State Dept. fires official after internal debates over Israel-Gaza
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
State Department press officer fired over Israel and Gaza messaging, report says
Shahed Ghoreishi was dismissed following disputes over how to characterise White House policies, according to the Washington Post. His firing reportedly occurred days after an internal debate about releasing a statement to media that said: “We do not support forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza” US President Donald Trump earlier this year expressed support for displacing Palestinians from Gaza in order to rebuild the enclave into the “Riviera of the Middle East” The Post, quoting anonymous officials, said State Department employees were told that communication straying from ardent pro-Israel messaging will not be tolerated. The National has reached out to the State Department for comment. The Asia Cup 2018 final Who: India v Bangladesh When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD. The final will be played at the same time as the Asia Cup final between India and Bangladesh. The match will be held at the Dubai World Cup, which will take place in February. The tournament will be the first to be held in the UAE.
The Washington Post said on Wednesday that Shahed Ghoreishi was dismissed following disputes over how to characterise White House policies, including a plan to displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
His firing reportedly occurred days after an internal debate about releasing a statement to media that said: “We do not support forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza.”
US President Donald Trump earlier this year expressed support for displacing Palestinians from Gaza in order to rebuild the enclave into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
The Post, quoting anonymous officials, said State Department employees were told that communication straying from ardent pro-Israel messaging – even that which is in line with long-standing US policy – will not be tolerated.
Another dispute involved the killing of several journalists in Gaza city, with Mr Ghoreishi recommending saying the US mourned their loss and expressed condolences to their families – which leadership rejected, according to the Post.
Yet another dispute involved one official’s insistence on referring to the West Bank by its biblical name of “Judea and Samaria” – which is how US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other officials have recently referred to it.
Earlier on Wednesday, far-right activist Laura Loomer said on X that Mr Ghoreishi had been fired for pushing “anti-Trump” and “pro-Iranian regime propaganda” at the State Department.
She highlighted Mr Ghoreishi’s time as an intern with the lobbying group the National Iranian American Council, and accused him of holding “anti-Israel” views.
The National has reached out to the State Department for comment.
LA LIGA FIXTURES Friday (UAE kick-off times) Levante v Real Mallorca (12am) Leganes v Barcelona (4pm) Real Betis v Valencia (7pm) Granada v Atletico Madrid (9.30pm) Sunday Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (12am) Espanyol v Getafe (3pm) Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao (5pm) Eibar v Alaves (7pm) Villarreal v Celta Vigo (9.30pm) Monday Real Valladolid v Sevilla (12am)
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4) Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Asia Cup 2018 final Who: India v Bangladesh When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD
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Some of Darwish’s last words “They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope.” – Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008 His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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Scoreline: Everton 4 Richarlison 13′), Sigurdsson 28′, Digne 56′, Walcott 64′ Manchester United 0 Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
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Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions – this can make legal recovery difficult.
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The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000 Engine 3.6L V6 Transmission: Six-speed automatic Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
match info Southampton 0 Arsenal 2 (Nketiah 20′, Willock 87′) Red card: Jack Stephens (Southampton) Man of the match: Rob Holding (Arsenal)
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES All times UAE ( 4 GMT) Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm) Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm) Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
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Towering concerns Abu Dhabi tower demolition: calls for more clarity on tenant rights
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time) Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm) Sunday, May 17 Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm) Monday, May 18 Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
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Other workplace saving schemes The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf. Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive – https://www.agda.ae/en
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The burning issue The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Infiniti QX80 specs Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 Power: 450hp Torque: 700Nm Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000 Available: Now
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km