Nato has extended Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s term by a further year, the alliance announced on Tuesday.
As the war in Ukraine continues to rage, the transatlantic military bloc opted to stick with an experienced leader rather than trying to agree on a successor.
Mr Stoltenberg, 64, had been due to step down this year but will now remain in the position until October 1, 2024.
The former prime minister of Norway has been Nato's leader since 2014 and had his tenure extended on three previous occasions.
He said on Tuesday that he was "honoured" by Nato members' decision to offer him more time to lead the alliance.
"Honoured by Nato Allies' decision to extend my term as Secretary General until 1 October 2024," Mr Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.
"The transatlantic bond between Europe and North America has ensured our freedom and security for nearly 75 years, and in a more dangerous world, our Alliance is more important than ever."
The decision ensures there is continuity at the top of the 31-member alliance as members grapple with a range of challenges.
Under Mr Stoltenberg's stewardship, Nato has walked a careful line between staunch backing for Ukraine and preventing tensions with Russia from spiralling into a nuclear war.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the announcement that Mr Stoltenberg would be staying on, calling the military alliance "stronger, more united and purposeful than it has ever been."
"With his steady leadership, experience, and judgement, Secretary General Stoltenberg has brought our Alliance through the most significant challenges in European security since World War II," Mr Biden said.
Mr Biden is among the Nato heads of state expected to attend the alliance's summit in Vilnius next week. The bloc's response to Russia's war in Ukraine is set to dominate the agenda.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed the news and hailed Mr Stoltenberg's leadership skills.
"Under Jens Stoltenberg's leadership, Nato has evolved to meet new threats, continued to protect our people and has been steadfast in support of Ukraine," Mr Sunak tweeted, adding: "Looking forward to continuing that work together, Jens."
The Prime Minister told his cabinet that Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had been an “outstanding candidate” for the role of Nato secretary-general.
He noted that Mr Wallace was “widely respected among world leaders and the only person at non-leader level to be considered” for the job of leading the alliance.
Mr Stoltenberg secured another 12 months in office after potential successors, including Mr Wallace, failed to gather enough support.
Nato through the years - in pictures
The US – the largest military power in Nato – is believed to have been sceptical of the idea of Mr Wallace at the helm.
Mr Wallace revealed in June that he was out of the race, telling The Economist: "It’s not going to happen." He added that there were “a lot of unresolved issues in Nato”.
Many Nato members had been pushing for a woman to be chosen to replace Mr Stoltenberg. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was thought to be a favourite after a meeting with Mr Biden last month.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also reportedly in the running, but ruled out her candidacy last month.
Other figures whose candidacy was mooted, but never officially announced, include Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba welcomed the "excellent news" that Mr Stoltenberg's term had been extended.
"Tough times demand strong leadership. Jens Stoltenberg has demonstrated just that," he wrote on Twitter. "I look forward to furthering our co-operation."
Mr Stoltenberg is seen as a leader who can keep his cool in environments of intense pressure.
In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, analysts and diplomats praised him for striking a balance between those demanding maximum support for Kyiv and others calling for a more cautious approach out of fear of sparking a global conflict.
Going forward, his tasks include overseeing a transformation of Nato forces to refocus on defending against any Russian attack, after decades in which the alliance concentrated on missions beyond its borders, such as in Afghanistan and the Balkans.
He will also have to manage differing opinions over how involved the military alliance should become in Asia.
While the US is pushing for the community to take on a greater role in the region to counter China's growing influence, other member states such as France are sceptical. Paris is understood to favour Nato maintaining its focus on the North Atlantic area.
The focus and relevance of Nato have shifted dramatically in the wake of the war in eastern Europe.
Countries which have been neutral for decades have sought to join the alliance, or at least are starting to consider it.
Finland joined the bloc in April, while Sweden continues to push for a place.
Turkey is blocking Stockholm, which it accuses of harbouring militants from the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which took up arms against Ankara in 1984. Turkey considers the party a terrorist organisation and has called on the Swedish authorities to extradite them.
For the first time, Sweden agreed last month to deport a PKK supporter convicted of drug trafficking to Turkey.
Last week, a protester's burning of a Quran outside a mosque in the Swedish capital further fuelled tensions with Ankara.
Swedish police had given the man a permit to carry out the act.
Locals in the neighbourhood told The National they feared the incident would further hamper Sweden's bid to join Nato.
Mr Stoltenberg called the Quran burning "offensive" but noted that it was not illegal under Swedish freedom of speech laws.
He is the second-longest serving Nato secretary-general after Joseph Luns, who spent almost 13 years in the job from 1971.
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Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
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How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
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Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Name: Colm McLoughlin
Country: Galway, Ireland
Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free
Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah
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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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
Light Flyweight (48kg): Alua Balkibekova (KAZ) beat Gulasal Sultonalieva (UZB) by points 4-1.
Flyweight (51kg): Nazym Kyzaibay (KAZ) beat Mary Kom (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (54kg): Dina Zholaman (KAZ) beat Sitora Shogdarova (UZB) 3-2.
Featherweight (57kg): Sitora Turdibekova (UZB) beat Vladislava Kukhta (KAZ) 5-0.
Lightweight (60kg): Rimma Volossenko (KAZ) beat Huswatun Hasanah (INA) KO round-1.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Milana Safronova (KAZ) beat Lalbuatsaihi (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Valentina Khalzova (KAZ) beat Navbakhor Khamidova (UZB) 5-0
Middleweight (75kg): Pooja Rani (IND) beat Mavluda Movlonova (UZB) 5-0.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Farida Sholtay (KAZ) beat Ruzmetova Sokhiba (UZB) 5-0.
Heavyweight (81 kg): Lazzat Kungeibayeva (KAZ) beat Anupama (IND) 3-2.
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