Politics news, comment and analysis | UAE news

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</script> <div class="grid-12"> <div class="clear"> <div class="grid-6 grid-nested-first"> <h1>Politics</h1>  <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image article-teaser-with-image-grid-6"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/government-budget-shortfalls-greater-than-expected">Government budget shortfalls greater than expected</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 30, 2010</p> <div class="image"> <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/government-budget-shortfalls-greater-than-expected"> <img alt="Government budget shortfalls greater than expected" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Image/na30de-ftp.jpg" width="340"/> </a> </div> <p class="lede">Representatives from health, education and other areas say the federal spending cuts will have a major impact on crucial services, saying they need hundreds of millions of dirhams more to meet their goals. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/government-budget-shortfalls-greater-than-expected" class="more">Read article <span> Government budget shortfalls greater than expected</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div>  <div class="ad-mpu">      <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ if(typeof(ord) == 'undefined') {var ord = ''; } if(typeof(surroundTag) == 'undefined') { var surroundTag = ''; } if(typeof(article) == 'undefined') { var article = ''; } if(typeof(category) == 'undefined') { var category = ''; } if(typeof(demographics) == 'undefined') { var demographics = ''; } if(typeof(vars) == 'undefined') { var vars = ''; } if(typeof(meta) == 'undefined') { var meta = ''; } if(typeof(Comp_Name) == 'undefined') { var Comp_Name = ''; } if(typeof(Country_Name) == 'undefined') { var Country_Name = ''; } if(typeof(Team_Name) == 'undefined') { var Team_Name = ''; } if(typeof(category) == 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class="article-teaser"> <div class="image"> <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/fnc-protests-but-approves-budget"> <img alt="FNC protests, but approves budget" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Image/na29de-FNC.jpg" width="340"/></a> </div> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/fnc-protests-but-approves-budget">FNC protests, but approves budget</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 29, 2010</p> <p class="lede">Major ministries do not have the money to carry out essential programmes like combating diabetes, members of the FNC claimed yesterday. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/fnc-protests-but-approves-budget" class="more">Read article<span> FNC protests, but approves budget</span></a></p> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <div class="image"> <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/uae-in-top-10-donors-of-humanitarian-aid"> <img alt="UAE in Top 10 donors of humanitarian aid" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Image/na28de-pakistan.jpg" width="340"/></a> </div> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/uae-in-top-10-donors-of-humanitarian-aid">UAE in Top 10 donors of humanitarian aid</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 28, 2010</p> <p class="lede">The UAE has become the first non-western nation in the global Top 10 humanitarian aid donors per head of population. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/uae-in-top-10-donors-of-humanitarian-aid" class="more">Read article<span> UAE in Top 10 donors of humanitarian aid</span></a></p> </div> </div>  <div class="grid-6 grid-nested-last">  <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/employers-criticise-new-labour-regulations">Employers criticise new labour regulations</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 28, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">Hundreds of private company owners, senior staff and managers gathered at a Ministry of Labour seminar yesterday, many worried that new labour regulations will result in them losing employees. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/employers-criticise-new-labour-regulations" class="more">Read article <span>Employers criticise new labour regulations</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <div class="comment-count"> <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/employers-criticise-new-labour-regulations#jumptocomments" title="9 comments">9</a> </div> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/deficit-and-electricity-top-concerns-for-fnc">Deficit and electricity top concerns for FNC </a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 28, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">A national Dh3 billion deficit, cuts to social spending and a lack of electricity in Fujairah are all to be discussed by the FNC at the last budget debate of its term. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/deficit-and-electricity-top-concerns-for-fnc" class="more">Read article <span>Deficit and electricity top concerns for FNC </span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/uk-defence-chief-issues-warning-on-nuclear-iran">UK defence chief issues warning on nuclear Iran</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 21, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">Dr Liam Fox, the British defence secretary, has said the international community will not stand by and watch Iran become another North Korea. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/uk-defence-chief-issues-warning-on-nuclear-iran" class="more">Read article <span>UK defence chief issues warning on nuclear Iran</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/musharraf-appeals-to-countrymen-in-abu-dhabi">Musharraf appeals to countrymen in Abu Dhabi</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 21, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">Pervez Musharraf, the former president of Pakistan, was on the hustings in the capital last night as part of efforts to raise support from communities abroad for his re-election bid. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/musharraf-appeals-to-countrymen-in-abu-dhabi" class="more">Read article <span>Musharraf appeals to countrymen in Abu Dhabi</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/new-crown-prince-of-rak-seeks-to-be-bridge-from-past-to-future">New Crown Prince of RAK seeks to be bridge from past to future</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 15, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud vows to continue the traditions of accessibility established by his grandfather, while backing his father's efforts to modernise. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/new-crown-prince-of-rak-seeks-to-be-bridge-from-past-to-future" class="more">Read article <span>New Crown Prince of RAK seeks to be bridge from past to future</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/uae-leads-region-on-un-human-development-index">UAE leads region on UN human development index</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 13, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">Emirates is first in the Middle East and 32nd in the world overall as new indices on poverty, inequality and gender are introduced to gauge global development. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/uae-leads-region-on-un-human-development-index" class="more">Read article <span>UAE leads region on UN human development index</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/sheikh-hazza-appointed-to-abu-dhabi-executive-council">Sheikh Hazza appointed to Abu Dhabi Executive Council</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 13, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">The capital's main policymaking body is reduced in size freom 18 to 14 members and one of the country's topnational security officials is given a new appointment in a government reshuffle. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/sheikh-hazza-appointed-to-abu-dhabi-executive-council" class="more">Read article <span>Sheikh Hazza appointed to Abu Dhabi Executive Council</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/gulf-leaders-put-iran-top-of-agenda">Gulf leaders put Iran top of agenda</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 7, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">At the Gulf Co-Operation Council's summit in Abu Dhabi, Gulf leaders called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict over Iran's nuclear programme. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/gulf-leaders-put-iran-top-of-agenda" class="more">Read article <span>Gulf leaders put Iran top of agenda</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/emirates-a-draw-for-arab-women">Emirates a draw for Arab women</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Dec 4, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">More than one in eight Arab women want to migrate to the UAE, according to a new study. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/emirates-a-draw-for-arab-women" class="more">Read article <span>Emirates a draw for Arab women</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="article-teaser"> <h4 class="headline"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/aid-chief-outlines-role-of-uae-on-world-stage">Aid chief outlines role of UAE on world stage</a></h4> <p class="last-updated">Nov 30, 2010</p> <div class="image"> </div> <p class="lede">Head of Oxfam Great Britain discusses growing significance of Emirates as major player in development and disaster zones. <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/aid-chief-outlines-role-of-uae-on-world-stage" class="more">Read article <span>Aid chief outlines role of UAE on world stage</span> </a> </p> <div class="comments-media"> <ul class="media"> </ul> </div> </div> </div>   </div> <div class="channel-conversation clear"> <div class="grid-4 grid-nested-last"> </div> </div><br/> <div id="conversationid" class="channel-conversation clear"> <h2 class="clear"><span>The National <span>Conversation</span></span></h2>  <div id="conversationBlogs" class="grid-4"> <img style="margin-bottom: 20px;" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/staticfiles/images/portal/coming-soon1.jpg" alt="The National"> </div>  </div>  <script type="text/javascript"> if (document.getElementById("conversationBlogs") == null) { document.getElementById("conversationid").style.display = "none"; } </script> <div class="clear"> <h2 class="super-special-heading">Politics <span> Sound & Vision</span></h2> <div class="scroller clear"> <div class="scroller-window"> <ul class="scroller-items"> <li class="first-child"> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <h4 class="headline">UAE aids reconstruction in Afghanistan<a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/south-asia/uae-aids-reconstruction-in-afghanistan" class="more"> Watch video<span> 芒聙聹Vevo comes out swinging芒聙聺</span></a></h4> <div class="image"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/south-asia/uae-aids-reconstruction-in-afghanistan" title="UAE aids reconstruction in Afghanistan"><img alt="UAE aids reconstruction in Afghanistan" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Video/20101209uaeinafghanistan159.jpg" width="160" height="112"/><img class="icon-multimedia" alt="(Video)" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/staticfiles/images/portal/icon-multimedia-video.gif" width="14" height="14"/></a></div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <h4 class="headline">Talking about the history project<a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/talking-about-the-history-project" class="more"> Watch video</a></h4> <div class="image"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/talking-about-the-history-project" title="Talking about the history project"><img alt="Talking about the history project" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Video/159x106ITN-James-Langton-talks-History-Project.jpg" width="160" height="112"/><img class="icon-multimedia" alt="(Video)" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/staticfiles/images/portal/icon-multimedia-video.gif" width="14" height="14"/></a></div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <h4 class="headline">First glimpse of the Sheikh Zayed National Museum<a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/tourism/first-glimpse-of-the-sheikh-zayed-national-museum" class="more"> Watch video</a></h4> <div class="image"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/tourism/first-glimpse-of-the-sheikh-zayed-national-museum" title="First glimpse of the Sheikh Zayed National Museum"><img alt="First glimpse of the Sheikh Zayed National Museum" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Video/20101125zayedmuseum159.jpg" width="160" height="112"/><img class="icon-multimedia" alt="(Video)" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/staticfiles/images/portal/icon-multimedia-video.gif" width="14" height="14"/></a></div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <h4 class="headline">Portrait of an artist<a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/art/portrait-of-an-artist" class="more"> Watch video</a></h4> <div class="image"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/art/portrait-of-an-artist" title="Portrait of an artist"><img alt="Portrait of an artist" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Video/20101019portraitartist159.jpg" width="160" height="112"/><img class="icon-multimedia" alt="(Video)" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/staticfiles/images/portal/icon-multimedia-video.gif" width="14" height="14"/></a></div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <h4 class="headline">Opec at 50<a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/opec-at-50" class="more"> See interactive</a></h4> <div class="image"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/opec-at-50" title="Opec at 50"><img alt="Opec at 50" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/File/20100909opec159.jpg" width="160" height="112"/><img class="icon-multimedia" alt="(Interactive)" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/staticfiles/images/portal/icon-multimedia-interactive.gif" width="14" height="14"/></a></div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <h4 class="headline">Police nab illegal racers<a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/transport/police-nab-illegal-racers" class="more"> Watch video</a></h4> <div class="image"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/transport/police-nab-illegal-racers" title="Police nab illegal racers"><img alt="Police nab illegal racers" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/Video/159(vignette)PoliceSting.jpg" width="160" height="112"/><img class="icon-multimedia" alt="(Video)" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/staticfiles/images/portal/icon-multimedia-video.gif" width="14" height="14"/></a></div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <h4 class="headline">Women to watch<a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=8ea5b179679d8210VgnVCM200000e66411acRCRD" class="more"> See interactive</a></h4> <div class="image"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=8ea5b179679d8210VgnVCM200000e66411acRCRD" title="Women to watch"><img alt="Women to watch" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/File/20100529womentowatch.jpg" width="160" height="112"/><img class="icon-multimedia" alt="(Interactive)" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/staticfiles/images/portal/icon-multimedia-interactive.gif" width="14" height="14"/></a></div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <h4 class="headline">The Abu Dhabi bus network<a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/transport/the-abu-dhabi-bus-network" class="more"> See interactive</a></h4> <div class="image"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/transport/the-abu-dhabi-bus-network" title="The Abu Dhabi bus network"><img alt="The Abu Dhabi bus network" 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src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/staticfiles/images/portal/icon-multimedia-interactive.gif" width="14" height="14"/></a></div> </div> </li> <li> <div class="article-teaser article-teaser-with-image"> <h4 class="headline">History, politics and coins<a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/tourism/history-politics-and-coins" class="more"> See interactive</a></h4> <div class="image"><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/tourism/history-politics-and-coins" title="History, politics and coins"><img alt="History, politics and coins" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/deployedfiles/Assets/Richmedia/File/20090802historycoins.jpg" width="160" height="112"/><img class="icon-multimedia" alt="(Interactive)" src="/web/20110102023322im_/http://www.thenational.ae/staticfiles/images/portal/icon-multimedia-interactive.gif" width="14" height="14"/></a></div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <script 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being</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/at-home/house-home">House & home</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="sub-channels-list"> <h4><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/fashion">Fashion</a></h4></div> <div class="sub-channels-list"> <h4><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/motoring">Motoring</a></h4></div> <div class="sub-channels-list"> <h4><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/personal-finance">Personal finance</a></h4></div> <div class="sub-channels-list"> <h4><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel">Travel</a></h4></div> <div class="topics-list"> <h4>Topics</h4> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/topic?topic=/thenational/Columns and sections/Travel">Travel</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/topic?topic=/thenational/Columns and sections/M magazine/Tried and tested">Tried and tested</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/topic?topic=/thenational/Columns and sections/Personal finance/On your side">On your side</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/topic?topic=/thenational/Columns and sections/Personal finance/On the money">On the money</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/topic?topic=/thenational/Columns and sections/Arts and Life/Observing life">Observing life</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/topic?topic=/thenational/Location/Africa/Kenya">Kenya</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="in-this-section two-col clear"> <h4>More from The National</h4> <ul class="col-one"> <li><a href="/web/20110102023322/http://www.thenational.ae/featured-content/multimedia?type=">SOUND & VISION</a></li> <li><a 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