US Vice President Kamala Harris offers condolences to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed

US Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday afternoon to offer condolences following the death of Sheikh Khalifa.

She met the President, Sheikh Mohamed, to pay her respects.

She also greeted Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

Ms Harris led a high-level delegation to the capital on behalf of the US administration to pay respects to Sheikh Khalifa and congratulate Sheikh Mohamed on his election as President.

Accompanying her were John Kerry, special presidential envoy for climate, Philip Gordon, Miss Harris's national security adviser, CIA director Bill Burns, and White House Middle East co-ordinator Brett McGurk.

Ms Harris was welcomed to the capital by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Executive Council member and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, national security adviser.

She was also greeted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, Barbara Leaf, special assistant to the president and senior director for the Middle East and North Africa, National Security Council, and Sean Murphy, Chargé d’Affaires, US Embassy Abu Dhabi.

Ms Harris paid tribute to Sheikh Khalifa on Friday, praising his efforts to bolster Emirati-US ties.

“Under his leadership, the strong partnership between the United States and the UAE has enhanced the security and prosperity of the American and Emirati people, and we are grateful for our work together across multiple administrations,” she said.

“The legacy of this partnership can be found in the deep bonds between our countries, which our administration will continue to strengthen.”

Mr Blinken wrote on Twitter: “Vice President Harris, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and I offered our condolences to the leaders and people of the UAE today for the passing of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed. We mourn his passing and honour his legacy.”

Ms Harris made history as the first black woman elected as vice president of the US in November 2020, when Joe Biden won the presidential race against incumbent Donald Trump.

She had been a rising star in Democratic politics for much of the past two decades, serving as San Francisco's district attorney and California's attorney general before becoming a US senator.

After she ended her own 2020 Democratic presidential campaign, Mr Biden selected her as his running mate.

On Friday, the US president said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the death of Sheikh Khalifa, who had served as president since 2004.

“Sheikh Khalifa was a true partner and friend of the United States throughout his decades-long tenure as President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and in his earlier role as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi,” Mr Biden said.

Mr Biden congratulated Sheikh Mohamed on his election as president.

“Sheikh Mohamed, whom I met with several times as vice president when he was the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has long been at the forefront of building this partnership,” he said.

“I look forward to working with Sheikh Mohamed to build from this extraordinary foundation to further strengthen the bonds between our countries and peoples.”

World leaders arrive in Abu Dhabi — in pictures

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press

Haircare resolutions 2021

From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.

1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'

You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.

2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'

Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.

3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’

Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.

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