For three weeks, Venezuela has been gripped by mass protests. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets calling for the resignation of president Nicolas Maduro. In this political crisis there has been violence on the streets, businesses have been looted and the government has ground to a halt. One would think, then, in the midst of the most serious political crisis Mr Maduro has faced, that his government would be focused on the task at hand – or, rather, the protesters outside his door. And yet his diplomats were picking an unnecessary fight with a country a whole ocean away.
Some background is required. For some time, the government of Venezuela and the government of Morocco have been engaged in a spat over the Western Sahara, a disputed piece of territory that Morocco currently administers and which it claims as its own.In the past, the two governments have clashed over who could legitimately speak for the Sahrawis, the people who live in the Western Sahara. Venezuela maintains that only the Polisario, a rebel group that wants a state in Western Sahara, can be the legitimate voice of the people there.
Morocco disagrees and points out that there is a diversity of opinions among Sahrawis, and that the Polisario position, which is in favour of hard-line separation, should not be the only one that is heard at the United Nations. Subsequently, Venezuela has continued to raise the issue at the United Nations.
This is puzzling. Leave aside the current woes of the Maduro government and it is still unclear why Venezuela wants to insert itself into this particular debate.
The whole saga is ridiculous. Here is a Latin American country in the midst of mass social upheaval getting involved in a territorial dispute across the ocean. Small wonder Venezuelans say Mr Maduro is out of touch. Frankly, his government has enough to do worrying about where Venezuelans are – in Caracas, near the presidential palace – without worrying where the Moroccans are.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
'Of Love & War'
Lynsey Addario, Penguin Press
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
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