US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday urged US think tanks that seek to co-operate with the State Department to disclose any foreign funding, but without making it legally binding.
Washington has more than 60 think tanks and Mr Pompeo issued a warning of increasing outside influence on US foreign policy.
"We are mindful that some foreign governments, such as those of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation, seek to exert influence over US foreign policy through lobbyists, external experts and think tanks,” he said.
Mr Pompeo asked the organisations to disclose on their websites their sources of foreign funding if they wished to engage with the State Department.
“Disclosure is not a requirement for engaging with such entities," he said.
"Department staff will, however, be mindful of whether disclosure has been made and of specific funding sources that are disclosed when determining whether and how to engage."
Ben Freeman, director of the Foreign Influence Transparency Initiative, told The National: "This is a major step forward for transparency of foreign influence in the US and the first time the US government has called for this level of transparency from think tanks.
“It's critically important because think tanks play an immense role in shaping public policies and the public's perception of US foreign policy.
“Policymakers and the public have a right to know when think tanks are taking big money from foreign powers.”
Daniel Porras, a legal observer, said in a tweet: “If I understand this correctly, think tanks are not bound by US law to disclose, but the State Department might not engage if they are getting funding from unfavourable sources."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Mountain Classification Tour de France after Stage 8 on Saturday:
- 1. Lilian Calmejane (France / Direct Energie) 11
- 2. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) 10
- 3. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) 8
- 4. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / LottoNL) 8
- 5. Warren Barguil (France / Sunweb) 7
- 6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 6
- 7. Guillaume Martin (France / Wanty) 6
- 8. Jan Bakelants (Belgium / AG2R) 5
- 9. Serge Pauwels (Belgium / Dimension Data) 5
- 10. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) 4
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.
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
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The bio
Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi
Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup
Hobbies: Reading and drawing
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Afcon 2019
SEMI-FINALS
Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm
Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm
Matches are live on BeIN Sports
