DUBAI // A former FBI agent who vanished on Iran's Kish Island four years ago after travelling from Dubai is being held in southwest Asia, according to the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Bob Levinson flew from Dubai to Kish Island, an Iranian free trade zone, in 2007 to pursue aninvestigation into cigarette smuggling. He never returned.
"We have received recent indications that Bob is being held somewhere in southwest Asia," Mrs Clinton said in a written statement. "We respectfully request the Iranian government to undertake humanitarian efforts to safely return and reunite Bob with his family. We would appreciate the Iranian government's efforts in this matter."
Mrs Clinton's statement did not provide further details as to his believed whereabouts.
Mr Levinson's wife, Christine, greeted the news with cautious optimism.
"Our family is tremendously encouraged by the news Bob is alive but remains concerned for his safety and wellbeing," she said in a statement on the website helpboblevinson.com.
Mrs Levinson last heard from her husband on March 8 before he left Dubai. Mr Levinson, who has diabetes and requiresregular medication, told his wife he would not be able to make contact for 24 hours but would call on his return to Dubai.
He was last seen the following day, the eve of his 59th birthday, getting into a taxi bound for Kish airport after checking out of the Maryam Hotel, located on a quiet stretch of the island.
Mr Levinson had 22 years of experience in the FBI andspecialised in organised crime and money laundering investigations.
He began private investigation work after his retirement from the bureau in 1998.
The FBI said investigations were continuing. "It remains our goal to bring him home safely," said Paul Bresson, an FBI spokesman.
* With additional reporting by Reuters
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
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Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
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Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
The biog
Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
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Favourite book: Father of our Nation: Collected Quotes of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
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Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
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Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
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The specs
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5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; 5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
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7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m
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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
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
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Label: Warner Records
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Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
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Uefa Champioons League semi-final, first leg:
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A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
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Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.