Relations between the UAE and Iran are turning a “new page”, Tehran’s top diplomat said during a visit to Abu Dhabi this week.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian visited the Emirates to offer his condolences on the death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa.
“Opening a new page in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The strengthening of ties with our neighbours disappoints regional enemies,” Mr Amirabdollahian said on Twitter.
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi also sent his condolences to UAE leaders on the death of Sheikh Khalifa and congratulated the President, Sheikh Mohamed, on his election.
Mr Raisi said he hopes relations between the countries can grow in all fields.
World leaders and dignitaries have travelled to Abu Dhabi over the past few days to offer condolences and support.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, Britain's Prince William, US Vice President Kamala Harris and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken are among those who have come to pay their respects.
The visit by Mr Amirabdollahian is the highest-level trip by an Iranian official to the Gulf in years.
The UAE has been exploring the idea of greater engagement with Iran.
Last November, Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran's deputy foreign minister, visited the UAE and said the two countries had agreed to open a new chapter in bilateral relations.
Mr Kani, who is also Iran's top nuclear negotiator, met the UAE's Dr Anwar Gargash, who was the diplomatic adviser to Sheikh Khalifa, and Khalifa Al Marar, Minister of State.
Following the meeting, the UAE's state news agency Wam said the talks had “emphasised the importance of strengthening relations on the basis of good neighbourliness and mutual respect”.
“This should coincide within the framework of common interest and working towards achieving regional stability, prosperity, as well as developing economic and trade relations,” said a statement from the agency.
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Top tips
Create and maintain a strong bond between yourself and your child, through sensitivity, responsiveness, touch, talk and play. “The bond you have with your kids is the blueprint for the relationships they will have later on in life,” says Dr Sarah Rasmi, a psychologist.
Set a good example. Practise what you preach, so if you want to raise kind children, they need to see you being kind and hear you explaining to them what kindness is. So, “narrate your behaviour”.
Praise the positive rather than focusing on the negative. Catch them when they’re being good and acknowledge it.
Show empathy towards your child’s needs as well as your own. Take care of yourself so that you can be calm, loving and respectful, rather than angry and frustrated.
Be open to communication, goal-setting and problem-solving, says Dr Thoraiya Kanafani. “It is important to recognise that there is a fine line between positive parenting and becoming parents who overanalyse their children and provide more emotional context than what is in the child’s emotional development to understand.”
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The chef's advice
Troy Payne, head chef at Abu Dhabi’s newest healthy eatery Sanderson’s in Al Seef Resort & Spa, says singles need to change their mindset about how they approach the supermarket.
“They feel like they can’t buy one cucumber,” he says. “But I can walk into a shop – I feed two people at home – and I’ll walk into a shop and I buy one cucumber, I’ll buy one onion.”
Mr Payne asks for the sticker to be placed directly on each item, rather than face the temptation of filling one of the two-kilogram capacity plastic bags on offer.
The chef also advises singletons not get too hung up on “organic”, particularly high-priced varieties that have been flown in from far-flung locales. Local produce is often grown sustainably, and far cheaper, he says.
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
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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.
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All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
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Sevilla v Maribor
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Basel v Benfica
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