Insight and opinion from The National’s editorial leadership
June 27, 2022
This year's G7 summit is taking place in the picturesque, highly secure and now familiar hotel Schloss Elmau, in Germany. It is the second time the meeting has been held there – the last in 2015.
While sombre international affairs are the focus, it is not just the content, but also the manner in which these issues are discussed that makes the event distinct. It is the most personal meeting its leaders have in the calendar, with limited, controlled media access and only the most important advisers present. Last year, pictures emerged of its attendees eating ice cream with little social distancing on a beach in the British county of Cornwall. More than just a sign of closeness, it was a marker that the world was beginning to reopen after the worst of Covid-19.
In 2022, the location might be the same as 2015, but the world is not, and not just due to the pandemic. Up for discussion this year is the conflict in Ukraine and the vast international fallout from it, as well as other strategic issues confronting the group.
Furthermore, the G7 is not the only high-level multilateral event to take place this month. Brics, a summit involving Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – countries that make up more than 40 per cent of the world's population – took place last week, under the theme: "Foster High-quality Brics Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development".
Strong partnerships will be particularly important for Russian President Vladimir Putin. His country's invasion of Ukraine has put relations with the West at a historic low, ushering in unprecedented sanctions and what Russia claims to be a "proxy war" with Nato. Strong ties with countries such as India and China will be key to keeping the Russian economy afloat.
Mr Putin will be closely watching the coming Nato summit, which begins in Madrid on Tuesday and is the 32nd since the alliance’s establishment in 1949. In the run-up to the meeting, some of the members' leaders have already pushed for even more support to Ukraine, much to the consternation of Moscow. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told allies it would be a “disaster” to pressure Ukraine into accepting a “bad peace” deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to say the same in an address. Nato will also discuss the prospect of Sweden and Finland joining, a hugely important drive given the countries' strategic value, history of neutrality and Turkey's opposition to the move, due to the Nordic states' perceived tolerance of what Ankara describes as Kurdish separatists and terrorists. Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also said that "for the first time, we will address China and the challenges it poses to our interests, security and values".
On the international diplomatic stage, June might seem like an adversarial month. But however tense the situation might be, it is important to remember that all three of these events have at their heart some form of diplomacy and, at least in the eyes of members, a desire to make the world safer. All the above nations will need to co-operate if they are to deal with today's unprecedented difficulties, none more pressing than looming food and economic crises, which would affect the Middle East particularly. Whether it be finding a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine, or dialling down tensions in the South China Sea, such meetings are among the few international means left to promote harmony, not strife.
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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.
