British Prime Minister Theresa May will host senior ministers for a key Brexit meeting over two days / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLE'N
British Prime Minister Theresa May will host senior ministers for a key Brexit meeting over two days / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLE'N

Theresa May’s Brexit ‘war cabinet’ meets



Theresa May's Brexit committee of senior ministers is meeting on Wednesday to plan the UK's future course in negotiations as the European Union threatened to punish Britain if it breaks rules during a transition period after leaving the bloc.

The EU’s draft document says that it would be allowed to ground flights and suspend single market access and impose trade tariffs if it breaches the terms of any departure deal.

The government sought to play down the significance of the EU memo saying that it was the basis for upcoming discussions between the two sides about the expected two-year transition period when it leaves the bloc in March 2019.

The transition period is designed to give UK businesses longer to prepare for the historic split after 45 years of membership. The deal is likely to see Britain have access to the single market continue for around two years while sticking to its rules but having now say over decisions.

A Department for Exiting the EU spokesman said the document and a speech by Brexit Secretary David Davis last month set out the two sides' positions as talks started this week on trying to secure a deal over the next month.

Mrs May will chair two days of talks focusing on immigration, Northern Ireland and on Thursday the future partnership.

Mrs May’s expressed commitment to leaving the EU customs union has sparked concerns among business groups and led to further questions about what it means in the island of Ireland.

Critics say that leaving the customs union could mean a return to the so-called “hard border” to monitor the flow of goods between EU member, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK. Mrs May has also said that she would ensure there would be no “hard border” but has come under pressure to explain how that would happen.

The business spokeswoman for the opposition Labour party said the party would consider having a customs union, after months of ambiguity about its position. “It is certainly a possibility and we wouldn't rule anything out at all,” Rebecca Long-Bailey told the BBC.

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETribute%20Games%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dotemu%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20One%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S

Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900

Engine: 937cc

Transmission: Six-speed gearbox

Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm

Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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Company name: Play:Date

Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day

Founder: Shamim Kassibawi

Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US

Sector: Tech 

Size: 20 employees

Stage of funding: Seed

Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund

23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees

Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.