Taimur Khan
Foreign Correspondent
WASHINGTON // King Abdullah II urged Arab leaders to take a stronger stance against ISIL, saying the war against the militants was a “fight between good and evil”.
Jordan’s king made the call on a US news programme before meeting Barack Obama at the White House to discuss the fight against ISIL and other issues in the region, including how to find a political solution to the Syrian civil war, the influx of Syrian refugees, escalating unrest in Jerusalem and the status of Iran nuclear negotiations.
Mr Obama said the US would increase bilateral aid to $1 billion (Dh3.67bn) annually and provide an additional loan guarantee, which are subject to Congresional approval.
The increase, which would run through the 2017 fiscal year, “is intended to support Jordan as it faces increasing challenges from regional unrest, a huge refugee presence and high energy costs due to expensive foreign energy imports”, a National Security Council spokeswoman said.
Since 2010, Jordan officially received $660 million annually, but this year is already set to get more than $1 billion in US support as money from separate funds is added to the base annual sum.
The kingdom is a “small, resource-poor country that consistently steps up” to fulfill its regional responsibilities, Mr Obama said after the Oval office talks.
He added that the US-led coalition was making “slow and steady progress” against ISIL, “a long-term and extremely complex challenge”.
King Abdullah said in his earlier interview that he was consulting other Arab leaders about more effective ways to confront the extremist militants, who have taken over large areas of Syria and Iraq – countries that share a border with Jordan.
“Nations in the Arab and Islamic world have to stand up and say, you know, ‘We’re against this,’ and explain to our people, ‘There’s a right and a wrong of this.’
“And people have to make a decision. This is our war. This is a war inside of Islam. So we have to own up to it. We have to take the lead. And we have to start fighting back.
“It’s clearly a fight between good and evil,” he said on CBS This Morning.
Jordan is one of five Arab nations, including the UAE, that have participated in US-led airstrikes against ISIL in Syria.
The countries’ militaries and intelligence services have very close ties – Washington granted Jordan major non-Nato ally status in 1996 – and the US provides $360 million annually in military aid, training and weapons systems to Jordan. Much of this aid focuses on border security and counter-terrorism, and Jordan is home to a US-funded special operations training base.
“Our troops are very proud to be working together to combat ISIL in Syria and Iraq,” King Abdullah said after meeting Mr Obama. “We have a long-term commitment to bring a long-term solution to the region.”
Despite the kingdom’s role in coalition strikes and intelligence sharing, and reports that Jordanian special forces have been involved in action against ISIL, King Abdullah has not sought to publicise Jordan’s military role or to expand it.
Fear of triggering attacks by the group and also managing public opinion domestically are factors in Amman’s approach. Many Jordanians across the political spectrum oppose more robust involvement, either because of Islamist sympathies or out of fear of a backlash.
But King Abdullah’s statements suggest that he may be prepared to do more, especially as frustration builds among regional US allies that the airstrikes in Syria are only empowering Bashar Al Assad to step up attacks on Syrian rebels supported by the coalition.
Mr Obama’s aid pledge was likely at the top of King Abdullah’s list for concrete results from the talks. Jordan’s economy is under severe strain, and the country relies almost entirely on external financial aid from allies in the Gulf and the US, and lending agencies, to keep it afloat.
Jordan closed its borders to Syrian refugees last month as the more than 600,000 Syrian refugees strained already thin resources and has led to social and political disquiet.
Mr Obama and King Abdullah also discussed their efforts to reduce tensions between Israel and Palestine. After the talks, Mr Obama emphasised the need for Palestinians to have a their own state.
Jordan’s UN envoy said on Tuesday she will be trying to get the UN Security Council to agree on a resolution before the end of December that would press for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The push for Security Council action follows the failure of US-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians led by US secretary of state John Kerry, this summer’s 50-day war between Israel and Hamas, and the recent upsurge in violence sparked by disputes over Jerusalem’s hilltop complex that is revered by both Muslims and Jews.
Palestinian refugees make up a large proportion of Jordan’s population, and the issue is of significant importance in Jordan’s domestic politics.
tkhan@thenational.ae
* With additional reporting by Associated Press
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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.
The figures behind the event
1) More than 300 in-house cleaning crew
2) 165 staff assigned to sanitise public areas throughout the show
3) 1,000 social distancing stickers
4) 809 hand sanitiser dispensers placed throughout the venue
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Christopher Robin
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Haley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Peter Capaldi
Three stars
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29 – Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30 - UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1 - UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2 – Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4 - Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6 – Final
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
ABU DHABI T10: DAY TWO
Bangla Tigers v Deccan Gladiators (3.30pm)
Delhi Bulls v Karnataka Tuskers (5.45pm)
Northern Warriors v Qalandars (8.00pm)
How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
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Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows
Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.
Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.
The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.
After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.
The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.
The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.
But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.
It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.
