Recalling an interview with Yasser Arafat on the anniversary of his death
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: It was around midnight when we got the much-awaited call announcing that the “Chairman” would meet us within a couple of hours at an hotel transformed into the temporary headquarters of the Palestinian authority in Tunisia. We immediately leapt into action, rushed our cameras, stands and microphones and headed towards Borj […]
First Jewish wedding in Bahrain in 52 years
By Habib Toumi BAHRAIN: For the first time in more than half a century, a Jewish couple was married in Bahrain. The groom was the son of Houda Nonoo, Bahrain’s former ambassador to the United States, first Jewish ambassador from an Arab country and the first woman Bahraini ambassador to the US. “Yesterday was historic […]
Hunting, equestrian show in UAE capital: The skill of foresight, the power of success
By Habib Toumi ABU Dhabi: When the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan initiated the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) in Abu Dhabi in 2003, very few thought that it would achieve huge success locally, regionally and internationally, turning into a landmark event for enthusiasts, fans, and companies across the world. […]
Madam Ambassador: UAE appoints first woman ambassador to France
By Habib Toumi ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates has appointed a woman as its new ambassador to France, the first time the Gulf country has named a woman to such a post in Paris. Hend Manea Saeed Al Otaiba has presented a copy of her credentials as UAE Ambassador to the French Republic. “I had […]
Saudi-bred falcon sold for $72,000 in international auction
By Habib Toumi RIYADH: A rare falcon was sold at a record $71,994 (270,000 Saudi riyals) during an auction in Saudi Arabia. The International Falcon Breeders Auction (IFBA) said the auctioned falcon was the most expensive bred by Saudi breeders. The falcon, bred at Al Aradi’s Farm in Saudi Arabia, weighs 1,105 grams and […]
What is in the 2020 Olympics? Genuine Olympic values, spirit
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: What is the 2020 Olympics? Achievements and failures, tears of joy and tears of frustration, hard work, new friendships, impressive fair play, stretching the limits, and confronting COVID-19! The Olympics, the international sporting events held every four years, are the best chance to bring together the best athletes across the globe. With […]
Cheery archival treasure in a world of pandemic fatigue
By Habib Toumi MONASTIR: Here I am in the family home Monastir, a coastal resort in Tunisia, indulging in the customary Mediterranean culture of leisure with sandy beaches, warm sunshine and delicious food. But, this year, there are many more gaps of time than usual due to the pandemic and the movement restrictions imposed by […]
Gwangju, where Korea’s modern history was written in blood
By Habib Toumi BAHRAIN: On my first visit to South Korea in 2019, I was awed by several beautiful places, impressive monuments and breathtaking landscapes. I enjoyed modernism at its most bewildering sophistication and I dived into history at its deepest meanings. Yet, amid all the bewildering sophistication and brilliant modernism, the most poignant places […]
Climate change conference stresses need for prompt collective action, proactive role of media
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: An international media conference in the Korean capital Seoul has warned that the threats associated with climate change are so ominous that inaction to take collective action would have a high cost for humanity. Participants at the World Journalists Conference 2021, an annual event hosted by the Journalists Association of […]
Gandhi Peace Prizes for 2019 awarded to Sultan Qaboos, for 2020 to Mujibur Rahman
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: The Gandhi Peace Prize for the past two years has been conferred on late Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said (2019) and Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (2020) in recognition of their contributions to social and political transformation through non-violent methods. Although the selection procedure does not allow awarding the […]
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Trump, Kim, and the Three P’s of Summit Diplomacy: 
