Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Lebanon's acting UN envoy expressed serious concerns on Thursday about the situation in his country and the wider Middle East ahead of a speech by Hezbollah's leader on the Israel-Gaza war.
In an interview with The National, Hadi Hachem, Lebanon’s acting UN ambassador, said that the country’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is trying to ensure his country does not enter the Israel-Gaza war, even as Hezbollah and Israel exchange intensified cross-border fire.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah will on Friday make his first public comments since the Palestinian group Hamas and Israel went to war. His speech will be scrutinised for clues on how the group's role in the conflict might evolve.
Analysts have suggested that a formal declaration of war by Hezbollah is highly unlikely but that the group's actions can be hard to predict.
“No one in Lebanon has interest in war,” said the diplomat. He added that Lebanese authorities have been in contact with Hezbollah's armed elements and are trying to calm the situation in the south.
Hamas said on Thursday that it had fired 12 rockets from Lebanon into Israel and Hezbollah attacked Israeli positions in the north with drones and mortar fire.
The Israeli military retaliated, sending warplanes and helicopter gunships to attack Hezbollah command centres, arms depots and sites from where the rockets were fired inside Lebanon. At least four Lebanese civilians were killed, state media said.
Mr Hachem praised US efforts in trying to prevent Israel’s war against Hamas from escalating into a larger regional crisis with significant geopolitical consequences.
“In Israel, we have the biggest loser which is [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu and the extreme right,” he said.
“What's needed now from the international community is to put all the pressure on Netanyahu and his government to stop this war, because everybody knows that his political life is related to the war.”
To achieve peace in the region, Mr Hachem said there needs to be a new political class inside Israel that believes in “real peace”, is willing to abide by UN Security Council resolutions and withdraw from all occupied Arab land.
The Lebanese diplomat also discussed the overwhelming vote in favour of the Arab Group’s General Assembly resolution last month urging an immediate humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas, calling it a “big success”.
The vote on the non-binding resolution came as Israel announced an expansion of ground operations in Gaza.
The Jordanian draft was proposed in the name of 22 Arab countries. It was co-sponsored by 47 states, including China, and was approved with 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions.
“We succeeded to put the three demands of the Arab Group, which was to call for a ceasefire, open the humanitarian corridors to let the aid pass and stop the displacement of Palestinians,” he explained.
“I think the Americans in the General Assembly didn't really work against the resolution. They voted against it, but they didn't use their weight to stop the resolution and the General Assembly and that's why we were able to get 121 votes.”
Israel intensifies attack on Gaza – in pictures
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.
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
UAE group fixtures
Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran
Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait
Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal
Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.
School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.
“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.
“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”
'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness'
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg and Rachel McAdams
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
RESULTS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Lewis Hamilton in 2018
Australia 2nd; Bahrain 3rd; China 4th; Azerbaijan 1st; Spain 1st; Monaco 3rd; Canada 5th; France 1st; Austria DNF; Britain 2nd; Germany 1st; Hungary 1st; Belgium 2nd; Italy 1st; Singapore 1st; Russia 1st; Japan 1st; United States 3rd; Mexico 4th
The biog
Birthday: February 22, 1956
Born: Madahha near Chittagong, Bangladesh
Arrived in UAE: 1978
Exercise: At least one hour a day on the Corniche, from 5.30-6am and 7pm to 8pm.
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi? “Everywhere. Wherever you go, you can relax.”
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
