Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson received plaudits at his party's annual conference but the EU response has been muted over his new Brexit plans. AFP
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson received plaudits at his party's annual conference but the EU response has been muted over his new Brexit plans. AFP
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson received plaudits at his party's annual conference but the EU response has been muted over his new Brexit plans. AFP
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson received plaudits at his party's annual conference but the EU response has been muted over his new Brexit plans. AFP

Boris Johnson admits Brexit deal some way off


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European Union leaders have dismissed the prospects of an early breakthrough after UK prime minister Boris Johnson unveiled new plans to break the months-long Brexit deadlock.

Mr Johnson told MPs on Thursday that his proposals were "constructive and reasonable" but admitted he was some way from securing an agreement before the UK's planned departure from the EU on October 31.

"They do not deliver everything that we would have wished, " he told parliament. "They do represent a compromise."

He added: "While, as I stand here today, we are some way from a resolution, it is to the credit of our European friends that they have accepted the need to address these issues."

The proposals are an attempt to avoid border checks in Northern Ireland but senior EU officials indicated they fell short of what they needed.

Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar said the approach “did not fully meet the agreed objectives of the backstop” amid concerns that the proposals threatened the hard-won peace after decades of civil strife in Ireland.

His deputy, Simon Coveney was blunter. "If that is the final proposal, there will be no deal," he said.

Senior EU leaders said they stood squarely behind EU-member the Republic of Ireland and also expressed concerns that it could disrupt the single market across the 28-nation bloc.

The EU said it was the UK's job to address the problems. "As we have said there are problematic points in the United Kingdom's proposal and further work is needed. But that work needs to be done by the United Kingdom and not the other way around," spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud told reporters.

Mr Johnson wants a new deal in place before October 17 before a summit of EU leaders.

The UK's plan involves continuing customs checks on the island of Ireland – split between EU member the Republic of Ireland and the North, which is part of the UK – but continued alignment of regulations struck during 45 years of EU membership.

But Northern Ireland’s Assembly and Executive will be able to veto arrangements with a vote every four years. The proposals would also allow the UK to try to strike trading agreements with countries outside of the EU.

Early soundings suggested that Mr Johnson's plans could receive the necessary parliamentary backing but key to any agreement is convincing EU leaders.

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the plan was “flexible and creative” and told the BBC on Thursday that he hoped to be involved in intensive talks by the weekend with EU leaders. "Both sides recognise that the best way forward is to have a deal,” he said.

The UK opposition has accused the government of not being serious about a deal. Jeremy Corbyn claimed the deal was worse than the one secured by Theresa May, but was rejected three times by parliament.

The government is continuing to prepare for leaving the EU by October 31 even if a deal is not reached in the face of parliamentary opposition, which has moved to block such a move.

It has blocked the export of more than 20 medicines that are in short supply, in case of supply problems.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
​​​​​​​Release Date: April 10

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Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
England 12-man squad for second Test

v West Indies which starts Thursday: Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (captain), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Jack Leach

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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

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
ON%20TRACK
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Bib%20Gourmand%20restaurants
%3Cp%3EAl%20Khayma%0D%3Cbr%3EBait%20Maryam%0D%3Cbr%3EBrasserie%20Boulud%0D%3Cbr%3EFi'lia%0D%3Cbr%3Efolly%0D%3Cbr%3EGoldfish%0D%3Cbr%3EIbn%20AlBahr%0D%3Cbr%3EIndya%20by%20Vineet%0D%3Cbr%3EKinoya%0D%3Cbr%3ENinive%0D%3Cbr%3EOrfali%20Bros%0D%3Cbr%3EReif%20Japanese%20Kushiyaki%0D%3Cbr%3EShabestan%0D%3Cbr%3ETeible%3C%2Fp%3E%0A