Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Iran has received guarantees from its neighbours that they will not allow "their soil and airspace" to be used for any attack against the country, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday, as it awaits a response to its ballistic missile attack on Israel earlier this month.
Mr Araghchi has been on a regional trip for about two weeks as Israel assesses its response to Iran's ballistic missile attack on October 1.
"All the neighbours assured us that they will not allow their soil and space to be used against Iran," he told a press conference in Kuwait. "This is the expectation of all friendly and neighbouring countries and we consider this a sign of friendship."
Iran said at the time that the attack was in retaliation for the assassinations of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Mr Araghchi has said his tour is aimed at stopping Israeli attacks in Gaza and Lebanon. He has so far travelled to Bahrain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Jordan and Egypt. He visited Syria and Lebanon a week prior.
"We are closely monitoring the movements of American bases and we are watching all their movements and flights," Mr Araghchi said. The US has military bases across the region, including in Kuwait, and is a staunch supporter of Israel.
"If Israel attacks in any form, Iran will respond in the same way," he said, repeating earlier warnings. The minister also warned Israel against attacking its nuclear facilities, saying that such action would be considered "an international crime". Mr Araghchi said countries in the region had informed Iran that their stance is against any attack on the country, regardless of their target.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also pledged revenge for a drone strike on Saturday that targeted his private home in Caesarea. Mr Netanyahu was not at home but vowed to exact a "heavy price" for what he described as an assassination attempt by Iranian-backed Hezbollah. The Lebanese militant group did not comment on the strike.
Other Israeli officials directed their rhetoric towards Iran, blaming the country for planning the drone strike. But Tehran attempted to distance itself and placed the blame solely on Hezbollah. Iran's permanent mission to the UN said in a statement that "the action in question has been carried out by Hezbollah in Lebanon".
Since the attack on his home, Mr Netanyahu has held a series of security meetings to discuss the attack on Iran.
The delay in the Israeli retaliation to the salvo of projectiles launched by Iran is believed to be due to opposition by US President Joe Biden. When asked on Friday whether he was aware of how and when Israel would respond, Mr Biden said "yes and yes", despite having previously expressed optimism about the possibility of containing tension between Iran and Israel.
“Anybody with knowledge or understanding of ‘how and when Israel was going to attack Iran’, and/or providing the means and backing for such folly, should logically be held accountable for any possible causality," Mr Araghchi wrote in response on X on Saturday.
The US is also investigating an apparent leak of documents outlining intelligence assessments about Israel's plans to attack Iran. Mr Biden is "deeply concerned" about the leak, White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday. The documents include satellite imagery analysis of Israeli military activities believed to be in preparation for the attack.
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206-cylinder%203-litre%2C%20with%20petrol%20and%20diesel%20variants%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20286hp%20(petrol)%2C%20249hp%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E450Nm%20(petrol)%2C%20550Nm%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EStarting%20at%20%2469%2C800%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
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.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
1.
|
United States
|
2.
|
China
|
3.
|
UAE
|
4.
|
Japan
|
5
|
Norway
|
6.
|
Canada
|
7.
|
Singapore
|
8.
|
Australia
|
9.
|
Saudi Arabia
|
10.
|
South Korea
|
From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
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
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5