Leaders in the Middle East called for stronger ties and closer co-operation with the United States in messages of congratulations to Joe Biden after he was sworn in as the country's 46th president on Wednesday.
Mr Biden pledged to start a broad outreach to American allies around the world after the America First policy adopted by his predecessor Donald Trump.
Among the top issues facing him in the Middle East are the escalation in tensions with Iran under Mr Trump, and the civil wars in Yemen and Syria.
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a plank of Middle East policy in successive US administrations, Mr Biden faces a changed landscape after the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco signed normalisation agreements with Israel last year.
Bahrain
Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa sent a cable of congratulations to Mr Biden on his inauguration, wishing him good health, happiness and success in leading the American people to further progress and prosperity.
Prince Salman highlighted the long-standing ties and close partnership spanning 120 years between Bahrain and the US, supported by strong friendship and mutual respect, the Bahrain News Agency reported.
He said he looked forward to consolidating the strategic relationship and bolstering co-operation and co-ordination between the two allies.
Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and has taken part in air strikes in Syria as part of the US-led coalition against ISIS.
The US naval presence in the Arabian Gulf reinforces its allies in the region and safeguards the movement of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway at the mouth of the Gulf through which about 40 per cent of the world's oil shipments pass.
UAE
Leaders of the United Arab Emirates emphasised not only the country's long standing, deep ties to the United States, but also the warm personal relationship with President Biden, developed over many years. President Sheikh Khalifa sent a message of support to his American counterpart, stating that the two countries would continue to work side by side on key issues such as global health, climate change and tackling violent extremism. The message was echoed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, who called for the nations to work closely in the future.
Qatar
The emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim wished Mr Biden success in his duties and further growth in relations and strategic co-operation between the two countries.
GCC
The Secretary General of the Gulf Co-operation Council, Nayef Al Hajraf congratulated Mr Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on taking office while expressing hopes for strengthening the strategic partnership between the six-member bloc and the US.
Jordan
Jordan's King Abdullah II welcomed Mr Biden to the world stage.
"Warmest congratulations to [Joe Biden] on his inauguration today. We highly value our strategic partnership and enduring friendship with the United States, and we look forward to working with you in pursuit of global peace and prosperity," the monarch said on Twitter.
Israel
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the threat posed by Iran and the policy of building Arab-Israeli ties pursued by Mr Trump in his message to the new president.
"President Biden, you and I have had a warm personal friendship going back many decades. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the US-Israel alliance, to continue expanding peace between Israel and the Arab world and to confront common challenges, chief among them the threat posed by Iran," Mr Netanyahu said in a video statement.
Palestinian Territories
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who will be seeking another term in elections planned for this year, assured Mr Biden of his willingness to continue with the peace process.
"We look forward to working together for peace and stability in the region and the world," Mr Abbas said in a letter to Mr Biden, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.
Mr Abbas "affirmed his readiness for 'a comprehensive and just peace process that would achieve the aspirations of the Palestinian people in freedom and independence", Wafa said.
The Palestinian Authority broke political ties with the US in December 2017 after Mr Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Iran
Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani, called on Mr Biden to return to the 2015 nuclear deal and lift US sanctions on Iran, overturning a key part of Mr Trump's foreign policy programme.
"The ball is in the US court now. If Washington returns to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal, we will also fully respect our commitments under the pact," Mr Rouhani told a televised Cabinet meeting.
He also launched a scathing attack on the outgoing president. A "tyrant's era came to an end and today is the final day of his ominous reign" Mr Rouhani said of Mr Trump's departure.
Mr Biden said he plans to return to the nuclear deal with Iran, which was signed when he was Barack Obama's vice president. Mr Biden's national security aides suggested they would like further negotiations on Iran's ballistic missile capabilities.
Sudan
Sudan's Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok sent his congratulations to the new US leader. Until recently, Sudan was sanctioned by the US as a state sponsor of terrorism.
But, since autocrat Omar Al Bashir was removed by the military amid mass street protests in 2019 and the country has taken steps to transition to democracy, the US has worked to remove them from the listing and Khartoum has agreed compensation for victims and families of past terror attacks that they were involved in.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
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
Gender pay parity on track in the UAE
The UAE has a good record on gender pay parity, according to Mercer's Total Remuneration Study.
"In some of the lower levels of jobs women tend to be paid more than men, primarily because men are employed in blue collar jobs and women tend to be employed in white collar jobs which pay better," said Ted Raffoul, career products leader, Mena at Mercer. "I am yet to see a company in the UAE – particularly when you are looking at a blue chip multinationals or some of the bigger local companies – that actively discriminates when it comes to gender on pay."
Mr Raffoul said most gender issues are actually due to the cultural class, as the population is dominated by Asian and Arab cultures where men are generally expected to work and earn whereas women are meant to start a family.
"For that reason, we see a different gender gap. There are less women in senior roles because women tend to focus less on this but that’s not due to any companies having a policy penalising women for any reasons – it’s a cultural thing," he said.
As a result, Mr Raffoul said many companies in the UAE are coming up with benefit package programmes to help working mothers and the career development of women in general.
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
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
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
RESULTS
Women:
55kg brown-black belt: Amal Amjahid (BEL) bt Amanda Monteiro (BRA) via choke
62kg brown-black belt: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Ffion Davies (GBR) via referee’s decision (0-0, 2-2 adv)
70kg brown-black belt: Ana Carolina Vieira (BRA) bt Jessica Swanson (USA), 9-0
90kg brown-black belt: Angelica Galvao (USA) bt Marta Szarecka (POL) 8-2
Men:
62kg black belt: Joao Miyao (BRA) bt Wan Ki-chae (KOR), 7-2
69kg black belt: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Gianni Grippo (USA), 2-2 (1-0 adv)
77kg black belt: Espen Mathiesen (NOR) bt Jake Mackenzie (CAN)
85kg black belt: Isaque Braz (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE), 2-0
94kg black belt: Felipe Pena (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL), 4-0
110kg black belt final: Erberth Santos (BRA) bt Lucio Rodrigues (GBR) via rear naked choke
Ready Player One
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance
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