Given Iran and Israel's continued exchange of fire since Friday morning, it comes as no surprise that the latest round of talks between the US and Iran, which were to be held in Oman yesterday, were cancelled.
What began as assassinations and precision strikes on military and nuclear installations inside Iran have now evolved into a full-blown conflict, increasing the number of civilians killed on both sides. The war between the two countries is no longer confined to targeted attacks.
In Iran, missile strikes have damaged critical oil refineries and energy infrastructure. In Israel, retaliatory ballistic attacks have reached cities and strategic sites such as Haifa Port, underscoring how swiftly such escalations can affect countries, disrupt the equilibrium of ordinary people’s daily lives, and destabilise markets, businesses and travel, with international commercial flights being rerouted.
The conflict is already spreading. The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have widened their involvement, while Iraqi militias aligned with Tehran have called for the accelerated departure of US troops from the country.
The Middle East has long been burdened by the scars of past wars. It cannot afford another protracted, region-wide conflict. In the latest conflagration, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis risks being sidelined as long as the Iran-Israel attacks continue.
Amid all this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent public call for the Iranian people to rise up against their government is troubling. It suggests that Israel’s aims go beyond its long-stated goal of degrading Iran’s nuclear programme and include regime change in Tehran. Such provocative rhetoric signals a dangerous shift in Israel's strategic intent. Such a war would lead to even greater damage.
As world leaders gather in Alberta, Canada for the G7 summit this week, discussions will inevitably centre around the Israel-Iran attacks, besides trade, tariffs and the global economy. The G7 must move beyond expressions of concern and exert tangible diplomatic pressure on both countries to de-escalate immediately, with clear consequences laid out if they do not.
Specifically, the G7 must use whatever influence it has with Israel to halt its military campaign and draw Iran back to the negotiating table with the US regarding its nuclear programme. A strong and renewed diplomatic effort towards meaningful dialogue – which the UAE and other regional powers have called for – is the only way to prevent further civilian suffering and death. Germany, France and Britain are reportedly ready to hold immediate talks with Iran. The onus, as always, remains with the US to restrain the Israeli leadership.
The current Israeli government must not be allowed to act as a rogue power it has been in recent months by using its military advantage to pursue destabilising objectives – not only against Iran but also in the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Syria. Continued impunity will only fuel further instability, that would erode international norms and do little to keep Israel secure.
The G7 summit lends an opportunity to the leaders of the world’s most powerful economies, at this juncture, to reaffirm the need and relevance of multilateralism. Co-ordinated action on this crisis could help restore faith in collective security mechanisms at a time when global co-operation is thought to be, at best, an increasingly irrelevant concept.
The window to act is narrowing. The international community must respond with clarity, resolve and urgency. Failing to do so could result in this war spiralling into an even wider one that could reshape the region in unwanted ways for decades to come.
UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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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.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
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.
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Mobile phone packages comparison
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
