The US has reversed a decision to bring an aircraft carrier home from the Arabian Gulf, with the Pentagon saying that owing to recent threats by Iran the USS Nimitz would stay in position.
The Nimitz has patrolled Gulf waters since late November, but in a statement issued on December 31, acting US defence secretary Christopher Miller ordered the vessel to "transit directly home to complete a nearly 10-month deployment".
The New York Times, quoting US officials, said the move was part of a "de-escalatory" signal to Tehran to avoid a conflict in President Donald Trump's last days in office.
But on Sunday, Mr Miller issued a new statement, changing course.
"Due to the recent threats issued by Iranian leaders against President Trump and other US government officials, I have ordered the USS Nimitz to halt its routine redeployment," he said.
"The USS Nimitz will now remain on station in the US Central Command area of operations. No one should doubt the resolve of the United States of America."
The decision came as Iran and its supporters marked one year since a US drone strike in Baghdad killed Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qassem Suleimani and the Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis.
Thousands of Iraqi mourners chanted “revenge” and “no to America” on Sunday.
The anniversary of the drone strike was also marked in recent days across Iran and by supporters in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.
Mr Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran and world powers in 2018 and launched a “maximum pressure” campaign against the regime, reimposing and reinforcing crippling sanctions.
The two countries have twice come to the brink of war since June 2019, once after Suleimani was assassinated.
Days after Suleimani’s death, Iran launched a volley of missiles at Iraqi bases housing US and other coalition troops.
Mr Trump refrained from any further military response.
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
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Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
