UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday that maritime security is deteriorating, with piracy and armed robbery at sea surging by nearly 50 per cent in early 2025, threatening international trade and stability.
“Without maritime security, there can be no global security,” Mr Guterres told the UN Security Council during a high-level debate headed by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. “But maritime spaces are increasingly under strain from both traditional threats and emerging dangers.”
He cited contested boundaries, depleting natural resources and escalating geopolitical tension as central drivers of conflict and crime at sea. The International Maritime Organisation reported a 47.5 per cent increase in piracy and armed robbery incidents in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, reversing a modest decline in 2024.
Attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have disrupted global shipping routes, exacerbating tension in the volatile region. The group claims the attacks are carried out in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.
Both the Gulf of Aden and the Mediterranean Sea remain hotspots for migrant smuggling as well as weapons and human trafficking, Mr Guterres said. “The problem is getting worse.”
The acting US charge d’affaires Dorothy Shea told council members that the Iran-aligned Houthis have “terrorised” shipping lanes for years, disrupting 30 per cent of global container traffic through the region. The group has attacked several commercial ships and killed civilian sailors, hijacking the Galaxy Leader in November.
“The United States took punishing action to defend freedom of navigation against the Houthis,” Ms Shea said. “Under pressure, the Houthis have backed down from attacking American ships, but they will face further punishing strikes if they attack US vessels again.”
Yemen's Houthi rebels said on Monday that they would impose a “naval blockade” of the Israeli port of Haifa in response to Israel's escalation of the Gaza war.
“All companies with ships present in or heading to this port are hereby notified that, as of the time of this announcement, the aforementioned port has been included in the target bank,” said Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree.
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
Company%20profile
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Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
'Nope'
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If you go...
Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.
Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km
STAR%20WARS%20JEDI%3A%20SURVIVOR
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