Germany will offer more financial help for Afghans who want to escape their country after helping Nato troops fight the Taliban.
Under increasing pressure to ensure their safety, Berlin said it would cover the costs of flights to Europe for Afghan staff who could not afford the trip.
But it defended a decision to give them only time-limited visas in Germany, which raises the possibility that they will be returned to Afghanistan in future.
“Many people who are now leaving their country… are not doing this because they think Afghanistan is a horrible place,” said Steve Alter, a spokesman for Germany’s Interior Ministry.
“They are doing it because they currently feel threatened there and need protection. We can hope that the situation in Afghanistan will stabilise at some point so that people can go back.”
About 2,400 German visas were given to Afghan personnel and their families after they helped Nato troops during the 20-year war.
Many Afghans fear reprisals from the Taliban as the militants gain ground following the Nato withdrawal.
Germany completed the removal of its troops in late June, following the lead of US President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw American forces.
Berlin said that all Afghan personnel who sought visas in Mazar-i-Sharif, the site of a former German base, have had their applications processed.
But there were concerns that the process was too bureaucratic and many of those with visas could not afford to take up residency in Germany.
Merkel acts
A group of German MPs appealed directly to Chancellor Angela Merkel to take “moral responsibility” for the fate of Afghan staff.
Bowing to the pressure, Mrs Merkel agreed with her Cabinet that Germany would expand its financial aid to those people.
Mr Alter said Berlin would look at organising charter flights and meeting the costs of commercial flights via Turkey.
Details were yet to be finalised but “the basic decision is the important thing… that in a change from the previous policy, the costs will not have to be met independently,” he said.
We cannot solve all of these problems by taking everyone in
Angela Merkel
Europe faces calls to prepare for a new security crisis by reviewing failed asylum claims and ending deportations to Afghanistan.
EU members can reject asylum applications if they believe that people can safely move to another part of their home country.
But humanitarian groups said that European nations should not use this provision because “there is no safe area or city” in Afghanistan.
Mrs Merkel, who opened Germany’s doors to Syrian refugees at the height of the 2015 crisis, last week signalled a more cautious policy towards Afghanistan.
Many countries are in difficult positions and “we cannot solve all of these problems by taking everyone in,” she said.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
At Eternity’s Gate
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen
Three stars
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
I Care A Lot
Directed by: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 6 Huddersfield Town 1
Man City: Agüero (25', 35', 75'), Jesus (31'), Silva (48'), Kongolo (84' og)
Huddersfield: Stankovic (43')
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
