Features

A relative newcomer to the Jordanian market, Chinese automaker Zotye’s first and currently only locally available model, the T700, proved to be a rather interesting mid-size crossover SUVs with a distinctly athletic style, lively performance, comparatively sporty dynamics and an interior with premium ambitions.

Sold in Jordan in seven-seat front-drive version under the T700 nameplate but available in Saudi Arabia with the “L” suffix to denote its longer wheelbase than the standard five-seat model, Zotye’s flagship crossover, however, also goes by T800 or Z8 L monikers in certain other markets.

Familiar flavours

An attractive crossover with a broad grille with wide-spaced studded effect mesh sitting under a relatively low yet ridged and chiselled clamshell bonnet, and flanked by slim slightly recessed headlights, the T700 seems vaguely reminiscent of a Ford Explorer or Maserati Levante from front views. The T700’s sharply descending and “floating” effect roofline, jutting tailgate spoiler and high, rising waistline, however, have certain hints of Range Rovers Sport and Evoque in their styling sensibility. Meanwhile, its slim, high and deep-set rear headlights are somewhat inspired by the Jaguar F-Pace.

Striking a sportingly contemporary yet somewhat familiar flavour, the well-proportioned long wheelbase T700 variant’s longer rear overhang compensates its transverse engine and front-drive front overhang for a similarly sporty profile as a rear-driver. With sharp lines, ridges, creases and muscular surfacing aplenty, the T700 features forward slanted faux vents at the front door flanks, which trail off with a long concave groove for a “go faster” effect. Statuesque at the rear, it features big integrated but faux exhaust ports with a patterned background similar to its faux lower front intake.

Punchy performer

Powered by a Mitsubishi-derived 2-litre turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder engine driving the front wheels through a slick shifting ZF-sourced 6-speed automated dual-clutch gearbox, the Zotye T700 develops 228BHP at a somewhat low-revving 5,000-5,300rpm plateau and a mighty 258lb/ft torque throughout a broad 2,500-4,000rpm band. Expected to be capable of up to 200km/h, the T700 is meanwhile no slouch in the acceleration department, and is loosely estimated to propel its approximate 1,875kg mass through the 0-100km/h benchmark in 9-seconds or less. Meanwhile, combined cycle fuel efficiency is estimated at 9-litres/100km.

A brisk mover with good low-end responses as it digs deep and pulls confidently with little by way of turbo lag, the T700 is eager and punchy right to its relatively low ceiling rev limit, but is, however, at its best throughout its muscularly wide mid-range. With a noticeable surge as its turbo comes on boost, the T700 pulls away with strident motivation upon kicking down a gear or two. Flexible and versatile in mid-range, the T700’s real world on the move acceleration and highway overtaking ability are reassuringly lively.

Sporty seven-seater

With a healthy glut of twisting force at its disposal, the T700 pulls away assertively and with slight torque steer tugs of the wheel on harder throttle inputs, as often is the case with powerful front-drivers. A smooth, stable and reassuringly settled ride in town and on the highway, the T700’s steering feedback seemed busier than most comparable crossovers in terms of textural and positional information, which translated into a sportier driving experience, if one that required more driver attention. Meanwhile, it was poised and responsive under sudden hard braking. 

During a brief test drive, the T700 proved to be a comfortable cruiser and well refined in terms of noise, vibration and harshness isolation, but with its sporty low profile 235/55R19 tyres, it did feel slightly on the firm side over sudden jagged bumps, lumps and imperfections. On the few opportunities to push hard through corners to explore its handling and dynamic traits, the T700 did seem unexpectedly composed, committed and eager, with quick, tidy turn-in and a willingness for sudden directional change, while body roll seemed well-controlled and grip levels reassuring.

A comfortably spacious seven-seater with plenty of front room, decent mid-row space and useable third row seats, the T700 is also versatile inside, with good access to the flush folding third row seats. However, higher mid and rear headrest positions would have been welcome for taller passengers. Airy inside, the T700’s cabin delivers good visibility for its class, aided by a reversing camera, viewed in a large, clear portrait-oriented infotainment screen. Meanwhile, driving position is comfortable and well-adjustable. However, its sporty, chunky steering wheel allowed only tilt but not reach adjustability.

With clear premium ambitions, the T700’s cabin has a classy design and look to it that is reminiscent somewhat of Porsche and Land Rover. If not as impressive in fit and finish as some rivals like Changan, the T700’s use of design, colours, Jaguar-like pop-up rotary gear selector, configurable digital instrument display, piano black panels, and piano-key like buttons, make for an up-market ambiance. Well-equipped with numerous convenience features, the T700 includes good quality leatherette upholstery, and a 150,000km or 5-year warranty and comprehensive insurance for its competitive JD28,000 on-the-road price.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Engine: 2-litre, transverse, turbocharged 4-cylinders
• Valve-train: 16-valve, DOHC, direct injection
• Gearbox: 6-speed automated dual-clutch, front-wheel-drive
• Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 228 (231) [180] @5,000-5,300rpm
• Specific power: 114.2BHP/litre
• Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 258 (350) @2,500-4,000rpm
• Specific torque: 175.4Nm/litre
• 0-100km/h: under 9-seconds (estimate)
• Top speed: 200km/h (estimate)
• Fuel consumption, combined: 9-litres/100km (estimate)
• Fuel capacity: 64-litres
• Length: 4,910mm
• Width: 1,933mm
• Height: 1,755mm
• Wheelbase: 2,850mm
• Ground clearance: 186mm (estimate)
• Kerb weight: 1,875kg (estimate)
• Suspension, F/R: MacPherson struts/multilink
• Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs/discs
• Tyres: 235/55R19
• Price, on-the-road, with comprehensive insurance: JD28,000

By Dina Halaseh
Educational Psychologist

Spreading love is something we’re all very familiar with. This year, however, try committing to self-love. Here’s why.

Many of us run around trying to tick off every item on our to-do lists; cramming more things into our busy schedules that we forget to prioritise ourselves. Science has proven that slowing down is essential for taking care of our body, health and mental well-being.

What is self-care?

Self-care is simply setting aside some time every day to taking care of ourselves. It can be as simple as having a cup of coffee with a friend, some alone time with a book, exercising or even committing to sitting in a quiet area every day to relax. 

Giving our whole self (mind, body and spirit) what we need to function at our highest (and happiest) level, can make us more productive. People who practice self-care have better cognitive capability, concentration and focus.

The more self-care we indulge in, the more effort we can put towards all other aspects of our lives, such as education, work, kids or taking care of our home. 

This is precisely how it is with self-care. If we are exhausted, frustrated or tired, it doesn’t end well for our children either. How many times have we lashed out at our children because we were tired? 

Self-care practices

• Getting enough quality sleep 

• Exercising daily or going for a walk

•Practising mindfulness

• Listening to soothing music

• Practising one of our hobbies

• Journaling

• Having some alone time during the day

• Meditating

• Weaving a gratitude practice into our day

• Incorporating good nutrition as an integral part of our self-care routine

An often-overlooked priority regarding self-care is getting rid of all energy-consuming activities that we dislike. If we’re not enthusiastic about meeting a friend, let’s not. If we’re saying yes to everything, let’s learn to say no. If we put everyone else first at all times, let’s start by spending 15 minutes alone every day to look after ourselves.

Remember, our capacity to love others is limited only by our capacity to love ourselves.

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine

The Movement and the Middle East: How the Arab-Israeli Conflict Divided the American Left
Michael R. Fischbach
California: Stanford University Press, 2020,
Pp. 297

This is a companion piece to Michael Fischbach’s earlier book, “Black Power and Palestine” (2019), covering roughly the same time period, the 1960s and 1970s, but with a different focus. While the subject matter of the earlier book is obvious from the title, the movement analysed in this new book is the broad array of (mainly white) organisations and individuals that united around opposition to the US war in Vietnam and the struggle for radical change in America. 

However, when it came to taking a position on the Middle East conflict, and specifically the Palestinian cause, their unity broke down, stranded on the rocks of Israel’s supposed “exceptionalism”. Despite the major impact of this issue, as Fischbach notes in the prologue, “Many scholars have written about the US Left in the 1960s and 1970s and the reasons for its weakening and decline, but none have analysed the Arab-Israeli conflict’s role in this context, or indeed discussed the white Left’s grappling with that conflict to any great extent”. (p. 3)

As an American historian specialising in the Middle East, particularly Palestine and Jordan, Fischbach is uniquely qualified to address this issue. By shedding light on how the Middle East factored into the American Left’s division, his book fills a major gap in understanding of that period and, by implication, of why the US government’s pro-Israeli bias has been so consistently maintained. According to Fischbach, the broad anti-war movement split on how to practice revolutionary internationalism: Should leftists support all Third World movements fighting for liberation from imperialism, or were Palestinians unworthy of support due to the special status of their coloniser? “Support for global revolution versus ‘Israel exceptionalism’ proved to be a major source of contention and division within the Left… The disproportionately large Jewish presence within the Left further complicated the question… Whether to support Israel or the Palestinians sometimes became a particularly and deeply personal decision for many Jews, because the issue was often tied to their identity as members of a global minority that long had struggled against a bitter history of persecution.” (p. 3)

In fact, the Middle East conflict was largely overlooked by the Left until the 1967 war showed just how crucial it was for questions of war and peace globally. Steering away from generalities, Fischbach goes into detail about the various organisations involved, from the Old Left, such as the Communist Party and the Socialist Party of America, to the New Left, such as the SDS (Students for Democratic Society), as well as the feminist and student movements. In fact, the plethora of groups and parties covered would be hard to keep track of were it not for the list of acronyms strategically placed first in the book.

The main way that Fischbach makes his book interesting and accessible is by telling the stories of leading figures in the various parts of the movement: What awakened them to the urgency of the Middle East conflict, how they grappled with new awareness that contradicted their previous ideas, how they changed under the impact, and how they influenced others. Some activists discovered the parallels between Israel’s dispossession of the Palestinians and the US’s treatment of Native Americans. Others experienced cognitive dissonance in view of Israel’s support to the US war in Vietnam. The growing divisions in the movement were not only between Jews and non-Jews, but also reflected ideological and political choices. Take, for example, Jerry Rubin, co-leader of the anarchist Yippies, who believed that being Jewish made him pro-Palestinian, as he wrote in 1970: “It is the Jew who should always be on the side of the poor, the oppressed, the underdog, the wretched of the earth, because of the Jewish experience… If Moses were alive today, he’d be an Arab guerrilla.” (p. 19)

While significant portions of the movement adopted a pro-Palestinian stance or at least a more even-handed approach to the conflict, others doubled down on their defence of Israel in the context of an overall shift to the right. Fischbach concurs with other scholars who believed that the Left’s attacks on Israel were a main factor in the development of neoconservatism whereby former leftists began to support US militarism, partially on the grounds that it was needed to protect Israel. Moreover, as Noam Chomsky pointed out, “It was very convenient to support Israel because you were supporting the United States”. (p. 70)

Yet, the foundations for today’s solidarity movement had been laid; new voices, not associated with the 1960s Left, have continued to critique Israel and express concern for the Palestinians, even occasionally reaching the floor of the American Congress and impacting on public opinion. On the other hand, the pro-Israeli counterattack is still in full swing, even challenging the right to freedom of speech. Reading this book, one is struck by the sameness of their tactics from accusing Jewish supporters of the Palestinians of being self-hating to specious charges of anti-Semitism levelled at anyone criticising Israel’s occupation and human rights violations. Still, as Fischbach concludes: “The more open way in which pro-Palestinian viewpoints can be discussed publicly today is a direct result of what transpired in the 1960s and 1970s. Support for the Palestinians has moved into the liberal-left mainstream.” (p. 203)

By Issam Ahmed
Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON — Discovering there’s intelligent life beyond our planet could be the most transformative event in human history — but what if scientists decided to collectively ignore evidence suggesting it already happened?

That’s the premise of a new book by a top astronomer, who argues that the simplest and best explanation for the highly unusual characteristics of an interstellar object that sped through our solar system in 2017 is that it was alien technology.

Sound kooky? Avi Loeb says the evidence holds otherwise, and is convinced his peers in the scientific community are so consumed by groupthink they’re unwilling to wield Occam’s razor.

Loeb’s stellar credentials — he was the longest-serving chair of astronomy at Harvard, has published hundreds of pioneering papers, and has collaborated with greats like the late Stephen Hawking — make him difficult to dismiss outright.

“Thinking that we are unique and special and privileged is arrogant,” he told AFP in a video call. 

“The correct approach is to be modest and say: ‘We’re nothing special, there are lots of other cultures out there, and we just need to find them.’” 

Mysterious visitor

Loeb, 58, lays out the argument for the alien origins of the object named ‘Oumuamua — “scout” in Hawaiian — in “Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth”.

The facts are as follows.

In October 2017, astronomers observed an object moving so quickly, it could only have come from another star — the first recorded interstellar interloper.

It didn’t seem to be an ordinary rock, because after slingshotting around the Sun, it sped up and deviated from the expected trajectory, propelled by a mysterious force. 

This could be easily explained if it was a comet expelling gas and debris — but there was no visible evidence of this “outgassing”. 

The traveller also tumbled in a strange way — as inferred by how it got brighter and dimmer in scientists’ telescopes, and it was unusually luminous, possibly suggesting it was made from a bright metal.

In order to explain what happened, astronomers had to come up with novel theories, such as that it was made of hydrogen ice and would therefore not have visible trails, or that it disintegrated into a dust cloud.

“These ideas that came to explain specific properties of ‘Oumuamua always involve something that we have never seen before,” said Loeb. 

“If that’s the direction we are taking, then why not contemplate an artificial origin?”

Sailing on light

‘Oumuamua was never photographed close-up during its brief sojourn — we only learned of its existence once it was already on its way out of our solar system.

There are two shapes that fit the peculiarities observed — long and thin like a cigar, or flat and round like a pancake, almost razor thin.

Loeb says simulations favour the latter, and believes the object was deliberately crafted as a light sail propelled by stellar radiation.

Another oddity was the way the object moved — compounding the strangeness of its passage.

Before encountering our Sun, ‘Oumuamua was “at rest” relative to nearby stars — statistically very rare. Rather than think of it as a vessel hurtling through space, from the object’s perspective, our solar system slammed into it.

“Perhaps ‘Oumuamua was like a buoy resting in the expanse of the universe,” writes Loeb. 

Like a trip wire left by an intelligent lifeform, waiting to be triggered by a star system. 

Uniting humanity

Loeb’s ideas have placed him at odds with fellow astronomers.

Writing in Forbes, astrophysicist Ethan Siegel called Loeb a “once-respected scientist” who, having failed to convince his peers of his arguments, had taken to pandering to the public.

Loeb, for his part, protests a “culture of bullying” in the academy that punishes those who question orthodoxy — just as Galileo was punished when he proposed the Earth was not the centre of the universe.

Compared to speculative yet respected branches of theoretical physics — such as looking for dark matter or multiverses — the search for alien life is a far more commonsense avenue to pursue, he said.

That’s why Loeb’s pushing for a new branch of astronomy, “space archaeology,” to hunt for the biological and technological signatures of alien life.

“If we find evidence for technologies that took a million years to develop, then we can get a shortcut into these technologies, we can employ them on Earth,” said Loeb.

Such a discovery could also “give us a sense that we are part of the same time” as humanity confronts threats ranging from climate change to nuclear conflict.

“Rather than fight each other like nations do very often, we would perhaps collaborate.”


LOS ANGELES — A prototype of the terrifying monster from "Alien," a mobster's three-piece suit worn by Al Pacino in "Scarface" and Harry Potter's wand are among 800 items from classic Hollywood movies up for auction next month in Los Angeles.

The blockbuster auction's centerpiece is the life-sized, nightmarish Xenomorph creature from Ridley Scott's classic 1979 sci-fi horror, expected to fetch up to $60,000.

Designed by Swiss artist Hans Ruedi Giger, the translucent costume was long presumed missing and has never been on sale before, according to Julien's Auctions executive director Martin Nolan.

Another high-profile item is the pin-striped suit worn by Pacino's coked-up drugslinger Tony Montana in the bloody climactic gunbattle of 1983's "Scarface".

The "very, very rare" costume has a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$30,000, said Nolan.

"This is Western pop culture. But now these items are known globally," he added.

Props from various Batman movies will be on offer, from the bodysuit worn by Val Kilmer's caped crusader and the cloak donned by Michelle Pfieffer's Catwoman in "Batman Forever", to the massive rifle wielded by Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mister Freeze in "Batman and Robin."

The Zippo lighter used by Bruce Willis' character throughout "Die Hard" can be purchased alongside the ratty "studio distressed" vest he wears in sequel "Die Hard With a Vengeance".

An original Imperial scout blaster from "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" is likely to yield $20,000-$30,000, while a pair of original bladed gloves worn by Johnny Depp in "Edward Scissorhands" could draw up to $50,000.

"If you love Harry Potter -- and you're probably at a stage when you're starting to make money now [if] you grew up with Harry Potter movies -- and you want to own something from your youth," Daniel Radcliffe's wand is available, added Nolan.

While the boy wizard's wand is estimated at $8,000-$10,000, Slytherin fans may want to consider one from Professor Snape's collection, which is a little cheaper at $6,000 to $8,000.


PARIS — As a digital collage by US artist Beeple sells for $69.3 million, we look at the five works by living artists that have fetched the most at auction.

'Rabbit', Jeff Koons 

The stainless steel casting of an inflatable rabbit fetched a record price for a living artist of $91.1 million at Christie's in May 2019.

Just over a metre tall, the 1986 work is one of 66-year-old Koons' most famous works.

The piece was auctioned from the collection of the late publishing mogul S.I. Newhouse, whose empire included Conde Nast, which published magazines like Vogue, The New Yorker and Vanity Fair.

While pricey, it pales in comparison to the $450 million paid in 2017 for Leonardo da Vinci's painting "Salvator Mundi", the world's most expensive artwork.

'Portrait of an Artist', David Hockney 

The previous living artist record was held by British-born painter David Hockney for "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)", which fetched $90.3 million in November 2018.

Completed in 1972, the colourful oil painting shows a smartly dressed man standing on the edge of the pool and looking pensively at another figure swimming under water towards him.

'Everyday: the First 5,000 Days', Beeple 

A digital collage by the American artist Beeple sold for a record $69.3 million at Christie's in New York on Thursday, making it the most expensive digital piece ever.

The artist -- whose real name is Mike Winkelmann -- was still a bored web designer who had sold nothing when he began creating a work a day in May 2007.

The project took 13 years to complete, and was sold as a "non-fungible token" piece (NFT), using blockchain technology to guarantee its uniqueness and authenticity.

'Balloon Dog (Orange)', Jeff Koons 

One of Koons' now classic balloon dog sculptures made history by fetching $58.4 million in 2013, then the record for a living artist.

It is one of five Koons sculptures of dogs in different colours that appear to be made from balloons that have become icons of contemporary art.

'Hurting the Word Radio #2', Ed Ruscha 

The oil painting by American pop artist Ed Ruscha was sold by Christie's in November 2019 for $52.4 million.

The 1964 painting, measuring 1.5 by 1.4 metres, depicts the word "radio" in big yellow capital letters, mimmicking the lettering found in advertisements. Some of the letters are deformed by vices against the background of a blue sky.

BEIJING — Microsoft-owned social network LinkedIn has halted new member sign-ups for its service in China while it reviews its compliance with local laws, the company said in a statement.

The careers-focused site has had a Chinese-language presence since 2014, when it decided to expand by agreeing to stick to strict censorship laws, and now has more than 50 million users in the country.

It is one of few international tech platforms to enjoy access to China, where all subjects considered politically sensitive are censored in the name of stability and Internet giants are urged to block unwanted content online.

"We're a global platform with an obligation to respect the laws that apply to us, including adhering to Chinese government regulations for our localised version of LinkedIn in China," the firm said in a notice dated Tuesday, without providing further details.

Tech giants who refuse to comply with the smothering censorship laws, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, have long been blocked behind the country's "Great Firewall".

Microsoft, however, operates LinkedIn by complying with the rules through a local joint venture.

LinkedIn has been criticised in China for pulling the professional accounts of dissidents — which it later said was in error — and scratching politically sensitive content from its pages.

It was not immediately clear which laws had prodded LinkedIn's suspension of sign-ups.

Jyh-An Lee, associate professor at the law faculty at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the decision could be related to the nature of LinkedIn's business model, which is based on the collection of a huge volume of personal data.

He noted that China's cybersecurity law mandates businesses to implement real-name registration for their users.

"A major legal risk faced by the company is that it is very challenging to ensure that all the users' profiles are registered in their real names," he told AFP.

Last week, Microsoft said a state-sponsored hacking group operating out of China was exploiting previously unknown security flaws in its Exchange e-mail services to steal data from business users — although Beijing has previously hit back at US accusations of state-sponsored cyber theft.

A LinkedIn spokesperson told AFP that the move was not related to the hack.

Microsoft's journey in China has not been entirely smooth-sailing, with the company's search engine Bing temporarily taken offline in 2019 — prompting speculation it had been blocked by censors.

In 2014, Chinese competition authorities opened an anti-monopoly investigation against Microsoft and its Windows software, with inspectors raiding the group's offices in four Chinese cities, confiscating files and questioning employees.