King Abdullah receives foreign ministers of Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Courtsey: Jordan News Agency
King Abdullah receives foreign ministers of Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Courtsey: Jordan News Agency
King Abdullah receives foreign ministers of Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Courtsey: Jordan News Agency
King Abdullah receives foreign ministers of Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Courtsey: Jordan News Agency

Arab foreign ministers to meet for Dead Sea talks


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UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed met with Jordan's King Abdullah on Wednesday ahead of a meeting with Arab foreign ministers to discuss regional matters.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi is expected to host his regional counterparts to discuss improving relations and addressing major Middle Eastern issues. Representatives from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt are also expected to attend.

The ministers met with King Abdullah on Wednesday who, according to his office, stressed the importance of a unified stance on regional issues.

Jordanian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Sufian Qudah told the Jordan Times that the ministers will go over bilateral relations and regional developments.

A statement from the Jordanian foreign ministry said that the talks would be an “exchange of ideas” on ways to solve the Middle East’s crises as well as serve pan Arab causes.

It gave no further information other than to say that the meeting will take place at the King Hussein Convention Centre at the Dead Sea.

The six countries have close ties and broadly agree on several contentious issues – including how to respond to Iranian regional influence. Last year, the UAE and Saudi agreed a major bailout for Jordan as it faced economic strain and mounting protests against planned taxes. The pair have also assisted Bahrain and Egypt and the countries have close political, security and trade links.

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt are also the four nations that cut relations with Doha in 2016 over what they said was Qatar’s destabilising influence.

Unlike the other states, Jordan and Egypt both have peace agreements and significant business deals with Israel.

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al Jubeir, Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry all led delegations to the meeting.

Formerly the Foreign Minister, Mr Al Jubeir became minister of state for foreign affairs last December. While he was replaced in his longstanding position by former finance minister Ibrahim Al Assaf, Riyadh insisted he would maintain an active role in regional and international affairs.

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

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Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

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The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Company profile: buybackbazaar.com

Name: buybackbazaar.com

Started: January 2018

Founder(s): Pishu Ganglani and Ricky Husaini

Based: Dubai

Sector: FinTech, micro finance

Initial investment: $1 million

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Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
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Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel

6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Engine: Duel electric motors
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested

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A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

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What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods