in the united arab emirates. -- and the united arab emirates. the continuous pursuit of the enhancement of quality of life. that is not just for tourists. it is about residents. we work with partners to create experiences to cater to their needs. as you can see, almost every single year there is addition of experiences, addition of institutions, addition of new concepts that come in and create these fantastic curated experiences for people to really cherish and enjoy. david: what is the population of abu dhabi? mohamed: so, the population of uae is slightly over 11 million people. david: and abu dhabi is a fraction of that? mohamed: a little over 3.5 million people. david: your position is to make sure that people come here and understand what the attractions are, but you are building a lot of things. how long have you been in this position? mohamed: 20 years. and at the department of culture and tourism, close to 20 years. i am very humbled and lucky to be working for a government that has visionary ideas. their vision of investing and culture,

and that was the new year's celebrations in the united arab emirates, in dubai, the iconic burj khalifa, the world's telus building, being lit up. the city's skyline framed beside the burj khalifa. around ten minutes worth of fireworks, pyrotechnics and also synchronised light sequences. this is actually a number of fireworks events, new year's eve events that are taking place in the united arab emirates. also in abu dhabi is an absolute extravaganza, and i'll tell you why. they are attempting to break six guinness world records, so we are looking at around 53 minutes worth of continuous fireworks. that will make it the largest display globally. it's going to be a 20 minute spectacle with 6000 drones. that will make it the longest of its kind. there is also going to be the creation of the world's largest aerial images using more than 3000 drones, and the fourth wrecker there hoping to break is a synchronised display of 3000 drones spelling out happy new year, the largest synchronised music drone show. and the final record they are hoping to smash in abu dhabi, a fireworks display in ter

, —— — we united arab emirates, -- - we know his united arab emirates, —— — we know his family follow but most likely he will follow but most likely he will follow but most likely he will be in one of these countries, either russia, iran or the uae. joining me now to discuss the latest is ambassador robert ford. he served as the us ambassador to syria from 2011 to 2014 and is now a senior fellow at the middle east institute. ambassador, an evening of rapidly evolving devlopments. bashar al—assad, according to rebels, leaving the country, rebels, leaving the country, rebel fighters saying they are in the capital. i wonder, as the former us ambassador to the country, what do you make of these moments? i country, what do you make of these moments?— country, what do you make of these moments? i was in syria when the _ these moments? i was in syria when the syrian _ these moments? i was in syria when the syrian uprising - these moments? i was in syria| when the syrian uprising began in 2011, with peaceful protests across the country. and the situation that the government then pushed

and that so, i mean, it was also facilitated by the united arab emirates. now the largest exchange to date took place on january 31st one, the russian ministry of defense announcing the return of 195 people from captivity . the beginning of december and gary and prime minister before organ suggested the christmas truce and also a large scale exchange and building at least $700.00 individuals from each side. but that offer was ultimately shut down by key if they want to. hi, gary and providence, that big order, but he proposes a christmas truth. as he said, it was 7, the 100 troops that was supposed to be in his exchange and the landscape outright refused it. so as we understand the call, so it has continued this holiday season, give us. so if you wouldn't mind giving us the latest from the frontlines phase, what do you know earlier that you create in military carried out a drone attack and russia, sir southern region. on monday, the targeting the local district hospital, at least one medic died in that sac recordings of the local governor. the drawing opera

an effort of the united arab emirates say here is that most of you guys. i thank you for your service patients encourage for and during everything we're glad that our ministry of defense has worked hard for you and for russia, our president was very concerned about you. and you are almost home now wishing you all the very best russia is with you. meanwhile, a lot of myra's, the lensky going, that's the $189.00. you create new service, then we're returned to ukraine. now, that fact, russia does not confirmed and insist that the exchange was 150 for 150 soldiers. now the last major exchange between russia and ukraine took place back in october where a 955 people were changed on each side. and of course, the largest exchange prison exchange took place at the beginning of the year on january 30. first, when a russian ministry of defense and ask the return of 195 russian soldiers now at the beginning of december and gary in 5 minutes search the start, oregon suggested that a christmas exchange of prisoners and she quoted very large numbers of 40 to one of the l

and it's about the united arab emirates and the role. and it says, the u a is informed the administration. it will not now be transferring any weapons to the r as f. i will not be doing so going forward. alex, what do you make to this? i mean, is, is this proof that they were doing it all along and do you trust the assurances from the bite and administration with just a few weeks to go? very confident about this. that yes, it isn't indeed. and isaac assurance, an affirmation that actually the way hasn't been doing this kind of a bit of the set top preparation of items that has been inflaming. but more so i wouldn't take any assurances from the us administration, both the box and administration on the incoming trump administration, which has set and nothing on this topic thus far. all the way i would take those with a very strong pinch of salt. we really don't know what this adds up to, and even if supplies where to stop financial support may make continue inmate the many, many other way of guessing ons to, to the are assess funding due t

security that this council is charged with. preserving the us as investigating whether the united arab emirates is supplying american made weapons to the are assess us special envoy to the middle east and north africa. breton mccook, told the senate that the u. a has made assurances. it isn't arming the or assess and will not do so going forward. the findings of the investigation are due to be released 3 days before president elect. donald trump takes office in january. during his previous term, trump had a more comfortable relationship with the u. a than biden has had, and it will be up to him to put the reports, recommendations into action. wilson does ard elda 0 for inside story. the. let's discuss all this now with our panel of guests today. joining us from colorado is w. abdul monium, a sudanese, political analyst, and commentator in boston, massachusetts, alex deval, the executive director of the world peace foundation. he specializes in peace building in saddam and in london colored cat, the founding director of cum fluids advisory. a think tank formerly based in call to thank you very m

we have something special here in abu dhabi and united arab emirates. it is the continuous pursuit of the events handsment of quality of life. it is not just tourists but the residents living here. we work with our colleagues and partners to create experience the to cater to their needs. as you can see almost every year there is addition of experiences, addition of institutions, additions of new concepts that come in and create these fantastic cure rated experiences for people to really challenge and enjoy. david: with what is the population? mr. al mubarak: it is the largest land bank a little over 3.5 million people. david: your position is to make sure people come and understand the attractions but you are building a lot of things. how long have you been in this position? mr. al mubarak: i have been in it for 20 years and at the department of cult and tourism close to 10 years. i'm very humbled and lucky to be working for a government that has visionary ideas. their vision of investing in culture have not just been set not but from the inception of t

for debbie towards the is also in these really citizens you know, resides in dubai, in the united arab emirates, the into, by told you a runs a restaurant and who could live lounge the age of oh yeah. then the very simple car, what is the price luxury like services, lex street. it's like, where's their own 9 seconds here, maybe you know, you don't know maybe where the only association the told you as a rolls royce that dr. unsecure. see sometimes he drives a red mustang. he also has a mercedes benz g to us. all these cars have double 07 on the plates. he doesn't have business meetings in restaurants. he prefers the tinted windows of his hook of 5 lounge. he a small key inside people mostly speak russian. the it seems that told us is the top don't care. the visitors great. him on the stone pays him special attention. told you what most freely around the room for one table to another wet talk. so under way the and the children must have this. oh, i didn't find you know, that i used to soul for no, so i'm discussion well, got to entries the, the goals case of mine as ukrainian is really citizenshi

for debbie towards the is also in these really citizens you know resides in dubai, in the united arab emirates, the the into by told you a runs a restaurant and hook up. i have lounge page of old car. yeah. then the ready to pull car, what is the price? luxury like services, lex street. like where is there one second here. maybe you know your own i may be where oh, okay. the only association the told you as a rolls royce, that dr. unsecure. see sometimes he drives a red mustang. he also has a mercedes benz g to us. all these cars have double 07 on the plates. he doesn't have business meetings in restaurants. he prefers the tinted windows of his hooker 5 lounge here. all the inside people mostly speak russian. the it seems that told us is the top don't here the visitors great. him on the stone pays him special attention. told you what most freely around the room for one table to know the wet talk. so under way, the and the chair and less of this, so i getting find, you know, that it used to soul for no. so i'm still single got to injuries the, the gulf case of mine as ukrainian and is really ci

>> abu dhabi is the capital city of the united arab emirates.e are a connecting point between east and west from present day and throughout our history. david: the other major city that people know is dubai. and so dubai and abu dhabi have attracted a lot of attention in recent years because they have their amount of wealth and a lot of tourism attractions. so let's talk about your main mission as the minister of culture and tourism. what are you supposed to be doing? mohamed: what makes this job very interesting is the passion it instills in myself and all of my colleagues. we have something quite special here. what is special is the continuous pursuit of the enhancement on the life and that is not just for tourists. it is for the residents, for the emiratis living here. we continue to work to create experiences to cater to their needs. so as you can see, almost every single year there is additional experiences, additional institutions, additions of new concepts that come in and create this fantastic, carried experience for people to really enj

for debbie towards the is also and he's really citizens, you know, resides in dubai, in the united arab emirates, the the into by told you a runs a restaurant and hook up my lounge page. yeah. then the ready to pull car. what is the price luxury like services, lex street. like where's their own are share maybe you know your own i may be where the only associations the told you as a rolls royce, that dr. unsecure. see sometimes he drives a red mustang. he also has a mercedes benz g to us. all these cars have double 07 on the plates. he doesn't have business meetings and restaurants. he prefers the tinted windows, the visual ca, 5 lounge here all the inside people mostly speak russian. the it seems that told us is the top don't care the visitors. great. him on the stone pays him special attention. told you what most freely around the room for one table to another. wet talk so underway the even the check and less of this. so i'm getting time, you know, that it used to solve for not to sell them. let us go single, got to entries the, the gulf case of mine as ukrainian and is really citizenship and a

>> it's the capital city of united arab emirates, it sits on the arabian peninsula. we are the connecting point between east and west, present day and throughout our history. david: the other major city people know in the uae is dubai. dubai and abu dhabi have attracted a lot of attention in recent years because they have a fair amount of wealth and a lot of tourism attractions. let's talk about what your main mission is as the minister of tourism and culture. >> what makes this job interesting is the passion it instills. in myself and my colleagues. we have something quite special in abu dhabi. what is special is the continuous pursuit of the enhancement of quality of life. that's not just for tourists, it's for residents and those living here. we work hand-in-hand with colleagues and partners to great experiences to cater to their needs. as you can see in abu dhabi and uae, almost every year there is the addition of experiences and institutions and new concepts that come in and create fantastic curated experiences for people to enjoy. david: what is the population

for debbie towards the is also in these really citizen, you know, resides in dubai, in the united arab emirates, the can do by told you a runs a restaurant and hook up my lounge page. ready to go car. what is the price necessary? luxury like services, lex street. like where's their own 9 seconds here. maybe you know, you know, you don't know maybe where does she? she told you as a rolls royce that dr. unsecure. see sometimes he drives a red mustang. he also has a mercedes benz g to us. all these cars have double 07 on the place. he doesn't have business meetings in restaurants. he prefers the tinted windows of his hook of 5 lounge to the us here. all the inside people mostly speak russian. the it seems that told you a is the top, don't care the visitors great him and the style pays him special attention. told you what most freely around the room for one table to another wet talk. so i'm the way the, let me check your mess of this so i didn't find you know, that it used to solve. uh no. so i'm let us go send mcgrath edges the the gulf case of mine as ukrainian and is really citizenship and also

for debbie towards the is also in these really citizen you know, resides in dubai, in the united arab emirates, the the into, by i told you a runs a restaurant and hook up my lounge page of old car. yeah. the ready to go car. what is the price? luxury like services, lex street. just like where is there over 9 seconds here. maybe you know, slow. you don't know maybe where she she told you as a rolls royce that dr. unsecure. see sometimes he drives a red mustang. he also has a mercedes benz g to us. all of these cars have double 07 on the place. he doesn't have business meetings and restaurants. he prefers the tinted windows of his hook of 5 lounge. they have coming out here. sure. the inside people mostly speak russian. the it seems that to do is the talk. don't care the visitors great him unless stone pays him special attention. told you a moose freely around the room for one table to another wet talk. so under way the children must have this i all, i'm getting fine, you know, that i used to sofa know, so i'm not a school single got to is the, the gulf case of mine as ukrainian and these reall

you or david towards the is also and he's really citizen you know, resides in dubai, in the united arab emirates the into by told you a runs a restaurant and hook up a live lounge. yeah. then the ready to full car. what is the price necessary fast luxury like services lex street. it's like, where's their own 9 seconds here. maybe you know, using to slow your own. i may be where the association the don't do as a rolls royce, that dr. unsecure. see sometimes he drives a red mustang. he also has a mercedes benz chief. us all these cars have double 07 on the plates. he doesn't have business meetings in restaurants. he prefers the tinted windows of his hook of 5 lounge. you have coming out here. all the inside people mostly speak russian. the it seems that told you is the top don't care. the visitors great. him on the stone pays him special attention, told you what most freely around the room for one table to another wet talk. so under way the and the children less of this. oh, i'm getting time. you know, that it used to sofa not so i'm still single got injuries. the yeah. goals case of mine as ukrai

because it's not only the united arab emirates, and not only is there all, you know, that the roster too has been accused in west and media off supporting the part on military force. so i want to understand why those nations are sad or indeed involving themselves in that matter. i think most of most of you, a year and model is already visual, have uh interest teams or wills. and so that is ready basically because of the june location. and we're on the south is any good off south buicks in which was of use and rights to grow system down here to space. as i said, the way he is looking outside the customer of land tides, i'd say that seats towards also done and you know, decent to because of all russia as being also known to be very much involved of things. uh well, uh, some of the late functions done. and by the way it lets say you smoke one of your support things. uh odyssey is mercedes leaving both sides on some more of the beds . they have the other leasing, see going south, and they have 0 relationships with all of us. if not. so it was a 5 minute ago when she's list for nick the i

as, according to the russian ministry of defense, the united arab emirates step in as a mediator for this human as our grand gesture during the return of the russian service. and right now, all will release military personnel are located. we build routes where have the chance to call their families now, once everything is in order, these service men will be transported back to russia for medical treatments and of course rehabilitation of the facilities of the russian ministry of defense. i'll put you on a most kind of color russian human rights on this phone. it was all sold there and i think them guys, i thank you for your service patients encourage for and during everything we're glad that our ministry of defense has worked hard for you and for russia, our president was very concerned about you. and you are almost home now wishing you all the very best russia is with you. in the meantime of letting mirror zalinski i shared on his social media, that's 189 ukrainians made and home figure that the russian site does not confirmed, insisting that the exchange was 6150 for 150. now the l

how do you understand all of those 4 in interventions because it's not only the united arab emirates, and not only is there all you know that the roster too has been accused in western media off supporting the part on military force. so i want to understand why those nations are sad, or i indeed involving themselves in that matter. i think most of us a you, a, you and mine is very easy will have uh, interest teams or wills. and so that is really basically because of the deal, no cation and what we're on the south is, i mean, little south buicks in which was of use and rights to grow system down here to space. as i said, you e is looking outside the customer and land pads at city see stores also done as united be sent to physical, russia as being also known to be very much in board of teens. uh well uh, smuggling functions down. and by the way, it lets say you smoke one of your support things uh odyssey is or is that you lean both sides on some more of the beds they have the underneath since he's going south and say, how does it relate? and she was always, if not, so it was a 5 minute

because it's not only the united arab emirates, and not only is there all, you know that the roster too has been accused in western media off supporting the part on military or for. so i want to understand why those nations are sad or indeed involving themselves in that matter. i think most the rest of you a year and model is or the visual have a ah, interesting so well. so that is really basically because of the down arrow keys and what we're on the south is that means it will south buicks in which was of use and rights to grow system down here to space. as i said, you were e, as looking outside of the customer, land ads, ads that it seats towards also done as united be sent to physical, russia as being also known to be very much in board of things. uh, well, uh, smuggling from down, and by the way you say you smoke only use a 14 odyssey of course that you lean most sites on some more out there. they have the underneath and see going south and they have 0 relationships with all of us. if not, so is the fact that when she's list for nick the i've been useful for you. she does . uh, what

because it's not only the united arab emirates, and not only is it all you know, that the russia to has been accused in western media off supporting the part on military force. so i want to understand why those nations are sad or, or indeed involving themselves in that matter. i think most of us are you a, you and mine is organization will have uh, interest in so wills and so that is ready basically because of the deal. no cation, what were on the south was that even off of gigs in which was uh, of use in rights to grow system down. a dispute, as i said he is looking to have a customer of land ads uh ads that it seats towards also done as united be sent to physical pleasure as being on so long to me very much seems a lot of things. uh well, uh, some were great from some down and by the way it will show you smoke only use a 14 odyssey is mercedes leaving both sides on some more of the beds. they have the other leasing, keep going south, and they have 0 agency because obviously if not soon as the fact that she's list clinic, the police officer, she does. uh well, well, well wait a 2nd the

backers including united arab emirates.rofit member of this counsel strong ties to be the external backers must demonstrate that by the lives of sudanese civilians over partnerships with maligned actors. to do so in our organization from counsel civilians might not enforcing the existing arms embargo and sanctions regime but expanding it. i do not envy her task of upholding international peace and security feel political climate. non- cleanup facing a lack of options rather a lack of ambition. secretary-general's recommendation for the protection of civilians however, many in civil society felt they failed to match the severity of the crisis in suit on. and let me be clear it is a lack of a nationwide cease-fire defensive counsel take action to protect civilians in sudan. the chief prosecutor for the international criminal port believes the rapid support in this sudanese armed forces have committed atrocities in saddam we must be careful to not between the actions of the support forces in the student armed forces and the te

because it's not only the united arab emirates, and not only is there all, you know that the roster too has been accused in western media off supporting the part on military or for. so i want to understand why those nations are sad or indeed involving themselves in that matter. i think most of most of you a you and my name is darlene visual, have uh interest teams or wills. and some of that is really busy today because of the deal location. what we're on the south is that even all soft buicks in which was of use and rise to we'll see some down here. the space, as i said, the way he is looking outside the customer, land tides adds that it seats towards also done and you have a decent to cause a gold rush. i haven't been on so long to be very much. seems a lot of things. uh well, uh, some were great functions down. and by the way you most are, you smoke only use a 14 odyssey of course that you lean both sides of the ones out there. they have the other nations keep going south and they have 0 relationships with all of us. if not, so is the fact that when she's list coordinate the i can use

he spoke with the iraqi prime minister and the president of the arab united arab emirates. assad vowed that syria will continue to defend its stability and territorial integrity in the face of all terrorists and their supporters. now, the white helmets rescue group says airstrikes carried out by either the regime or russian forces have killed four civilians in idlib province today. earlier, i spoke to badr al-saif, a professor of history at kuwait university and an associate fellow at chatham house, about the international nature of this conflict. here he is. >> this is a fragile order that we're living through in the middle east, and a lot of frozen conflicts are de-freezing themselves. we've seen this in syria in the past few days, and we can potentially see it in other hotspots like libya and yemen. now, what's taking place reminds us how international and interconnected the conflict in syria is. it's international in the sense that you have boots on the ground from russia, from iran and turkey, along with the u.s. and it's interconnected to the various conflicts in plac

we've seen some cases of some individuals going to, to buy in the united arab emirates. there's also been a number of people that have shown up in, in lebanon today. the lebanese government actually said 70 members of the regime back to the new government in damascus. so it'll be interesting to see how that all plays out and whether other countries potentially send members that are going back to the syria to potentially be tried in a court. okay, is there any individual or individuals will say in syria who could unite and lead the remaining pro outside groups or not that i'm aware of in particular because most of these people didn't have large skilled fan fairs. a lot of it was being run by the saw the family in many ways, or cousins of the sod family. or for example, the iranians are russians previously. um and, and therefore uh, you know, if somebody does come to the, for, it would likely be someone that most people haven't heard of previously. alright. well, doesn't use ministration as we've mentioned before. and how are they dealing with supporters of the old right o

sex with someone under 18 is illegal in the united arab emirates. 0ur reporter harry low gave us thist on his on holiday with his parents back in september and started this holiday romance with another londoner. she was aged 17 at the time. a couple of months younger than him. and marcus told his family about this relationship, but she hadn't told her family and when they returned to the uk, her mother went through her phone and found messages and pictures between the pair and decided to report him to the authorities. now the dubai police went to his hotel and arrested him. marcus fakana has remained in the country ever since and on the 9th of december, he was sentenced to one year in prison because in the country of dubai, as you mentioned, it is illegal to have sex with a minor. he was hoping potentially to appeal, but it appears that he's decided against doing that now and as a result, he's going to start his jail term today. he said that this is going to be a long fight. he's hoping for a royal pardon. he's thanked people for their support, and he's previously said that his family

marcus fakana was holidaying with his parents in the united arab emirates, when he met the 17—year—old8 in dubai is a crime. with me is 0ur reporter harry low. he went on holiday with his parents backin he went on holiday with his parents back in september and started this holiday romance with another londoner. she was aged 17 at the time, a couple of months younger than him. marcus told his family about this relationship but she had not told her family and when they returned to the uk her mother went through her phone and found messages and pictures between the pair and decided to report him to the authorities. the dead police went to his hotel and arrested him. he has remained in the country ever since. and on the 9th of december, he was sentenced to one year in prison because, in the country of dubai, as you mentioned, it is illegal to have sex you mentioned, it is illegal

i support a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship with the united arab emirates, and i am certainly not seeking to permanently end arms sales to that country. but a partnership with the united states needs to account for u.s. interests and values and priorities, and we need to make sure that foreign governments that benefit from a security relationship with the united states understand the importance that we hold on those important issues. so, mr. president, the bottom line is that the united states should not be sending weapons to the uae, as long as it is aiding and abetting a group that is one of the primary drivers of the humanitarian disaster in sudan, the rsf, and rsf that has comm committed atrocity crimes. that's why arms transfers have been halted to the uae unless the united states congress can be assured that the uae will no longer provide materiel support that aids and abets the killing spree of the rsf. i hope that the senate will come together on this important question, and i hope the president and the biden administration will agree that securing those assurances fro

captivity and 150 russian soldiers are being returned in the deal which was brokered by the united arab emirates speaking to some of those who were released. the wait is finally over. sobbing ukrainian families overcome with emotion as they greet their loved ones. the first time they've seen or spoken to them for years. i'm very happy to return to my own country, to my own land. i have no words to...to say what i feel. for those unable to make it, the phone call they've been waiting for. "i'm coming home," says this man. "yes, i'll be home soon." how does it feel to be home? translation: i'm - overwhelmed by feelings. thank god this day has come. we're home. now we're going to support ukraine with everything we've got. well, some of these men have been in captivity for more than two and a half years. you can just see the emotion on theirfaces, to finally return to their homeland, ukraine, to their families, just in time for the new year holidays. the russian authorities said 150 of their citizens had returned from ukrainian captivity and were given medical treatment. back in ukraine, for some fa