Iraq on Wednesday called for an Arab initiative aimed at helping to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has had an impact on the region.
The war in Ukraine has affected the global economy, causing surges in energy and food prices that many countries around the world are struggling to contain.
On Wednesday, the Ukrainian and Russian governments accused each other of exacerbating the global food crisis.
Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein took part in an online conference this week alongside his Arab counterparts and called for an “initiative to activate the Arab contact group” and promote dialogue to ease regional and international tensions.
The Arab contact group was conceived at the start of the conflict to help address the war's repercussions and effects on energy and global food security, said Ahmed Al Sahaf, spokesman of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ukraine's grain exports have been halted since Russia invaded the country and blockaded its Black Sea ports in February, straining supply chains and causing food shortages around the globe.
Mr Al Sahaf said Arab ministers travelled to Moscow and Warsaw, Poland, last month, where they met their Russian and Ukrainian counterparts and put forward the idea of an Arab initiative.
The initiative would focus on “the importance of relying on dialogue and adopting diplomatic means to reduce escalation and reach consensus that would strengthen international security”, he said.
Iraq held talks with foreign ministers of Jordan and Egypt on Monday in Baghdad to discuss international challenges.
“We are facing another challenge which is no less dangerous than coronavirus, that is the war in Ukraine, which affects a number of states, economies and communities, including those in our region," Mr Hussein said during a press conference with his counterparts.
The ministers spoke about building the momentum achieved by summits that brought together leaders from Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, and the mandates issued by them to move forward in strengthening ties.
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Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
'The Sky is Everywhere'
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Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
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Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Golden Shoe top five (as of March 1):
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Edinson Cavani, PSG, Ligue 1, 24 goals, 48 points
Ciro Immobile, Lazio, Serie A, 23 goals, 46 points
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, 23 goals, 46 points
Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, 22 goals, 44 points
Five personal finance podcasts from The National
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