Two meetings today – one in Cairo, one in London – revealed the contrasting tones of regional politics. One was chaotic, the other conciliatory.
In London, Qatar's foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, was busy burning bridges even though he claimed to be building them.
In wide-ranging comments, he said that the list of demands delivered days ago by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE was conceived to create "anti-Qatar sentiment in the West". This, of course, is the stuff of fiction.The quartet is interested in finding solutions to a regional crisis rather than searching for answers at large.
Those who stand against Doha seek only to push Qatar in a more functional direction – by reducing ties with Iran and cutting links with extremists – and away from sowing the seeds of discord and disharmony. Sheikh Mohammed said he sought a healthy and constructive relationship with Tehran. Why not, one wonders, seek the same friendships with those on this side of the Gulf?
The quartet of nations is focused on curbing bad behaviour within its neighbourhood, rather than trying to bend ears in Europe and America. To the UAE and its allies this is a regional dispute. To Qatar, this is an opportunity to claim it has been victimised and to kick up a broader storm.
Meanwhile, in Cairo, a more coherent conversational tone was emerging. The four nations talked of protecting the key tenets of security and stability. There was emphasis on quiet diplomacy and firm leadership. Where there had been hue and cry in London, there was honesty and hard calculations in Cairo.
The next steps, they said, would be taken at the right time, but make no mistake, they would be taken.
So what now for Doha? Its future depends on understanding nuance. It depends on listening to and acting upon the quartet's advice. It also depends on it understanding that time is not on its side. Doha must understand that it must change its ways.
The Cairo group of nations has said that it will continue to meet, monitor and discuss the situation, but Doha must not interpret political calculations as procrastination.
Speaking in Cairo, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: "It is important that we exert all efforts … We must do everything to free the region of anyone who may spread dissent and chaos.
"The Arab region has a lot of hope," he said.
It also has a lot of expectation. The quartet expects Qatar to follow the right course. Now we must hope it does.
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: From Dh280,000
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
