Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
The US has revised its draft UN Security Council resolution that focused on Israel's right to self-defence and called for a two-state solution.
The latest four-page text proposal, seen by The National on Sunday, still fails to call for a ceasefire but is open to “exploring additional practical steps such as humanitarian pauses, the establishment of humanitarian corridors and other initiatives” for ensuring the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
A UN diplomat who expressed disappointment told The National it "still reads like a counter-terrorism resolution" rather than a humanitarian aid draft.
On Monday, China, Russia, the UAE, Malta and Switzerland broke silence on the draft, meaning they wanted to negotiate over the final text. China and Russia requested more time, while the UAE, Malta and Switzerland repeated their edits.
On Saturday, 20 lorries entered Gaza in the first aid shipment into the territory since Israel imposed a complete siege two weeks ago.
The UN estimates Gaza needs about 100 lorries a day to meet the needs of its 2.4 million residents, almost half of whom are believed to have been displaced by Israel's bombing campaign.
The document also expresses its “deepest sympathy and condolences to Palestinian civilians and all other civilians who have lost their lives since 7 October 2023, including at the Al Ahli Hospital on 17 October 2023”.
According to the latest toll from the Hamas Health Ministry in Gaza, more than 4,600 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across the Gaza Strip in relentless Israeli bombardments, carried out in retaliation for the attacks by the militant group.
The original text initially singled out Iran, demanding it "cease the export of all arms and related materials to armed militias and terrorist groups threatening peace and security across the region".
The text now calls upon all "states to take practical steps to prevent the export of arms and materiel to armed militias and terrorist groups operating in Gaza, including Hamas".
While the resolution attributes attacks and violence to Hamas, it does not acknowledge Israel's alleged breach of international humanitarian law during military operations.
International humanitarian law is the segment of international law that regulates conduct during times of armed conflict.
The resolution follows the US veto of a Brazil-drafted text on Wednesday, which had called for "humanitarian pauses" in the Israel-Hamas conflict to provide aid access to the Gaza Strip.
The Biden administration blocked the motion as it made no mention of Israel’s right to defend itself.
It is still not clear when the US plans to put the draft resolution to a vote but to secure adoption, the resolution must garner at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by Russia, China, Britain or France.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
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)
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Infiniti QX80 specs
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Company%20profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
