US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip 'will focus on a number of critical issues'. AP
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip 'will focus on a number of critical issues'. AP
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip 'will focus on a number of critical issues'. AP
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip 'will focus on a number of critical issues'. AP

Blinken to visit Middle East to engage in new round of talks as regional tension flares


Willy Lowry
  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was scheduled to embark on Thursday on another trip to the Middle East, where he will hold talks with UAE officials and others as the Israel-Gaza war continues, the State Department announced.

Mr Blinken will also travel to Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt “for meetings with foreign counterparts and others”, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

“The secretary will focus on a number of critical issues on this trip,” Mr Miller said.

Among the topics to be addressed during his meetings with regional officials will be the need to “substantially” increase humanitarian assistance into Gaza. He will also hold talks with Israeli officials on the continuing military campaign against Hamas.

Discussions with Israelis will include “plans to transition to the next phase of operations”, including steps Israel can take “to better protect civilians”, Mr Miller said.

This will be Mr Blinken’s fourth trip to the region since October 7, when Hamas militants stormed southern Israel in an attack that killed 1,200 people. The attack led to Israel's continuing invasion and bombardment of Gaza that has killed more than 22,000 people in the enclave.

The secretary’s first trip, which came days after the October 7 attack, showed the Biden administration's support for Israel.

Each subsequent trip has taken on its own tenor. As the war has dragged on and the devastation and death toll increased in Gaza, Mr Blinken has shifted his focus to calling for an increase in humanitarian access to Gaza and the protection of civilians, while still defending Israel’s war efforts.

“I think there's more and more focus in terms of what would the military operations look like after the high intensity phase,” said Ghaith Al Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

“And what do you do for Gaza during that time, what do you do for humanitarian efforts? I think this is going to be more and more part of the conversation this time.”

This trip comes amid increased regional tension. On Tuesday, Saleh Al Arouri, the deputy leader of Hamas, was killed during a strike on Beirut that has been attributed to Israel. He was the highest-ranking Hamas official killed since the war began.

The targeted strike that killed Mr Al Arouri occurred in Beirut's southern suburbs, far from the border with Israel and in the heart of Hezbollah-controlled territory.

The killing prompted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah to warn Israel that it would “regret” a war with the militant group.

“Whoever thinks of war with us will regret it,” Mr Nasrallah said in a televised speech. “War with us will be very, very, very costly.”

On Wednesday, at least 84 people were killed in twin explosions at a ceremony marking the fourth anniversary of the death of Iranian military commander Qassem Suleimani. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, putting the region on even higher alert.

As the threat of a broader regional conflict continues to percolate, the Biden administration has made clear that such a conflict should be avoided at all costs.

“It is in no one's interest – not in the interest of any country in the region, not in the interest of any country in the world – to see this conflict escalated any further than it already is,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

Washington said Mr Blinken will hold discussions on steps needed to prevent the conflict from spilling over into the region.

"He will discuss specific steps parties can take including how they can use their influence with others in the region to avoid escalation," Mr Miller said.

Mr Blinken's trip comes as White House adviser Amos Hochstein is in the region as well. Mr Hochstein, who was involved in helping broker the Israel-Lebanon maritime border deal in 2022, met Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday.

Separately, Mr Blinken will visit Greece and Turkey to hold Ukraine and Nato-related talks.

if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

What is safeguarding?

“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

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The Indoor Cricket World Cup

When: September 16-23

Where: Insportz, Dubai

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press

High profile Al Shabab attacks
  • 2010: A restaurant attack in Kampala Uganda kills 74 people watching a Fifa World Cup final football match.
  • 2013: The Westgate shopping mall attack, 62 civilians, five Kenyan soldiers and four gunmen are killed.
  • 2014: A series of bombings and shootings across Kenya sees scores of civilians killed.
  • 2015: Four gunmen attack Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya and take over 700 students hostage, killing those who identified as Christian; 148 die and 79 more are injured.
  • 2016: An attack on a Kenyan military base in El Adde Somalia kills 180 soldiers.
  • 2017: A suicide truck bombing outside the Safari Hotel in Mogadishu kills 587 people and destroys several city blocks, making it the deadliest attack by the group and the worst in Somalia’s history.
Which products are to be taxed?

To be taxed:

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category

Not taxed

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules

The Year Earth Changed

Directed by:Tom Beard

Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough

Stars: 4

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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Display: 6.8" edge quad-HD  dynamic Amoled 2X, Infinity-O, 3088 x 1440, 500ppi, HDR10 , 120Hz

Processor: 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 8-core

Memory: 8/12GB RAM

Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB

Platform: Android 12

Main camera: quad 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 108MP wide f/1.8, 10MP telephoto f/4.9, 10MP telephoto 2.4; Space Zoom up to 100x, auto HDR, expert RAW

Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, full-HD@60fps, HD@30fps, super slo-mo@960fps

Front camera: 40MP f/2.2

Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare

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I/O: USB-C

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Colours: burgundy, green, phantom black, phantom white, graphite, sky blue, red

Price: Dh4,699 for 128GB, Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,499 for 512GB; 1TB unavailable in the UAE

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
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*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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About Housecall

Date started: July 2020

Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech

# of staff: 10

Funding to date: Self-funded

The Sky Is Pink

Director: Shonali Bose

Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf

Three stars

RESULT

Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds:
 Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')

Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3

Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)

Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)

Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)

Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Updated: January 05, 2024, 8:25 AM`