Representatives from Washington and Brussels met in the Belgian capital on Wednesday to reaffirm the strength of the EU-US partnership on foreign policy and security issues.
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Stefano Sannino, secretary general of the European External Action Service, met as the Biden administration seeks to reassure European allies after the transatlantic relationship took a battering under former president Donald Trump.
During the meeting, Ms Sherman and Mr Sannino discussed mutual foreign policy concerns such as Russia, Ukraine and Belarus as well as the recent violence in Israel and Gaza.
Mr Sannino and Ms Sherman also held the first high-level meeting of the EU-US dialogue on China, in which they acknowledged that relations with China "are multifaceted and comprise elements of co-operation, competition, and systemic rivalry" and "highlighted issues of shared concern".
"They also discussed pursuing constructive engagement with China on issues such as climate change and non-proliferation, and on certain regional issues," the State Department said.
Ms Sherman's trip came before US President Joe Biden's planned visit to Brussels in June.
This week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a tour of the Middle East to shore up a ceasefire that ended 11 days of fighting in Israel and Palestine.
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.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
