WASHINGTON // Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces met yesterday with Barack Obama, the US president, to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues.
The two leaders emphasised their countries' strong bilateral ties and President Obama thanked the UAE for hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit this coming December in Dubai.
The US president also reaffirmed US support for encouraging broad-based economic growth and opportunity in the region.
The UAE is one of America's largest trading partners.
The two leaders also underscored their commitment to consulting closely in efforts to promote stability in the Gulf region and the wider Middle East. To this end, Sheikh Mohammed and Mr Obama said they were committed to continued strong bilateral defence cooperation. According to a joint statement, the two leaders identified a number of mechanisms to continue to deepen this cooperation, including more joint exercises and training, improved combined planning, and future defence equipment sales.
They pledged to enhance multilateral cooperation on regional security issues through the US.-Gulf Cooperation Council Strategic Cooperation Forum.
Iran, Syria and energy security were also in focus at a wide-ranging discussion held over lunch at the White House.
The two leaders called on Iran to meet its international obligations under the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and relevant United Nations Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors resolutions.
They also called for a peaceful resolution of the status of Abu Musa, and Greater and Lower Tunbs, regarding which the United States strongly supports the UAE's initiative to resolve the issue through direct negotiations, the International Court of Justice or another international forum.
On energy security, the Crown Prince and the US president discussed the importance of protecting critical shipping lanes against threats of aggression, terrorism, and piracy. President Obama congratulated the Crown Prince on the announcement of the opening of a new oil pipeline that crosses the UAE, allowing energy supplies to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
Tom Donilon, President Obama's national security adviser, also joined a meeting where concerns over the situation in Syria were aired. Two leaders expressed the urgent need to implement the Annan plan to prevent further bloodshed in Syria and their support for a transition plan that would meet the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.
World powers plan to meet on Saturday in Geneva to try to find a way forward.
While in Washingto the Crown Prince also met with US congressional leaders, including Senator Carl Levin, Senator Roy Blunt, Senator Joe Lieberman, Senator John McCain, Senator Lindsay Graham, House Majority Leader Representative Eric Cantor and RepsentativeIleana Ros-Lehtinen, chairwoman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
In those meetings, the Crown Prince reaffirmed the UAE's strong commitment to a stable and peaceful Middle East, a goal firmly shared by the United States, and lauded the UAE-US strategic and military cooperation in the region.
The Crown Prince concluded his trip by participating in a dinner hosted by UAE Ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba, which marked the occasion of the Crown Prince's visit and was attended by senior UAE and US government officials. Attendees at the dinner included UAE Foreign Minister HH Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Royal Court HE Mohamed Al Mazrouie, Chief of State Security Department General Hamad Al Shamsi, UAE Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff General Eisa Al Mazrouie, Commander US Central Command General James Mattis, US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, US Central Intelligence Agency Director General David Petraeus, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and Mr Dolan.
okarmi@thenational.ae
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Napoleon
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Company%C2%A0profile
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Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Tomb%20Raider%20I%E2%80%93III%20Remastered
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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
RESULTS
6.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82.500 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Meshakel, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner Gervais, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner Global Heat, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Firnas, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (D) 1,600m
Winner Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm Dubai Trophy (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (T) 1,200m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,400m
Winner Wasim, Mickael Barzalona, Ismail Mohammed.
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5