THEDITORPLUS

LOS ANGELES — Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, ending one of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history but not every legal issue between the two.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott J. Nord approved the agreement Tuesday, a day after Jolie and Pitt signed off on it.

“More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt,” Jolie’s attorney, James Simon, said in a statement. “She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.”

The filing says they give up the right to any future spousal financial support, but gives no other details. An email to Pitt’s attorney seeking comment was not immediately answered.

Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, were among Hollywood’s most prominent pairings for 12 years, two of them as a married couple.

The Oscar winners have six children together.

Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, after a private jet flight from Europe during which she said Pitt physically abused her and their children. The FBI and child services officials investigated Pitt’s actions on the flight. Two months later the FBI released a statement saying it would not investigate further, and the US attorney did not bring charges.

A heavily redacted FBI report obtained by The Associated Press in 2022 said that an agent provided a probable cause statement to prosecutors on Pitt, but that after discussing the merits, “it was agreed by all parties that criminal charges would not be pursued.”

The document said Jolie was “personally conflicted” about supporting charges, and in a later court filing she said she opted not to push for them for the sake of the family.

A source familiar with the child services inquiry told the AP in 2016 that the child services investigation was closed without a finding of abuse.

A judge in 2019 declared Jolie and Pitt divorced and single, but the splitting of assets and child custody needed to be settled separately.

Both have been free to marry again since that declaration, but neither has. The marriage was the third for Jolie, who was previously married to Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton, and the second for Pitt, who was previously wed to Jennifer Aniston.

Soon after, a private judge that the two had hired to handle the case reached a decision that included equal custody of their children, but Jolie filed to have him removed from the case over an unreported conflict of interest.

An appeals court agreed, removing the judge and vacating his decision. The couple had to start the process over.

During the long divorce fight, four of their children became adults, negating the need for a custody agreement for them. The only minors that remain are 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

The court will maintain jurisdiction over the child custody even with the finalized agreement, as it does in all California cases. In June, one of their daughters, then known as Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, successfully petitioned to remove Pitt’s name from hers.

The couple’s use of private judges — an increasingly common move among splitting celebrities in recent years — kept the details of the divorce largely under wraps. There had been no official court actions in the case in nearly a year, and no indication that the two were near agreement.

Some elements of their disputes, however, have been revealed through a separate lawsuit filed by Pitt over Jolie’s sale of her half of a French winery they owned.

Pitt had wanted to buy her half of the winery, Chateau Miraval, and said she abandoned their negotiations and sold her part to the Tenute del Mondo wine group. Pitt said it was a “vindictive” and “unlawful” move that should not have been made without his consent and ruined a private space that had been a second home.

Jolie and her attorneys said that Pitt had demanded she sign a wide-ranging non-disclosure agreement about him as part of the proposed deal that was an attempt to cover up his abuse of her and the children.

The divorce agreement does not affect the winery lawsuit, where the legal battle between the two stars could continue.

Publicly, both Pitt and Jolie have been extremely tight-lipped on everything surrounding their split, despite robust promotional tours for various projects.

Pitt said in a 2017 interview with GQ that he had had a drinking problem at the time of the plane incident and the split, but had since become sober and was going to therapy. He has not defended his behavior on the family flight.

Both were among the most elite stars in film when they began dating in 2004, after co-starring as hitman-and-hitwoman spouses in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” and remained atop the Hollywood A-list throughout their coupling.

The star of “Maleficent” and “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” Jolie won an Oscar for her performance in 1999’s “Girl, Interrupted.”

Pitt, the star of “Fight Club” and “Inglourious Basterds,” thrived as both actor and producer after the split. He won his own Academy Award for 2019’s “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood,” the crowning achievement in an awards season that some in media framed as a redemption and brought major public affection for him.

Jolie kept a less visible profile in the years since the divorce, though she directed several films and appeared in several more while trying to focus on raising the children. She has very much returned to the Oscar conversation this year for her portrayal of the legendary soprano Maria Callas in “Maria.”

AN-AP

Saudi producer Farah Al-Ibrahim’s new digital art show “Pearls of emotions” is set to premiere at the Theater of Digital Art in Dubai on Dec. 2.

Presented by her production company Artellosa, Al-Ibrahim told Arab News she hopes this show, which explores the rich history of pearl diving in the Gulf, resonates with viewers and offers them a new perspective on the region and its culture.

“I feel it’s in my DNA to talk about pearls and our relationship to the sea. But knowing this culture and keeping it in our hearts is not enough. We need to preserve it and reflect it to international audiences,” she said.

The desire to engage a diverse audience is a key driving force behind the experience, as “Pearls of Emotion” features a unique musical score that fuses traditional Gulf melodies with contemporary sounds in order to appeal to visitors from around the globe, as well as younger generations seeking a fresh take on the exploration of Gulf heritage.

“A lot of people think our civilization started when oil money entered the region. This is not correct, we have the need and duty to change that perspective and reflect the beauty and richness of our culture,” Al-Ibrahim explained.

“Pearls of emotions” tells the story of a bride who says goodbye to her husband days after their marriage as he embarks on a pearl diving journey, explained Al-Ibrahim.

“The show has seven parts, each one talks about a certain emotion such as love, resilience, strength, pride and so on,” she added.

The show offers a 360° immersive journey back in time at TODA, a 1,800-square-metre immersive art space located in Souk Madinat Jumeirah.

Al-Ibrahim relied on AI to generate the imagery for this art exhibition. She described the process as a challenge as AI databases are not fully versed with data from the Arab world.

By talking to her family, who have a long history in the trade, Al-Ibrahim was able to collect information on what ships, sailors and diving experiences looked and felt like so she could feed it to AI programs and generate a depiction of these stories.

“It’s very important to have these stories documented, even if it’s AI,” she said.

AN

Dubai-based brand Juliana Xerez Fine Jewelry has tapped Brazilian supermodel Caroline Trentini to star in its latest campaign.

The model, who has been on the cover of international Vogue editions 40 times and most recently hit the runway for Schiaparelli at Paris Fashion Week, starred in a campaign for the label’s Miracle Garden campaign.

“I have always admired Caroline and to see how many wonderful things she has achieved with such an impressive international career is truly remarkable. Working with her has been a dream of mine for a long time,” Sao Paolo-born founder Xerez told Arab News.

The nature-inspired collection features precious gemstones, including sapphires and rubies, and boasts design elements that echo monarch butterflies and dainty flowers.

“The Miracle Garden collection goes beyond mere aesthetics, it represents transformation, resilience, and the beauty that arises from perseverance. Every piece is designed to connect with the wearer on a personal level,” Xerez said.

The designer began her career in the modeling industry in Milan before she enrolled in the Gemology Institute of America and went on to study at the International Gemology Institute and Dubai Design Academy, where she honed her craft.

For Xerez, living in the multi-cultural melting pot of Dubai informs her work.

“Dubai’s cultural richness and its dynamic fusion of tradition and modernity provide endless inspiration for my designs. The city’s vibrant colors, intricate architectural details, and the diversity of craftsmanship found here greatly shape my creative vision,” she said.

“Being in such a cosmopolitan hub allows me to blend various cultural elements into my work,” she added, before commenting on the “fast-growing” Saudi market.

When it comes to expanding her brand into the Kingdom, Xerez is keen, saying “all eyes are on Saudi Arabia right now, as it’s an incredibly fast-growing market. The women there are so chic, fashion-forward, and have a keen eye for luxury, which makes it a dream market for my brand.”

AN

NEW YORK — Maria Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam singles champion known for plenty of on-court grit and off-court attention, and Bob and Mike Bryan, twins who won a record 16 major titles in men’s doubles together, are first-ballot selections for the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The Newport, Rhode Island-based Hall announced the Class of 2025 on Thursday.

Sharapova won at least one championship at each of her sport’s four most prestigious events, making her one of 10 women in tennis history to complete a career Grand Slam, and she was the first Russian woman to reach No. 1 in the WTA singles rankings. She retired in 2020 at age 32 after a career that included 15 years in the spotlight, a 15-month doping ban and multiple operations on her right shoulder.

In a message posted on social media, Sharapova called herself “incredibly grateful to receive this honor.”

The Bryan brothers also compiled a career Grand Slam and spent 438 weeks at No. 1 in the ATP doubles rankings. They won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and helped the United States win the 2007 Davis Cup title; Bob is currently the captain of the American team that will go to Malaga, Spain, for next month’s finals to compete for the country’s first triumph in that competition since then.

Mike Bryan — he’s right-handed, and his brother is a lefty — is the career leader with 18 major men’s doubles trophies overall; he got two with Jack Sock while Bob was injured in 2018.

“We are truly humbled and grateful to receive this honor. Though making it to Newport was never our goal, being included among so many of our idols and role models is incredibly special,” Bob Bryan wrote in a text message to The Associated Press on Thursday. “Mike and I continue to be best friends, and we feel lucky to have been able to ride this tennis rollercoaster together.”

Sharapova became an instant star when she won her first major title at Wimbledon in 2004 at age 17 by beating Serena Williams in the final, then collected the trophies at the US Open in 2006, the Australian Open in 2008 and the French Open in 2012 and 2014.

Sharapova helped Russia win the team competition now known as the Billie Jean King Cup in 2008, and she claimed a silver medal in singles at the 2012 Olympics, losing to Williams in the final.

All the while, Sharapova earned millions of dollars more in endorsement deals than prize money.

“There are a couple of sides of me,” Sharapova said in an interview with the AP in 2006, shortly before she won the title at Flushing Meadows. “There’s the Maria that’s a tennis player. There’s the Maria that is a normal girl. And there’s the Maria who’s a businesswoman. And that’s where the ‘Maria Sharapova brand’ comes into play.”

At the 2016 Australian Open, Sharapova tested positive for the newly banned drug meldonium and initially was handed a two-year suspension. After appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Sharapova was given a reduced penalty when it was determined that she bore “less than significant fault” in the case and could not “be considered to be an intentional doper.”

The Bryans and Sharapova will be inducted in August.

“We are thankful to so many people who supported us along the way, and we look forward to sharing this moment with them next year,” Bob Bryan wrote. ”Our parents created a magical environment at their club and made tennis fun for us. They helped us fall in love with the game, so tennis never felt like work; it was always play.”

Daniel Nestor, a Canadian who won 12 Grand Slam titles in men’s or mixed doubles, did not receive the 75 percenet of the vote required to qualify for the Hall in balloting among members of the media, historians, Hall of Fame members, industry experts and fans. This was his third — and final — year as a candidate.

AN-AP

DUBAI — Fifty of the world’s best female drivers from 25 countries will battle it out in the first Formula Woman Global Nations Cup qualifying round at the Dubai Autodrome on Dec. 12.

Each will be hoping to make it through to the inaugural Formula Woman Global Nations Cup, which will also be hosted by Dubai in May 2025. Additional races are also planned around the world next year.

Formula Woman, the world’s first all-female motorsport community and is already proving a great success. Its 5,000 members range from beginners with a passion for motorsport to seasoned racers, and it has attracted interest from the industry and global media.

The series aims to tap into the huge pool of talent and passion for motorsport among women, with the ultimate target being an all-female team in the world-famous 24-Hour Le Mans endurance race.

Four drivers — Sofia Necci, Amal Al-Mheiri, Darcy Mead and Manon Robillard — will represent the host nation, UAE. Also competing from the region are Saudi Arabia’s Farrah Al-Yousef, Lebanon’s Stephanie Hobeika, Qatar’s Nuha Koghali and India’s Manisha Ram Kelkar.

Formula Woman is the brainchild of founder and CEO Graeme Glew, a former race driver and Formula One executive who wants women to have the chance to compete at the highest levels of motorsport.

“We’re so excited to come to Dubai to give race fans there, and around the globe, the opportunity to see what our fabulously talented women drivers are capable of,” he said.

“We know that there is a reservoir of female driving stars out there just waiting to show the world what they can do, and Formula Woman will give them the opportunity. The fantastic racetrack at Dubai Autodrome is the perfect setting for this first step in what we believe will be a revolution in motorsport.”

Glew is supported by a highly experienced team of seasoned professionals, dedicated to building the profile of women in motorsport, with additional events planned around next year and beyond.

AN

ROME — Venice is going to broaden its tourist entry fee system in 2025, almost doubling the number of days visitors will have to pay to see the lagoon city, and hiking the price for last-minute arrivals, officials said on Thursday.

In a world first, the Italian destination introduced a 5- euro charge in April for daytrippers arriving on particularly congested days, hoping the levy would help thin the crowds.

The initial scheme, which was watched closely by other global tourist hotspots, covered 29 days over a four month period. This will be lifted to 54 days next year, over the same April-July window.

The charge will stay at 5 euros ($5.40) for those booking ahead of time, but will rise to 10 euros for anyone reserving within four days of their planned trip. As before, people with hotel and guest house reservations will be exempt.

“Venice has gone from being the city most exposed to and criticised for the phenomenon of overtourism, to being the city that is reacting to this phenomenon the earliest and most proactively on the global stage,” said Simone Venturini, the city councillor responsible for tourism and social cohesion.

He told a news conference the system was still in an experimental phase. He said places popular with tourists, including Japan’s historic city Kyoto and the Spanish island Formentera, had been in touch to ask about the scheme.

Critics have said the payment system failed to slow the flow of tourists, but Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said it was too soon to judge, with precise data only available this year.

He added that Venice did not want to shoo people away, but rather encourage visitors to rethink their dates.

“We are not against it (tourism). We just believe it can somehow be spread out,” he said, warning that the city would hand out fines in 2025 for people without a pass – something it had threatened to do in 2024, but did not.

In all, 485,062 people paid for a day pass this year, raising 2.25 million euros. This covered just some of the costs of the system, Brugnaro said, and was not aimed at raking in cash for the city coffers.

REUTERS, Oct 24, 2024

TYRE, Lebanon — Thunderous booms followed by black columns of smoke in the sky, ancient ruins with no tourists, and a seashore without fishermen or beach-goers.

War has turned Lebanon’s idyllic port city of Tyre into a ghost town.

Tyre had been considered safe for much of the year in which Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israel had been exchanging fire. But Israeli airstrikes this week led to fears that nowhere in Lebanon would be safe.

Near one of the three residential blocks reduced to rubble on Wednesday, a family loaded belongings into a car parked amid broken glass and debris.

Eight mattresses were stacked on the car roof, secured with rope.

The raids had torn the facades off surrounding structures, exposing bathroom pipes and entire kitchens to the outdoors.

Personal belongings were scattered everywhere – shoes, photographs, toys and clothes.

Tyre’s picturesque beaches were empty. Just last month, conservationists were helping endangered sea turtles lay eggs along the coastline but since then, Israel’s military warned against maritime activities, saying they could be targeted.

Khalil Ali, a 59-year-old fisherman, sits on a jetty and throws a fishing line hopelessly into the sea.

“We are very worried,” he said. “The situation might be like Gaza, and that Israel issues more evacuation orders that will force me to leave my hometown. It was not like this in 2006, this is very difficult. They did not destroy this much.”

More than 2,500 people have been killed by Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, and over 1.2 million have been forced from their homes, according to Lebanese authorities.

Tyre mayor Hassan Dabouq told Reuters only a quarter of the city’s residents remained, and many feared the destruction that had been wrought on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza was coming for them, too.

“It’s the same people, the same war, the same mentality, and the same (Israeli) officials, with the same support from the Americans and Europeans.

The elements are the same, so why would it be any different in Lebanon?” Dabouq said.

At Tyre’s port, dozens of vessels were docked on Wednesday morning. This area would normally be bustling with activity as fishermen brought in their catch to sell to merchants but now is eerily quiet. A few fishermen were present, not to fish, but to check on their boats.

Shops and restaurants were closed, and the fridges that once held fresh fish were empty and turned off.

VICIOUS WAR

Only those with nowhere else to go and those who felt a sense of duty to stay remained. One Tyre resident said she would rather stay in her hometown than die as a refugee.

Wael Mroueh, a 49-year-old nephrologist and director of the Jabal Amel Hospital, chose to stay. His hospital is one of only three still serving southern Lebanon.

Having lived through numerous wars, Mroueh remembers a childhood of bombings, explosions and destruction.

Determined not to subject his three children and loved ones to the same horrors, he made the decision to send them to safety further north while he remained behind.

“I fear I might never see them again because of this vicious war being waged against us,” he told Reuters at his hospital, covering his face as he broke down in tears.

Mattresses and personal belongings lay in hospital corridors. To convince some of his staff to stay on, Mroueh had allowed them to live there with their families.

Like the city itself, only a quarter of the hospital’s doctors had stayed. Just over one-third of the nurses did too.

Dressed in his white scrubs, Mroueh toured the ICU and the kidney dialysis unit to check on about 30 patients injured in the war, many of whom had serious injuries and were unconscious.

He sends patients who are stable enough for transfer to Beirut every day but as the conflict drags on, he is bracing himself – and preparing the hospital – for the worst.

He said there are troubling patterns in Israel’s actions in Lebanon that were similar to Gaza, particularly concerning the targeting of aid workers, medics, and hospitals.

Lebanon says 13 of its hospitals and more than 100 other health facilities have been put out of service by Israel’s strikes. The World Health Organization says more than 100 medics and rescue workers have been killed in the last year in Lebanon.

Mroueh sees those Israeli strikes as an attempt to strike at morale – but says it has not worn down his sense of responsibility.

“If everyone leaves, there will be no one left,” he said. “This is part of our resistance.”

REUTERS, Oct 24, 2024

Netflix’s latest hit Love is Blind Habibi opens with striking aerial shots of Dubai, where the show was extensively shot. While all the cast members are residents of the UAE, some crucial segments including the “pods”, were filmed in Lebanon.

The Arab version of the eponymous reality show and social experiment, Love is Blind has been a runaway success for the streaming service since its debut on October 10. The show features 20 singles from across the Arab world – 10 men and 10 women – who are looking to find love, but who have to interact with prospective partners through pods without seeing each other. Once they have chosen their potential partners, they finally meet and get engaged, and move on to the second phase of the experiment.

Love is Blind Habibi has been viewed more than 1.3 million times as of last week and ranked No 8 globally on Netflix’s non-English shows chart.

Where is the resort in Love is Blind Habibi located?

Of the 20 singles introduced at the beginning of the show, six found their partners and got engaged. The couples were then transported to a luxury resort where they spent more time with each other and also met other participants for the first time.

While Netflix makes no mention of the resort in the show, diligent fans online have located the stunning EddeSands Hotel & Wellness Resort in the ancient city of Byblos, Lebanon. Located 35km north of Beirut, the resort markets itself as a “party destination in summer and a perfect haven for relaxation and well-being throughout the year”.

Spread across 70,000 square metres, the beachside resort is a popular location for proposals, weddings and events. Guests can choose from 23 types of accommodation, which includes deluxe rooms, seaview bungalows and the royal suite, which comes with its own garden and outdoor Jacuzzi.

There are five adult-only pools spread across the property and one children’s pool, while dining options include seafood restaurant La Peche Du Jour, which translates to “catch of the day”, where “every plate is a canvas”. Meanwhile, the eTropical Spa offers treatments such as a Dead Sea mud wrap, as well as hair and beauty services.

As a popular wedding destination, EddeSands also offers a number of packages including photoshoots and honeymoon suites.

Fireworks flew among couples and cast members in the Love is Blind Habibi segments shot at the resort, which included male participants Simo and Chafic almost coming to blows following an argument. It’s also the location where one couple, Noor and Mido, decide they have very little in common after spending more time with each other. Meanwhile, Simo, who came to the resort with Hajar, stages a walkout.

While members of the cast have spoken about filming a reunion episode on their social media channels, Netflix has not officially announced the episode, nor a potential release date.

Ancient city

A Unesco World Heritage Site, Byblos is one of the world’s oldest cities and has, over the years, re-emerged as an upscale touristic hub. Before the recent widening of the Israel-Gaza war that has impacted life in and travel to Lebanon, it was also a popular holiday destination, with its Christmas tree and festivities attracting visitors from all over Beirut and abroad every year.

Top international stars, from Elton John to Martin Garrix as well as regional A-listers including Nancy Ajram and Guy Manoukian, have performed at the annual Byblos International Festival.

THE NATIONAL, Oct 21, 2024

Phú Quốc island off the coast of the Mekong Delta province of Kiên Giang has been honoured among the top 10 best islands in Asia by the prestigious British travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler in its 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.

The resort island, known for its service quality, stunning landscapes, sound cuisine, and locals’ hospitality, secured the fifth place with 91.01 points, as compared to 88.89 points in 2023.

Other destinations on the list are Koh Samui (Thailand), Langkawi (Malaysia), Boracay (the Philippines), Sri Lanka, Palawan (the Philippines), Phukhet (Thailand), Cebu & Visayan Islands (the Philippines), Bali (Indonesia), and Siargao (the Philippines).

Phú Quốc has received numerous accolades from the world tourism community this year. Three months ago, renowned travel magazine Travel + Leisure named it the second best island in the world, following Maldives. Besides, DestinAsian magazine, a prestigious travel and lifestyle magazine for travel enthusiasts around the world, recognised Phú Quốc as one of the top 10 most beautiful beach destinations in Asia.

The island has transformed itself from a hidden gem to a famous destination thanks to big investment in tourism infrastructure with an array of top-notch resorts. It has also offered visitors with various fascinating activities, including taking the world’s longest non-stop three-rope cable car line and premium art shows.

In the first nine months of this year, it welcomed more than 720,000 foreign tourist arrivals, up 56 per cent against the same time in 2023 and exceeding the annual plan by 8.6 per cent.

The island has served visitors from more than 150 countries and territories, with many direct flights from the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan (China). From October, new flight routes connecting the island with Hong Kong (China), Singapore and several Eastern European and Central Asian countries will be put into operation.

It expects to welcome some 100 international flights a week in the year-end tourism season, rising 25 per against the same time last year. — VNA/VNS, Oct 18, 2024

DUBAI — First off, a trip to South Korea is expensive. There’s no two ways about it. A return trip from Dubai costs in excess of $2,300 unless you opt to spending two days travelling in each direction. I chose the former.

There’s a perception that if you love Japan, you’ll also love South Korea. In fact, I found that South Korea was nothing like Japan. But why should it be? The Japanese dynasty ended a long time ago. Korea feels more humble, less in-your-face.

Seoul — the capital city — is large, clean, and very Western. The Metro system is busy and frequent, but unlike the public transport networks in the West, it feels safe. People are conscious of each other’s personal space and with a population of just over 10 million they need to be. But there’s no obvious fear of crime, everyone seems to have their heads buried in their phones. (For tourists, that might be because they’re checking their Korean translation app, an absolute necessity.)

To get the real vibe of this sprawling city — which is not dissimilar to Manhattan in New York — it’s worth walking the skyscraper-lined streets.

There are coffee shops pretty much everywhere you look. And in the malls, food courts are filled with baked goods, noodles and all varieties of meat. And while the fare is OK, none of it feels especially Asian, and judging by comments made by chefs this writer knows, Korea is not a place for foodies.

There’s a wide assortment of tours on offer — including a full day at the Demilitarized Zone on the North Korean border, which costs around $100 but is worth the effort and investment just to see across to the North with the guard posts in the distance and the 100-meter-high mast carrying the North Korean flag. You can also walk along a very claustrophobic tunnel dug by the North Koreans into the south.

Back in Seoul, the Starfield Library boasts a vast collection of 50,000 books in shelves that scale two floors – a must for those seeking an Instagrammable moment. There’s also a kitsch tribute to the novelty pop hit “Gangnam Style” — if indeed that is your style.

Seoul’s Anguk area is worth spending some time in; the art galleries and cafés have a youthful buzz and the Artist Bakery offered some beautifully mellow coffee and a huge selection of moreish salted butter bread treats.

There’s much to see in South Korea outside of Seoul, of course. And a three-hour trip on the bullet train takes you to the small(ish) city of Busan in the south east of the peninsular, where things feel much less Westernized. It’s a city crammed with markets and malls, selling anything and everything.

Find a hotel overlooking the water — there’s a lot of it and the fish market offers the chance to eat pretty much anything that is found in there. Be warned though, this place might look like a budget meal awaits you, but you can easily spend in excess of $40 for some octopus and something called “spoon worm” sashimi — the latter resembling a very particular internal organ.

Gamcheon Cultural Village — an assembly of narrow lanes and small pastel-colored houses on the side of a hill — provides stunning views down the valley towards the sea; another place for Insta-moments. And the Songdo cable car is worth a ride for the equally spectacular photo-ops.

Busan also provides plenty of opportunity to sample authentic and delicious Korean street food, just don’t be put off by the aesthetics of some of the outlets.

My final stop was Jeju Island — an hour away by plane — where I spent a few days ambling about, taking in the beautiful coastline with its jagged volcanic rocks. From the many bus tours on offer, the east and south were the highlights. The Yeha Bus Tour is particularly good, with stops including Stone Park, an ancient village, and the 600-step climb up Seongsan Sunrise Peak for some stunning panoramic views of the volcanic crater and surrounding area (followed by the slow hobble back down).

South Korea is certainly a destination worth visiting, but with a necessary proviso: Make sure you have plenty of disposable income so you can create memories that don’t break the bank.

AN, Peter Harrison

BEIRUT — Hezbollah’s deputy secretary general Sheikh Naim Qassem, who said on Tuesday that the armed group supported efforts to reach a ceasefire for Lebanon, has been a senior figure in the Iran-backed movement for more than 30 years.

Speaking in front of curtains from an undisclosed location, Qassem said the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel was a war about who cries first, and Hezbollah would not cry first. The group’s capabilities were intact despite “painful blows” from Israel.

But he added the group supported the efforts of parliament speaker Nabih Berri – a Hezbollah ally – to secure a ceasefire, for the first time omitting any mention of a Gaza truce deal, opens new tab as a pre-condition for halting the group’s fire on Israel.

His 30-minute televised address comes just days after senior Hezbollah figure Hashem Safieddine is thought to have been the target of an Israeli strike and 11 days after the killing of Hezbollah’s secretary general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Qassem was appointed deputy chief in 1991 by the armed group’s then-secretary general Abbas al-Musawi, who was killed by an Israeli helicopter attack the following year.

Qassem remained in his role when Nasrallah became leader, and has long been one of Hezbollah’s leading spokesmen, conducting interviews with foreign media including as cross-border hostilities with Israel raged over the last year.
Qassem’s televised address on Tuesday was his second since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah intensified in September.

He was the first member of Hezbollah’s top leadership to make televised remarks after Nasrallah’s killing in an Israeli air attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sept. 27.

Speaking on Sept. 30, Qassem said Hezbollah would choose a successor to its slain secretary general “at the earliest opportunity” and would continue to fight Israel in solidarity with Palestinians.

“What we are doing is the bare minimum… We know that the battle may be long,” he said in a 19-minute speech.

Born in 1953 in Beirut to a family from Lebanon’s south, Qassem’s political activism began with the Lebanese Shi’ite Amal Movement.
He left the group in 1979 in the wake of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, which shaped the political thinking of many young Lebanese Shi’ite activists.

Qassem took part in meetings that led to the formation of Hezbollah, established with the backing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982.

He has been the general coordinator of Hezbollah’s parliamentary election campaigns since the group first contested them in 1992.

In 2005, he wrote a history of Hezbollah seen as a rare “insider’s look” into the organisation. Qassem wears a white turban unlike Nasrallah and Safieddine, whose black turbans denoted their status as descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.

REUTERS

DUBAI — Lebanese TV host Diala Makki took to social media with a heartfelt message as she was spotted at Paris Fashion Week along with US Egyptian model Sandra Shehab.

The pair attended Lebanese designer Elie Saab’s Spring/Summer 2025 show separately, with Makki taking to Instagram afterwards to share a message about the current Israeli bombardment of Lebanon, which has killed more that 1,000 people over the past two weeks.

“I am a journalist yet I stare at a blank page and I am unable to write one coherent sentence. I have mixed emotions, I am sad, broken, angry but mostly broken hearted. I was in Paris filming with a Lebanese team who showed up every day with teary eyes and a heavy soul. Their strength was inspiring,” she wrote.

“I interviewed creative designers who refused to give up on the dream that there is a light at the end of the endless tunnel of darkness and uncertainty … all I want to say to my people is be strong, the world is watching us, God is protecting us … I pray for my south, my Beirut, every corner of my Lebanon,” she added.

Shehab also attended Saab’s show, for her part she showed off an all-black look, complete with a trench coat.

The New Jersey native came into the limelight in 2018 after appearing in Season 24 of “America’s Next Top Model.” Although she was eliminated in episode eight, coming in 8th place, she scored fans on social media for her portrayal of Muslim women on screen.

Saab unveiled his spring collection on Saturday at the Palais de Tokyo, showcasing a mesmerizing journey through the African savannah that felt fresh, vibrant, and completely devoid of tired clichés, according to the Associated Press’s Thomas Adamson.

Right from the start, Saab showed he wasn’t afraid to play with the safari staples—but with a twist. Safari suits, reimagined as roomy linen separates and sleek crepe jumpsuits, traded their usual khaki for the blazing red of fireball lilies, moody elephant gray, and the ochre dust of West Africa. It was a palette that brought the raw, natural beauty of the continent to life without falling into the predictable tropes. These looks weren’t the romanticized garb of the intrepid explorer; they were effortlessly chic, perfectly fitted for today’s cosmopolitan adventurer.

AN

GUANGZHOU — Chinese researchers have discovered a new cyprinid fish species, Opsariichthys rubriventris, in Huizhou City in south China’s Guangdong Province.

In a paper published in the international journal Diversity, Opsariichthys rubriventris is described as a unique species endemic to Guangdong, residing in the upper reaches of rivers in the Pearl River basin.

The species can be distinguished from its relatives by several characteristics, including 13 to 14 predorsal scales, a lower jaw that projects slightly beyond the upper jaw, and cheeks featuring two mainly longitudinal rows of tubercles. Additionally, adult males exhibit reddish-orange coloration on their lower jaw, belly, pectoral fin and the anterior margin of their anal fin.

Zhou Jiajun, a co-author of the paper, noted that the discovery is significant for understanding the evolution of the Opsariichthys genus and for the protection of fish diversity in the Pearl River streams.

According to Zhou, the species has a narrow distribution range and small population size. With its vibrant colors and high ornamental value, it has become sought after in the ornamental fish trade. However, some habitats have become difficult to locate due to overfishing, highlighting the need for increased attention and protection.

XINHUA

LONDON — Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws presents an ambitious entry in the Star Wars gaming universe as the first-ever open-world instalment, set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

This game delivers an immersive crime-driven narrative that fans have long awaited, blending the familiar allure of Star Wars with gameplay mechanics reminiscent of Far Cry and Grand Theft Auto. But does it live up to the galaxy-sized expectations? Let us dive in.

The game transports players to a vibrant, morally grey underworld that feels like a perfect fit for its “original scoundrel story.” Set during the dark times of the Galactic Empire’s reign, players control Kay Vess, a resourceful outlaw who navigates the dangerous landscape of crime syndicates, shifting alliances, and backstabbing enemies.

The central narrative takes place on planets like Canto, with Kay caught between the Empire and the criminal underworld. Star Wars lore weaves seamlessly into the experience, as conversations with non-player characters and your adorable companion, Nix, help flesh out the galaxy and its struggles.

The world-building is a strong point here. Kay’s story encourages players to explore the Star Wars galaxy from a new perspective, absent of the high politics and philosophy of the Jedi. Conversations and side quests emphasize trust and reputation, providing players the freedom to “play the underworld to their advantage” and manipulate situations.

Side quests, however, tend to fall into the familiar territory of fetch tasks, limiting their creativity, but they do provide extra opportunities to engage with the game’s rich environments.

If you have ever wondered what Grand Theft Auto in space would feel like, Star Wars Outlaws gets pretty close. There is a wanted system that escalates based on your actions, adding tension to missions as you are pursued by law enforcement or bounty hunters.

The addition of slow-motion shooting mechanics adds flair, letting players make quick decisions in high-intensity moments. Combat feels satisfying, though not revolutionary, and can occasionally feel repetitive, especially when coupled with enemy artificial intelligence that does not always present a significant challenge.

Where the game shines are in its traversal mechanics. Kay’s grappling hook, stealth missions, and use of vents (which admittedly feel overused at times) allow her to sneak through the environment, offering a variety of ways to approach objectives.

There is an undeniable rush from slowing down time in mid-air during combat, but the over-reliance on certain movement tactics, like jumping and climbing, can make the gameplay feel a bit predictable.

Vehicles such as Kay’s Trailblazer spaceship and her customizable speeder bike help flesh out the Star Wars experience. While upgrades to the bike provide some sense of progression, it is the exploration aspect — flying to different planets, speeding through landscapes — that evokes the most excitement.

The inclusion of side activities, like changing music on a jukebox, learning a card game, or playing an arcade game, adds to the immersion and keeps things light when you want a break from the main story.

One glaring issue lies with the game’s technical performance. Glitches, like floating stormtroopers and awkward animations, break immersion at times. While Ubisoft is known for polishing its games post-launch, these bugs can pull players out of an otherwise engaging world.

Another point of contention is the enemy AI, which can feel lackluster. Too often, enemies fail to present a strategic challenge, relying more on brute force than intelligent tactics. This can make some combat scenarios feel repetitive.

Star Wars Outlaws is an impressive open-world experiment in the Star Wars universe. The narrative is compelling, the world immersive, and the core mechanics — while not perfect — offer enough to keep players engaged.

However, a lack of variety in missions, occasional bugs, and underwhelming enemy AI keep it from being a true standout. With a bit more refinement, this could be the definitive Star Wars game for fans of open-world exploration.

For now, it is a solid adventure with potential for more.

AN