US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan this week announced a new naval task force could be set up to safeguard commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
It comes after Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a series of attacks on tankers and car carriers linked to multinational companies the group accuses of having ties to Israel.
It led to a tense stand-off in the waterway, which carries about 10 per cent of the world’s oil supply and a similar proportion of non-oil trade through the Bab Al Mandeb at the sea’s southern end.
The US bolstered its presence in the Middle East and the Mediterranean after the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war on October 7, sending two aircraft carriers, the Gerald R Ford and the Dwight D Eisenhower, each accompanied by support destroyers and cruisers.
Supporting ships include the USS Carney, a destroyer that can shoot down missiles, the USS Bataan, which can carry troops and helicopters, the USS Carter Hall, and the USS Thomas Hudner.
The US has responded to the attacks, as well as Houthi ballistic missile attacks on Israel, by using the Thomas Hudner and the Carney to shoot down drones and missiles.
Those ships were part of another force that had recently been in the Arabian Sea, Combined Task Force 150, sent to deter Iranian aggression.
What is a naval task force?
The Combined Task Force 150 is one of five naval task forces in the Middle East, most with a multinational composition, part of an attempt to share the cost of patrolling the region’s waterways.
All fall under the command of the US-led, 38-nation Combined Maritime Task Forces, based in Bahrain.
A naval task force is a grouping of ships with a specific mission, ranging from waging full-scale war, such as during the US-led invasion of Iraq, to protecting civilian shipping or responding to a disaster.
These task forces have faced threats such as Somali piracy, terrorism and the smuggling of drugs and weapons.
Why would the US create a new task force?
Given that five naval task forces are already present in the Middle East, including two powerful US aircraft carriers and supporting ships, the US and its allies are not short of naval power in the region.
However, there are two main reasons why Washington may have decided it needs yet another.
The first is that the new task force would be specifically designed to protect shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
The existing maritime task forces in the Middle East were formed for specific missions, such as countering piracy or smuggling.
Houthi attacks, using drones and ballistic missiles need specific defences, including ships equipped with high-altitude missile defences.
“A new task force to protect shipping in the Red Sea would probably be an effort by the US to prevent an expansion of the conflict,” said Zoe Ciaccio, an analyst with Dragonfly Intelligence, a risk consultancy. "The US has signalled [particularly strongly in recent weeks] it is highly intent on avoiding the conflict expanding from Gaza.
“Washington is probably seeking to better secure shipping lanes, while avoiding being drawn into a military retaliation, either involving itself or Israel, against the Houthis in Yemen."
The second is that the US wants its allies to assist in its maritime objectives – and share the financial cost of them – as much as possible.
While the US is by far the world's strongest naval power, it often talks about “burden sharing” – the desire for its allies to help out.
This partly for financial reasons – deploying an aircraft carrier alone costs more than $1 billion a year from the US budget.
With US aircraft and naval support costing so much to deploy, the US is keen to share the expenses of naval operations through the region, said Ms Ciaccio.
“Sharing the financial burden of protecting commercial shipping is highly likely to be a key consideration by Washington," she said. "That is particularly since – at least in our assessment – vessels that do not have ties with the US, or even Israel, are also at high risk of exposure to Houthi attacks."
Which naval task forces are in the Middle East?
The first maritime task force in the region was Task Force 150, sent to the region during the First Gulf War in 1991, between an international coalition and Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq.
Following the conflict, the force remained in the region during a relative lull in tensions.
But it would later find a critical role in stopping the smuggling of ballistic missiles and drugs, and stopping attacks by Somali pirates, who would go on to become the major security threat in the Red Sea.
It soon expanded – becoming a Combined Task Force – to involve ships from Spain, Germany and Japan, in 2002, casting a net further afield in 2005 to bring in Pakistan, France and the UK on rotation.
The increase in regional threats since the US invasion of Iraq led to the formation of Task Force 151, which also included Canada, and took part in missions against Al Qaeda.
Around the same time, the US navy’s Task Force 152 became a combined force in the Arabian Sea, bringing in regional commanders and navies, headed at various times by Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.
In 2009, as the piracy attacks persisted, a new task force under UN authority was established. Combined Task Force 151 built on the task force of the same number, with 20 countries pledging to contribute ships and aircraft.
Since 2009, these task forces have divided the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean into various zones, each of which was patrolled by a particular ship or group of vessels.
The rate of Somali pirate attacks have dropped from well over a 100 a year to rare occurrences today.
In April last year, a new task force joined the Combined Maritime Task Forces, Task Force 153, which was recently commanded by Egypt, to patrol the Red Sea, the Bab Al Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden, consisting of up to eight ships.
Another task force, 154, was formed in May to focus on multinational training efforts.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
GRAN%20TURISMO
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Soldier F
“I was in complete disgust at the fact that only one person was to be charged for Bloody Sunday.
“Somebody later said to me, 'you just watch - they'll drop the charge against him'. And sure enough, the charges against Soldier F would go on to be dropped.
“It's pretty hard to think that 50 years on, the State is still covering up for what happened on Bloody Sunday.”
Jimmy Duddy, nephew of John Johnson
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More coverage from the Future Forum
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More on animal trafficking
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Croatia v Hungary, Thursday, 10.45pm, UAE
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
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The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
Honeymoonish
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