Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
A maritime effort to deliver aid to Gaza began on Thursday, with Cyprus serving as an aid hub for the mission.
The UAE and the EU heavily back the delivery of the relief with two aid organisations, Open Arms and World Central Kitchen, providing a ship and 200 tonnes of food, with UAE funding. The vessel was hours away from Gaza's coastline on Thursday afternoon.
The plan involved lengthy negotiations with Israel, which has been accused of deliberately holding up aid deliveries at the Rafah-Egypt border.
Gaza’s population of 2.3 million is facing food insecurity, while at least 500,000 face famine, according to UN assessments.
Separately, there is another maritime aid effort en route from the US, which will involve the construction of a floating pier in Gaza. The White House has stressed there will be no need to deploy US forces in Gaza as part of the operation.
Experts say the US effort could take months but both plans would deliver tens of thousands of tonnes of much-needed aid.
Here’s everything you need to know about the first aid to Gaza by sea, known as the Amalthea Initiative.
What is the Open Arms and World Central Kitchen Gaza plan?
Before President Joe Biden announced the US plan this month, talks had begun in November in Cyprus to send aid by sea, with cargo being checked and inspected by Israel in Larnaca.
The UAE was an early backer of the plan, with the Minister of State and UAE ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba saying “a maritime corridor with ongoing shipments is the only way to deliver large quantities of aid into Gaza. All parties must support this humanitarian mission”.
The idea was approved by Israel in December. However, on Wednesday, Open Arms told The National that technical plans still had to be drawn up. The charity's ship, of the same name, was previously involved in rescuing migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean.
Last week, the European Commission announced the mission was set to expand. On Wednesday, Cyprus said a second, larger shipment of aid was ready to leave port as soon as the first delivery went ahead.
World Central Kitchen said it was loading a vessel at Larnaca port with 300 tonnes of food aid, including legumes, canned tuna, vegetables, rice and flour.
"Our pallets should be screened and loaded by the end of the day Cyprus time," the charity said in a statement. It did not say when the vessel would set sail.
“Cyprus' leadership in establishing the Amalthea Initiative – which outlines a mechanism for securely shipping aid from Cyprus to Gaza via sea – was integral to enabling this joint effort to launch a maritime corridor,” the European Commission said.
“Together, our nations intend to build on this model to deliver significant additional aid by sea, working in co-ordination with UN senior humanitarian and reconstruction co-ordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag – who is charged with facilitating, co-ordinating, monitoring, and verifying the flow of aid into Gaza.”
The EC praised “the dedicated efforts of the UAE to mobilise support for the Initiative will result in the initial shipment of food by sea to the people of Gaza”.
How will the Gaza aid plan move forward?
As Gaza’s small port is damaged and cannot handle large amounts of cargo, World Central Kitchen, which has a network of 60 kitchens throughout Gaza, has worked with locals to build a 60-metre-long jetty to deliver aid from the barge, a plan announced by its founder Jose Andres.
Towing an aid barge, the Open Arms – originally a search-and-rescue vessel – has been in service for 50 years. The charity says the ship has sailed the equivalent of twice round the world on humanitarian missions and has rescued a total of "8,159 migrants in danger of death" in the Mediterranean, Angelo Attanasio, spokesman for the charity, told The National.
Open Arms has a five-metre draft, limiting how close it can approach the Gazan shore. Currently, shallow draft military landing craft – which can land on the beach – are unavailable. One diplomatic source told The National this idea was being considered.
The plans could expand rapidly, according to Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, and experts from the EU have been assessing how to widen the project. Larnaca reportedly has a capacity for 200,000 tonnes of aid.
On Wednesday, Mr Kombos held a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and senior ministers and officials from the UK, the UAE, Qatar, the EU and the UN to discuss the maritime corridor.
“The ministers agreed that there is no meaningful substitute to land routes via Egypt and Jordan and entry points from Israel into Gaza for aid delivery at scale,” they said.
They also called on Israel to open the port of Ashdod, north of Gaza, for aid deliveries.
Senior officials will gather in Cyprus on Monday for “in-depth” briefings on the corridor.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
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THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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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.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The years Ramadan fell in May
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
match info
Manchester United 3 (Martial 7', 44', 74')
Sheffield United 0
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
