The new US ambassador to the UAE said he is dedicated to expanding relations with “one of our most important partners in the region,” as he arrived to take up his post this weekend.
John Rakolta Jr arrived in Abu Dhabi on October 27, the embassy announced on Tuesday, after he was confirmed by the US Senate last week.
“Our nations share a deep commitment to regional security, bilateral commercial ties, and cultural and educational exchange,” Mr Rakolta said on his arrival. “I am dedicated to expanding the enduring relationship between the US and the UAE, strengthening the links that make the UAE one of our most important partners in the region.”
The appointment of Mr Rakolta ends an 18-month vacancy since Barbara Leaf left last year.
The son of Romanian immigrants, Mr Rakolta, 71, was born and raised in Detroit. Unlike many of his predecessors, he comes from a business background and is the first political appointee to become ambassador to the UAE, a position that is usually reserved for career diplomats.
Since 1980, he served as chairman and chief executive of the 100-year-old construction company Walbridge. Speaking to Congress in June regarding his appointment, he took credit for developing Walbridge "from a $40 million regional company into a $1.6 billion international enterprise of nearly 2,000 employees".
He also said growing trade, which in 2018 was worth $24.6bn (Dh22.2bn) in 2018, would be a major focus of his term.
Mr Rakolta said the relationship between the UAE and the US was “critical to our national security interests and is a moderating and stabilising force in one of the world’s most volatile regions”.
He told Congress that supporting a political solution in Yemen and countering Iranian threats in the Gulf would also take priority.
“The president has been clear that Iran is responsible for the May 12 attacks on four commercial vessels off the coast of Fujairah, and the June 13 attacks on two vessels in the Gulf of Oman,” he said.
The UAE has not accused Iran directly of carrying the attacks but the US has.
“The Iranian regime poses a major threat to freedom of navigation and maritime security," Mr Rakolta said.
"I will work to support the administration’s efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open."
The US embassy statement announcing Mr Rakolta’s appointment noted that he is a “a civic activist, especially on race relations, K-12 education and economic development.”
Sanchez's club career
2005-2006: Cobreloa
2006-2011 Udinese
2006-2007 Colo-Colo (on loan)
2007-2008 River Plate (on loan)
2011-2014 Barcelona
2014–Present Arsenal
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
pakistan Test squad
Azhar Ali (capt), Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Yasir Shah, Usman Shinwari
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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