The UAE is fast adapting to the changing realities of global politics and affirming its new status as an active middle power that keeps up with the latest in global conversations.
So, if the current global conversation is about the rise of Asia as the new centre of global gravity, the UAE is fast rediscovering its Asia affinity. It is proudly an Arab Gulf state but increasingly becoming aware of its Asian identity, too. The 21st-century UAE is thinking Asia, gradually pivoting East and getting used to being geographically and strategically affiliated with West Asia just as it a rising Middle East power house. The UAE's Asian affinity is bound to deepen in the years to come, as Asia emerges as the continent of the future.
And if the latest mega-trend in the world order is the rise of a group of countries called the Global South, the UAE is becoming a role model in that group. It is already a leading member of Group of 77 at the UN. But more tellingly, the UAE has unreservedly confirmed its full and active membership of Brics+, the intercontinental bloc made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as well as Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and the UAE. The UAE’s inclusion in Brics+ signals its growing geopolitical ambition and its pivot toward alternative international alliances. As a new member of this intercontinental bloc, it aspires to be the voice of the Global South.
But then, if the 21st-century global conversation is about the role of middle powers, the UAE has already made it to the list of about 30 states that scholars have identified as the middle powers of the world. The list also includes two other Arab Gulf states, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The UAE is no longer the small state it once was. It doesn’t think small anymore. It no longer acts like a small state. The new UAE thinks and behaves as an active and proactive middle power. Key global and regional capitals respect the UAE as a credible and trustworthy member of that club.
The 21st century is still an American century, regardless of the massive uncertainties and disruptions recently experienced
Finally, if the current global conversation is about the role of so-called “mini-lateralists” in world politics, then the UAE has become a prominent player in this era of mini-lateralists collectively navigating the post-American world. Mini-lateralism is form of international co-operation that involves a random group of countries working together to solve specific problems or achieve common goals.
The UAE is leveraging its strategic location, economic power, financial clout, soft power and diplomatic agility to engage in varieties of global economic diplomacy. The best illustration of this is its latest strategic drive to diversify and strengthen its global trade relations. As of 2025, the UAE has signed 26 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (Cepas) with key global partners. Eight of these are fully active.
The UAE mini-laterlist drive also includes being founding member of four countries that make up I2U2 group – the strategic partnership between India, Israel, the US and, of course, the UAE. This partnership was launched in 2021 to collaborate on economic and technological projects, especially in areas such energy, health care and food security.
Additionally, the UAE is a signatory to the Abrahamic Accords, signed in September 2020 at the White House with Israel. The Accord aimed to establish new diplomatic, economic and cultural ties, promoting peace and stability in the troubled Mena region.
No less important is the Emirates’ prominent status as a founding member of the Imec, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which is a major international infrastructure initiative launched in September 2023 during the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
These are but a few examples of the UAE using its active foreign policy and ambitious diplomacy to navigate the post-American world order.
But despite keeping up with the global mega-trends, the UAE is fully aware that the contemporary world order remains fundamentally unipolar. The 21st century is still an American century, regardless of the massive uncertainties and disruptions recently experienced.
The UAE values its newly designated status as a Major Defence Partner of the US, which came about during President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s visit to Washington in September. This designation, previously granted only to India, marks a significant elevation in US-UAE strategic relations.
As an active middle power, the UAE feels comfortable setting next to America, the only super power around, and is getting ready to welcome US President Donald Trump next week.
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize
This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.
From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
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Arrogate's winning run
1. Maiden Special Weight, Santa Anita Park, June 5, 2016
2. Allowance Optional Claiming, Santa Anita Park, June 24, 2016
3. Allowance Optional Claiming, Del Mar, August 4, 2016
4. Travers Stakes, Saratoga, August 27, 2016
5. Breeders' Cup Classic, Santa Anita Park, November 5, 2016
6. Pegasus World Cup, Gulfstream Park, January 28, 2017
7. Dubai World Cup, Meydan Racecourse, March 25, 2017
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- 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
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
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.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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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Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
CHELSEA SQUAD
Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Chalobah, Sarr, Azpilicueta, James, Kenedy, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Havertz, Lukaku.
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
