Hanna Yusuf

BBC journalist Hanna

Yusuf has died at the age of 27. The BBC released a statement quoting Yusuf ’s family as saying the death of their “beloved daughter, sister and niece” had come as a shock and asked for privacy. “Many will know Hanna for her incredible contributions to journalism and for her work at the BBC,” the statement said. Her family said they were “deeply saddened and heartbroken” and hoped her legacy “would serve as an inspiration.” Yusuf wrote for the BBC News website and had also worked as a TV news producer. She spoke six languages, including Somali and Arabic, and worked with, among others, whistleblowers and victims of serious crime. Director of BBC News Fran Unsworth said: “This is terrible news that has left us all deeply saddened and Tourism is hosting the Emirati Dagger Programme, which allows visitors to learn dagger-making and the correct way to use one.

•At

the Cinema Akil on Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, Hajooj Kuka’s “A Kasha” is being screened.

The Sudanese romantic-comedy follows the story of Adnan, a rebel, torn between his love for his girlfriend Lina and the AK47. It ... and our utmost sympathies go to her family and many friends. Hanna will be much missed.”

Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief at the Guardian, tweeted that it was “absolutely terrible news that the talented journalist, and lovely person, Hanna has died.”

Yusuf ’s fellow BBC journalist

Sophia Smith Galer said her friend was “invariably the kindest, smartest and most captivating person in the room.”

“We have lost a fierce friend and a force for truth and light, which stretched far beyond her journalism to the many lives she touched here at the BBC and beyond,” she said.

“We will make sure her legacy of compassionate storytelling rings loud and clear in the time to come and we are going to miss her so, so much.”

BBC chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet tweeted: “You left too soon a world where you shone such a bright light.” takes place at a rebel-held area in Sudan, amid the ongoing civil war.

•The

first Toronto Biennial in Mississauga, Ontario continues today, with more than a 100 art pieces displayed along the Toronto waterfront. Regional artist Abbas Akhavan, represented by a Dubai-based art gallery, is participating at the event with the “study for a garden” piece.