Uproar at the highest levels of government since the Brexit result has led to a warning from Sir Simon Fraser, the former head of Britain's diplomatic service, that the UK could soon forfeit its top-flight status at the United Nations.
In a speech that coincided with the most damaging cabinet crisis since the early 1990s, Mr Fraser said Brexit would result in a loss of prestige. He described European Union membership as a “powerful multiplier” for British diplomacy. “Our bilateral relationships will be structurally weaker, not stronger, after Brexit, and France and Germany will be looking to work together through EU machinery,” he said. “Over time, leaving the EU will raise more eyebrows over our security council veto.”
Britain, the United States, the Russian Federation, France and China, are the five permanent members of the council. It has 10 more, non-permanent, members.
Referring to mounting criticism of foreign secretary Boris Johnson, Mr Fraser said diplomatic standards had slipped. “Successful foreign policy calls for careful analysis and sustained effort, not soundbites and wishful thinking,” he said. “The foreign office is not geared up for the task ahead, and has been disempowered by the short-term reorganisation of Whitehall for Brexit. Whitehall will have to be restructured for the long-term.”
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Read more:
UK minister brought down by hospital in the Golan Heights
Priti Patel's ill-advised trip to Israel delivers a chilling post-Brexit postcard
US bankers threaten exodus from City after Brexit
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Dogged by a backlash against loose language regarding the plight of a British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran for five years on unspecified charges, Mr Johnson has come under pressure to resign.
Strolling back to his office on Tuesday, Mr Johnson walked in front of a stone bearing a tribute to his 20th century predecessor, Sir Edward Grey.
“By uprightness of character, wisdom in council and firmness in action, he won the confidence of his countrymen, and helped to carry them through many and great dangers,” it reads.
Few would associate these characteristics with Mr Johnson, who was a successful mayor of London. Accused of implicating Nazinin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in activities punishable by imprisonment in Tehran, Mr Johnson admitted he could have been clearer in his use of language.
His plight was overshadowed on Wednesday by the row over Priti Patel, the international development secretary who conducted diplomacy with Israeli leaders without informing Downing Street.
Theresa May's government has been racked by allegations of sexual harassment. Defence secretary Michael Fallon stood down last week. Mrs May's de facto deputy, Damian Green, was forced to deny allegations at the weekend that extreme pornographic material was found on his work computer in 2008.
Mark Garnier, a Brexit minister, is the subject of a cabinet office enquiry over his treatment of his office manager, and a number of backbench MPs face allegations of abuse.
Mr Fraser, a former chief diplomat, added that Germany and France were well-placed to step into the void left by British weakness. He said the UK had forfeited the concepts of diplomacy used by Tony Blair, the former prime minister, and William Hague, the foreign secretary between 2010 and 2014.
“Brexit weakens our hand on both sides of the Atlantic. For years, we have exploited our role as what Tony Blair called 'the bridge', and Hague calls 'the hinge', between Europe and America. Now our purchase on both will be reduced,” he said. “Washington will look to Berlin because Germany will be strongest in Europe. Under president Macron, France is regaining momentum.”
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
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.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Points classification after Stage 4
1. Arnaud Demare (France / FDJ) 124
2. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 81
3. Michael Matthews (Australia / Sunweb) 66
4. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) 63
5. Alexander Kristoff (Norway / Katusha) 43
