Amos Hochstein's visit is part of a wider US effort to counter a push by Hezbollah for Lebanon to import Iranian fuel, in defiance of US sanctions. Reem Mohammed / The National
Amos Hochstein's visit is part of a wider US effort to counter a push by Hezbollah for Lebanon to import Iranian fuel, in defiance of US sanctions. Reem Mohammed / The National
Amos Hochstein's visit is part of a wider US effort to counter a push by Hezbollah for Lebanon to import Iranian fuel, in defiance of US sanctions. Reem Mohammed / The National
Amos Hochstein's visit is part of a wider US effort to counter a push by Hezbollah for Lebanon to import Iranian fuel, in defiance of US sanctions. Reem Mohammed / The National

Top US energy adviser in Lebanon for power crisis talks


Aya Iskandarani
  • English
  • Arabic

The US mediator for Lebanon-Israel maritime border talks met President Michel Aoun in Beirut on Wednesday, months after indirect negotiations broke down.

Amos Hochstein, who is also a senior US adviser for global energy security, will also discuss potential solutions to Lebanon’s energy crisis. He is set to meet the Lebanese foreign minister later on Wednesday.

Petrol shortages have plunged the country into darkness intermittently for the past six months.

The US embassy said in a statement that Mr Hochstein will “discuss sustainable solutions to Lebanon’s energy crisis”. He arrived in Beirut on Tuesday.

His visit is part of a wider US effort to counter a push by Hezbollah for Lebanon to import Iranian fuel in defiance of US sanctions.

The group has presented Iranian fuel as a solution to Lebanon’s energy crisis, caused by a scarcity of foreign currency reserves after two years of economic meltdown.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said last week that Lebanon should request US sanctions waivers to import Iranian fuel. The group has been driving Iranian petrol illegally by lorry through Syria since August.

The Lebanese government said it was not involved in those operations.

The US has pushed for a deal to provide Egyptian gas to Jordan, where it will be used to generate electricity that can be transferred to Lebanon through Syria.

Mr Hochstein’s visit will also “underscore the Biden Administration’s willingness to help Lebanon and Israel find a mutually agreeable solution to their shared maritime boundary,” the US embassy said.

Lebanon and Israel do not have diplomatic ties and are technically still at war. The two countries have yet to officially demarcate their land and maritime borders.

US-mediated talks to demarcate sea borders broke down in May after Lebanon expanded claims over disputed areas.

The dispute has delayed hydrocarbon exploration for Lebanon in those areas while Israel has begun tapping into hydrocarbon discoveries.

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  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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  • 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
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Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: nine-speed

Power: 542bhp

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RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile

Started: 2016

Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel 

Based: Ramallah, Palestine

Sector: Technology, Security

# of staff: 13

Investment: $745,000

Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

'Skin'

Dir: Guy Nattiv

Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

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Power: 905hp

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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.

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

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Transmission: 10-speed auto

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The Bio

Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.

Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.

Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.

Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.

What is safeguarding?

“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.

Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE

There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.

It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.

What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.

When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.

It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.

This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.

It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

EXPATS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs

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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Hurricanes

Runners up: Bahrain

 

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Bahrain

Runners up: UAE Premiership

 

UAE Premiership

Winners: Dubai Exiles

Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes

 

UAE Division One

Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens

Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

 

UAE Division Two

Winners: Barrelhouse

Runners up: RAK Rugby

ZIMBABWE V UAE, ODI SERIES

All matches at the Harare Sports Club:

1st ODI, Wednesday - Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets

2nd ODI, Friday, April 12

3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14

4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16

UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed

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Updated: October 20, 2021, 9:22 AM`