Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a press conference on the second day of the alliance's summit in Brussels on July 12, 2018. AFP
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a press conference on the second day of the alliance's summit in Brussels on July 12, 2018. AFP

Nato officially initiates UAE into Afghan mission



Nato officially initiated the UAE into the alliance’s Resolute Support Mission on Thursday, as member states announced an extension of funding for the Afghan security forces.

Abu Dhabi has long played a role in helping the international mission in Afghanistan, but the alliance solidified UAE's role at the Nato summit in Brussels where allies have been tangling over defence spending.

“We welcome ... the United Arab Emirates who are joining the Resolute Support Mission and we encourage other interested countries to contribute,” a joint statement said.

“This reflects the broad and continuing support by the international community for Afghanistan’s stability.”

Nato confirmed that the UAE attended the high-level meeting on Afghanistan at the July 11-12 summit.

UAE officials have not confirmed the strength of its role in the mission, nor the funding that it is providing.

The UAE was the first Arab country to contribute troops to the Nato-led mission in Afghanistan. The Armed Forces have served alongside American Green Berets in the southern province of Helmand.

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In their joint statement, Nato states and non-member nations contributing to the mission said they had reaffirmed their “shared commitment to Afghanistan’s long-term security and stability”.

The alliance said that “Nato allies and operational partners have increased force levels to maximise the ability” for them to assist the Afghan forces.

The Nato-led mission involves training, advising and assisting the Afghan security forces and helping Afghan institutions, as well as funding the Afghan military.

“What we decided today was to continue with both training and funding,” said Jens Stoltenberg, Nato secretary-general. “Our current commitment to funding is to 2020. Now we decided to have funding to 2024.”

He said funding would go to Afghan special operations forces, who have been used effectively in the fight against the Taliban insurgent group, and new aircraft, which have been used to conduct air strikes against its fighters.

“The money and the trainers we provide will be used to strengthen the Afghan forces in many different skills and areas,” he said.

The Taliban attacked an Afghan military outpost near the northern city of Kunduz on Thursday, killing at least 29 soldiers.

The country is in the midst of a years-long insurgency by the Taliban and, more recently, ISIS.

Peace hopes were dashed last month when the Taliban ignored President Ashraf Ghani’s offer to extend to an Eid ceasefire. Taliban fighters entered Afghan cities, posing for photos with soldiers and greeting civilians. But they resumed attacks as soon as the truce concluded.

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  • Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Get inspired

Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).

Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.  

Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?). 

The biog

First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974  
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work

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Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

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Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics

 

Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

MATCH INFO

Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)

Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no

Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)

Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22

Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets

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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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