The UAE will continue on the path of diplomacy and de-escalation with Iran while it carries out defensive operations in Yemen against the Houthis, the UAE’s permanent representative to the UN Lana Nusseibeh has said.
"We will continue on the track of de-escalation and diplomacy (with Iran) but at the same time, we reserve the right to fully defend ourselves defensively and offensively in the region,” Ms Nusseibeh said in a CNN interview on Tuesday.
The UAE said it intercepted two ballistic missiles on Monday, a week after the Houthis hit an Adnoc oil storage plant in the capital, killing three people and injuring six.
On the same day, a projectile fired at the capital’s international airport caused a minor fire. No injuries were reported.
The UAE official called the acts “unacceptable” and “unprecedented”.
Defensive capabilities
While Ms Nusseibah said the UAE’s defensive capabilities to intercept incoming attacks are “world-class”, she said there was room for improvement.
”There can always be upgrades, improvements and intelligence co-operation and these are the fields we’re looking at with our partners in the US.“
The Saudi-led coalition, which the UAE is a member of, the UN and other experts accuse Iran of supplying the Houthis with weapons.
Ms Nusseibah confirmed the Houthis have been developing their weapons arsenals.
“The type of weapons capabilities that the Houthis had in 2015 are very different from the type of weapons capabilities they are utilising and deploying to try and cause terror in our region in 2021.”
On the possibility of Iranian links to the recent attacks, the ambassador placed responsibility on the Houthis.
“The Houthis have claimed these attacks and our own intelligence pin-points the location of these attacks from Yemen and from the areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen,” she said.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia and other regional allies have been rallying support for Washington to re-list the Houthi group as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
"That means listing them again on sanctions regimes ... potentially listing additional figures, it means stopping the illicit flow of weapons and finance to them," she said.
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
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New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
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Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”