Sunday, January 5, 2025

Out & About in Our World On Our "Virtual Route 66"


 

In the United States This Week, Mike Johnson Was re-elected as Speaker as the United States Congress gears up to formally certify the Electoral College Win of Donald Trump in Anticipation of January 20.   This is as we went to press with this first formal edition of our weekly "Virtual Route 66." Ukraine launched another incursion into Russian Territory as it has suffered setbacks throughout the last number of weeks.     This is also true as Syria continues under the new leadership and begins to emerge from 13 years of Civil War. 


Our team chose a  selection of good news from around the Middle East this week courtesy of the team at the National as we look forward to our ongoing engagements:


A young woman holds the Syrian flag on New Year's Day in Damascus. AFP
A young woman holds the Syrian flag on New Year's Day in Damascus. AFP

Let hope lead the way this new year

Starting a new year is equal parts refreshing and intimidating. I am approaching 2025 with cautious optimism as   Lebanon is in a fragile ceasefire agreement with Israel. I 

The smiling Gazan boy who refuses to give up hope

Yazan Al Sawda has received critical care aboard the UAE's floating hospital in Egypt since March. Pawan Singh / The National
Yazan Al Sawda has received critical care aboard the UAE's floating hospital in Egypt since March. Pawan Singh / The National

A courageous Palestinian schoolboy who was forced to have his leg amputated without anaesthetic after being injured in an Israeli air strike, is still smiling, despite it all.

Last January, Yazan Al Sawda, 12, had ventured outside to collect wood to build a fire when he was struck in an Israeli attack.

“I found myself on the ground, bleeding,” Yazan told The National. “I was awake but then fainted. I woke up with no leg,” he recalled.

Yazan was taken aboard the UAE's floating hospital in Egypt for treatment, where he initially had become withdrawn and was reluctant to socialise with others. Doctors say he has since made significant progress and is regularly smiling and dancing as he sets his sights on walking again.

Read his story here.


QUOTED

"Let's just be happy, God willing the future will be OK"

Fatima, one of thousands of Syrians who were celebrating a fresh start for the country and New Year's Eve in the historic Umayyad Square in Damascus, nearly a month after rebels ended more than 50 years of Assad family rule over Syria

Read more here.


Also: 'Dancing for a good cause'

Reyna Mehta, an Indian pupil in Dubai, dances with cancer survivors at the Al Jalila Foundation. Photo: Chandan Sojitra
Reyna Mehta, an Indian pupil in Dubai, dances with cancer survivors at the Al Jalila Foundation. Photo: Chandan Sojitra

A Dubai schoolgirl embraced her passion for dance to raise Dh63,000 to support breast cancer patients after being inspired to step up for the cause by her great grandmother's battle with the disease. Reyna Mehta, 16, organised and took part in a performance featuring a cast of cancer survivors. Her dance teacher helped to choreograph the show.

The money was donated to Al Jalila Foundation, a non-profit healthcare organisation carrying out key work in the fight against cancer via YallaGive, the first licensed online donation and crowdfunding platform in the Middle East.

Read more here.

 

SNAPSHOT

Crows perch on a tree branch on a winter's morning in Chennai, India. AP
Crows perch on a tree branch on a winter's morning in Chennai, India. AP

This week's selection includes a winter's morning in Chennai, northern lights in Alaska, and New Year's fireworks in Abu Dhabi

See the Beshara photos of the week here


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