The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) failed on Friday to pass two proposals on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, one sponsored by Kuwait urging protection for the Palestinians was vetoed by the United States, and another by the United States condemning Hamas for the recent escalation.
Friday’s afternoon session at the UN body was marked by complete paralysis. The Kuwaiti proposal got the backing of 10 of the council’s 15 members, enough to pass, but was vetoed by US representative Nikki Haley.
The vote was held in response to yet another day of deadly protests along the Israel-Gaza border fence in which one Palestinian woman was shot dead. Friday marked the 10th week of protests in which dozens of Gazans have been shot by the Israel Defence Forces.
Kuwait proposal
Two European countries voted yes on the Kuwaiti proposal, and the final tally as reported by Al Hurra:
• 10 Yes votes: Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Bolivia, Peru, Sweden, France, Equatorial Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire.
• 1 No votes: US veto
• 4 Abstentions: UK, Poland, Netherlands, Ethiopia
US Proposal
In contrast, the US proposal condemning Hamas did not get any support from any other members:
• 1 Yes votes: US
• 3 No: Kuwait, Russia and Bolivia
• 11 Abstentions: Kazakhstan, China, Peru, Sweden, France, Equatorial Guinea, UK, Poland, Netherland, Ethiopia and Cote d’Ivoire.
The Kuwaiti proposal urged protection for the Palestinians. After consultations with Europeans, the draft was amended and in its final version urged "the consideration of measures to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilian population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in the Gaza Strip".
The draft also called for “tangible steps towards intra-Palestinian reconciliation, including in support of the mediation efforts of Egypt”.
Ms Haley called the Kuwaiti draft “grossly one-sided and morally bankrupt.” The US draft would have condemned Hamas for the recent escalation after firing a barrage of rockets into Israel on Tuesday.
Kuwait holds one of 10 non-permanent seats at the UNSC, and its term will finish in June 2019.
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Read more
Palestinian woman shot dead by IDF during Gaza protest
ICRC sends medics to help treat 13,000 Gazans injured in protests
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Results
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden | US$45,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Tabarak, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $175,000 (Turf) | 3,200m
Winner: Dubhe, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Estihdaaf, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
8.15pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Nordic Lights, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 | $450,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm: Handicap | $175,000 (T) | 1,200m
Winner: Mazzini, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
10pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,400m.
Winner: Mubtasim, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
