Egypt has urged Iran to avoid actions that could further destabilise the Middle East, with Cairo pressing the need to restore security to the Red Sea after attacks on shipping by the Tehran-backed Houthis.
According to a statement from the Egyptian foreign ministry, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in a phone call on Wednesday night that securing the waterway is crucial for Egypt’s economy and regional stability.
Mr Abdelatty underlined "the importance of self-restraint during this delicate stage in the region” and urged Iran "to avoid taking any step that would increase tension", said the statement.
“The call also took up the developments in the Red Sea, asserting the necessity of protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and restoring calmness in the region.”
Iran has been accused of supporting a range of armed groups across the Middle East in its proxy war for influence with Saudi Arabia and its allies.
Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea reportedly cost Egypt $7 billion in lost shipping tolls in 2024, according to a recent speech by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The Yemeni rebels have repeatedly said they are acting in solidarity with Gaza in the war with Israel.
The instability in the waterway has forced many shipping companies to reroute vessels around the African continent, significantly increasing costs and delivery times.
Egypt’s call for restraint came two days before landmark US-Iran nuclear talks are scheduled to begin in Oman. The discussions, the first between the two countries in years, are expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The stakes for the talks are high. The International Atomic Energy Agency recently reported that Iran possesses enough 60 per cent-enriched uranium to potentially produce six nuclear warheads if further enriched to weapons-grade levels.
Washington seeks the full dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme and an end to its support for regional militias such as the Houthis and Hezbollah. These demands may prove too much for Tehran, which has long insisted on retaining some level of uranium enrichment for civilian purposes.
The talks will take place against the backdrop of a deteriorating regional situation. Iran’s economy is under immense strain due to US sanctions, with soaring inflation and a plunging currency.
Meanwhile, the influence of Tehran's allies like Hamas and Hezbollah has waned after 18 months of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Egypt’s plea for de-escalation reflects its concerns about the broader implications of the talks. Failure to reach a deal could lead to further instability in the Red Sea and beyond, while success could pave the way for greater regional co-operation and an economic recovery.
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The Bio
Ram Buxani earned a salary of 125 rupees per month in 1959
Indian currency was then legal tender in the Trucial States.
He received the wages plus food, accommodation, a haircut and cinema ticket twice a month and actuals for shaving and laundry expenses
Buxani followed in his father’s footsteps when he applied for a job overseas
His father Jivat Ram worked in general merchandize store in Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the early 1930s
Buxani grew the UAE business over several sectors from retail to financial services but is attached to the original textile business
He talks in detail about natural fibres, the texture of cloth, mirrorwork and embroidery
Buxani lives by a simple philosophy – do good to all
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
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Day 2
England: 277 & 19-0
West Indies: 154
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
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Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope
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When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
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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.
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
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Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
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Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
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Camelpox
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Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
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4.30pm – The Boxtones
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10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
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The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
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THE BIG MATCH
Arsenal v Manchester City,
Sunday, Emirates Stadium, 6.30pm
