Germany has called for an end to naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean as tensions between Greece and Turkey continue to escalate in the area.
The German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, said military drills around the disputed waters needed to end before talks between Athens and Ankara could progress.
Mr Maas addressed reporters ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Berlin to discuss possible sanctions against Ankara over its aggression in the eastern Mediterranean.
"The situation remains very difficult," he said. "The precondition for these talks is that the manoeuvres that are going on in the eastern Mediterranean be ended.
“Each side can make its contribution to that and so create the space for diplomatic talks, because for sure the parties won't sit down at the table if warships are facing off in the eastern Mediterranean.”
Decades old disputes, between Greece and Cyprus on one side and Turkey on the other, in the region have become increasingly fraught in recent weeks.
The standoff over maritime borders in the region restarted after Turkey sent its survey vessel, the Oruc Reis, to carry out seismic research in waters, believed to contain natural gas deposits, off eastern Greek islands.
Greece and the EU have said that Turkey's exploration operations in the area are illegal. Turkey has said it should have access to waters on the islands because they lie on its continental shelf.
The Oruc Reis was accompanied by half a dozen Turkish warships. The majority of the Greek naval fleet has been put on alert since the research vessel's arrival.
The two sides have come to the brink of a full-on naval clash at least once but climbed down after the intervention of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
On Thursday, as EU ministers arrived in Berlin, Turkey issued a navigational warning, saying it would hold live-fire drills in the eastern Mediterranean at the start of September off the north eastern coast of Cyprus.
France said on Wednesday it had begun naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean alongside Greece, Cyprus and Italy. Paris has vowed to support Athens and Nicosia in the ongoing dispute.
Speaking ahead of the EU meeting, Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides repeated Nicosia's calls for sanctions against Ankara.
"Europe's credibility is at stake. The European Union, a union of 27 member states, must stand up for international values, for a global international order based on the values and principles of the European Union," Mr Christodoulides said.
He also implied that Nicosia would not support the prospect of sanctions against political figures in Belarus if similar restrictive measures against Turkey were not forthcoming.
“We are not in favour of double standards here,” Mr Christodoulides said. “It's very important to also protect the credibility of the European Union.”
The standoff in the eastern Mediterranean has exposed cracks not only within the EU but also between Nato allies. Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that he was in "constant contact" with Greece and Turkey.
"My message is that the situation must be resolved in a spirit of allied solidarity and in line with international law," Mr Stoltenberg said as he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. "Dialogue and de-escalation are in everybody's interest."
Turkey has continued to point the finger of blame for the escalation in the eastern Mediterranean at Greece and France. Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Ankara would not be deterred by the show of force.
"To believe that it would be possible to thwart the Turkish armed forces operations with exercises and similar activities is nothing more than a pipe dream," Mr Akar said, according to Turkish state media.
Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
• Dyed hair must be of a natural colour
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Top tips
Create and maintain a strong bond between yourself and your child, through sensitivity, responsiveness, touch, talk and play. “The bond you have with your kids is the blueprint for the relationships they will have later on in life,” says Dr Sarah Rasmi, a psychologist.
Set a good example. Practise what you preach, so if you want to raise kind children, they need to see you being kind and hear you explaining to them what kindness is. So, “narrate your behaviour”.
Praise the positive rather than focusing on the negative. Catch them when they’re being good and acknowledge it.
Show empathy towards your child’s needs as well as your own. Take care of yourself so that you can be calm, loving and respectful, rather than angry and frustrated.
Be open to communication, goal-setting and problem-solving, says Dr Thoraiya Kanafani. “It is important to recognise that there is a fine line between positive parenting and becoming parents who overanalyse their children and provide more emotional context than what is in the child’s emotional development to understand.”
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Florence and the Machine – High as Hope
Three stars
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Fixtures (all times UAE)
Saturday
Brescia v Atalanta (6pm)
Genoa v Torino (9pm)
Fiorentina v Lecce (11.45pm)
Sunday
Juventus v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Inter Milan v SPAL (6pm)
Lazio v Udinese (6pm)
Parma v AC Milan (6pm)
Napoli v Bologna (9pm)
Verona v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Monday
Cagliari v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT
Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km
Specs
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If%20you%20go
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20regular%20flights%20from%20Dubai%20to%20Kathmandu.%20Fares%20with%20Air%20Arabia%20and%20flydubai%20start%20at%20Dh1%2C265.%3Cbr%3EIn%20Kathmandu%2C%20rooms%20at%20the%20Oasis%20Kathmandu%20Hotel%20start%20at%20Dh195%20and%20Dh120%20at%20Hotel%20Ganesh%20Himal.%3Cbr%3EThird%20Rock%20Adventures%20offers%20professionally%20run%20group%20and%20individual%20treks%20and%20tours%20using%20highly%20experienced%20guides%20throughout%20Nepal%2C%20Bhutan%20and%20other%20parts%20of%20the%20Himalayas.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
