US president-elect Joe Biden nominated retired four-star general Lloyd Austin as his defence secretary, adding an experienced Middle East hand with knowledge of regional uncertainties to his Cabinet.
Mr Austin, 67, if confirmed by the Senate, will be the first black secretary of defence and the third retired general since 1947 to take the position.
But his military past is a point of contention – some Democrats said they would prefer a civilian.
Mr Biden announced his choice on Tuesday afternoon. "Gen Austin shares my profound belief that our nation is at its strongest when we lead not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example," the president-elect said. He emphasised that rebuilding US alliances, co-operating in facing threats and revitalising the military would be part of his nominee's mission.
To take up the position, Mr Austin will require a waiver from Congress, because he left the military only four years ago. According to the rules, an officer must be out of the military for seven years before taking up a civilian government position.
If confirmed as the 28th head of the Department of Defence, Mr Austin would bring years of experience in the Middle East.
He served as the commander of US Central Command between 2013 and 2016 and as the commanding general of US forces in Iraq between 2010 and 2011, overseeing the US withdrawal from the country under the administration of Barack Obama.
During his time in Iraq, he reportedly became close to Beau Biden, the late son of Joe Biden. Beau Biden, at the time holding the rank of Major, served on the staff of Gen Austin, and the two men often attended Catholic Mass together, remaining friends after their Iraq deployment. Beau Biden died of a brain tumor in 2015.
These shared experiences helped forge a working relationship between Mr Biden, who was vice president at the time, and Mr Austin.
It also exposed him to criticism for underestimating ISIS – the extremists took Mosul under his watch in Iraq in 2014 – and for the Obama administration’s unsuccessful efforts to train a rebel force in Syria.
But experts see Mr Austin as a trusted hand for Mr Biden and someone who understands the Middle East’s military situation as possible engagement between the US and Iran on a new nuclear deal advances.
Nicholas Heras, a defence analyst and director of government relations at the Institute for the Study of War, expected Iraq to be of crucial importance for the nominee.
"Gen Austin understands Iraq's role in Middle East policy like few other national security professionals, which is important because Iraq is a flashpoint between the US and Iran that if not managed properly could torpedo the Biden team's grand goal to reset with Iran," Mr Heras told The National.
He said that as the Biden administration prepares to negotiate with Iran over the nuclear deal, which President Donald Trump abandoned in 2015, Mr Austin would bring stability to the US military presence in the region.
“Gen Austin understands the strategic dilemma that Iran presents to the US in the Middle East," Mr Heras said.
"He saw first hand in Iraq how Iran's regional activities threaten the US and its partners, but also how the US can prioritise and execute a nuclear non-proliferation policy process towards Iran at the same time.”
Ryan Bohl, a Middle East and North Africa analyst at the US intelligence company Stratfor, said Mr Austin would bring restraint and balance to US military activity.
“He's likely to help hone the mission in Syria, which requires both restraint and nuance, and to shore up America's goals in Iraq and Afghanistan with what remaining forces the Trump administration leaves,” Mr Bohl said.
The Trump administration has ordered the withdrawal of 2,500 troops from Afghanistan, 500 from Iraq and nearly 700 from Somalia in recent weeks.
But Mr Austin, having seen the damage caused by rushed withdrawals from Iraq, is likely to show restraint.
Mr Bohl said, however, that too much restraint might embolden Tehran.
“Iran is highly likely to try some harassment tactics as the Biden administration takes power to test US resolve and pressure it to make concessions,” he said.
Mr Bohl said Mr Austin's mission for Gulf security would be unclear.
He said the Biden team “would push for GCC reconciliation between Saudi, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Qatar to shore up the Gulf Arab side.
"But how they would respond to Iranian provocations is less clear.”
Mr Austin is on the advisory board for Raytheon, one of the world’s largest defence contractors.
It is a position he would relinquish, but it provides another reason for progressives to grill him during his nomination hearings.
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Honeymoonish
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LAST 16 DRAW
Borussia Dortmund v PSG
Real Madrid v Manchester City
Atalanta v Valencia
Atletico Madrid v Liverpool
Chelsea v Bayern Munich
Lyon v Juventus
Tottenham v Leipzig
Napoli v Barcelona
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Planes grounded by coronavirus
British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30
Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Ai Seoul: Suspended all flights to China
Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March
Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February
South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
