When US Secretary of State Marco Rubio embarks on his first trip to the Middle East this weekend, he will do so without his regional team at the State Department fully assembled and as tension flares over President Donald Trump's plans for Gaza.
The trip comes as Mr Trump attempts to build regional support for the US take control of the Gaza Strip and permanently displace more than 2 million Palestinians in the territory to neighbouring countries.
Mr Rubio, who will be on his second foreign trip as Secretary of State, is expected to “promote US interests in advancing regional co-operation, stability and peace” as part of President Trump’s broader “America first” agenda.
“The trip will centre on freeing American and all other hostages from Hamas captivity, advancing to phase two of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and countering the destabilising activities of the Iranian regime and its proxies,” the State Department said in a statement.
But questions over Gaza's future and how serious Mr Trump is about taking control of the enclave are bound to come up.
Without a full team in place at the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Mr Rubio’s preparations could be hampered, though the seasoned politician may be unfazed by that.
“If the staff isn't fully co-ordinated and working together, it works against him,” said Aaron David Miller, a former long-time Middle East analyst at the State Department. “But Marco Rubio, actually, of all the President's appointments, probably has the most foreign policy experience and when it comes to the international scene he’ll be fine.”
On Wednesday, Mr Trump nominated Joel Rayburn to serve as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, a position formerly held by Barbara Leaf.
Mr Rayburn is a veteran diplomat with years of experience in the region. From 2018 to 2021, he served as US special envoy for Syria. He also served as senior director for Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon on the National Security Council during the beginning of Mr Trump’s first term.
Tim Lenderking, another veteran diplomat, is currently the highest-ranking official at the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is yet to be confirmed as the next US ambassador to Israel, but Mr Trump has still to announce a nominee for envoy to Saudi Arabia. The US ambassador to the UAE, Martina Strong, previously appointed by Joe Biden, is remaining in her post.
While the State Department waits for the Senate to confirm Mr Rayburn, Mr Rubio will visit Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE at a time when the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appears at risk of collapsing.
It is, however, unclear what Mr Rubio's role will be in the Middle East as other members of the Trump administration take the lead on crucial issues.
Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy for the Middle East, has already criss-crossed the region several times and has been widely credited with helping to push the ceasefire and hostage deal between Hamas and Israel over the line, before the new administration had even taken over.
“The White House has been the controlling influence on most issues, certainly on almost all Middle East issues,” Mr Miller said.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,600hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.4seconds
0-200kph in 5.8 seconds
0-300kph in 12.1 seconds
Top speed: 440kph
Price: Dh13,200,000
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,500hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.3 seconds
0-200kph in 5.5 seconds
0-300kph in 11.8 seconds
Top speed: 350kph
Price: Dh13,600,000
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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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
