Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the situation in the Middle East is worsening and that his country is ready to take on the challenge of reducing tensions to ease worldwide fears of spreading war.
“We are concerned by events in the Middle East,” he told a closing press conference of the Brics bloc. “We don't want conflict to worsen. We will only have more problems on our hands if this happens.”
Mr Putin said Moscow is close to Iran, but the need is to create conditions to resolve the situation. “We see Russia's role in settlement of conflict in the Middle East,” he said.
“Naturally, people are afraid of exacerbation of the global situation that has to do with escalation in different conflict zones, in the Middle East, in Ukraine. But we are not the ones doing the escalation. It's the other side that's always doing this escalation.”
Mr Putin touched on US and Ukrainian reports that North Korean troops were being sent to fight in Ukraine, but only said what the two countries did within the framework of articles in the mutual defence back was their business.
Also on Thursday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told Brics leaders – including the Russian leader – the world needed peace in Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine and Sudan.
Mr Guterres told the summit of major emerging economies, including the UAE, in Kazan, south-west Russia, that “across the board, we need peace”.
“It takes a community of nations – working as one global family – to address global challenges,” the UN leader said in his opening remarks.
He called for peace in the Middle East, saying there was need for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza and an “immediate cessation of hostilities” in Lebanon, as well as an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
“We need peace in Ukraine. A just peace in line with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions,” said Mr Guterres.
He has been critical of Moscow's offensive and military annexation of Ukrainian territory but there has been no halt in the fighting, now grinding through its third year.
The UN Secretary General was in Russia for the first time since April 2022. Ukraine has condemned Mr Guterres's decision to visit Russia, branding Mr Putin a “criminal”.
The three-day summit also covered deepening financial co-operation, including the development of alternatives to western-dominated payment systems, efforts to settle regional conflicts and expansion of the Brics group of nations.
The alliance comprised Brazil, Russia, India and China when it was founded in 2009, with South Africa joining in 2010. In 2024, it expanded to include the UAE, Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, with Saudi Arabia yet to officially join, but participating as an invited nation. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied to become members, and several other countries have expressed interest.
After the UN chief ended his speech, Mr Putin said: “Mister General Secretary said that we should all live as one big family. In families, unfortunately, there are often quarrels, scandals, division of property, and sometimes even fights.”
“The goal of Brics is to create the necessary mechanisms of interaction and create a favourable atmosphere in the common home,” he added.
Leaders at the summit have also called for peace in Gaza and Lebanon.
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned about “serious challenges” in the world, and said he hoped Brics countries could be a “stabilising force for peace”.
“We need to continue to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, relaunch the two-state solution and stop the spread of war in Lebanon. There should be no more suffering and destruction in Palestine and Lebanon,” Mr Xi said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticised the UN Security Council's role in front of Guterres, saying international bodies “lack the necessary efficiency to extinguish the fire of this crisis”.
And Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel aims to “empty” the Gaza Strip of Palestinians.
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Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
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.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
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Key 2013/14 UAE Motorsport dates
October 4: Round One of Rotax Max Challenge, Al Ain (karting)
October 1: 1 Round One of the inaugural UAE Desert Championship (rally)
November 1-3: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Formula One)
November 28-30: Dubai International Rally
January 9-11: 24Hrs of Dubai (Touring Cars / Endurance)
March 21: Round 11 of Rotax Max Challenge, Muscat, Oman (karting)
April 4-10: Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (Endurance)
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.
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
