-7782816.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1080x720_cmsv2_9eb27c34-1566-5094-baf7-a8de795faa87-7782816.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1200x800_cmsv2_9eb27c34-1566-5094-baf7-a8de795faa87-7782816.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1920x1280_cmsv2_9eb27c34-1566-5094-baf7-a8de795faa87-7782816.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Anubha Jain, an architect at Gili Mitti, says that mud is magic<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Amar Gurung<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Dayal, a local villager who works at the foundation, agrees. \"From Shagun, I have learnt all the techniques that she uses. Constructing homes and everything. I can do it all,\" he says.<\/p>\n<p>\"Almost everyone from our village has worked at Geeli Mitti for a few days at least,\" he adds.<\/p>\n<p>Providing jobs for local people is one of the organisation's key initiatives, from working on the construction side to providing daily lunches.<\/p>\n<h2>Future-proof buildings<\/h2><div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6663755458515284\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//78//28//16//808x539_cmsv2_a9df0731-f67c-5433-b576-8b90bdd270c3-7782816.jpg/" alt=\"Amar Gurung\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/384x256_cmsv2_a9df0731-f67c-5433-b576-8b90bdd270c3-7782816.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/640x426_cmsv2_a9df0731-f67c-5433-b576-8b90bdd270c3-7782816.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/750x500_cmsv2_a9df0731-f67c-5433-b576-8b90bdd270c3-7782816.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/828x552_cmsv2_a9df0731-f67c-5433-b576-8b90bdd270c3-7782816.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1080x720_cmsv2_a9df0731-f67c-5433-b576-8b90bdd270c3-7782816.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1200x800_cmsv2_a9df0731-f67c-5433-b576-8b90bdd270c3-7782816.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/1920x1279_cmsv2_a9df0731-f67c-5433-b576-8b90bdd270c3-7782816.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Shagun Singh wants more people to get involved in mud contstruction<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Amar Gurung<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Shagun says making changes and becoming more sustainable is all about starting small.<\/p>\n<p>\"Segregate your waste into biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Once you've done that, ensure all people around you do it. Make that into a movement. If you start anything new, there's going to be a time period when you'll be learning new skills. You have to stick with it.\" She concludes.<\/p>\n<p>Geeli Mitti wants to leave a permanent legacy, a lasting impact on people's lives. The homes they're constructing are flood, fire, and earthquake-proof, and Shagun hopes they will remain standing for centuries.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690463352,"publishedAt":1690815519,"updatedAt":1690869361,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2023\/07\/31\/meet-the-environmentalist-teaching-natural-building-techniques-in-india","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/28\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4ca62913-ca1f-5352-a173-cdbc78573b48-7782816.jpg","altText":"Geeli Mitti Farms is a social enterprise working with marginalised communities and specialising in sustainable housing","caption":"Geeli Mitti Farms is a social enterprise working with marginalised communities and specialising in sustainable 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killed and seven injured during clashes in Lebanon refugee camp","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Six killed and seven injured during clashes in Lebanon refugee camp","titleListing2":"At least six people were killed and seven injured after a gunman tried to kill an Islamist in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon.","leadin":"At least six people were killed and seven injured after a gunman tried to kill an Islamist in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon.","summary":"At least six people were killed and seven injured after a gunman tried to kill an Islamist in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon.","url":"six-killed-and-seven-injured-during-clashes-in-lebanon-refugee-camp","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Clashes erupted Sunday in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp, Ein el-Hilweh, near the southern port city of Sidon, killing at least six people and wounding seven. Lebanon\u2019s state-run National News Agency said two children were among those injured. \n\nAnonymous Palestinian officials spoke to The Associated Press and said the fighting broke out after an unknown gunman tried to assassinate Islamist militant Mahmoud Khalil, killing a companion of his instead. \n\nAnother Palestinian official added that later, Islamist militants assassinated a Palestinian military general from the Fatah group and three escorts. \n\nEin el-Hilweh is notorious for its lawlessness and violence is not uncommon.\u00a0 \n\nThe camp, home to around 55,000 people according to the UN, was established in 1948 to house Palestinians who were displaced by Israeli forces during the establishment of Israel. \n\nOn Sunday, factions used rocket-propelled grenade launchers and assault rifles to spray the camp. They also threw hand grenades as ambulances zoomed through the narrow streets to take the wounded to the hospital. \n\nThe fighting stopped for several hours in the morning, though state media said there was still sporadic sniper fire, fights erupted again after the killing of the Palestinian general and his escorts. \n\nSome Sidon residents near the camp fled their homes as stray bullets hit buildings and shattered windows and storefronts. The Sidon General Public Hospital evacuated its staff and patients. \n\nThe Lebanese army said in a statement that a mortar shell hit a military barracks outside the camp and wounded one soldier, whose condition is stable. \n\nUNRWA said two of its schools that serve some 2,000 students were damaged in the fighting. It said it suspended all its operations in Ein el-Hilweh. \n\nLebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the clashes.\u00a0 In a statement, he said, \u201cWe call on the Palestinian leadership to cooperate with the army to control the security situation and hand over those meddling with security to the Lebanese authorities.\" \n\nPalestinian factions in the camp have cracked down on militant Islamist groups and fugitives seeking shelter in the camp's overcrowded neighbourhoods. In 2017, Palestinian factions engaged in almost a week of fierce clashes with a militant organization affiliated with the extremist Islamic State group. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Clashes erupted Sunday in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp, Ein el-Hilweh, near the southern port city of Sidon, killing at least six people and wounding seven. Lebanon\u2019s state-run National News Agency said two children were among those injured.<\/p>\n<p>Anonymous Palestinian officials spoke to The Associated Press and said the fighting broke out after an unknown gunman tried to assassinate Islamist militant Mahmoud Khalil, killing a companion of his instead.<\/p>\n<p>Another Palestinian official added that later, Islamist militants assassinated a Palestinian military general from the Fatah group and three escorts.<\/p>\n<p>Ein el-Hilweh is notorious for its lawlessness and violence is not uncommon.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The camp, home to around 55,000 people according to the UN, was established in 1948 to house Palestinians who were displaced by Israeli forces during the establishment of Israel.<\/p>\n<p>On Sunday, factions used rocket-propelled grenade launchers and assault rifles to spray the camp. They also threw hand grenades as ambulances zoomed through the narrow streets to take the wounded to the hospital.<\/p>\n<p>The fighting stopped for several hours in the morning, though state media said there was still sporadic sniper fire, fights erupted again after the killing of the Palestinian general and his escorts.<\/p>\n<p>Some Sidon residents near the camp fled their homes as stray bullets hit buildings and shattered windows and storefronts. The Sidon General Public Hospital evacuated its staff and patients.<\/p>\n<p>The Lebanese army said in a statement that a mortar shell hit a military barracks outside the camp and wounded one soldier, whose condition is stable.<\/p>\n<p>UNRWA said two of its schools that serve some 2,000 students were damaged in the fighting. It said it suspended all its operations in Ein el-Hilweh.<\/p>\n<p>Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the clashes.\u00a0 In a statement, he said, \u201cWe call on the Palestinian leadership to cooperate with the army to control the security situation and hand over those meddling with security to the Lebanese authorities.\"<\/p>\n<p>Palestinian factions in the camp have cracked down on militant Islamist groups and fugitives seeking shelter in the camp's overcrowded neighbourhoods. In 2017, Palestinian factions engaged in almost a week of fierce clashes with a militant organization affiliated with the extremist Islamic State group.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690728453,"publishedAt":1690736837,"updatedAt":1690754883,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/07\/30\/six-killed-and-seven-injured-during-clashes-in-lebanon-refugee-camp","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/93\/52\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9e042711-d78d-51ce-8ce6-23c017a5c562-7789352.jpg","altText":"Clashes erupt in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp","caption":"Clashes erupt in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp","captionCredit":"Mohammed Zaatari\/AP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":168,"slug":"lebanon","urlSafeValue":"lebanon","title":"Lebanon","titleRaw":"Lebanon"},{"id":13310,"slug":"palestinians","urlSafeValue":"palestinians","title":"palestinians","titleRaw":"palestinians"},{"id":13192,"slug":"refugee-camp","urlSafeValue":"refugee-camp","title":"Refugee camp","titleRaw":"Refugee camp"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2302670},{"id":2313174},{"id":2314330}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/07\/30\/en\/230730_NWSU_52603191_52604044_35000_185822_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":35000,"filesizeBytes":4584281,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/07\/30\/en\/230730_NWSU_52603191_52604044_35000_185822_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":35000,"filesizeBytes":7089497,"expiresAt":0}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8mvu4t","youtubeId":"jAEBd0Iph6M"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":168,"urlSafeValue":"lebanon","title":"Lebanon","url":"\/news\/asia\/lebanon"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gt_negative','gt_negative_anger','gb_sensitive_high_med','gb_sensitive_high_med_low','gb_sensitive_news-ent','gs_science','gb_death_injury_high_med','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_death_injury_news-ent','gv_death_injury','gv_crime','gb_crime_high_med','gb_crime_high_med_low','gb_crime_news-ent','gs_society','gb_sensitive_edu','gs_society_misc','gs_politics'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2023\/07\/30\/six-killed-and-seven-injured-during-clashes-in-lebanon-refugee-camp","lastModified":1690754883},{"id":2314484,"cid":7776960,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230705_NWSU_52308893","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Should I stay or should I go? The LGBTQ+ community's search for a future in T\u00fcrkiye","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"The LGBTQ+ community's search for a future in T\u00fcrkiye","titleListing2":"The LGBTQ+ community in T\u00fcrkiye has recently faced increased hate speech. Euronews Culture spoke to some individuals who have left the country and others who are thinking of doing so.","leadin":"Members of the queer community in T\u00fcrkiye spoke to Euronews Culture about their future in a country where hate speech against LGBTQ+ people has become rampant.","summary":"Members of the queer community in T\u00fcrkiye spoke to Euronews Culture about their future in a country where hate speech against LGBTQ+ people has become rampant.","url":"should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-the-lgbtq-communitys-search-for-a-future-in-turkiye","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"\u201cNo LGBT person can be the product of this nation!,\u201d T\u00fcrkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan said at a pre-election rally in May. \n\nErdo\u011fan's win later that month marked the continuation of his 20-year conservative rule into 2028 and\u00a0parliamentary seats won by two Islamist parties escalated concerns among LGBTQ+ activists. \n\nAs rights advocates predict that the next five years will be difficult for LGBTQ+ groups in T\u00fcrkiye, some members of the community are leaving for what they believe will be a better ad brighter future.\u00a0 \n\nSpeaking to Euronews Culture, Marsel Tu\u011fkan G\u00fcndo\u011fdu from SPoD Siyasal Kat\u0131l\u0131m, an NGO supporting LGBTQ+ rights in the country, pointed out that President Erdo\u011fan's began his new term by targeting the queer community in his victory speech. \n\n\u201cThis is the peak of institutionalised anti-gender ideology\u201d said G\u00fcndo\u011fdu, \"the situation could go to a very dangerous place\". \n\nT\u00fcrkiye's LGBTQ+ report card \n\nT\u00fcrkiye ranks 49th among 50 European countries in the\u00a0International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) Europe's\u00a0 Rainbow Report published last May. \n\nThe organisation\u2019s country s pecific report found that queer individuals faced discrimination in daily life, including when applying for jobs or when looking for a flat. \n\n\"It's hard for me to feel safe in Turkey because things that are not crimes (such as the way you dress and speak) can be criminalised,\" said a queer person from Istanbul. \n\nSpeaking to Euronews Culture under the cover of anonymity for security reasons, he added,\u00a0\"Even if you don't experience anything on the street, when you\u2019re on social media or reading the news, you\u2019re constantly faced with homophobic and transphobic discourses. It makes people feel that they are not accepted here\". \n\n'It\u2019s not all perfect abroad either' \n\n\"My most basic expectation is to not feel threatened by a politician or a figure of authority every day when I put on the news,\" he said.\u00a0\u201cI know it\u2019s not all perfect abroad either,\u201d he added revealing his plan to leave T\u00fcrkiye in September. \n\nIn 2015, Turkish authorities banned the annual Istanbul Pride and every edition of the event has been held without authorisation since then, leading to more than 600 detentions in the rally's last edition in June 2023 . \n\nAnother anonymous individual explained to Euronews Culture how that restriction triggered a fight-or-flight response in him. \u201cAfter the 2015 Pride March, I realised that if I didn\u2019t leave, I wouldn\u2019t be able to live,\" he said. \n\nLeaving for the United States following those events, he explained how choosing to go didn't mean you were freed from pressures in the country.\u00a0 \n\n\"My expectation was that everything would suddenly go very well,\" he said, adding \"but when you flee T\u00fcrkiye, you don't leave T\u00fcrkiye behind, unfortunately.\" \n\nHe went on to explain that growing up as a gay non-binary person in a conservative city on the Eastern Black Sea left psychological scars that took time to heal. \n\n\"When I realised I had these wounds, I was very happy to be abroad because there was a system that could support me, mentally and physically, and I was able to seek support without being judged, he said. I am very grateful for that, and I don't think I could\u2019ve found that in\u00a0T\u00fcrkiye. \" \n\nFrom country life to city life\u00a0 \n\n\u201cAs a child, I worked hard at school to meet my parents\u2019 expectations, but at university I realised that if I wanted to live a free and happy life - and that I didn't have the money to move abroad - I had to work hard to win a scholarship,\" he said of his \u201cescape\u201d from his conservative city. \n\n\"There are a lot of queer kids in rural T\u00fcrkiye who think it\u2019s impossible to leave the country. It is possible, and there are people all over Anatolia who want to lead a good life. In the major cities of the west there is a larger LGBTQ+ community,\" he said. \n\nPerforming artist Ak\u0131\u015f Ka, one of the leading figures of that scene in Istanbul, travelled to London on May 1 following an invitation from one of Britain's leading cultural venues, the Barbican Centre, to take part in its cross-genre arts night Transpose. \n\n\"Turkish elections took place two weeks after I came here, and the run-offs were held two weeks after that. The LGBTQ+ community was constantly targeted during the campaign and the election results were dire. That\u2019s why I looked for ways to stay here,\" said the artist who uses the pronoun\u00a0 they . \n\nThanks to their temporary working visa, Ak\u0131\u015f Ka, whose name is a pun in Turkish about gender-fluidity, was able to apply for an artist visa. They will find out in September whether their request is accepted. \n\n\"In my performances, I try to explain transgender rights, our right to live in Turkey and our fight for survival,\" Ak\u0131\u015f Ka told Euronews Culture. \n\nWhile they were making a living as an artist for eight years in Turkey, they were not able to find a job in the last three months they spent there due to being constantly banned from clubs. \n\n\"I don't know if galleries in T\u00fcrkiye will be able to work with me after I\u2019ve proven myself abroad,\" said Ak\u0131\u015f Ka, \"because everyone gets a phone call from the government saying 'you can't put on this show, this has to be banned'\". \n\nThe artist says that since they moved, many people from T\u00fcrkiye have reached out to them asking for advice.\u00a0 \n\n\u201cWhoever I talk to is thinking about asylum, about how to escape, asking me 'what should I do, how can I leave?\u2019,\u201d they said. \n\nThe NGO SPoD Siyasal Kat\u0131l\u0131m confirmed that LGBTQ+ people seeking to leave were mainly doing so through asylum requests. \n\n'There will always be queers in T\u00fcrkiye' \n\n\"T\u00fcrkiye is hard to live in, but there will always be queers living here,\" said the\u00a0anonymous person from Istanbul, of those who cannot leave the country or prefer to stay.\u00a0 \n\n\"There are ways to stay here, of course, but the conditions are very difficult right now,\" he added. \n\nFor G\u00fcndo\u011fdu from SPoD Siyasal Kat\u0131l\u0131m, the LGBTQ+ community in T\u00fcrkiye will continue to exist despite being oppressed:\u00a0 \n\n\"This country belongs to all of us, and we are at our place here as much as everyone else is. It's great that some people manage to keep up their hopes up for this country and find the power to fight for themselves in them\". \n\nThe civil society worker said that the hostilities towards the queers now go beyond the community and affects anyone who shows support. \n\n\"They want to make everyone who wants to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ community pay a price,\" he explained, adding that\u00a0the queer community isn't the only group leaving Turkiye :\u00a0 \"People from many professional groups, but young people particularly, are leaving the country because they cannot dream of a better future here. It's a very sad situation.\" \n\n","htmlText":"<p>\u201cNo LGBT person can be the product of this nation!,\u201d T\u00fcrkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan said at a pre-election rally in May.<\/p>\n<p>Erdo\u011fan's win later that month marked the continuation of his 20-year conservative rule into 2028 and\u00a0parliamentary seats won by two Islamist parties escalated concerns among LGBTQ+ activists.<\/p>\n<p>As rights advocates predict that the next five years will be difficult for LGBTQ+ groups in T\u00fcrkiye, some members of the community are leaving for what they believe will be a better ad brighter future.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to Euronews Culture, Marsel Tu\u011fkan G\u00fcndo\u011fdu from SPoD Siyasal Kat\u0131l\u0131m, an NGO supporting LGBTQ+ rights in the country, pointed out that President Erdo\u011fan's began his new term by targeting the queer community in his victory speech.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is the peak of institutionalised anti-gender ideology\u201d said G\u00fcndo\u011fdu, \"the situation could go to a very dangerous place\".<\/p>\n<h2>T\u00fcrkiye's LGBTQ+ report card<\/h2><p>T\u00fcrkiye ranks 49th among 50 European countries in the\u00a0International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) Europe's\u00a0<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//05//17//more-violence-more-equality-whats-the-current-state-of-lgbtq-rights-in-europe/">Rainbow Report<\/strong><\/a> published last May.<\/p>\n<p>The organisation\u2019s <strong><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.ilga-europe.org//sites//default//files//2023//turkey.pdfhttps:////www.ilga-europe.org//sites//default//files//2023//turkey.pdf/">country s<\/a><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.ilga-europe.org//sites//default//files//2023//turkey.pdf/">pecific report<\/a><\/strong> found that queer individuals faced discrimination in daily life, including when applying for jobs or when looking for a flat.<\/p>\n<div data-oembed-url=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CsF4_sZMnEB\/?hl=en\" class=\"widget widget--type-instagram widget--size-large widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CsF4_sZMnEB\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//p//CsF4_sZMnEB//?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\%22 style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//p//CsF4_sZMnEB//?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\%22 style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by ILGA-Europe (@ilgaeurope)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> <script async src=https://www.euronews.com/"////platform.instagram.com//en_US//embeds.js/"> \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"It's hard for me to feel safe in Turkey because things that are not crimes (such as the way you dress and speak) can be criminalised,\" said a queer person from Istanbul.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to Euronews Culture under the cover of anonymity for security reasons, he added,\u00a0\"Even if you don't experience anything on the street, when you\u2019re on social media or reading the news, you\u2019re constantly faced with homophobic and transphobic discourses. It makes people feel that they are not accepted here\".<\/p>\n<h2>'It\u2019s not all perfect abroad either'<\/h2><p>\"My most basic expectation is to not feel threatened by a politician or a figure of authority every day when I put on the news,\" he said.\u00a0\u201cI know it\u2019s not all perfect abroad either,\u201d he added revealing his plan to leave T\u00fcrkiye in September.<\/p>\n<p>In 2015, Turkish authorities banned the annual Istanbul Pride and every edition of the event has been held without authorisation since then, leading to more than 600 detentions in <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//06//25//istanbul-gay-pride-activists-rally-despite-ban/">the rally's last edition in June 2023<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Another anonymous individual explained to Euronews Culture how that restriction triggered a fight-or-flight response in him. \u201cAfter the 2015 Pride March, I realised that if I didn\u2019t leave, I wouldn\u2019t be able to live,\" he said.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7766786\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//21//could-polands-controversial-lgbt-free-zones-finally-be-consigned-to-history/">Could Poland's controversial LGBT-Free Zones finally be consigned to history?<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Leaving for the United States following those events, he explained how choosing to go didn't mean you were freed from pressures in the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"My expectation was that everything would suddenly go very well,\" he said, adding \"but when you flee T\u00fcrkiye, you don't leave T\u00fcrkiye behind, unfortunately.\"<\/p>\n<p>He went on to explain that growing up as a gay non-binary person in a conservative city on the Eastern Black Sea left psychological scars that took time to heal.<\/p>\n<p>\"When I realised I had these wounds, I was very happy to be abroad because there was a system that could support me, mentally and physically, and I was able to seek support without being judged, he said. I am very grateful for that, and I don't think I could\u2019ve found that in\u00a0T\u00fcrkiye.\"<\/p>\n<h2>From country life to city life<\/h2><p>\u201cAs a child, I worked hard at school to meet my parents\u2019 expectations, but at university I realised that if I wanted to live a free and happy life - and that I didn't have the money to move abroad - I had to work hard to win a scholarship,\" he said of his \u201cescape\u201d from his conservative city.<\/p>\n<p>\"There are a lot of queer kids in rural T\u00fcrkiye who think it\u2019s impossible to leave the country. It <em>is<\/em> possible, and there are people all over Anatolia who want to lead a good life. In the major cities of the west there is a larger LGBTQ+ community,\" he said.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7751988\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//14//russian-lawmakers-adopt-bill-banning-gender-change-in-new-blow-to-lgbtq-rights/">Russian lawmakers adopt bill banning gender change in new blow to LGBTQ+ rights<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Performing artist Ak\u0131\u015f Ka, one of the leading figures of that scene in Istanbul, travelled to London on May 1 following an invitation from one of Britain's leading cultural venues, the Barbican Centre, to take part in its cross-genre arts night Transpose.<\/p>\n<p>\"Turkish elections took place two weeks after I came here, and the run-offs were held two weeks after that. The LGBTQ+ community was constantly targeted during the campaign and the election results were dire. That\u2019s why I looked for ways to stay here,\" said the artist who uses the pronoun\u00a0<em>they<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks to their temporary working visa, Ak\u0131\u015f Ka, whose name is a pun in Turkish about gender-fluidity, was able to apply for an artist visa. They will find out in September whether their request is accepted.<\/p>\n<p>\"In my performances, I try to explain transgender rights, our right to live in Turkey and our fight for survival,\" Ak\u0131\u015f Ka told Euronews Culture.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-large\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CtHjyJDIQF6\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//p//CtHjyJDIQF6//?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\%22 style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//p//CtHjyJDIQF6//?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\%22 style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Ak\u0131\u015f Ka (@akiskaaa)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> <script async src=https://www.euronews.com/"////www.instagram.com//embed.js/"> \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>While they were making a living as an artist for eight years in Turkey, they were not able to find a job in the last three months they spent there due to being constantly banned from clubs.<\/p>\n<p>\"I don't know if galleries in T\u00fcrkiye will be able to work with me after I\u2019ve proven myself abroad,\" said Ak\u0131\u015f Ka, \"because everyone gets a phone call from the government saying 'you can't put on this show, this has to be banned'\".<\/p>\n<p>The artist says that since they moved, many people from T\u00fcrkiye have reached out to them asking for advice.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhoever I talk to is thinking about asylum, about how to escape, asking me 'what should I do, how can I leave?\u2019,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n<p>The NGO SPoD Siyasal Kat\u0131l\u0131m confirmed that LGBTQ+ people seeking to leave were mainly doing so through asylum requests.<\/p>\n<h2>'There will always be queers in T\u00fcrkiye'<\/h2><p>\"T\u00fcrkiye is hard to live in, but there will always be queers living here,\" said the\u00a0anonymous person from Istanbul, of those who cannot leave the country or prefer to stay.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"There are ways to stay here, of course, but the conditions are very difficult right now,\" he added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-large\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Ct6pcS2ospe\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; 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flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.instagram.com//p//Ct6pcS2ospe//?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\%22 style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by \u0130stanbul LGBT\u0130+ Onur Haftas\u0131 (@istanbulpride)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> <script async src=https://www.euronews.com/"////www.instagram.com//embed.js/"> \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>For G\u00fcndo\u011fdu from SPoD Siyasal Kat\u0131l\u0131m, the LGBTQ+ community in T\u00fcrkiye will continue to exist despite being oppressed:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"This country belongs to all of us, and we are at our place here as much as everyone else is. It's great that some people manage to keep up their hopes up for this country and find the power to fight for themselves in them\".<\/p>\n<p>The civil society worker said that the hostilities towards the queers now go beyond the community and affects anyone who shows support.<\/p>\n<p>\"They want to make everyone who wants to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ community pay a price,\" he explained, adding that\u00a0the queer community <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//05//28//live-polls-close-in-turkeys-historic-presidential-election/">isn't the only group leaving Turkiye<\/strong><\/a>:\u00a0\"People from many professional groups, but young people particularly, are leaving the country because they cannot dream of a better future here. It's a very sad situation.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690284555,"publishedAt":1690613435,"updatedAt":1690613466,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/07\/29\/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-the-lgbtq-communitys-search-for-a-future-in-turkiye","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/72\/97\/82\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d625fe6c-79e7-57ea-b89d-c2e3243321ec-7729782.jpg","altText":"The Istanbul Pride March, in support of LGBTQ+ rights, has been banned by the Istanbul Municipalitiy since 2015.","caption":"The Istanbul Pride March, in support of LGBTQ+ rights, has been banned by the Istanbul Municipalitiy since 2015.","captionCredit":"AP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"elci","title":"Aylin Elci","twitter":"@Aylinelci"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":142,"slug":"human-rights","urlSafeValue":"human-rights","title":"Human Rights","titleRaw":"Human Rights"},{"id":9379,"slug":"freedom-of-thought","urlSafeValue":"freedom-of-thought","title":"Freedom of thought","titleRaw":"Freedom of thought"},{"id":12788,"slug":"asylum","urlSafeValue":"asylum","title":"asylum","titleRaw":"asylum"},{"id":284,"slug":"turkey","urlSafeValue":"turkey","title":"Turkiye (Turkey)","titleRaw":"Turkiye (Turkey)"},{"id":28750,"slug":"lgbtq","urlSafeValue":"lgbtq","title":" LGBTQ+ ","titleRaw":" LGBTQ+ "}],"widgets":[{"slug":"instagram","count":1},{"slug":"html","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2131184},{"id":2319260},{"id":2325710}],"technicalTags":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"externalPartners":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":284,"urlSafeValue":"turkey","title":"Turkey","url":"\/news\/europe\/turkey"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gt_negative','gb_safe','gs_news','gs_news_and_weather'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":{"id":1,"slug":"deepl","isAutomatic":1,"isActive":1},"localisation":{"producerLanguage":"tr","storyId":7729782,"online":1},"path":"\/2023\/07\/29\/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-the-lgbtq-communitys-search-for-a-future-in-turkiye","lastModified":1690613466},{"id":2333368,"cid":7785734,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230728_GNSU_52586372","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"\u2018We will not give up\u2019: How a Turkish forest became the site of fierce coal mine resistance","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Grandparents among activists defending Turkish forest from coal mining","titleListing2":"\u2018We will not give up\u2019: How a Turkish forest became the site of fierce coal mine resistance","leadin":"With the world\u2019s eyes on Rhodes, campaigners point out the irony of trees being felled for coal across the Mediterranean Sea in T\u00fcrkiye.","summary":"With the world\u2019s eyes on Rhodes, campaigners point out the irony of trees being felled for coal across the Mediterranean Sea in T\u00fcrkiye.","url":"we-will-not-give-up-how-a-turkish-forest-became-the-site-of-fierce-coal-mine-resistance","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Turkish villagers have been sprayed with tear gas while attempting to protect the Akbelen Forest from being cleared for coal this week, campaigners say. \n\nFor two years, locals from the Mu\u011fla region have kept a constant watch over 780 acres of woodland where Turkish company YK Energy is seeking to expand its coal mine. \n\nDespite an ongoing lawsuit over the site near \u0130kizk\u00f6y town, forestry clearance workers moved in on Monday 24 July, leading to days of fierce clashes between protesters and police. \n\n \u201cAs tens of thousands of people across the Mediterranean region flee rampaging wildfires caused by the climate crisis, it is incomprehensible that a company is allowed to destroy a forest - one of our most important carbon sinks - to expand a coal mine ,\u201d says Beyond Fossil Fuels (BFF) campaigner Duygu Kutluay. \n\nHere\u2019s how the environmental conflict has evolved over recent days and years. \n\n14 activists have been arrested in Akbelen Forest \n\nArmoured vehicles and security forces were deployed to block protesters from entering the forest this week. BFF claims that activists have been hit with \u201cvolleys of batons and tear gas\u201d by Turkish gendarmerie armed with riot shields and water cannons. \n\n\"Some activists were hospitalised. My grandmother fainted during a clash with police. We will continue to resist,\" says Esra Isik, a local environmental committee spokesperson. \n\nArman At\u0131lgan, a lawyer, said 14 activists accused of \"resisting police officers\" had been detained during the protests this week. Police in Mu\u011fla could not immediately be reached for comment. \n\nThe protests have gained national attention, and a delegation led by T\u00fcrkiye's main opposition CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is set to visit the affected Akbelen area today (28 July) to show solidarity with the protesters. \n\nWhy are coal companies trying to expand into the Akbelen Forest? \n\nMu\u011fla has been living \u201cunder the grip\u201d of three power plants - Yata\u011fan, Kemerk\u00f6y, Yenik\u00f6y - for 40 years, says BFF. \n\nOver the past 35 years, eight villages have been cleared for coal mines to supply the plants, according to a report by the NGO Climate Action Network Europe . \n\nIn order to keep the latter two plants running, YK Energy - which was bought by T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Limak Group and IC Ictas in 2014 - says that lignite (aka brown) coal reserves under Akbelen Forest must be extracted. \n\nSince the plants were built to run on the chemical properties of local coal reserves, it says that only this coal will do. \n\n\u201cThese power plants are of strategic importance for T\u00fcrkiye , producing an average of 2.5 per cent of the country\u2019s electricity demand and approximately 62 per cent of the electricity used in the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey, an important asset of the country\u2019s tourism industry,\u201d a YK Energy spokesperson says. \n\n\u201cIf mining activities do not resume at the Akbelen site by September 2023, electricity generation will terminate in 2024.\u201d \n\nIn 2020, the forestry ministry granted permission to YK Energy to expand the open pit mine in 780 acres of forest in the Akbelen area. \n\nBut local communities, fed up with the environmental destruction, filed a lawsuit to oppose the decision. \n\nHow are locals fighting back to protect the Akbelen Forest? \n\nThe legal battle has spilled over into on-site clashes. In July 2021, forestry clearance workers operating on behalf of YK Energy moved in and felled 30 trees, says BFF. This prompted the 24\/7 vigil from local people. \n\nMu\u011fla 1st Administrative Court ruled in August 2021 that no further clearance could take place until it has ruled on the lawsuit. But in November 2022 a report from court-appointed experts found that the forest was suitable for mining, and so the temporary halt to tree cutting was lifted. \n\nYK Energy didn\u2019t move in straight away, however. This week marks the start of renewed clearance work, and locals are now amplifying their call for the court to reinstate a temporary ban until the lawsuit is concluded. \n\nOn Thursday, some campaigners protested in front of the administrative court in Mu\u011fla, carrying a banner saying \"Justice for Akbelen\". \n\nActivists say the Akbelen forest will be totally destroyed by 31 July if the deforestation continues, something they are determined to oppose. \n\n\"We will not give up our fields. These lands are ours. We will not give them to anyone,\u201d says 88-year-old \u0130kizk\u00f6y local Zehra Y\u0131ld\u0131r\u0131m, who comes from a family of olive farmers, in Turkish. \n\n\u201cThey cut down our pine trees. Our water flows under the trees , they feed us. If these are cut down, we will be without water. Forests feed us. We will not allow them to be cut down.\" \n\n\u201cWe should all be grateful to the heroes of Akbelen Forest, many of them elderly, who are putting their bodies on the line to oppose this violence against our communities, nature, and the climate,\u201d adds Beyond Fossil Fuels campaigner Duygu Kutluay. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Turkish villagers have been sprayed with tear gas while attempting to protect the Akbelen Forest from being cleared for coal this week, campaigners say.<\/p>\n<p>For two years, locals from the Mu\u011fla region have kept a constant watch over 780 acres of woodland where Turkish company YK Energy is seeking to expand its coal mine.<\/p>\n<p>Despite an ongoing lawsuit over the site near \u0130kizk\u00f6y town, forestry clearance workers moved in on Monday 24 July, leading to days of fierce clashes between protesters and police.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs tens of thousands of people across the Mediterranean region flee rampaging <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//27//greek-wildfires-have-unleashed-the-same-co2-emissions-in-july-as-over-222000-cars-in-a-yea/">wildfires caused by the climate crisis, it is incomprehensible that a company is allowed to destroy a forest - one of our most important carbon sinks - to expand a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//12//08//why-is-england-building-a-new-coal-mine-experts-warn-country-will-be-a-global-dirty-fuel-s/">coal mine<\/strong><\/a>,\u201d says Beyond Fossil Fuels (BFF) campaigner Duygu Kutluay.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how the environmental conflict has evolved over recent days and years.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7779658,7711354\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//26//anticyclones-marine-heatwaves-and-climate-change-the-science-behind-europes-brutal-summer/">Anticyclones, marine heatwaves and climate change: The science behind Europe\u2019s brutal summer<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//27//wildfires-meet-the-local-volunteer-firefighters-learning-to-protect-the-amazon-rainforest/">Wildfires: Meet the local volunteer firefighters learning to protect the Amazon rainforest<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>14 activists have been arrested in Akbelen Forest<\/h2><p>Armoured vehicles and security forces were deployed to block protesters from entering the forest this week. BFF claims that activists have been hit with \u201cvolleys of batons and tear gas\u201d by Turkish gendarmerie armed with riot shields and water cannons.<\/p>\n<p>\"Some activists were hospitalised. My grandmother fainted during a clash with police. We will continue to resist,\" says Esra Isik, a local environmental committee spokesperson.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1684280076462854147\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Arman At\u0131lgan, a lawyer, said 14 activists accused of \"resisting police officers\" had been detained during the protests this week. Police in Mu\u011fla could not immediately be reached for comment.<\/p>\n<p>The protests have gained national attention, and a delegation led by T\u00fcrkiye's main opposition CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is set to visit the affected Akbelen area today (28 July) to show solidarity with the protesters.<\/p>\n<h2>Why are coal companies trying to expand into the Akbelen Forest?<\/h2><p>Mu\u011fla has been living \u201cunder the grip\u201d of three <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//05//23//repeat-offenders-these-are-the-top-10-most-polluting-power-plants-in-europe/">power plants<\/strong><\/a> - Yata\u011fan, Kemerk\u00f6y, Yenik\u00f6y - for 40 years, says BFF.<\/p>\n<p>Over the past 35 years, eight villages have been cleared for coal mines to supply the plants, according to a report by the NGO <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"http:////komurungercekbedeli.org//index.html/">Climate Action Network Europe<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In order to keep the latter two plants running, YK Energy - which was bought by T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Limak Group and IC Ictas in 2014 - says that lignite (aka brown) coal reserves under Akbelen Forest must be extracted.<\/p>\n<p>Since the plants were built to run on the chemical properties of local coal reserves, it says that only this coal will do.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese power plants are of strategic importance for <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//01//05//antalya-goes-solar-how-this-turkish-city-is-transforming-its-energy-supply/">T/u00fcrkiye, producing an average of 2.5 per cent of the country\u2019s electricity demand and approximately 62 per cent of the electricity used in the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey, an important asset of the country\u2019s tourism industry,\u201d a YK Energy spokesperson says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//07//26//environmental-defenders-celebrate-a-huge-win-for-unqiue-tasmanian-rainforest/">mining activities do not resume at the Akbelen site by September 2023, electricity generation will terminate in 2024.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In 2020, the forestry ministry granted permission to YK Energy to expand the open pit mine in 780 acres of forest in the Akbelen area.<\/p>\n<p>But local communities, fed up with the environmental destruction, filed a lawsuit to oppose the decision.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7774130,6565020\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//24//greta-thunberg-appears-in-swedish-court-to-face-charge-of-disobeying-police-at-a-climate-p/">Greta Thunberg found guilty of failing to obey police at climate protest<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//04//13//turning-turkey-s-coal-mines-into-solar-farms-would-power-7-million-homes/">Turning Turkey\u2019s coal mines into solar farms would power 7 million homes<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>How are locals fighting back to protect the Akbelen Forest?<\/h2><p>The legal battle has spilled over into on-site clashes. In July 2021, forestry clearance workers operating on behalf of YK Energy moved in and felled 30 trees, says BFF. This prompted the 24\/7 vigil from local people.<\/p>\n<p>Mu\u011fla 1st Administrative Court ruled in August 2021 that no further clearance could take place until it has ruled on the lawsuit. But in November 2022 a report from court-appointed experts found that the forest was suitable for mining, and so the temporary halt to tree cutting was lifted.<\/p>\n<p>YK Energy didn\u2019t move in straight away, however. This week marks the start of renewed clearance work, and locals are now amplifying their call for the court to reinstate a temporary ban until the lawsuit is concluded.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1684204640580038657\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>On Thursday, some campaigners protested in front of the administrative court in Mu\u011fla, carrying a banner saying \"Justice for Akbelen\".<\/p>\n<p>Activists say the Akbelen forest will be totally destroyed by 31 July if the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//07//brazil-amazon-deforestation-drops-34-under-lula-but-el-nino-is-stoking-the-risk-of-forest-/">deforestation continues, something they are determined to oppose.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">Forests feed us. We will not allow them to be cut down.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Zehra Y\u0131ld\u0131r\u0131m\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"We will not give up our fields. These lands are ours. We will not give them to anyone,\u201d says 88-year-old \u0130kizk\u00f6y local Zehra Y\u0131ld\u0131r\u0131m, who comes from a family of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//01//13//greece-s-green-gold-at-risk-as-heatwave-fries-olive-oil-industry/">olive farmers, in Turkish.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey cut down our pine trees. Our water flows under the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//07//26//polish-city-pushes-for-more-green-spaces-as-country-is-hit-by-heatwave/">trees, they feed us. If these are cut down, we will be without water. Forests feed us. We will not allow them to be cut down.\"<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe should all be grateful to the heroes of Akbelen Forest, many of them elderly, who are putting their bodies on the line to oppose this violence against our communities, nature, and the climate,\u201d adds Beyond Fossil Fuels campaigner Duygu Kutluay.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690546321,"publishedAt":1690548053,"updatedAt":1690555332,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2023\/07\/28\/we-will-not-give-up-how-a-turkish-forest-became-the-site-of-fierce-coal-mine-resistance","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/78\/57\/34\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_86bcf314-208e-5b73-a797-16320c9f1ab3-7785734.jpg","altText":"88-year-old Zehra Y\u0131ld\u0131r\u0131m hugging a tree to protect it from being felled on 26 July. She is shielded by activist leader Esra I\u015f\u0131k.","caption":"88-year-old Zehra Y\u0131ld\u0131r\u0131m hugging a tree to protect it from being felled on 26 July. She is shielded by activist leader Esra I\u015f\u0131k.","captionCredit":"Beyond Fossil Fuels","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"height":900}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"limb","title":"Lottie Limb","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":10969,"slug":"forests","urlSafeValue":"forests","title":"Forests","titleRaw":"Forests"},{"id":19088,"slug":"coal","urlSafeValue":"coal","title":"Coal","titleRaw":"Coal"},{"id":20218,"slug":"climate-crisis","urlSafeValue":"climate-crisis","title":"Climate crisis","titleRaw":"Climate crisis"},{"id":18240,"slug":"protesters","urlSafeValue":"protesters","title":"Protesters","titleRaw":"Protesters"},{"id":17462,"slug":"tree","urlSafeValue":"tree","title":"tree","titleRaw":"tree"},{"id":193,"slug":"mining","urlSafeValue":"mining","title":"Mining","titleRaw":"Mining"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"twitter","count":2},{"slug":"quotation","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":2}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"externalPartners":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"Reuters","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news\/green-news"},"vertical":"green","verticals":[{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":35,"urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green-news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":284,"urlSafeValue":"turkey","title":"Turkey","url":"\/news\/europe\/turkey"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_science','neg_facebook_2021','gs_science_environ','gs_science_environment','gs_law','neg_mobkoi_castrol','castrol_negative_uk','gs_science_geography','neg_facebook_q4','gb_crime_high_med','gb_crime_high_med_low','gb_crime_news-ent','gs_law_misc','neg_bucherer','gb_arms_edu','gb_arms_high_med_low','gs_busfin','gv_crime','gs_busfin_indus','gt_negative','gb_death_injury_edu','gb_death_injury_high_med_low','gb_arms_high_med','gb_arms_news-ent','gb_sensitive_high','gb_sensitive_high_med','gb_sensitive_high_med_low','gb_sensitive_serious','gv_death_injury'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/green\/2023\/07\/28\/we-will-not-give-up-how-a-turkish-forest-became-the-site-of-fierce-coal-mine-resistance","lastModified":1690555332},{"id":2320224,"cid":7746828,"versionId":6,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230727_FTWB_52395548","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Saudi Arabia: The rising star of international football","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Saudi Arabia: The rising star of international football","titleListing2":"Saudi Arabia: The rising star of international football","leadin":"In partnership with Media City Qatar. \n\nSaudi Arabia has got everyone talking as they continue to attract some of football's star players. ","summary":"In partnership with Media City Qatar. \n\nSaudi Arabia has got everyone talking as they continue to attract some of football's star players. ","url":"saudi-arabia-the-rising-star-of-international-football","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The world witnessed one of the biggest shake ups in football history during the summer transfer window of 2023.\u00a0 \n\nIt was business as usual across Europe, with leagues signing players left and right. But Saudi Arabia got everyone talking as they continue to attract some of football's star players. \n\n\"Football is already something of a way of life in Saudi Arabia. They were already seeing 70-80,000 spectators in the stadium every week before all this began with bringing in superstars. They want to make the next step in development.\" explained Mohammed Hamdi, former director of Al Jazira FC. \n\nCristiano Ronaldo paved the way to the Middle East with a move to Al-Nassr shortly after the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After a well-documented fall-out at Manchester United, the star was declared a free agent during the tournament. And he continued to play for his country and progressed through the knockout rounds. \n\nOn December 30th 2022, he signed a pre-contract that became effective on January 1st. According to reports, Ronaldo's salary is the highest in football history. His new club Al-Nassr instantly felt the benefits of landing such a massive star. Overnight, their profile as a football club skyrocketed. They gained over 15 million Instagram followers in less than a week as Ronaldo fans from all around the globe were desperate to learn about his new club. \n\nOn the pitch, his transfer garnered mixed results. Scoring 14 goals in 16 appearances is a fantastic result, but his team could only finish runners-up in the Pro League behind Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal. \n\nHis arrival in the Middle East has opened the floodgates for others to follow. Several top-level players have left Europe and headed for Saudi, including the current Ballon 'or Winner and Ronaldo's former Real Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema, who has joined Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad. \n\nUri Levy, the founder of Middle-East football news website Babagol, believes his arrival has enormous cultural significance alongside his sporting acclaim. \n\n\"I think Karim Benzema is a player who is good enough to start for any team in Europe this season, but he chooses Saudi. I also think that Benzema being a practising Muslim could mean he becomes a more familiar face for the project. Obviously, you need to score goals and provide assists, but he will get unconditional love.\" \n\nAlso, joining Benzema and Ronaldo in the region has been a host of English Premier League talent. Ex-Chelsea players Edouard Mendy and N'Golo Kante have joined Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, respectively. While, Wolverhampton Wanderers starman, Ruben Neves, joined the champions Al-Hilal, hoping his new team can retain the title next season. \n\nPlayers aren't the only ones making the move to Saudi Arabia. Steven Gerrard signed up as the new manager for Al-Ettifaq, in Dammam. His signing is the first big-name managerial appointment in the region. The former Liverpool midfielder has had momentous experience in the English Premier League. He also won the Scottish Premier League with Celtic Rangers just two years ago. Gerrard is considered one of the most exciting younger managers Ettifaq could have endeavoured to hire. \n\n\"It's a win-win situation for both sides. Gerrard needs a fresh start and a place where he can, you know, put his fingerprints on his football. I don't want to say he will have endless resources to do so, but he will have very generous resources to pick his players and his methods.\" Uri Levy continued. \n\nEttifaq is one of the smaller clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Gerrard may have difficulty attracting big-name players. With less money to spend than some of the bigger clubs, their goal this season will be to finish in the top six next season. That would be considered a success for Steve Gerrard. \n\nSaudi Arabia is a leading hotspot for top footballers. Making it an exciting time to follow football in the Middle East. Rumour has it that many more high-profile players could make a move next time the transfer window opens in January. \n\n","htmlText":"<h2>The world witnessed one of the biggest shake ups in football history during the summer transfer window of 2023.<\/h2><p>It was business as usual across Europe, with leagues signing players left and right. But Saudi Arabia got everyone talking as they continue to attract some of football's star players.<\/p>\n<p>\"Football is already something of a way of life in Saudi Arabia. They were already seeing 70-80,000 spectators in the stadium every week before all this began with bringing in superstars. They want to make the next step in development.\" explained Mohammed Hamdi, former director of Al Jazira FC.<\/p>\n<p>Cristiano Ronaldo paved the way to the Middle East with a move to Al-Nassr shortly after the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After a well-documented fall-out at Manchester United, the star was declared a free agent during the tournament. And he continued to play for his country and progressed through the knockout rounds.<\/p>\n<p>On December 30th 2022, he signed a pre-contract that became effective on January 1st. According to reports, Ronaldo's salary is the highest in football history. His new club Al-Nassr instantly felt the benefits of landing such a massive star. Overnight, their profile as a football club skyrocketed. They gained over 15 million Instagram followers in less than a week as Ronaldo fans from all around the globe were desperate to learn about his new club.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//74//68//28//808x539_cmsv2_e4e38928-bc90-5319-bf0c-050a9c3b9569-7746828.jpg/" alt=\"Samah Zidan/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/74\/68\/28\/384x256_cmsv2_e4e38928-bc90-5319-bf0c-050a9c3b9569-7746828.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/74\/68\/28\/640x427_cmsv2_e4e38928-bc90-5319-bf0c-050a9c3b9569-7746828.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/74\/68\/28\/750x500_cmsv2_e4e38928-bc90-5319-bf0c-050a9c3b9569-7746828.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/74\/68\/28\/828x552_cmsv2_e4e38928-bc90-5319-bf0c-050a9c3b9569-7746828.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/74\/68\/28\/1080x720_cmsv2_e4e38928-bc90-5319-bf0c-050a9c3b9569-7746828.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/74\/68\/28\/1200x800_cmsv2_e4e38928-bc90-5319-bf0c-050a9c3b9569-7746828.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/74\/68\/28\/1920x1281_cmsv2_e4e38928-bc90-5319-bf0c-050a9c3b9569-7746828.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Ronaldo has been a star in Saudi<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Samah Zidan/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>On the pitch, his transfer garnered mixed results. Scoring 14 goals in 16 appearances is a fantastic result, but his team could only finish runners-up in the Pro League behind Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal.<\/p>\n<p>His arrival in the Middle East has opened the floodgates for others to follow. Several top-level players have left Europe and headed for Saudi, including the current Ballon 'or Winner and Ronaldo's former Real Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema, who has joined Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad.<\/p>\n<p>Uri Levy, the founder of Middle-East football news website Babagol, believes his arrival has enormous cultural significance alongside his sporting acclaim.<\/p>\n<p>\"I think Karim Benzema is a player who is good enough to start for any team in Europe this season, but he chooses Saudi. I also think that Benzema being a practising Muslim could mean he becomes a more familiar face for the project. Obviously, you need to score goals and provide assists, but he will get unconditional love.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//81//41//22//808x539_cmsv2_f40825ed-d54c-5094-bd5d-9c7c58b2cf9e-7814122.jpg/" alt=\"STR/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/41\/22\/384x256_cmsv2_f40825ed-d54c-5094-bd5d-9c7c58b2cf9e-7814122.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/41\/22\/640x427_cmsv2_f40825ed-d54c-5094-bd5d-9c7c58b2cf9e-7814122.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/41\/22\/750x500_cmsv2_f40825ed-d54c-5094-bd5d-9c7c58b2cf9e-7814122.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/41\/22\/828x552_cmsv2_f40825ed-d54c-5094-bd5d-9c7c58b2cf9e-7814122.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/41\/22\/1080x720_cmsv2_f40825ed-d54c-5094-bd5d-9c7c58b2cf9e-7814122.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/41\/22\/1200x800_cmsv2_f40825ed-d54c-5094-bd5d-9c7c58b2cf9e-7814122.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/81\/41\/22\/1920x1281_cmsv2_f40825ed-d54c-5094-bd5d-9c7c58b2cf9e-7814122.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Practicing muslim Benzema will be a cultural figure<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">STR/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Also, joining Benzema and Ronaldo in the region has been a host of English Premier League talent. Ex-Chelsea players Edouard Mendy and N'Golo Kante have joined Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, respectively. While, Wolverhampton Wanderers starman, Ruben Neves, joined the champions Al-Hilal, hoping his new team can retain the title next season.<\/p>\n<p>Players aren't the only ones making the move to Saudi Arabia. Steven Gerrard signed up as the new manager for Al-Ettifaq, in Dammam. His signing is the first big-name managerial appointment in the region. The former Liverpool midfielder has had momentous experience in the English Premier League. He also won the Scottish Premier League with Celtic Rangers just two years ago. Gerrard is considered one of the most exciting younger managers Ettifaq could have endeavoured to hire.<\/p>\n<p>\"It's a win-win situation for both sides. Gerrard needs a fresh start and a place where he can, you know, put his fingerprints on his football. I don't want to say he will have endless resources to do so, but he will have very generous resources to pick his players and his methods.\" Uri Levy continued.<\/p>\n<p>Ettifaq is one of the smaller clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Gerrard may have difficulty attracting big-name players. With less money to spend than some of the bigger clubs, their goal this season will be to finish in the top six next season. That would be considered a success for Steve Gerrard.<\/p>\n<p>Saudi Arabia is a leading hotspot for top footballers. Making it an exciting time to follow football in the Middle East. Rumour has it that many more high-profile players could make a move next time the transfer window opens in January.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1689167946,"publishedAt":1690479016,"updatedAt":1692360289,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/07\/27\/saudi-arabia-the-rising-star-of-international-football","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/74\/68\/28\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_29a3d761-bd51-5ae2-8b7c-f62bfbcc6bc4-7746828.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1280,"height":720},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/74\/68\/28\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e4e38928-bc90-5319-bf0c-050a9c3b9569-7746828.jpg","altText":"Ronaldo has been a star in Saudi","caption":"Ronaldo has been a star in Saudi","captionCredit":"Samah Zidan\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":243,"slug":"saudi-arabia","urlSafeValue":"saudi-arabia","title":"Saudi Arabia","titleRaw":"Saudi Arabia"},{"id":8257,"slug":"football","urlSafeValue":"football","title":"Football","titleRaw":"Football"},{"id":15146,"slug":"premier-lig","urlSafeValue":"premier-lig","title":"Premier League","titleRaw":"Premier League"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2291466},{"id":2347200}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/FT\/WB\/23\/07\/27\/en\/230727_FTWB_52395548_52395549_371120_152923_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":371120,"filesizeBytes":46045528,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/FT\/WB\/23\/07\/27\/en\/230727_FTWB_52395548_52395549_371120_152923_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":371120,"filesizeBytes":70638936,"expiresAt":0}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8mtvq2","youtubeId":"WS6hJ6Sg2gI"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"football-now","urlSafeValue":"football-now","title":"Football Now","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/football-now"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"sport","urlSafeValue":"sport","title":"Sport","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/sport"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":8,"urlSafeValue":"sport","title":"Sport"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1630511520,"endDate":2114355123,"type":"sponsored","isDfp":null,"slug":"Scenes","title":"Media City - Qatar","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Media City","sponsorName":"Scenes","sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/410\/300x114_cmsv2_34d67838-9191-52a0-9a53-1c81081387b0-410.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":234,"urlSafeValue":"qatar","title":"Qatar","url":"\/news\/asia\/qatar"},"town":{"id":3937,"urlSafeValue":"doha","title":"Doha"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_sport_soccer','gs_sport','neg_facebook_2021','gs_science_geography','neg_mobkoi_castrol','gt_mixed','neg_facebook_neg14'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-web","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/07\/27\/saudi-arabia-the-rising-star-of-international-football","lastModified":1692360289},{"id":2301936,"cid":7690514,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230726_QUSU_52124392","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Qatari Cuisine: traditional recipes enriched with imported ingredients ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Qatar 365: Discover the region's mouthwatering cuisine ","titleListing2":"Qatari Cuisine: traditional recipes enriched with imported ingredients ","leadin":"How did Qatari dishes become local, and how have they evolved through trade with other nations? Euronews went to the Zekreet Peninsula in western Qatar to find out","summary":"How did Qatari dishes become local, and how have they evolved through trade with other nations? Euronews went to the Zekreet Peninsula in western Qatar to find out","url":"qatari-cuisine-traditional-recipes-enriched-with-imported-ingredients","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"This week, Euronews dives into traditional Qatari foods and discovers how vendors, chefs and food lovers alike use spices and ingredients from all over the world to make its cuisine unique. \n\nIn the heat of the desert, a sip of Arabic coffee is always welcome and a quintessential Qatari gesture. On the\u00a0Zakreet Peninsula in western Qatar, locals have fused coffee from nearby Yemen with a rich Indian spice to make a staple of their own. \n\nUnlike traditional coffee, this lightly roasted blend is yellow in colour and has a creamy and delicate texture with a hint of spice. \n\n\u202f\"The main flavours come from the spices that we add. You'll notice a hint of coffee. Then there's the cardamom, then there are the spices that give it the richness and then the caffeine and the flavour as well\" said\u00a0Qatari Entrepreneur,\u00a0Khaled Alrayes. \n\nCoffee culture aside, the region boasts an international food scene influenced by its 2.3 million expats. But Qatar also has a wide range of traditional recipes which take their influences from neighbouring countries.\u00a0 \n\nOutside of the capital Doha, most of the terrain is flat, arid, low-lying desert. \"It was not self-sufficient. Qatar was not able to rely on itself and had to import, you know, different products from abroad. So, we have common spices like turmeric, for example, and we have cumin. They have been brought in from India\" said Randa Sheik, a food writer and blogger. \n\n\"You also have rosewater. Rosewater is from Iran. So, we have imported these ingredients from many different countries and also the raw materials as well, rice, bread, chicken, meat, and then we combined them in their own way to make fantastic and delicious dishes\" she added. \n\nWhat are some of Qatar's most popular traditional dishes? \n\nMachboos, saloona, madrouba and harees are four traditional Qatari dishes that are enjoyed across the Arab world but each country offers its own unique twist. \n\nMachboos is Qatar's, Bahrain's, Kuwait's and the UAE's national dish. Chicken, fish or lamb is first marinated in a rich blend of spices and then mixed with garlic, ginger and peppers before it is grilled and served on a bed of basmati rice. \n\nQatar's ancient spice trade has been the key to elevating its traditional foods. \n\nSpices like ginger, star anise and black pepper were brought over from the Indian subcontinent while garlic and cumin crossed the desert from east of the Meditteranean.\u00a0 \n\nDried fruits such as the looming, otherwise known as the black lime, travelled up from Oman. \n\n\u00a0And while these items have become staple ingredients in Qatari cuisine, cross-cultural influences continue to elevate Qatar's food scene. \n\nEvery year hundreds of vendors gather from all over the world at the Katara Summer Trade Fair to display and sell products from their home countries, including vibrant spices, international foods, oud - a woody, fragrant oil - jewellery and handicrafts. \n\nThe trade fair lasts for two weeks and gives both locals and residents of Qatar a chance to try many international delicacies. Yunis Ghallab is a master spice mixer from Yemen.\u00a0 \n\nHe\u2019s been coming to the Katara Summer Trade Fair for more than a decade and every year he\u2019s proud to bring the best products from Yemen. \n\n'Liquid gold\u2019 honey \n\n\"We always bring Yemeni honey, the best of its kind, Sidr honey and Brown honey. We have special spices, which are distinguished by unique mixtures like machboos. We also make mixtures for white rice\", Ghallab told Euronews. \n\nSidr honey is famous for its apparent health benefits. It is made from the aromatic blossoms of the Sidr tree which grow uncultivated across the desert in Yemen and Pakistan's Potohar region. \n\nTraditional recipes for every preference \n\nNoor Al Mazroei , a\u00a0Qatari chef has created a market for healthy versions of popular Qatari dishes in a bid to diversify the local cuisine, regardless of diet restrictions or preferences. \n\nWhile machboos is traditionally made with meat, Al Mazroei argues that it can also be made vegetarian or vegan and gives people a chance to get creative with their ingredients.\u00a0 \n\n\u00a0\"Because the recipe doesn't have specific ingredients that you have to use, it is more to do with the taste. Some people like to add onion, tomato. Some people like to add more turmeric. Some people like to make it a little bit more spicy. So, it is like a space where you can be creative and share your love of food\" said Al Mazroei. \n\nInstead of basmati rice, these traditional recipes can also be made with buckwheat or quinoa. \n\nFrom innovative and modern Qatari recipes to discovering new twists on old classics, Qatar offers the Gulf a fresh take on traditional Arabic cuisine. \n\n","htmlText":"<h3>This week, Euronews dives into traditional Qatari foods and discovers how vendors, chefs and food lovers alike use spices and ingredients from all over the world to make its cuisine unique.<\/h3><p>In the heat of the desert, a sip of Arabic coffee is always welcome and a quintessential Qatari gesture. On the\u00a0Zakreet Peninsula in western Qatar, locals have fused coffee from nearby Yemen with a rich Indian spice to make a staple of their own.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike traditional coffee, this lightly roasted blend is yellow in colour and has a creamy and delicate texture with a hint of spice.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7679164\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//12//feast-your-eyes-on-qatars-ample-collection-of-world-cuisines/">Feast your eyes on Qatar\u2019s ample collection of world cuisines<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u202f\"The main flavours come from the spices that we add. You'll notice a hint of coffee. Then there's the cardamom, then there are the spices that give it the richness and then the caffeine and the flavour as well\" said\u00a0Qatari Entrepreneur,\u00a0Khaled Alrayes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//69//05//14//808x454_cmsv2_da656714-7c3f-5132-b077-102d2f66ce17-7690514.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/384x216_cmsv2_da656714-7c3f-5132-b077-102d2f66ce17-7690514.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/640x360_cmsv2_da656714-7c3f-5132-b077-102d2f66ce17-7690514.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/750x422_cmsv2_da656714-7c3f-5132-b077-102d2f66ce17-7690514.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/828x466_cmsv2_da656714-7c3f-5132-b077-102d2f66ce17-7690514.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1080x608_cmsv2_da656714-7c3f-5132-b077-102d2f66ce17-7690514.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_da656714-7c3f-5132-b077-102d2f66ce17-7690514.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1920x1080_cmsv2_da656714-7c3f-5132-b077-102d2f66ce17-7690514.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Katara Summer Trade Fair<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Coffee culture aside, the region boasts an international food scene influenced by its 2.3 million expats. But Qatar also has a wide range of traditional recipes which take their influences from neighbouring countries.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Outside of the capital Doha, most of the terrain is flat, arid, low-lying desert. \"It was not self-sufficient. Qatar was not able to rely on itself and had to import, you know, different products from abroad. So, we have common spices like turmeric, for example, and we have cumin. They have been brought in from India\" said Randa Sheik, a food writer and blogger.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7651340\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//06//28//discover-the-exciting-world-of-wildlife-conservation-in-qatar/">Discover the exciting world of wildlife conservation in Qatar<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"You also have rosewater. Rosewater is from Iran. So, we have imported these ingredients from many different countries and also the raw materials as well, rice, bread, chicken, meat, and then we combined them in their own way to make fantastic and delicious dishes\" she added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//69//05//14//808x454_cmsv2_a6bff904-a81a-57f4-9d1f-e85a7d6314c8-7690514.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/384x216_cmsv2_a6bff904-a81a-57f4-9d1f-e85a7d6314c8-7690514.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/640x360_cmsv2_a6bff904-a81a-57f4-9d1f-e85a7d6314c8-7690514.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/750x422_cmsv2_a6bff904-a81a-57f4-9d1f-e85a7d6314c8-7690514.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/828x466_cmsv2_a6bff904-a81a-57f4-9d1f-e85a7d6314c8-7690514.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1080x608_cmsv2_a6bff904-a81a-57f4-9d1f-e85a7d6314c8-7690514.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_a6bff904-a81a-57f4-9d1f-e85a7d6314c8-7690514.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1920x1080_cmsv2_a6bff904-a81a-57f4-9d1f-e85a7d6314c8-7690514.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Some of Qatar's traditional dishes<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>What are some of Qatar's most popular traditional dishes?<\/h2><p>Machboos, saloona, madrouba and harees are four traditional Qatari dishes that are enjoyed across the Arab world but each country offers its own unique twist.<\/p>\n<p>Machboos is Qatar's, Bahrain's, Kuwait's and the UAE's national dish. Chicken, fish or lamb is first marinated in a rich blend of spices and then mixed with garlic, ginger and peppers before it is grilled and served on a bed of basmati rice.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">Food is your paint, so be creative<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Noor Al Mazroei\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n Qatari Chef\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Qatar's ancient spice trade has been the key to elevating its traditional foods.<\/p>\n<p>Spices like ginger, star anise and black pepper were brought over from the Indian subcontinent while garlic and cumin crossed the desert from east of the Meditteranean.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Dried fruits such as the looming, otherwise known as the black lime, travelled up from Oman.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//69//05//14//808x454_cmsv2_0c5fda2a-5e2d-56a5-a355-0c1060dc4808-7690514.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/384x216_cmsv2_0c5fda2a-5e2d-56a5-a355-0c1060dc4808-7690514.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/640x360_cmsv2_0c5fda2a-5e2d-56a5-a355-0c1060dc4808-7690514.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/750x422_cmsv2_0c5fda2a-5e2d-56a5-a355-0c1060dc4808-7690514.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/828x466_cmsv2_0c5fda2a-5e2d-56a5-a355-0c1060dc4808-7690514.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1080x608_cmsv2_0c5fda2a-5e2d-56a5-a355-0c1060dc4808-7690514.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_0c5fda2a-5e2d-56a5-a355-0c1060dc4808-7690514.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1920x1080_cmsv2_0c5fda2a-5e2d-56a5-a355-0c1060dc4808-7690514.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Wares at Katara Summer Trade Fair<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u00a0And while these items have become staple ingredients in Qatari cuisine, cross-cultural influences continue to elevate Qatar's food scene.<\/p>\n<p>Every year hundreds of vendors gather from all over the world at the Katara Summer Trade Fair to display and sell products from their home countries, including vibrant spices, international foods, oud - a woody, fragrant oil - jewellery and handicrafts.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7627382\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//06//14//discover-how-qatar-is-rejuvenating-its-cultural-heritage-sites/">Discover how Qatar is rejuvenating its cultural heritage sites<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The trade fair lasts for two weeks and gives both locals and residents of Qatar a chance to try many international delicacies. Yunis Ghallab is a master spice mixer from Yemen.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s been coming to the Katara Summer Trade Fair for more than a decade and every year he\u2019s proud to bring the best products from Yemen.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//69//05//14//808x454_cmsv2_19f68d4c-5c0a-5c0a-b39d-23988982562e-7690514.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/384x216_cmsv2_19f68d4c-5c0a-5c0a-b39d-23988982562e-7690514.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/640x360_cmsv2_19f68d4c-5c0a-5c0a-b39d-23988982562e-7690514.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/750x422_cmsv2_19f68d4c-5c0a-5c0a-b39d-23988982562e-7690514.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/828x466_cmsv2_19f68d4c-5c0a-5c0a-b39d-23988982562e-7690514.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1080x608_cmsv2_19f68d4c-5c0a-5c0a-b39d-23988982562e-7690514.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_19f68d4c-5c0a-5c0a-b39d-23988982562e-7690514.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1920x1080_cmsv2_19f68d4c-5c0a-5c0a-b39d-23988982562e-7690514.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Yunis Ghallab, Spice Mixer from Yemen<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>'Liquid gold\u2019 honey<\/h2><p>\"We always bring Yemeni honey, the best of its kind, Sidr honey and Brown honey. We have special spices, which are distinguished by unique mixtures like machboos. We also make mixtures for white rice\", Ghallab told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>Sidr honey is famous for its apparent health benefits. It is made from the aromatic blossoms of the Sidr tree which grow uncultivated across the desert in Yemen and Pakistan's Potohar region.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//69//05//14//808x454_cmsv2_b09e8c4d-dc68-5043-89bd-0164ac63fa12-7690514.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/384x216_cmsv2_b09e8c4d-dc68-5043-89bd-0164ac63fa12-7690514.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/640x360_cmsv2_b09e8c4d-dc68-5043-89bd-0164ac63fa12-7690514.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/750x422_cmsv2_b09e8c4d-dc68-5043-89bd-0164ac63fa12-7690514.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/828x466_cmsv2_b09e8c4d-dc68-5043-89bd-0164ac63fa12-7690514.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1080x608_cmsv2_b09e8c4d-dc68-5043-89bd-0164ac63fa12-7690514.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_b09e8c4d-dc68-5043-89bd-0164ac63fa12-7690514.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1920x1080_cmsv2_b09e8c4d-dc68-5043-89bd-0164ac63fa12-7690514.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Sidr honey and other varieties<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Traditional recipes for every preference<\/h2><p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////nooralmazroei.com//about///">Noor Al Mazroei<\/strong><\/a>, a\u00a0Qatari chef has created a market for healthy versions of popular Qatari dishes in a bid to diversify the local cuisine, regardless of diet restrictions or preferences.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7545192\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//05//17//how-qatar-is-putting-sustainability-at-the-heart-of-its-economy/">How Qatar is putting sustainability at the heart of its economy<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>While machboos is traditionally made with meat, Al Mazroei argues that it can also be made vegetarian or vegan and gives people a chance to get creative with their ingredients.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\"Because the recipe doesn't have specific ingredients that you have to use, it is more to do with the taste. Some people like to add onion, tomato. Some people like to add more turmeric. Some people like to make it a little bit more spicy. So, it is like a space where you can be creative and share your love of food\" said Al Mazroei.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//69//05//14//808x454_cmsv2_a772d4c8-5c4b-549f-9f61-86cb71f17b2f-7690514.jpg/" alt=\"Euronews\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/384x216_cmsv2_a772d4c8-5c4b-549f-9f61-86cb71f17b2f-7690514.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/640x360_cmsv2_a772d4c8-5c4b-549f-9f61-86cb71f17b2f-7690514.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/750x422_cmsv2_a772d4c8-5c4b-549f-9f61-86cb71f17b2f-7690514.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/828x466_cmsv2_a772d4c8-5c4b-549f-9f61-86cb71f17b2f-7690514.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1080x608_cmsv2_a772d4c8-5c4b-549f-9f61-86cb71f17b2f-7690514.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1200x675_cmsv2_a772d4c8-5c4b-549f-9f61-86cb71f17b2f-7690514.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/1920x1080_cmsv2_a772d4c8-5c4b-549f-9f61-86cb71f17b2f-7690514.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Noor Al Mazroei, Qatari Chef, preparing machboos<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Instead of basmati rice, these traditional recipes can also be made with buckwheat or quinoa.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">I like to think about food being accessible to everyone. It should be accessible. No one should go to a restaurant or see a dish and feel they cannot have it. Like, if I want that cake, I cannot have it because I'm gluten-free or I'm vegan, I should have it.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Noor Al Mazroei\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n Qatari Chef\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>From innovative and modern Qatari recipes to discovering new twists on old classics, Qatar offers the Gulf a fresh take on traditional Arabic cuisine.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1687264175,"publishedAt":1690380051,"updatedAt":1691395584,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/07\/26\/qatari-cuisine-traditional-recipes-enriched-with-imported-ingredients","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0e0a3ee4-dd18-5a5c-ac59-7e163d0f4d39-7690514.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a772d4c8-5c4b-549f-9f61-86cb71f17b2f-7690514.jpg","altText":"Noor Al Mazroei, Qatari Chef, preparing machboos","caption":"Noor Al Mazroei, Qatari Chef, preparing machboos","captionCredit":"Euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b09e8c4d-dc68-5043-89bd-0164ac63fa12-7690514.jpg","altText":"Sidr honey and other varieties ","caption":"Sidr honey and other varieties ","captionCredit":"Euronews ","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/69\/05\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_19f68d4c-5c0a-5c0a-b39d-23988982562e-7690514.jpg","altText":"Yunis Ghallab, Spice Mixer from Yemen","caption":"Yunis Ghallab, Spice Mixer from Yemen","captionCredit":"Euronews 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Three people injured as car ploughs through a protest in Israel","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"WATCH: Protesters injured as car ploughs through a demo in Israel","titleListing2":"WATCH: Three protesters injured as car ploughs through a demonstration in Israel","leadin":"A car drove through a crowd of protesters in Tel Aviv, leaving three people lightly injured on Monday.","summary":"A car drove through a crowd of protesters in Tel Aviv, leaving three people lightly injured on Monday.","url":"watch-three-people-injured-as-car-ploughs-through-a-protest-in-israel","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The incident occurred on a highway that the protesters had blocked, with footage of the incident emerging on social media. \n\n\nThe driver fled the scene, and authorities are currently searching for the car, police said. \n\nIsrael is experiencing widespread protests due to anger over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legislation to curb the powers of the country's Supreme Court. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The incident occurred on a highway that the protesters had blocked, with footage of the incident emerging on social media. <\/p>\n<p>The driver fled the scene, and authorities are currently searching for the car, police said.<\/p>\n<p>Israel is experiencing widespread protests due to anger over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legislation to curb the powers of the country's Supreme Court.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690277220,"publishedAt":1690282298,"updatedAt":1690282807,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/07\/25\/watch-three-people-injured-as-car-ploughs-through-a-protest-in-israel","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/65\/34\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f7cacda5-6282-5560-a1ce-bdd0bc292d59-7776534.jpg","altText":"A silver van drives at protesters in Tel Aviv","caption":"A silver van drives at protesters in Tel Aviv","captionCredit":"EVN","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":960,"height":540}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":28460,"slug":"israel-protests","urlSafeValue":"israel-protests","title":"2023 Israel protests","titleRaw":"2023 Israel protests"},{"id":2158,"slug":"tel-aviv","urlSafeValue":"tel-aviv","title":"Tel Aviv","titleRaw":"Tel Aviv"},{"id":20868,"slug":"car","urlSafeValue":"car","title":"car","titleRaw":"car"}],"widgets":[],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":7729991,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NC\/SU\/23\/07\/25\/en\/230725_NCSU_52538906_52538992_60000_113344_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":12207431,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NC\/SU\/23\/07\/25\/en\/230725_NCSU_52538906_52538992_60000_113344_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8mrlkj","youtubeId":"r8XY_H8kAPw"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"no comment","online":1,"url":"\/nocomment"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":157,"urlSafeValue":"israel","title":"Israel","url":"\/news\/asia\/israel"},"town":{"id":2158,"urlSafeValue":"tel-aviv","title":"Tel Aviv"},"grapeshot":"'castrol_negative_uk','neg_mobkoi_castrol','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_law','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','sm_politics','gs_politics_misc','gb_crime_high_med','gb_crime_high_med_low','gb_crime_news-ent','gv_death_injury','neg_intel_en','neg_facebook','gs_busfin','gs_busfin_indus','gs_law_misc','gs_tech_compute_net_social','gv_crime'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/video\/2023\/07\/25\/watch-three-people-injured-as-car-ploughs-through-a-protest-in-israel","lastModified":1690282807},{"id":2329696,"cid":7774300,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230724_NWSU_52528459","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Israel's parliament greenlights controversial judicial reform amid raging protests","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"As protests rage, Israel greenlights its controversial judicial reform","titleListing2":"Israel's parliament gives final greenlight to controversial judicial reform amid raging protests","leadin":"The overhaul will introduce sweeping changes aimed at curbing the judiciary's powers; limiting the Supreme Court\u2019s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions and changing how judges are selected.","summary":"The overhaul will introduce sweeping changes aimed at curbing the judiciary's powers; limiting the Supreme Court\u2019s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions and changing how judges are selected.","url":"israels-parliament-greenlights-controversial-judicial-reform-amid-raging-protests","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Israeli lawmakers have passed through parliament a key portion of\u00a0Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s divisive plan to reshape the country\u2019s justice system despite massive protests that have exposed unprecedented fissures in Israeli society. \n\nMPs annulled a law which allowed the Supreme Court to review and overturn government decisions or appointments and is seen by the opposition as a fundamental democratic guarantee against abuses of power.\u00a0 \n\nThe law was passed by all 64 members of the governing coalition. The 56 MPs from the opposition bloc absented themselves from the vote. \n\nThe ballot comes just hours after Netanyahu was released from a hospital. The plan has tested the delicate social ties that bind the country, rattled the cohesion of its powerful military and repeatedly drawn concern from its closest ally, the United States. \n\nOpposition lawmakers screamed out \u201cshame\u201d as the vote, the second of three required, approached. \n\nDemonstrators, many of whom feel the very foundations of their country are being eroded by the government's plan, stepped up their opposition, blocking a road leading up to parliament before the vote. \n\nEfforts to find a last-ditch compromise were underway, with President Isaac Herzog shuttling between the sides, including a meeting at the hospital where Netanyahu was treated, to find an agreement on the way forward. But it was unclear whether those would result in a compromise ahead of the final vote. \n\n\u201cWe are headed for disaster,\u201d said opposition leader Yair Lapid in a speech. \u201cIf you vote today on this bill, you are bringing the end of the people\u2019s army closer. You are strengthening Israel\u2019s enemies. You are harming the security of the state of Israel.\u201d \n\nProtesters banging on drums and blowing horns blocked a road leading to the Knesset, and police used water cannons to push them back. The protest movement said one of its leaders was arrested. \n\n\u201cThe state of Israel stands before destruction and ruin that is being brought upon it by a gang of extremists and kooks. We must go up to Jerusalem today!\u201d one branch of the protest movement called out to demonstrators on social media. \n\nIsraeli media reported that a consortium of businesses announced late Sunday that some of their members wouldn't open on Monday to protest the government's plans, leading to big mall chains and some gas stations sealing their doors. \n\nThe dramatic events were being watched closely in Washington, where the Biden administration has frequently spoken out against Netanyahu's government and its overhaul plan. In a statement to the news site Axios late Sunday, Biden warned against pushing ahead with the legal changes that were sparking so much division. \n\n\u201cGiven the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesn\u2019t make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this - the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus,\u201d he told the site. \n\nNetanyahu\u2019s sudden hospitalisation for the implant of a pacemaker added another dizzying twist to an already dramatic series of events that have bitterly divided his country and are certain to shape Israel's future. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Israeli lawmakers have passed through parliament a key portion of\u00a0Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s divisive plan to reshape the country\u2019s justice system despite massive protests that have exposed unprecedented fissures in Israeli society.<\/p>\n<p>MPs annulled a law which allowed the Supreme Court to review and overturn government decisions or appointments and is seen by the opposition as a fundamental democratic guarantee against abuses of power.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The law was passed by all 64 members of the governing coalition. The 56 MPs from the opposition bloc absented themselves from the vote.<\/p>\n<p>The ballot comes just hours after Netanyahu was released from a hospital. The plan has tested the delicate social ties that bind the country, rattled the cohesion of its powerful military and repeatedly drawn concern from its closest ally, the United States.<\/p>\n<p>Opposition lawmakers screamed out \u201cshame\u201d as the vote, the second of three required, approached.<\/p>\n<p>Demonstrators, many of whom feel the very foundations of their country are being eroded by the government's plan, stepped up their opposition, blocking a road leading up to parliament before the vote.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//77//43//00//808x539_cmsv2_c8e2b5a5-1f7a-5c00-a1db-94b517810993-7774300.jpg/" alt=\"Mahmoud Illean/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/384x256_cmsv2_c8e2b5a5-1f7a-5c00-a1db-94b517810993-7774300.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/640x427_cmsv2_c8e2b5a5-1f7a-5c00-a1db-94b517810993-7774300.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/750x500_cmsv2_c8e2b5a5-1f7a-5c00-a1db-94b517810993-7774300.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/828x552_cmsv2_c8e2b5a5-1f7a-5c00-a1db-94b517810993-7774300.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/1080x720_cmsv2_c8e2b5a5-1f7a-5c00-a1db-94b517810993-7774300.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/1200x800_cmsv2_c8e2b5a5-1f7a-5c00-a1db-94b517810993-7774300.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/1920x1281_cmsv2_c8e2b5a5-1f7a-5c00-a1db-94b517810993-7774300.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Israeli police disperse demonstrators blocking the road leading to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's gove<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Mahmoud Illean/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Efforts to find a last-ditch compromise were underway, with President Isaac Herzog shuttling between the sides, including a meeting at the hospital where Netanyahu was treated, to find an agreement on the way forward. But it was unclear whether those would result in a compromise ahead of the final vote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are headed for disaster,\u201d said opposition leader Yair Lapid in a speech. \u201cIf you vote today on this bill, you are bringing the end of the people\u2019s army closer. You are strengthening Israel\u2019s enemies. You are harming the security of the state of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7760162,7729348\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//05//palestinians-survey-destruction-after-most-intense-israeli-west-bank-raid-in-decades/">Palestinians survey destruction after most intense Israeli West Bank raid in decades<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//18//watch-fresh-protests-in-israel-against-planned-overhaul-of-judicial-system/">WATCH: Fresh protests in Israel against planned overhaul of judicial system<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Protesters banging on drums and blowing horns blocked a road leading to the Knesset, and police used water cannons to push them back. The protest movement said one of its leaders was arrested.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe state of Israel stands before destruction and ruin that is being brought upon it by a gang of extremists and kooks. We must go up to Jerusalem today!\u201d one branch of the protest movement called out to demonstrators on social media.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//77//43//00//808x539_cmsv2_e708bb3c-d1b8-5657-8dc3-326efd3204b4-7774300.jpg/" alt=\"Maya Alleruzzo/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/384x256_cmsv2_e708bb3c-d1b8-5657-8dc3-326efd3204b4-7774300.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/640x427_cmsv2_e708bb3c-d1b8-5657-8dc3-326efd3204b4-7774300.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/750x500_cmsv2_e708bb3c-d1b8-5657-8dc3-326efd3204b4-7774300.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/828x552_cmsv2_e708bb3c-d1b8-5657-8dc3-326efd3204b4-7774300.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/1080x720_cmsv2_e708bb3c-d1b8-5657-8dc3-326efd3204b4-7774300.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/1200x800_cmsv2_e708bb3c-d1b8-5657-8dc3-326efd3204b4-7774300.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/1920x1281_cmsv2_e708bb3c-d1b8-5657-8dc3-326efd3204b4-7774300.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan outside the parliament in Jerusalem, Monday, July 24, 2023.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Maya Alleruzzo/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Israeli media reported that a consortium of businesses announced late Sunday that some of their members wouldn't open on Monday to protest the government's plans, leading to big mall chains and some gas stations sealing their doors.<\/p>\n<p>The dramatic events were being watched closely in Washington, where the Biden administration has frequently spoken out against Netanyahu's government and its overhaul plan. In a statement to the news site Axios late Sunday, Biden warned against pushing ahead with the legal changes that were sparking so much division.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGiven the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesn\u2019t make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this - the focus should be on pulling people together and finding consensus,\u201d he told the site.<\/p>\n<p>Netanyahu\u2019s sudden hospitalisation for the implant of a pacemaker added another dizzying twist to an already dramatic series of events that have bitterly divided his country and are certain to shape Israel's future.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690195702,"publishedAt":1690203629,"updatedAt":1690214083,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/07\/24\/israels-parliament-greenlights-controversial-judicial-reform-amid-raging-protests","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_bc586fbf-f203-5188-b492-c6717ab6f687-7774300.jpg","altText":"Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan, outside the parliament in Jerusalem, Monday, July 24, 2023. ","caption":"Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan, outside the parliament in Jerusalem, Monday, July 24, 2023. ","captionCredit":"Maya Alleruzzo\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e708bb3c-d1b8-5657-8dc3-326efd3204b4-7774300.jpg","altText":"Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan outside the parliament in Jerusalem, Monday, July 24, 2023.","caption":"Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan outside the parliament in Jerusalem, Monday, July 24, 2023.","captionCredit":"Maya Alleruzzo\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/43\/00\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c8e2b5a5-1f7a-5c00-a1db-94b517810993-7774300.jpg","altText":"Israeli police disperse demonstrators blocking the road leading to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's gove","caption":"Israeli police disperse demonstrators blocking the road leading to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's gove","captionCredit":"Mahmoud Illean\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":5412,"slug":"benjamin-netanyahu","urlSafeValue":"benjamin-netanyahu","title":"Benjamin Netanyahu","titleRaw":"Benjamin Netanyahu"},{"id":21284,"slug":"judicial-reform","urlSafeValue":"judicial-reform","title":"Judicial Reform","titleRaw":"Judicial Reform"},{"id":27110,"slug":"protestas","urlSafeValue":"protestas","title":"Protests","titleRaw":"Protests"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/07\/24\/en\/230724_NWSU_52528459_52532308_69000_170838_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":69000,"filesizeBytes":9011443,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/07\/24\/en\/230724_NWSU_52528459_52532308_69000_170838_en.mp4","editor":null,"duration":69000,"filesizeBytes":13373683,"expiresAt":0}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8mqszs","youtubeId":"MQgyx1RVURQ"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP & EFE","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":157,"urlSafeValue":"israel","title":"Israel","url":"\/news\/asia\/israel"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','pos_ukrainecriris_ru','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc','gs_law','gs_law_misc','gs_politics'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2023\/07\/24\/israels-parliament-greenlights-controversial-judicial-reform-amid-raging-protests","lastModified":1690214083},{"id":2329214,"cid":7772954,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230724_NWSU_52522434","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Israeli parliament to vote on Netanyahu's judicial reforms on Supreme Court powers","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Israeli parliament to vote on Netanyahu's judicial reforms","titleListing2":"Israeli parliament to vote on Netanyahu's controversial judicial reforms on Supreme Court powers","leadin":"Israel's parliament is to vote on Monday on proposed judicial changes to limit the powers of the Supreme Court that have sparked the biggest protests in the nation's history. ","summary":"Israel's parliament is to vote on Monday on proposed judicial changes to limit the powers of the Supreme Court that have sparked the biggest protests in the nation's history. ","url":"israeli-parliament-to-vote-on-netanyahus-judicial-reforms-on-supreme-court-powers","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Thousands of Israeli protesters have ended their four-day march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in a mass mobilisation to oppose the government's justice system changes. \n\nMany are now camped in a park near the country's parliament. A final vote on the bill is due to take place on Monday. \n\nThere have been months of protests in Israel over the reforms, which seek to limit the Supreme Court's powers. \n\nCritics of the proposed changes say the Supreme Court is the only channel to scrutinise the government's use of power and prevent abuse by the state.\u00a0 \n\nIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker on Sunday but vowed to be present for the vote.\u00a0 \n\nThe judicial revamp proposed by his hard-right government has split the nation and, since its unveiling in January, sparked one of the most significant protest movements in Israel's history. \n\nThe final vote Monday will be on the \"reasonability\" clause through which judges can strike down government decisions. \n\nNetanyahu's government, which includes extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, plans to curb the Supreme Court's powers granted under this clause. They argue the changes are necessary to ensure a better balance of power. \n\nCritics accuse Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges he denies, of trying to use the reforms to quash possible judgements against him. He rejects the accusation. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Thousands of Israeli protesters have ended their four-day march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in a mass mobilisation to oppose the government's justice system changes.<\/p>\n<p>Many are now camped in a park near the country's parliament. A final vote on the bill is due to take place on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>There have been months of protests in Israel over the reforms, which seek to limit the Supreme Court's powers.<\/p>\n<p>Critics of the proposed changes say the Supreme Court is the only channel to scrutinise the government's use of power and prevent abuse by the state.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker on Sunday but vowed to be present for the vote.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The judicial revamp proposed by his hard-right government has split the nation and, since its unveiling in January, sparked one of the most significant protest movements in Israel's history.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7412688,7489228\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//03//27//our-security-under-threat-israels-president-joins-calls-to-ditch-judicial-reform/">Israeli unions launch general strike as opposition to judicial reforms grows<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//02//19//seventh-week-of-protests-in-israel-over-netanyahus-planned-judicial-reforms/">Seventh week of protests in Israel over Netanyahu's planned judicial reforms<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The final vote Monday will be on the \"reasonability\" clause through which judges can strike down government decisions.<\/p>\n<p>Netanyahu's government, which includes extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, plans to curb the Supreme Court's powers granted under this clause. They argue the changes are necessary to ensure a better balance of power.<\/p>\n<p>Critics accuse Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges he denies, of trying to use the reforms to quash possible judgements against him. He rejects the accusation.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690140863,"publishedAt":1690189144,"updatedAt":1690189928,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/07\/24\/israeli-parliament-to-vote-on-netanyahus-judicial-reforms-on-supreme-court-powers","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/29\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_cc716c12-b9ed-5a41-a0c6-31a6474cbac7-7772966.jpg","altText":"Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan outside the parliament in Jerusalem, Sunday, July 23, 2023. ","caption":"Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan outside the parliament in Jerusalem, Sunday, July 23, 2023. ","captionCredit":"Mahmoud Illean\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved.","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":5052,"height":3368}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"armstrong","title":"Mark Armstrong","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":21284,"slug":"judicial-reform","urlSafeValue":"judicial-reform","title":"Judicial Reform","titleRaw":"Judicial Reform"},{"id":5412,"slug":"benjamin-netanyahu","urlSafeValue":"benjamin-netanyahu","title":"Benjamin Netanyahu","titleRaw":"Benjamin Netanyahu"},{"id":4378,"slug":"protest","urlSafeValue":"protest","title":"Protest","titleRaw":"Protest"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":35000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":4437337,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/07\/24\/en\/230724_NWSU_52522434_52522469_35000_081323_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":35000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":6535513,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/23\/07\/24\/en\/230724_NWSU_52522434_52522469_35000_081323_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8mqjkg","youtubeId":"jMD30T0JvWs"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AFP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"world news","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":157,"urlSafeValue":"israel","title":"Israel","url":"\/news\/asia\/israel"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','pos_ukrainecriris_ru','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/2023\/07\/24\/israeli-parliament-to-vote-on-netanyahus-judicial-reforms-on-supreme-court-powers","lastModified":1690189928},{"id":2328622,"cid":7771442,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230723_NWSU_52515504","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Israel's Netanyahu goes to hospital for pacemaker. He says he will push ahead with judicial overhaul","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Netanyahu to push ahead with judicial plan after 'emergency' surgery","titleListing2":"Israel's Netanyahu goes to hospital for pacemaker. He says he will push ahead with judicial overhaul","leadin":"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital early Sunday for an emergency implantation of a heart pacemaker, plunging Israel into deeper turmoil after widespread protests over his contentious judicial overhaul plan.","summary":"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital early Sunday for an emergency implantation of a heart pacemaker, plunging Israel into deeper turmoil after widespread protests over his contentious judicial overhaul plan.","url":"israels-netanyahu-goes-to-hospital-for-pacemaker-he-says-he-will-push-ahead-with-judicial-","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A physician at the Sheba Medical Center said later that the procedure went well and Netanyahu felt fine. \n\n\nIn announcing the hospitalization, Netanyahu's office said that he would be sedated and that a top deputy, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, would stand in for him while he underwent the procedure. In a brief video statement before the implantation, Netanyahu said he \u201cfeels excellent\u201d and planned to push forward with the judicial overhaul as soon as he was released. \n\nNetanyahu's announcement, issued well after midnight, came a week after he was hospitalized at Sheba for what was described as dehydration. It also came after a tumultuous day that saw some of the largest protests to date against the judicial overhaul plan. \n\nHundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Israel on Saturday night, while thousands marched into Jerusalem and camped out near the Knesset, or parliament, ahead of a vote expected Monday that would approve a key portion of the overhaul. \n\nFurther ratcheting up the pressure on the Israeli leader, over 100 retired security chiefs came out in favour of the growing ranks of military reservists who say they will stop reporting for duty if the plan is passed. \n\nNetanyahu and his far-right allies announced the overhaul plan in January, days after taking office. They claim the plan is needed to curb what they say are the excessive powers of unelected judges. Critics say the plan will destroy the country\u2019s system of checks and balances and put it on the path toward authoritarian rule. US President Joe Biden has urged Netanyahu to halt the plan and seek a broad consensus. \n\nNetanyahu, 73, keeps a busy schedule and his office says he is in good health. But over the years, it has released few details or medical records. On 15 July, he was rushed to Sheba with dizziness. He later said he had been out in the hot sun and had not drunk enough water. \n\nHis return for the pacemaker procedure indicated his health troubles were more serious than initially indicated. In the video, Netanyahu said that he was outfitted with a monitor after last week's hospitalization and that when an alarm beeped late Saturday, it meant he required a pacemaker right away. \n\n\u201cI feel excellent, but I listen to my doctors,\u201d he said. \n\nProfessor Roy Beinart, the senior physician and director at the Davidai Arrhythmia Center at Sheba's Heart Institute, said in a video that Netanyahu was called in to get the pacemaker because he experienced \u201ca temporary arrhythmia,\u201d or irregular heartbeat, Saturday evening. \n\n\"The implantation went smoothly, without any complications. He is not in a life-threatening condition. He feels great and is returning to his daily routine,\u201d Beinart said. \n\nIt was not immediately clear what the hospitalization meant for the judicial overhaul, which has bitterly divided the nation. Netanyahu said he expected to be released in time to go to the Knesset for Monday's vote. In the meantime, his office said the weekly meeting of his Cabinet, usually held each Sunday morning, had been postponed. \n\nA pacemaker is used when a patient\u2019s heart beats too slowly, which can cause fainting spells, according to the National Institutes of Health. It can also be used to treat heart failure. By sending electrical pulses to the heart, the device keeps a person\u2019s heartbeat at a normal rhythm. Patients with pacemakers often return to regular activities within a few days, according to NIH. \n\nThe procedure normally involves a doctor inserting the pacemaker near the collarbone, according to Mayo Clinic. A hospital stay of at least a day is usually required. \n\nAs Netanyahu spoke, thousands of Israelis camped out in Jerusalem's main park, just a short walk from the Knesset, after completing a four-day march from Tel Aviv to rally opposition to the judicial overhaul. Late Saturday, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in Tel Aviv and other cities in a last-ditch show of force hoping to head off the judicial overhaul. \n\nIn scorching heat that reached 33C, the procession into Jerusalem turned the city's main entrance into a sea of blue and white Israeli flags as marchers completed the last leg of a four-day, 70-kilometre trek from Tel Aviv. \n\nThe marchers, who grew from hundreds to thousands as the march progressed, were welcomed in Jerusalem by throngs of cheering protesters before they set up camp in rows of small white tents. \n\nThe proposed overhaul has drawn harsh criticism from business and medical leaders, and a fast-rising number of military reservists in key units have said they will stop reporting for duty if the plan passes, raising concern that Israel's security could be threatened. An additional 10,000 reservists announced they were suspending duty Saturday night, according to \"Brothers in Arms,\" a protest group representing retired soldiers. \n\nMore than 100 top former security chiefs, including retired military commanders, police commissioners and heads of intelligence agencies, joined those calls on Saturday, signing a letter to Netanyahu accusing him of compromising Israel\u2019s military and urging him to halt the legislation. \n\nThe signatories included Ehud Barak, a former Israeli prime minister, and Moshe Yaalon, a former army chief and defence minister. Both are political rivals of Netanyahu. \n\n\u201cThe legislation is crushing those things shared by Israeli society, is tearing the people apart, disintegrating the IDF and inflicting fatal blows on Israel\u2019s security,\u201d the former officials wrote. \n\nIn his statement, Netanyahu said he would continue to seek a compromise with his opponents. He paused the plan in March after widespread demonstrations, but he revived it last month after compromise talks collapsed. \n\nIsrael Katz, a senior Cabinet minister from Netanyahu\u2019s Likud party, said the bill would pass one way or another Monday and rejected the pressure from the ranks of the military, the most respected institution among Israel's Jewish majority. \u201cThere is a clear attempt here to use military service to force the government to change policy,\u201d he told Channel 12 TV. \n\nThe overhaul measure would limit the Supreme Court's oversight powers by preventing judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are \u201cunreasonable.\u201d \n\nProponents say the current \u201creasonability\u201d standard gives judges excessive powers over decision-making by elected officials. Critics say removing the standard, which is invoked only in rare cases, would allow the government to pass arbitrary decisions, make improper appointments or firings and open the door to corruption. \n\nMonday's vote would mark the first major piece of legislation to be approved. \n\nThe overhaul also calls for other sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary, from limiting the Supreme Court\u2019s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions, to changing the way judges are selected. \n\nProtesters, who come from a wide swath of Israeli society, see the overhaul as a power grab fueled by personal and political grievances of Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, and his partners, who want to deepen Israel\u2019s control of the occupied West Bank and perpetuate controversial draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>A physician at the Sheba Medical Center said later that the procedure went well and Netanyahu felt fine. <\/p>\n<p>In announcing the hospitalization, Netanyahu's office said that he would be sedated and that a top deputy, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, would stand in for him while he underwent the procedure. In a brief video statement before the implantation, Netanyahu said he \u201cfeels excellent\u201d and planned to push forward with the judicial overhaul as soon as he was released.<\/p>\n<p>Netanyahu's announcement, issued well after midnight, came a week after he was hospitalized at Sheba for what was described as dehydration. It also came after a tumultuous day that saw some of the largest protests to date against the judicial overhaul plan.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//77//14//42//808x539_cmsv2_92a4a64b-01be-5bb1-9f71-777e7fc53b52-7771442.jpg/" alt=\"Ohad Zwigenberg/Copyright 2023 The AP All rights reserved\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/384x256_cmsv2_92a4a64b-01be-5bb1-9f71-777e7fc53b52-7771442.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/640x427_cmsv2_92a4a64b-01be-5bb1-9f71-777e7fc53b52-7771442.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/750x500_cmsv2_92a4a64b-01be-5bb1-9f71-777e7fc53b52-7771442.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/828x552_cmsv2_92a4a64b-01be-5bb1-9f71-777e7fc53b52-7771442.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/1080x720_cmsv2_92a4a64b-01be-5bb1-9f71-777e7fc53b52-7771442.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/1200x800_cmsv2_92a4a64b-01be-5bb1-9f71-777e7fc53b52-7771442.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/1920x1281_cmsv2_92a4a64b-01be-5bb1-9f71-777e7fc53b52-7771442.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Thousands of Israelis march along a highway towards Jerusalem in protest of plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Ohad Zwigenberg/Copyright 2023 The AP All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Israel on Saturday night, while thousands marched into Jerusalem and camped out near the Knesset, or parliament, ahead of a vote expected Monday that would approve a key portion of the overhaul.<\/p>\n<p>Further ratcheting up the pressure on the Israeli leader, over 100 retired security chiefs came out in favour of the growing ranks of military reservists who say they will stop reporting for duty if the plan is passed.<\/p>\n<p>Netanyahu and his far-right allies announced the overhaul plan in January, days after taking office. They claim the plan is needed to curb what they say are the excessive powers of unelected judges. Critics say the plan will destroy the country\u2019s system of checks and balances and put it on the path toward authoritarian rule. US President Joe Biden has urged Netanyahu to halt the plan and seek a broad consensus.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7761902,7724876,7709858\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//06//27//israel-government-approves-plans-for-thousands-more-homes-in-occupied-west-bank/">Israel government approves plans for thousands more homes in occupied West Bank<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//03//israeli-strikes-in-the-occupied-west-bank-kill-at-least-eight/">Israeli strikes in the occupied West Bank kill at least eight<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2023//07//19//israeli-protesters-block-highways-train-stations-as-netanyahu-moves-ahead-with-judicial-ov/">Israeli protesters block highways, train stations as Netanyahu moves ahead with judicial overhaul<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Netanyahu, 73, keeps a busy schedule and his office says he is in good health. But over the years, it has released few details or medical records. On 15 July, he was rushed to Sheba with dizziness. He later said he had been out in the hot sun and had not drunk enough water.<\/p>\n<p>His return for the pacemaker procedure indicated his health troubles were more serious than initially indicated. In the video, Netanyahu said that he was outfitted with a monitor after last week's hospitalization and that when an alarm beeped late Saturday, it meant he required a pacemaker right away.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel excellent, but I listen to my doctors,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Professor Roy Beinart, the senior physician and director at the Davidai Arrhythmia Center at Sheba's Heart Institute, said in a video that Netanyahu was called in to get the pacemaker because he experienced \u201ca temporary arrhythmia,\u201d or irregular heartbeat, Saturday evening.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//77//14//42//808x539_cmsv2_dc78adc5-f141-5efb-bb98-fd9474dae864-7771442.jpg/" alt=\"Ohad Zwigenberg/Copyright 2023 The AP All rights reserved\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/384x256_cmsv2_dc78adc5-f141-5efb-bb98-fd9474dae864-7771442.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/640x427_cmsv2_dc78adc5-f141-5efb-bb98-fd9474dae864-7771442.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/750x500_cmsv2_dc78adc5-f141-5efb-bb98-fd9474dae864-7771442.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/828x552_cmsv2_dc78adc5-f141-5efb-bb98-fd9474dae864-7771442.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/1080x720_cmsv2_dc78adc5-f141-5efb-bb98-fd9474dae864-7771442.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/1200x800_cmsv2_dc78adc5-f141-5efb-bb98-fd9474dae864-7771442.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/1920x1281_cmsv2_dc78adc5-f141-5efb-bb98-fd9474dae864-7771442.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Marchers who completed the last leg of a four-day trek from Tel Aviv to Israel's parliament to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Ohad Zwigenberg/Copyright 2023 The AP All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"The implantation went smoothly, without any complications. He is not in a life-threatening condition. He feels great and is returning to his daily routine,\u201d Beinart said.<\/p>\n<p>It was not immediately clear what the hospitalization meant for the judicial overhaul, which has bitterly divided the nation. Netanyahu said he expected to be released in time to go to the Knesset for Monday's vote. In the meantime, his office said the weekly meeting of his Cabinet, usually held each Sunday morning, had been postponed.<\/p>\n<p>A pacemaker is used when a patient\u2019s heart beats too slowly, which can cause fainting spells, according to the National Institutes of Health. It can also be used to treat heart failure. By sending electrical pulses to the heart, the device keeps a person\u2019s heartbeat at a normal rhythm. Patients with pacemakers often return to regular activities within a few days, according to NIH.<\/p>\n<p>The procedure normally involves a doctor inserting the pacemaker near the collarbone, according to Mayo Clinic. A hospital stay of at least a day is usually required.<\/p>\n<p>As Netanyahu spoke, thousands of Israelis camped out in Jerusalem's main park, just a short walk from the Knesset, after completing a four-day march from Tel Aviv to rally opposition to the judicial overhaul. Late Saturday, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in Tel Aviv and other cities in a last-ditch show of force hoping to head off the judicial overhaul.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//77//14//42//808x539_cmsv2_be2b3e4d-939b-52d4-a207-439a587f8c05-7771442.jpg/" alt=\"Ohad Zwigenberg/Copyright 2023 The AP All rights reserved\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/384x256_cmsv2_be2b3e4d-939b-52d4-a207-439a587f8c05-7771442.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/640x427_cmsv2_be2b3e4d-939b-52d4-a207-439a587f8c05-7771442.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/750x500_cmsv2_be2b3e4d-939b-52d4-a207-439a587f8c05-7771442.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/828x552_cmsv2_be2b3e4d-939b-52d4-a207-439a587f8c05-7771442.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/1080x720_cmsv2_be2b3e4d-939b-52d4-a207-439a587f8c05-7771442.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/1200x800_cmsv2_be2b3e4d-939b-52d4-a207-439a587f8c05-7771442.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/1920x1281_cmsv2_be2b3e4d-939b-52d4-a207-439a587f8c05-7771442.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Thousands of Israelis march to Jerusalem.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Ohad Zwigenberg/Copyright 2023 The AP All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In scorching heat that reached 33C, the procession into Jerusalem turned the city's main entrance into a sea of blue and white Israeli flags as marchers completed the last leg of a four-day, 70-kilometre trek from Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n<p>The marchers, who grew from hundreds to thousands as the march progressed, were welcomed in Jerusalem by throngs of cheering protesters before they set up camp in rows of small white tents.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed overhaul has drawn harsh criticism from business and medical leaders, and a fast-rising number of military reservists in key units have said they will stop reporting for duty if the plan passes, raising concern that Israel's security could be threatened. An additional 10,000 reservists announced they were suspending duty Saturday night, according to \"Brothers in Arms,\" a protest group representing retired soldiers.<\/p>\n<p>More than 100 top former security chiefs, including retired military commanders, police commissioners and heads of intelligence agencies, joined those calls on Saturday, signing a letter to Netanyahu accusing him of compromising Israel\u2019s military and urging him to halt the legislation.<\/p>\n<p>The signatories included Ehud Barak, a former Israeli prime minister, and Moshe Yaalon, a former army chief and defence minister. Both are political rivals of Netanyahu.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-euronews\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//embed//2325008/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe legislation is crushing those things shared by Israeli society, is tearing the people apart, disintegrating the IDF and inflicting fatal blows on Israel\u2019s security,\u201d the former officials wrote.<\/p>\n<p>In his statement, Netanyahu said he would continue to seek a compromise with his opponents. He paused the plan in March after widespread demonstrations, but he revived it last month after compromise talks collapsed.<\/p>\n<p>Israel Katz, a senior Cabinet minister from Netanyahu\u2019s Likud party, said the bill would pass one way or another Monday and rejected the pressure from the ranks of the military, the most respected institution among Israel's Jewish majority. \u201cThere is a clear attempt here to use military service to force the government to change policy,\u201d he told Channel 12 TV.<\/p>\n<p>The overhaul measure would limit the Supreme Court's oversight powers by preventing judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are \u201cunreasonable.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Proponents say the current \u201creasonability\u201d standard gives judges excessive powers over decision-making by elected officials. Critics say removing the standard, which is invoked only in rare cases, would allow the government to pass arbitrary decisions, make improper appointments or firings and open the door to corruption.<\/p>\n<p>Monday's vote would mark the first major piece of legislation to be approved.<\/p>\n<p>The overhaul also calls for other sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary, from limiting the Supreme Court\u2019s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions, to changing the way judges are selected.<\/p>\n<p>Protesters, who come from a wide swath of Israeli society, see the overhaul as a power grab fueled by personal and political grievances of Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, and his partners, who want to deepen Israel\u2019s control of the occupied West Bank and perpetuate controversial draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1690047560,"publishedAt":1690092695,"updatedAt":1690093083,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/07\/23\/israels-netanyahu-goes-to-hospital-for-pacemaker-he-says-he-will-push-ahead-with-judicial-","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1ddc6d32-0bf8-567a-a0a6-75e8b74a7219-7771458.jpg","altText":"Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the weekly cabinet meeting, in the Western Wall tunnels in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sunday, May 21, 2023.","caption":"Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the weekly cabinet meeting, in the Western Wall tunnels in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sunday, May 21, 2023.","captionCredit":"Maya Alleruzzo\/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":659},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_be2b3e4d-939b-52d4-a207-439a587f8c05-7771442.jpg","altText":"Thousands of Israelis march to Jerusalem.","caption":"Thousands of Israelis march to Jerusalem.","captionCredit":"Ohad Zwigenberg\/Copyright 2023 The AP All rights reserved","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_dc78adc5-f141-5efb-bb98-fd9474dae864-7771442.jpg","altText":"Marchers who completed the last leg of a four-day trek from Tel Aviv to Israel's parliament to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan.","caption":"Marchers who completed the last leg of a four-day trek from Tel Aviv to Israel's parliament to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan.","captionCredit":"Ohad Zwigenberg\/Copyright 2023 The AP All rights reserved","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/42\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_92a4a64b-01be-5bb1-9f71-777e7fc53b52-7771442.jpg","altText":"Thousands of Israelis march along a highway towards Jerusalem in protest of plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system.","caption":"Thousands of Israelis march along a highway towards Jerusalem in protest of plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system.","captionCredit":"Ohad Zwigenberg\/Copyright 2023 The AP All rights reserved","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/77\/14\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_95cdf25c-75ac-5fab-a328-bd102f4d2c11-7771458.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":5616,"height":3744}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":4378,"slug":"protest","urlSafeValue":"protest","title":"Protest","titleRaw":"Protest"},{"id":10177,"slug":"indignados","urlSafeValue":"indignados","title":"Indignados","titleRaw":"Indignados"},{"id":9353,"slug":"israeli-politics","urlSafeValue":"israeli-politics","title":"Israeli politics","titleRaw":"Israeli politics"},{"id":5412,"slug":"benjamin-netanyahu","urlSafeValue":"benjamin-netanyahu","title":"Benjamin Netanyahu","titleRaw":"Benjamin 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football becoming less competitive than before?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Is football becoming less competitive than before?","leadin":"In partnership with Media City Qatar. From tactical advancements to increased global exposure, elite level football has seen widespread changes to the game over the last 30 or so years. ","summary":"In partnership with Media City Qatar. From tactical advancements to increased global exposure, elite level football has seen widespread changes to the game over the last 30 or so years. ","url":"is-football-becoming-less-competitive-than-before","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"From tactical advancements to increased global exposure, elite-level football has seen widespread changes to the game over the last 30 years. \n\nAll teams share the desire to win. Scoring goals at the start of the season brings joy to fans and players. But as modern-day football goes hand in hand with finance, is the sport in danger of becoming less competitive than ever before? \n\nIt has been widely reported that football has become predictable, so how serious is the problem? Manchester City has won four out of the last five Premier League titles in England. In Germany, Bayern Munich picked up their 11th Bundesliga title in a row. While in Spain, no one other than Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have won La Liga since Valencia did in 2004. \n\n\"I think football goes in cycles in terms of who's at the top. It will be another team in a few years' time. I don't like to see that dominance, but it happens in every country at the moment.\" explained former Premier League footballer Neil Mellor. \n\nThere are, of course, exceptions to every rule. And this is why football fans love the sport so much. There is the rare occasion when smaller teams achieve enormous success, but these moments are becoming fewer and further between. \n\n \"I do think the Premier League is the most competitive league because of how much money it generates. For example, a team like Bournemouth, who are towards the bottom of the table, can spend more than 100 million euros when the transfer window opens. If the teams at the top of the table aren't doing the same, they can lose more frequently against teams lower down the table. We've seen that happen this season with Liverpool and Chelsea, who have struggled for form.\" Mellor continued. \n\nConsistently winning teams are a huge problem causing uneasiness with the game. \n\n\"I think the main concern is that people begin a new season pretty much able to predict the future. They already think, 'Well, City are going to win it again this year'. I think that's the biggest problem for English football because, at least previously, you had three or four teams that could be in the mix.\" Alex Batt, journalist for GiveMeSport. \n\nSo, how do football players remain motivated to win championships? Former Brazil defender Gilberto Silva was part of one of the best Premier League teams ever. He was a member of Arsenal's unbeaten 'invincible' team. He says the game has changed a lot since he played professional football. \n\n\"It was really, really competitive when I was there. Now when I look at the players on the field, they look much more athletic. They are a lot more broad in their size, and they're a lot more physical. Things like club infrastructure and information are improving from generation to generation.\" Says Gilberto. \n\nSport is a big business the world over, but how do other disciplines handle the cash disparity while keeping things interesting? Different sports have turned to innovative ways to try and keep things on a level playing field. In Formula 1, teams that finish lower in the championship standings are entitled to more wind tunnel time the following season to run more tests on their cars. As well as this, the entire grid is now bound by a cost cap in an attempt to stop the richer teams from running away with races every week. \n\nOver in America, the NFL operate their famous 'draft' system. To ensure no one loses out, the team that finishes last at the end of a season move to the top of the table. This gives them first refusal on the young stars coming out of college-level football. By the same token, the league champions are pushed way down to the bottom of the table. Franchises also have salary caps that apply to their whole roster, meaning if they want to trade for a superstar, room for them has to be made financially. \n\nSo, with the same teams continually winning the big prizes, it may be time for football to rethink its strategy. The inspiration is out there, but only time will tell if governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA are open to change. \n\n","htmlText":"<h3>From tactical advancements to increased global exposure, elite-level football has seen widespread changes to the game over the last 30 years.<\/h3><p>All teams share the desire to win. Scoring goals at the start of the season brings joy to fans and players. But as modern-day football goes hand in hand with finance, is the sport in danger of becoming less competitive than ever before?<\/p>\n<p>It has been widely reported that football has become predictable, so how serious is the problem? Manchester City has won four out of the last five Premier League titles in England. In Germany, Bayern Munich picked up their 11th Bundesliga title in a row. While in Spain, no one other than Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have won La Liga since Valencia did in 2004.<\/p>\n<p>\"I think football goes in cycles in terms of who's at the top. It will be another team in a few years' time. I don't like to see that dominance, but it happens in every country at the moment.\" explained former Premier League footballer Neil Mellor.<\/p>\n<p>There are, of course, exceptions to every rule. And this is why football fans love the sport so much. There is the rare occasion when smaller teams achieve enormous success, but these moments are becoming fewer and further between.<\/p>\n<p>\"I do think the Premier League is the most competitive league because of how much money it generates. For example, a team like Bournemouth, who are towards the bottom of the table, can spend more than 100 million euros when the transfer window opens. If the teams at the top of the table aren't doing the same, they can lose more frequently against teams lower down the table. We've seen that happen this season with Liverpool and Chelsea, who have struggled for form.\" Mellor continued.<\/p>\n<p>Consistently winning teams are a huge problem causing uneasiness with the game.<\/p>\n<p>\"I think the main concern is that people begin a new season pretty much able to predict the future. They already think, 'Well, City are going to win it again this year'. I think that's the biggest problem for English football because, at least previously, you had three or four teams that could be in the mix.\" Alex Batt, journalist for GiveMeSport.<\/p>\n<p>So, how do football players remain motivated to win championships? Former Brazil defender Gilberto Silva was part of one of the best Premier League teams ever. He was a member of Arsenal's unbeaten 'invincible' team. He says the game has changed a lot since he played professional football.<\/p>\n<p>\"It was really, really competitive when I was there. Now when I look at the players on the field, they look much more athletic. They are a lot more broad in their size, and they're a lot more physical. Things like club infrastructure and information are improving from generation to generation.\" Says Gilberto.<\/p>\n<p>Sport is a big business the world over, but how do other disciplines handle the cash disparity while keeping things interesting? Different sports have turned to innovative ways to try and keep things on a level playing field. In Formula 1, teams that finish lower in the championship standings are entitled to more wind tunnel time the following season to run more tests on their cars. As well as this, the entire grid is now bound by a cost cap in an attempt to stop the richer teams from running away with races every week.<\/p>\n<p>Over in America, the NFL operate their famous 'draft' system. To ensure no one loses out, the team that finishes last at the end of a season move to the top of the table. This gives them first refusal on the young stars coming out of college-level football. By the same token, the league champions are pushed way down to the bottom of the table. Franchises also have salary caps that apply to their whole roster, meaning if they want to trade for a superstar, room for them has to be made financially.<\/p>\n<p>So, with the same teams continually winning the big prizes, it may be time for football to rethink its strategy. The inspiration is out there, but only time will tell if governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA are open to change.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1688971557,"publishedAt":1689874240,"updatedAt":1692515535,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/07\/20\/is-football-becoming-less-competitive-than-before","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/74\/01\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9a599fad-d9cc-5ec5-940c-cad0bafb420b-7740118.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1280,"height":720}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":8257,"slug":"football","urlSafeValue":"football","title":"Football","titleRaw":"Football"},{"id":15146,"slug":"premier-lig","urlSafeValue":"premier-lig","title":"Premier League","titleRaw":"Premier League"},{"id":15116,"slug":"bundesliga","urlSafeValue":"bundesliga","title":"Bundesliga","titleRaw":"Bundesliga"},{"id":16770,"slug":"ispanya-la-liga-ligi","urlSafeValue":"ispanya-la-liga-ligi","title":"La Liga","titleRaw":"La Liga"},{"id":14832,"slug":"ligue-1","urlSafeValue":"ligue-1","title":"Ligue 1","titleRaw":"Ligue 1"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2320224},{"id":2342126},{"id":2347200}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":368240,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":45353641,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/FT\/WB\/23\/07\/20\/en\/230720_FTWB_52360269_52360287_368240_155436_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":368240,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":69493417,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/FT\/WB\/23\/07\/20\/en\/230720_FTWB_52360269_52360287_368240_155436_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8mo18d","youtubeId":"Nf6VnII_dZ0"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"football-now","urlSafeValue":"football-now","title":"Football Now","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/football-now"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"sport","urlSafeValue":"sport","title":"Sport","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/sport"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":8,"urlSafeValue":"sport","title":"Sport"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1630511520,"endDate":2114355123,"type":"sponsored","isDfp":null,"slug":"Scenes","title":"Media City - Qatar","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Media City","sponsorName":"Scenes","sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/410\/300x114_cmsv2_34d67838-9191-52a0-9a53-1c81081387b0-410.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":234,"urlSafeValue":"qatar","title":"Qatar","url":"\/news\/asia\/qatar"},"town":{"id":3937,"urlSafeValue":"doha","title":"Doha"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gs_sport','gb_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_sport_soccer','gt_mixed','gs_science_geography','neg_facebook_2021','neg_audi_list2'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-web","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"path":"\/2023\/07\/20\/is-football-becoming-less-competitive-than-before","lastModified":1692515535},{"id":2308214,"cid":7711060,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230719_TXSU_52213148","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Qatar's travel industry aims for a greener future","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Qatar's travel industry aims for a greener future","titleListing2":"The aviation sector is tackling one of its biggest challenges yet: becoming more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Euronews met with the Group CEO of Qatar Airways \u2013 Akbar Al Baker- to discuss how the country is meeting the demands of the future. ","leadin":"The aviation sector is tackling one of its biggest challenges yet: becoming more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Euronews met with the Group CEO of Qatar Airways \u2013 Akbar Al Baker- to discuss how the country is meeting the demands of the future. ","summary":"The aviation sector is tackling one of its biggest challenges yet: becoming more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Euronews met with the Group CEO of Qatar Airways \u2013 Akbar Al Baker- to discuss how the country is meeting the demands of the future. ","url":"how-is-qatars-travel-hub-becoming-more-sustainable","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Hamad International Airport in Doha welcomes over 30 million passengers each year, making it one of the busiest airports in the world. Designated as the second-best airport in the world and the best airport in the Middle East at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2023 , this iconic travel hub's vision extends far beyond passenger numbers. \n\nLike many European counterparts, the airline is working hard to cement its status as one of the most sustainable transport hubs on the planet. \n\nSustainability in the aeronautical sector has increased significantly in recent years. Oneworld alliance and partners have pledged to reach net zero by 2050.\u00a0 \n\nThe shared initiatives include fleet modernisation, improvements in operational efficiencies, advancing the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) certified by ICAO-approved schemes, and carbon offsets and removals. \n\n\nGoing green to stay in the air \n\nIn 2020, the International Council on Clean Transportation published a report which stated that increased fuel efficiency and the use of sustainable aviation fuels could help the sector save up to $35 billion annually on fuel expenses. \n\nIn essence: Going green will help the aviation section to stay in business. \n\nQatar is not only optimising its aircraft to reduce CO2 emissions, but it's also looking at how to ensure that Hamad International Airport is meeting the environmental needs of the future. \n\nHamad International Airport's environmental sustainability goals focus on waste management and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The hub recycles and reuses four thousand tons of organic compost every year. \n\nAccording to Akbar Al-Baker, Group CEO of Qatar Airways, they also recycle and reuse the water from decontaminated and treated sewage water to sustain the impressive vegetation in the airport. \n\nFurthermore, using natural light and investing in cleaner technologies helps the hub be more sustainable. \n\n\n\"We are trying to save energy by making the airport naturally bright during the daytime. Qatar Airways invests in new technology aeroplanes, and every time we buy a new aircraft, it is 20 \u2013 22% more fuel efficient than the previous one,\" he adds. \n\nGreener production chains for greener aeroplanes \n\nBut it's not just the workings of an airport like this which are helping the sector to go green. European companies are providing components that are helping the industry to become more sustainable. \n\nSonaca, a Belgian company specialising in developing, manufacturing and assembling parts for the aeronautical industry, has invested more than 40 million euros in the last decade in sustainability projects. Ensuring their production lines are green is at the forefront of their business. \n\n\nThe company produces wing slats and other components for over a thousand new planes annually. For them, going green starts with making planes fly more efficiently. Making aeroplanes lighter and improving their aerodynamic performance helps reduce the aircraft's fuel consumption. \n\nSonaca has also replaced older processes that use harmful chemicals and have installed battery-powered systems and greener operations across their production sites.\u00a0 \n\n\"Compared to 2021, in 2022 we reduced our CO2 emissions by 15%\" says Sonaca CEO, Yves Delatte. \n\nReducing emissions is a tall order for the aviation industry, but the race is on. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Hamad International Airport in Doha welcomes over 30 million passengers each year, making it one of the busiest airports in the world. Designated as the second-best airport in the world and the best airport in the Middle East at the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.worldairportawards.com//singapore-changi-airport-named-worlds-best-airport-2023///">Skytrax World Airport Awards 2023<\/a>, this iconic travel hub's vision extends far beyond passenger numbers.<\/p>\n<p>Like many European counterparts, the airline is working hard to cement its status as one of the most sustainable transport hubs on the planet.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1381548505731325954\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Sustainability in the aeronautical sector has increased significantly in recent years. Oneworld alliance and partners have pledged to reach net zero by 2050.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The shared initiatives include fleet modernisation, improvements in operational efficiencies, advancing the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) certified by ICAO-approved schemes, and carbon offsets and removals. <\/p>\n<h2>Going green to stay in the air<\/h2><p>In 2020, the International Council on Clean Transportation published a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////theicct.org//wp-content//uploads//2021//06//CO2-commercial-aviation-oct2020.pdf/">report which stated that increased fuel efficiency and the use of sustainable aviation fuels could help the sector save up to $35 billion annually on fuel expenses.<\/p>\n<p>In essence: Going green will help the aviation section to stay in business.<\/p>\n<p>Qatar is not only optimising its aircraft to reduce CO2 emissions, but it's also looking at how to ensure that Hamad International Airport is meeting the environmental needs of the future.<\/p>\n<p>Hamad International Airport's environmental sustainability goals focus on waste management and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The hub recycles and reuses four thousand tons of organic compost every year.<\/p>\n<p>According to Akbar Al-Baker, Group CEO of Qatar Airways, they also recycle and reuse the water from decontaminated and treated sewage water to sustain the impressive vegetation in the airport.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, using natural light and investing in cleaner technologies helps the hub be more sustainable. <\/p>\n<p>\"We are trying to save energy by making the airport naturally bright during the daytime. Qatar Airways invests in new technology aeroplanes, and every time we buy a new aircraft, it is 20 \u2013 22% more fuel efficient than the previous one,\" he adds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1665640525188288513\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Greener production chains for greener aeroplanes<\/h2><p>But it's not just the workings of an airport like this which are helping the sector to go green. European companies are providing components that are helping the industry to become more sustainable.<\/p>\n<p>Sonaca, a Belgian company specialising in developing, manufacturing and assembling parts for the aeronautical industry, has invested more than <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.businesswire.com//news//home//20230619736367//en//Sonaca-Signs-the-Biggest-Contract-in-Its-History Sonaca-Signs-the-Biggest-Contract-in-Its-History/">40 million euros<\/a> in the last decade in sustainability projects. Ensuring their production lines are green is at the forefront of their business. <\/p>\n<p>The company produces wing slats and other components for over a thousand new planes annually. For them, going green starts with making planes fly more efficiently. Making aeroplanes lighter and improving their aerodynamic performance helps reduce the aircraft's fuel consumption.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1443483206150414338\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Sonaca has also replaced older processes that use harmful chemicals and have installed battery-powered systems and greener operations across their production sites.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"Compared to 2021, in 2022 we reduced our CO2 emissions by 15%\" says Sonaca CEO, Yves Delatte.<\/p>\n<p>Reducing emissions is a tall order for the aviation industry, but the race is on.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1687869749,"publishedAt":1689781818,"updatedAt":1689782233,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/2023\/07\/19\/how-is-qatars-travel-hub-becoming-more-sustainable","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/71\/10\/62\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b96bfd3d-ef48-5165-9454-8bfcde14142f-7711062.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/71\/10\/62\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_db0b97f3-4384-506b-9bf6-964a2c6aee35-7711062.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":11019,"slug":"air-transport","urlSafeValue":"air-transport","title":"Air transport","titleRaw":"Air transport"},{"id":12523,"slug":"airport","urlSafeValue":"airport","title":"Airport","titleRaw":"Airport"},{"id":234,"slug":"qatar","urlSafeValue":"qatar","title":"Qatar","titleRaw":"Qatar"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"twitter","count":3}],"related":[{"id":1989984},{"id":2252890},{"id":2297222}],"technicalTags":[{"path":"editorial.media-city"},{"path":"editorial"},{"path":"sponsor.qfc2021"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":480000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":60740833,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/TX\/SU\/23\/07\/19\/en\/230719_TXSU_52213148_52213149_480000_130332_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":480000,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":92645089,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/TX\/SU\/23\/07\/19\/en\/230719_TXSU_52213148_52213149_480000_130332_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8mn0m6","youtubeId":"4h_mQMVtPCc"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"the-exchange","urlSafeValue":"the-exchange","title":"The exchange","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/next-series\/the-exchange"},"vertical":"next","verticals":[{"id":9,"slug":"next","urlSafeValue":"next","title":"Next"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":9,"slug":"next","urlSafeValue":"next","title":"Next"},"themes":[{"id":"next-series","urlSafeValue":"next-series","title":"Next Series","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/next-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":47,"urlSafeValue":"next-series","title":"Next-series"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1630511520,"endDate":2114355123,"type":"sponsored","isDfp":null,"slug":"Scenes","title":"Media City - Qatar","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Media City","sponsorName":"Scenes","sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/410\/300x114_cmsv2_34d67838-9191-52a0-9a53-1c81081387b0-410.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":234,"urlSafeValue":"qatar","title":"Qatar","url":"\/news\/asia\/qatar"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gs_science','gs_busfin','gs_busfin_indus','gs_travel','gs_travel_air','gs_travel_type_air','gs_travel_type','gs_science_environ','neg_saudiramco_arabic'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/next\/2023\/07\/19\/how-is-qatars-travel-hub-becoming-more-sustainable","lastModified":1689782233},{"id":2325932,"cid":7763276,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"230719_S5SU_52475211","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Paradise for archeologists: Roman-era aristocrat tombs revealed in Gaza","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Paradise for archeology: Roman-era aristocrat tombs revealed in Gaza","titleListing2":"Palestinian archaeologists in Gaza have unearthed a lead sarcophagus believed to belong to Roman aristocratic leaders. ","leadin":"Palestinian archaeologists have found another lead sarcophagus, believed to belong to Roman aristocratic leaders. It's the second to be unearthed in a Roman-era necropolis discovered in Gaza City.","summary":"Palestinian archaeologists have found another lead sarcophagus, believed to belong to Roman aristocratic leaders. It's the second to be unearthed in a Roman-era necropolis discovered in Gaza City.","url":"paradise-for-archeologists-roman-era-aristocrat-tombs-revealed-in-gaza","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"","htmlText":"","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1689765702,"publishedAt":1689771604,"updatedAt":1689772145,"expiresAt":0,"canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/video\/2023\/07\/19\/paradise-for-archeologists-roman-era-aristocrat-tombs-revealed-in-gaza","images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/76\/32\/76\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_5fcebb80-d814-5f44-b560-fc65e8116073-7763276.jpg","altText":"In Gaza city, around one hundred and twenty-five tombs have been discovered and more than 80 tombs were excavated.","caption":"In Gaza city, around one hundred and twenty-five tombs have been discovered and more than 80 tombs were excavated.","captionCredit":"AFP","captionUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1858,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"congar","title":"Kerem Congar","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"urlSafeValue":"congar","title":"Kerem Congar","twitter":null}]},"keywords":[{"id":25188,"slug":"gaza-city","urlSafeValue":"gaza-city","title":"Gaza City","titleRaw":"Gaza City"},{"id":13122,"slug":"palestine","urlSafeValue":"palestine","title":"Palestine","titleRaw":"Palestine"},{"id":16914,"slug":"roma-imparatorlugu","urlSafeValue":"roma-imparatorlugu","title":"Roman Empire","titleRaw":"Roman Empire"},{"id":28606,"slug":"archeology","urlSafeValue":"archeology","title":"archeology","titleRaw":"archeology"},{"id":27748,"slug":"artefacts","urlSafeValue":"artefacts","title":"artefacts","titleRaw":"artefacts"},{"id":16916,"slug":"arkeolojik-kaz-","urlSafeValue":"arkeolojik-kaz-","title":"archaeological excavation","titleRaw":"archaeological excavation"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2324070},{"id":2325076},{"id":2325654}],"technicalTags":[],"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":89440,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":11202898,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/S5\/SU\/23\/07\/19\/en\/230719_S5SU_52475211_52475236_89440_133521_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":89440,"editor":null,"filesizeBytes":17494354,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/S5\/SU\/23\/07\/19\/en\/230719_S5SU_52475211_52475236_89440_133521_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"externalPartners":{"dailymotionId":"x8mmwcp","youtubeId":"C2wwCiBzRG8"},"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"isLiveCoverage":0,"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"AFP","freeField1":"","freeField2":null,"type":"","program":{"id":"see","urlSafeValue":"see","title":"See","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/see\/see"},"vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"id":"see","urlSafeValue":"see","title":"See","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/see"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":48,"urlSafeValue":"see","title":"See"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"isDfp":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":""},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":344,"urlSafeValue":"gaza","title":"Gaza","url":"\/news\/asia\/gaza"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gt_positive','gb_safe','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_science_misc','gt_positive_curiosity','castrol_negative_uk','neg_mobkoi_castrol','italy_eng','eap-gs-homerfaber-fs-30july19','gt_positive_surprise','eap_cx_innovation'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-video","format":"video"},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"path":"\/video\/2023\/07\/19\/paradise-for-archeologists-roman-era-aristocrat-tombs-revealed-in-gaza","lastModified":1689772145}]" data-api-url="/api/continent/middle_east">
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29/07/2023
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Grandparents among activists defending Turkish forest from coal mining
With the world’s eyes on Rhodes, campaigners point out the irony of trees being felled for coal across the Mediterranean Sea in Türkiye.
28/07/2023
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Saudi Arabia: The rising star of international football
In partnership with Media City Qatar. Saudi Arabia has got everyone talking as they continue to attract some of football's star players.
27/07/2023
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Qatar 365: Discover the region's mouthwatering cuisine
How did Qatari dishes become local, and how have they evolved through trade with other nations? Euronews went to the Zekreet Peninsula in western Qatar to find out
26/07/2023
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WATCH: Protesters injured as car ploughs through a demo in Israel
A car drove through a crowd of protesters in Tel Aviv, leaving three people lightly injured on Monday.
25/07/2023
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As protests rage, Israel greenlights its controversial judicial reform
The overhaul will introduce sweeping changes aimed at curbing the judiciary's powers; limiting the Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions and changing how judges are selected.
24/07/2023
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Israeli parliament to vote on Netanyahu's judicial reforms
Israel's parliament is to vote on Monday on proposed judicial changes to limit the powers of the Supreme Court that have sparked the biggest protests in the nation's history.
24/07/2023
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Netanyahu to push ahead with judicial plan after 'emergency' surgery
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital early Sunday for an emergency implantation of a heart pacemaker, plunging Israel into deeper turmoil after widespread protests over his contentious judicial overhaul plan.
23/07/2023
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Is football becoming less competitive than before?
In partnership with Media City Qatar. From tactical advancements to increased global exposure, elite level football has seen widespread changes to the game over the last 30 or so years.
20/07/2023
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Qatar's travel industry aims for a greener future
The aviation sector is tackling one of its biggest challenges yet: becoming more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Euronews met with the Group CEO of Qatar Airways – Akbar Al Baker- to discuss how the country is meeting the demands of the future.
19/07/2023
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Paradise for archeology: Roman-era aristocrat tombs revealed in Gaza
Palestinian archaeologists have found another lead sarcophagus, believed to belong to Roman aristocratic leaders. It's the second to be unearthed in a Roman-era necropolis discovered in Gaza City.
19/07/2023
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